Stirling shot down August 1940

[Observer1940]

A War Office A.A. Army Signal confirms that this "Stirling" was shot down 18th August 1940. An Admiralty War Diary for the Royal Marines at Bishopstoke (Site 26) Southampton confirms they opened fire at 1305 hrs 18th August 1940 and that the Stirling had no right to be over the Inner Artillery Zone.

The grid reference square given by the later Army Signal for this A.A. engagement with the Stirling and "crash" / force landing at 1318 hrs, is Charlton, Wilts, (just North-West of Upavon).

The CFS Upavon ORB (marked "Original"), does not mention anything and the RAF Museum had no filmed AM1180 card.

I expect this was a forced landing after being engaged by our A.A., due to the Artillery zone violation / infringement.

A Library book in my Library stated the Stirlings were at Leeming in August 1940 and the N3640 incident occurred in September 1940, I also wondered if the aircraft was under trial / training.

Mark