Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?

[Alex Smart]

Hello Dan,
I don't know if you misunderstood my list ?
I only gave AL Serial numbers of those that were transferred to the USSR.
The only ones I noted that went to SAAF were those in the HK Serial number range that were swapped by the Russians for Spitfires in 1943.

IIRC the original enquiry was for details of Bostons that were delivered to the Russians in the early years of WW2.
If you have access to "85 Years of the SAAF, all the Bostons are listed therein.
Starting with Serial numbers, Squadron's, aircraft fate and losses which have a/c Serial number and crew names.
The Serial numbers start with W (3) followed by Z(60), then AL (55) ending with HK (40).

All the best
Alex

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Stig Jarlevik

I will be happy to send the pages from Brent's book.
Unfortunately he has used a printing company which, in my eyes, were second class, meaning the binding
has started to crack and I cannot scan the pages.
On the other hand I can use my phone and take pictures.

Please send me a PM with your e-mail address

Thank you, Stig! Private message is in your inbox Phone pictures will be just fine, all I am looking for is the set of serial numbers, not a high quality scan.

I assume the SAAF did manage to pain the serial on the aircraft before it was struck off charge, but one cannot be sure until there is photographic evidence, which might be difficult to obtain in 2023, a few years after the event

Kind regards,

Dan

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Hello Dan,
I don't know if you misunderstood my list ?
I only gave AL Serial numbers of those that were transferred to the USSR.
The only ones I noted that went to SAAF were those in the HK Serial number range that were swapped by the Russians for Spitfires in 1943.

IIRC the original enquiry was for details of Bostons that were delivered to the Russians in the early years of WW2.
If you have access to "85 Years of the SAAF, all the Bostons are listed therein.
Starting with Serial numbers, Squadron's, aircraft fate and losses which have a/c Serial number and crew names.
The Serial numbers start with W (3) followed by Z(60), then AL (55) ending with HK (40).

All the best
Alex

Hello Alex,

I did not misunderstand your list, and I was only looking for the serials of these 40 Bostons which still trouble me Only the SAAF aircraft with AL and HK serials would be relevant to my query, since the W and Z serials were all assigned to earlier production blocks.

As I understand things at present, following the discussion here, three of the 55 AL serials and 37 of the 40 HK serials should be the aircraft in this group of 40, reassigned from Soviet deliveries in July 1942. This is not definitive, however. I'll wait until Stig sends me the relevant pages of Brent, as he has so kindly promised, before I comment further.

There is a separate issue with the second batch of Bostons. To quote your earlier message, Alex, "44 specialy equipped Boston III's in transit to the USSR in 1943(in the HK869 - 972 range) were released by the Soviet Commission in Abadan for use by the RAF in the Middle East in exchange for Spitfires." These were A-20C-10 aircraft from the 42-33*** serial range, and they were indeed used by the RAF, not the SAAF. Their American, and indeed British, serials also remain obscure, though Zoran has identified several. I am interested in these, too, but somewhat less than in the earlier batch, because the later transfer did not merit a correspondence between Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin.

Kind regards,

Dan

[Alex Smart]

Hi Dan,
Details from "85 Years of South African Air Force ". Pages 245 -251.
With additional details from AB's "The British Air Commission and Lend- Lease"

Boston III(DB-7B).
Originally contacted for the Armee de l'Air.
AL263 - 336 ....Manufacturer's Serials - 2130 - 2203.
AL337 - 502 ....Manufacturer's Serials - 2718 - 2883.

AL270 - 24/12 Squadron's
AL276 - 24 Squadron

Boston III(DB-7B)
Originally contacted for the Armee de l'Air.
AL668 - 907 .....Manufacturer's Serials - 3600 - 3839(240).

AL668 - 12 Squadron
AL671 - 12 Squadron
AL673 - 24 Squadron
AL674 - 24 Squadron
AL681 - 12 Squadron
AL683 - 24 Squadron
AL684 - 12 Squadron
AL686 - 24 Squadron
AL687 - 24 Squadron
AL689 - 24 Squadron
AL691 - 12 Squadron
AL696 - 24 Squadron
AL699 - 12 Squadron
AL701 - 12 Squadron
AL705 - 12 Squadron
AL706 - 12 Squadron
AL712 - 12 Squadron
AL713 - 12 Squadron
AL716 - 24 Squadron
AL717 - 12 Squadron
AL720 - 12 Squadron
AL723 - 24 Squadron
AL726 - 24 Squadron
AL727 - 24 Squadron
AL728 - 12 Squadron
AL730 - 12 Squadron
AL731 - 24 Squadron
AL733 - 24 Squadron
AL734 - 12 Squadron
AL735 - 12 Squadron
AL745 - 12 Squadron
AL757 - 24 Squadron
AL759 - 24 Squadron
AL761 - 24 Squadron
AL762 - 24 Squadron
AL768 - 12 Squadron
AL770 - 24 Squadron
AL773 - 12 Squadron
AL776 - 12 Squadron
AL778 - 24 Squadron
AL780 - 12 Squadron
AL781 - 12 Squadron
AL782 - 12 Squadron
AL783 - 12 Squadron
AL785 - 24 Squadron
AL786 - 12 Squadron
AL790 - 12 Squadron
AL791 - 24 Squadron
AL794 - 12 Squadron
AL797 - 12 Squadron
AL800 - 24 Squadron
AL801 - 24 Squadron
AL805 - 12 Squadron
AL810 - 12 Squadron
AL818 - 24 Squadron
==================================================

