Loss of 3 Hurricanes of 85 Sqn 20 May 1940

[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Alex,

The details you quoted are as published in 'Twelve Days in May' by Brian Cull & Bruce Lander with Heinrich Weiss (Grub Street 1995). Was that not your source ?

[Stig Jarlevik]

Gentlemen

I have one question regarding this interesting debate.
"Acting" S/L Peacock is stated by Peter to have received his posting on May 20th to No 85 Sq, that is the same day he was killed! How come he is then listed with No 85 Sq both as S/L and member when he bailed on May 19th?

Cheers
Stig

[Yellow 6]

Stig,

could I ask where the source of information was derived regarding the bale out? I saw a similar entry on a website stating this date and also that Sergeant Crozier, No. 85 Squadron, was killed after a bale out. Our records indicate the contrary that he was wounded and returned to the UK.

As in a large number of cases it is difficult for us to establish facts so long after the events of 1940. According to which sources you read "Fighter Squadron at War" by A.J. Brookes, Squadron Leader Peacock arrived on 20 May to take command, later in the same chapter his loss having failed to return from offensive patrols and finally it is stated that the Squadron had lost its new C.O the day after he arrived.

Acting ranks, immediate movements of personnel, destruction of records; such is the confusion created in the fog of war. We have to cross examine the evidence from all sources and ultimately form our own conclusions.

I still hold firm to the belief that the Flight Lieutenant Peacock of 601 Squadron buried in Arras, is one and the same person as Squadron Leader Peacock, 85 Squadron. CWGC records indicate no other casualty of that surname for the month of May 1940.

While the facts evade us the mystery will no doubt continue.