SPITFIRE CRASH LOCATIONS 26 JUL 43

[Chris Goss]

Does anyone have more precise locations other than "Lille Area" for BM145/504 Sqn, EP328/317 Sqn and AD137/317 Sqn on the above date? German claims were Mouscron, 3km E.Roubaix and Lille-Nord airfield. Wojtech has not got any more precise locations for the 317 Sqn losses that Lille

[Alain57]

Hello Chris ,

I have this info :
26/07/1943 Moeskroen ( Moucron in French )
(419 rue du nouveau monde Mr Dereyne)
Spitfire VB
Escort Ramrod 159 airfield Wevelgem
BM-145
504Sqn
TM-C
Ibsley
F/O McCarthy-Jones Cristopher Cecil (POW) 76590 Camp L3/ POW nr 2020

Born 1916 at Bushey Hertfordshire , enlisted September 15 september 1938 als Sgt RAF VR , interrogated at Roubaix and stayed between 26 July 26 and August 5 43 at the Pri,ce Albert Hospital at Rijsel ( Lille ) - OBE - AFC - Stayed in the RAF as W/C October 17 1958 , died in 1960 in Polio Lagos .

Greets Alain57

[Chris Goss]

Most helpful Alain. Strange as I was contacting the De Ranke brewery in Mouscron earlier this week

[Franek Grabowski]

I have noted a while ago that finding exact crash locations over the Continent is quite an issue, and unfortunately neither AIR 81 nor CWGC does not provide definite answers in most cases. I think in the case Joss is your best bet, as long as he is able to help.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Franek. I now have locations for all 3 Spitfires which match very well with German claims. RAF claims are another matter-wildly over-optimistic

[Franek Grabowski]

Well, they could not count wrecks, but the lack of detailed German after action reports does not help either. For this combat I see one pilot claiming Fw 190 diving with smoke and some flames, and another Fw 190 diving with white smoke(?). Could have been a minor damage. Some cases are clear, but some cause a headache with no logical explanation.