British Second-Line Aircraft lost in France Sept. 1939 - June 1940.

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Paul,

That is terrific information for which I am very grateful. Many thanks.

Regards,

Martin.

[Rémi Baudru]

Thanks for sharing all these informations.


In my first post I spoke of the Miles Magister left in june on the airfield of Toulouse Francazal.
Here is a photo of R1910 taken in july or august 1940 by a pilot of the GC II/6.

RB

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Remi,

Thank you very much for posting the photo of R1910. It is wonderful to see it.
I am still trying to determine why it was at Toulouse. I wonder were some RAF aircrew trying to escape via Southern France ? This seems unlikely, but one never knows. Perhaps this Magister had been stationed at Perpignan in connection with the RAF detachment there (No. 1 Armanent Training Station) ? Maybe it had engine trouble ?

Merci beaucoup,

Martin.

[Martin Gleeson]

Continuing the research into this subject I have found one more 'new' loss and two strong possibilities. Any more help very welcome.
.
R3341 4 FPP Hit by Battle L5452 of 226 Sqn while parked at Pouan LG 19-5-1940, DBR.
.
A further DH 89 possibility could be X8507, also 24 Sqn. ex G-AEXO. The most complete history for
this aircraft can be found on the Air-Britain website (DH 89 page). It merely records
"To 24 Sqn, Hendon 27.3.40. SOC 13.6.41". The large gap may indicate a very late 'Struck Off Charge' date.
.
Another DeHavilland possibility is a DH 60G Moth used by 770 and 767 Sqns, Fleet Air Arm. This was W9367, ex G-ABBD. These units had detachments at Hyeres in Southern France, near Toulon from late 1939 to May (770) and June 1940 (767). It seems to have been assigned first to 770 Sqn until it was disbanded at Hyeres on 1-5-1940, then passing on to 767 Sqn. It almost certainly served as a unit 'hack' or liason aircraft. When 767 Sqn flew out their Swordfish aircraft to Malta and Gibraltar soon after 19-6-40 they may have left this Moth behind as it probably did not have the range to fly out. It was "last reported 5.40".
Do any of our French experts know if the Armee de l'Air or the Aeronavale in southern France used this Moth after the FAA departed in June 1940 ?
.
Regards,
.
Martin.