Spitfire serial numbers required

[Alex Smart]

Hello John E,

Re Dear, thanks yes 16th April 44 is given see below .
Kenneth Dear

Service number: 412922
Rank: Warrant Officer [WO]
Unit: 253 Squadron RAF
Service: RAAF
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of death: 16 April 1944
Place of death: Corsica
Cause of death: Accidental
Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force

So again we seek another a/c.

Alex

[Brian]

Sorry guys

My typo re the date of Dear's death - 16 April 1944 it is!


Thanks for all the help.

Cheers
Brian

[Schenck]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

I would not disagree with that. Except that "Spitfire International" has her as
Spitfire F.Vc/Trop (Merlin 50) TOC/RAF 14.2.43; NWA 31.5.43; us 12th AF 1.10.43; crashed Cat. FB/3 27.5.44, SOC.
So it loks like she was with the USAAC when she crashed.

I can only presume that the authors of Spitfire Intl. got it wrong. ORB for May '44 clearly shows JK941 was flown on one operational mission on 25/5 and on the following day it did even more flying, having been flown on two missions to Bihac airfield where No 253 took part in an effort to suppress German onslaught against Partisan HQ in Drvar. Secondly, which of USAAF front units did fly Spitfires so late in May '44?

The aircraft lost on 3/8 seems to be MA691, b/o off Elba Island.

[Brian]

Hi Schenck

I understand that the US Spitfires were flown by 62ndFG. Due to a shortage of American pilots, 253 Squadron was asked to use some of their machines.

Cheers
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Originally Posted by Schenck

The aircraft lost on 3/8 seems to be MA691, b/o off Elba Island.

This a/c was lost off Elba on 3-8-44.

Brian asked about the 3-8-43.

John E gave us Hurricane HV706 for this date.

It does get a bit confusing with so many names, dates and serial numbers .

Perhaps Brian can bring us around to where we are now and what is left to match up.
W/O. Kenneth Dear 16-4-44 and Sullivan 31-10-44 are two.

Alex

[Brian]

Hi Alex and Schrenck

The two 'missing' serial numbers required relate to

16/4/44 DEAR

28/10/44 WILSON (unless JK728 is correct?)

I do really appreciate your time and effort, which will be duly acknowledged.

Cheers
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Hello Brian,

62nd Fighter Group ?

Alex