610 Sqn 26 Aug 40

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Martin- superb bit of analysis which helps me with my piece on this raid
Regards
Chris

[Stig Jarlevik]

Martin

With regard to K9947 I agree with what you say, but I have some theories of my own. Comparing Aeromilitaria with the older K-files, I notice that K-files only states 610 Sq took K9947 on strength in Aug 1940. The date 30.8.1940 is clearly wrong since on the next line Aeromilitaria clearly states it was damaged as DW-M on 14.8.1940! At this stage I have no idea from where the exact date 30/8 comes from, but I notice that Bowyer in Aircraft of the few also has the same detailed date.
Now, how much was K9947 damaged? I am puzzled by the lack of any given MU after its crash and maybe, just maybe the damage was not very serious and the aircraft repaired and back with 610 Sq later that same month, perhaps 30/8?

There is obviously nothing recorded in any remaining forms anything else than the aircraft entering service with 222 Sq 23.9.1940, no MU, nothing, leading to the conclusion it went straight from 610 Sq to 222 Sq.

Since we lack any aircraft M with 610 Sq between 26.8 to 7.10 there just may be some kind of possibillity here that K9947 went back to 610 Sq and continued as DW-M. They didn't even have to repaint her....

Worth considering?

Cheers
Stig

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Stig,
.
Yes, K9947 poses considerable problems. I also have the 222 Squadron ORB (AIR 27/1371) for this period and should have checked it before for completeness. K9947 only appears in the 222 Sqn. Form 541 from 25 September 1940, then again on the 29th and 30th (twice) and on into October 1940.
.
The gap in its operational service between 610 Sqn. on August 14th (damaged) and 222 Sqn. on September 25th would be consistent with a period of repair. True, this is not proof but it is hard to imagine a Spitfire at this time not flying operationally for more than 5 weeks if it had not been damaged.
.
Your point about the gap in the use of an aircraft with the 'M' letter is well made. However looking through my notes it has just occurred to me that during August 1940 610 Sqn. need not have had all its regular aircraft letters in use (almost) all of the time. During that month, according to the F.541, 24 different letters were in use - all bar 'C' and 'I'. Indeed 'U', 'W', 'Y' and 'Z' only seemed to come into use in July or August 1940, so there were more letters than aircraft to use them !
.
As you say many aircraft were repaired at unit level without the need to be sent to a repair centre. There are other instances in the 'AEROMILITARIA' series where Spitfires were damaged but there is no record of them going to a repair centre or Maintenance Unit.
.
Regards,
.
Martin.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Martin

Since I have no ORB either forms 540 or 541 myself, is K9947 not mentioned anywhere at all? I mean it is not mentioned in any 610 Sq records (or anywhere else) after its accident on 14/8 and its apperance with 222 Sq 23/9?
If that is so we have two alternatives
a) It rested idle with 610 Sq and was perhaps used as a spare part ship until enough spares was available to repir it thoroghly.
b) It went to a MU/Repair Unit without anyone bothering to record that fact.

Cheers
Stig

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Stig,

As noted towards the end of my first post K9947 was recorded in the 610 Sqn. Form 541 flying operationally on August 11, 12, 14 (damaged), 24 (twice), 25 and the 29th (as K9974 in error). 610 Sqn. flew very few operational sorties in September 1940 and K9947 does not feature.
For 222 Sqn. K9947 does not appear until September 25th - its first operational flight with that unit.
It is my belief that the dates with 610 Sqn. on August 24 and 25th were in fact for R6970. The 29th date for 'K9974' I cannot really explain. To see some logbooks from that time for 610 Sqn. would surely help clear up some issues.
Of your alternatives I do not think a) is likely but I think b) is almost certainly correct.

Regards,

Martin.