Don Blakeslee 133 squadron leader?

[keith A]

In many accounts Blakeslee is given as squadron leader of 133 Squadron in August 1942 but my understanding is that after being appointed Acting Flight Lieutenant (in July 1942?) and assigned to 133 Squadron he was only acting as c.o. in the period between the departure of SLdr EH Thomas and the arrival of newly-promoted Major Carroll McColpin. To promote a pilot from Pilot Officer to Acting Squadron leader in four weeks would surely be unlikely?

In this interim period he appears to have fallen foul of his superiors (the infamous WAAF incident) and was removed to serve a period in a support unit. Memory not being what it was I can't recall the name of it. He doesn't appear to have returned until some time in late September or October 1942 when he joined 336 Fighter Squadron (as a flight commander?).

He takes command of 335th FS on 22 November 1942.

regards

Keith

[JohnE]

He was posted to 116 Squadron on August 27th and then to 4th Fighter Group on September 29th.

/John Engelsted

[keith A]

Cheers John.