ID two Bf109s destroyed on 29 May 1944

[Pierre Renier]

Hello Brian (Roundway)

Having been off air for a trip to hospital I’d not been able to follow up for a while. By coincidence I’ve been help a good friend with background material in connection with a memorial for Allied Aircrew lost in Bailiwick of Guernsey waters due to be unveiled in September 2015. As part of this research it was decided it would be useful to get copies of some of the ASR units.

It happens the first file I’m reviewing is for 275 (ASR) Squadron, from AIR 27/1596 (p.57) and saw this entry from 29May’44 – “F/O C.C. Phillips and F/Sgt A.W. Hunt were scrambled in Spitfires 846 and 475 to a position 10 to 15 miles S.S.W. of St Catherines Point where two airmen were said to have been shot down. Two Typhoons were circling wreckage, and when the Walrus arrived and landed, the Spitfires which were running short of petrol returned to base. Two launches were seen approaching the Walrus.” Time Up 15.35, Time Down 17.40, Warmwell

The next entry reads – “Walrus 2282 with W/O L.G. Fisher, pilot and F/Sgt D.F. Glass and R.J. Burgess arrived at the position and landed beside the wreckage. Some wreckage consisting of one American type oxygen bottle and three pieces of fabric painted silver with the number 745. A body attached to an opened parachute also seen in full flying kit with a British type helmet, but it sank before it could be rescued. Nearby a deflated dingy was seen which also sank. The Walrus flew back to base when the launches arrived at the wreckage which was thought to be a Mustang.” Time Up 15.30, Time Down 18.30, Warmwell

Sadly it looks increasingly likely a “Blue on Blue” with that the material found by the Walrus crew potentially relating to the a/c of 2nd Lt Gordon Perry in Mustang 42-106745 as detailed in MACR 5207.

I’ve posted the same reply on RAFCommands forum as the thread has also appeared there and know Brian Cull has commented on at least one of those.

Regards
Pierre