331 sqn EN786 FN-T

[Mikkel Plannthin]

I have been wondering about the fate of the aircraft. Morgan & Shacklady as well as www.spitfite.ufk.net list the aircraft as lost / Cat E on 31 Oct 42 / 1 Nov 42, but still at 331 Sqn. But the 331 Sqn. ORB list the aircraft as operational for the last time at 9 Oct. 1942 in the hands of Birksted. Furthermore the ORB reports that the squadron is operational on Spit IX on 14 Oct. 1942.

Norman Franks FCL 1942 list the aircraft as lost to a JG26 Fw 190 in the hands of F/O Galway on 31 Oct 42. Galway is attached to 453 (RAAF) Sqn.

I suppose, therefore, that the aircraft is actually transferred to 453 Sqn., but that this might not have been noted on the movement card. Or that it was not officially transferred to this squadron before it suffered Cat E damage. Any comments to these theories?

Mikkel

[Jaap Vermeer]

Hello Mikkel,

19-6-1942,time,11.35,crashed;Vlissingen,Holland Spitfire V,BL637,331 Squadron, Lt K.T.Jacobson

19-6-1942,time,11.35,crashed;Westerschelde,Holland,Spit fire VB,AR298
FN-N,331 Squadron,2/Lt.J.E.Muller ,POW

I have also pictures from two Norwegian Pilots who crashed at Putten,Holland,both KIA,

Lauritz Othar Godø,24-2-1945
Oluf Ragnar Wagtskjold,28-2-1945

Oluf is stending next to his Spitfire.On the spinner you see the Norwegian Roundle/flag.I have also pictures of Oluf when he was a child,and letters he send to his uncle in the USA.His family has visit Putten to,

Most regards,Jaap Vermeer/Nijkerk/Holland

[LMLassen]

Mikkel

I have no further evidence to add to the demise of EH786 - except I've seen a photo (not a very good one) somewhere of a lineup of Spitfire Mk Vb marked FN-'x' etc, where the captions states these was ex-331 Sqn. aircraft just transferred to 'XXX' squadron.

I've been through my entire collection of books and magazines serveral times to relocate said picture - but no luck. (I'm - almost - certain that this is not something I've dreamt up )

If the caption is true it seems, that most 331 Spitfire V's was transferred in a bundle to a new unit.

I'm to tired to start digging into the ORB's and Morgan & Shacklady now - maybe tomorrow.

Lars

[Jaap Vermeer]

Mikkel / Lars,

Send a mail to Alf Johannessen in Norway ;

alfegil.johannessen@sandefjordbredband.net

He is an expert about the Norwegian Airforce in WWII.

Regards Jaap

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thanks Jaap and Lars for further information.

Lars, I am pretty certain that the a/c went to 453 (RAAF) Sqn. Hence, it might be a line up of Spits from this unit.

Mikkel