Hurricane kill 2.9.40 Thames Estuary 12.50

[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Bill,

If only such research was that easy to resolve. The KTB of I./JG3 indicates that they took-off at 11.50 a.m. for an escort sortie to a target south-east of London during which they engaged fighters and claimed three victories. (Don’t be too quick to dismiss these claims simply because they were not the right type – one was even for a Morane.) However, this same source confirms that the claim by Oberfw BUCHHOLZ took place during a later sortie over Maidstone (4.55 – 6.10 p.m.) so clearly not involved in the loss of Sgt DYMOND.

III./JG54 also flew an escort sortie to Eastchurch around mid-day on September 2, 1940, elements of the Stabsschwarm and six aircraft of 9./JG54 certainly being involved. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge if the claim by Oberlt HAUSMANN was during this sortie or another escort mission they flew over the same area later that afternoon.

You seem to be satisfied that Sgt DYMOND fell victim to a Bf109E and I agree that this could well be so. But he was involved in an attack on He111s escorted by both Bf110s and Bf109s so anything is possible.