The following -

It was not until late 1942 that the deliveries of Bostons to Britain were resumed. By this time, the deliveries to Britain were being carried out under the terms of Lend-Lease rather than as direct purchases. The aircraft designated for delivery to Britain were given USAAF designations of A-20C and were assigned USAAF serial numbers. They were known as Boston IIIA in RAF service. They were basically similar to the USAAF A-20C, with the exception of the use of British equipment and armament. RAF serials were BZ196/BZ352, BZ355/BZ378, and BZ381/BZ399. Other Boston IIIAs were taken over in the field by the RAF, some of them retaining their original USAAF serial numbers, while others received new RAF serials (HK869, HK870, HK872/HK879, HK912, HK918, HK923, HK924, HK934, HK960, HK962, HK964, HK967, HK969, HK970, HK972, and HK973).
Ref: https://massimotessitori.altervista....-20general.htm

(Transferred from Russia to SAAF).From my earlier post.

35 Boston III's transferred from Russian deliveries in December 1942.

HK869 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK870 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK871 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK872 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK873 - 24/12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK874 - 12 Squadron/114/18.
HK875 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK876 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK877 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK878 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK879 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK880 - 115MU.
HK881 - 24/12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK882 - 24/12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK883 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK884 - 12 Squadron/18
HK885 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK886 - 12 Squadron/5 RFU
HK887 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK888 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK889 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK890 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK891 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK892 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK893 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK894 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK895 - 24 Squadron/4 ADU.
HK896 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK897 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK898 - 24/12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK899 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK900 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK901 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK902 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK903 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).

Transferred from Russian shipment in December 1942.
HK912 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK918 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).

Transferred from Russian shipment in February 1943.
HK921 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK922 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK923 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK924 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).

Transferred from Russian shipment in April 1943
HK934 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).
HK935 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF).

13 Boston III's transferred from Russian shipment in August and September 1943.

HK960
HK961
HK962
HK963
HK964
HK965
HK966
HK967 - 12 Squadron
HK968
HK969 - 12 Squadron/114.
HK970 - 12 Squadron
HK971 - 18
HK972 - 18
Additional HK details from AB's HA100 - HZ999.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Dan

Pages sent

Cheers
Stig

[Zoran Petek]

Hello,
Here are some that reached USSR.

41-19115 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. A-20C Havoc, diverted from British order. Many had Boston IIIA data plates, hence Soviet names B3 aka B-3 aka Boston.
41-19132 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. Diverted from British order.
41-19134 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19138 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19153 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. Still in use late 44.
41-19154 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19256 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19278 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19280 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19290 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19291 UA-20C for training. 244 BAD, 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian front late 1944.
41-19320 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19324 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19326 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19346 UA-20C for training. 244 BAD, 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian front late 1944.
41-19349 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942.
41-19592 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. Boeing A-20C-BO Havoc, diverted from British order.
41-19623 UA-20C for training, modified from Boeing A-20C-BO Havoc. 244 BAD, 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian front. Lost late 1944.
41-19627 UA-20C for training. 244 BAD, 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian front late 1944.

Regards
Zoran

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Hi Dan,
Details from "85 Years of South African Air Force ". Pages 245 -251.

Hello Alex,

Thank you for typing up this information, it is most helpful to have it here within the thread, for future reference.

I took a moment to read through the Boston section of Air Arsenal North America again, and found that Phil Butler matched 35 British HK serials from the July 1942 batch to U.S. serials, as follows:

“The RAF also received further Bostons in the Middle East, by the transfer or approximately 40 A-20Cs intended for delivery to Russia via the ‘South Russia’ route through Abadan. These were transferred (with Stalin’s agreement) during the build up to the Battle of El Alamein. These aircraft were allotted numbers in the HK batch given lo the RAF HQ in Cairo for ‘local acquisitions’ and included HK869 to HK903, HK912, HK918, HK921 to HK924, HK934 and HK935. Ironically, many of these were from the Defense Aid contract that had matched the original allocation of BZ serial numbers. These aircraft equipped Nos 12 and 24 Squadrons, SAAF, in the Desert Air Force. HK870 to HK872 were ex 41-119108, -111916 and -110127, HK874 to HK903 were ex 41-119236, -119242, -119245, -119247, -119268 to -119271, -119306, -119307, -119316, -119318, -119325, -119326, -119289, -119329, -119344, -119345, -119355, -119366, -119386, -119391, -119398, -119406, -119419, - 119135, -119437 and -119475. HK912, 918, 934, and 935 were ex 41-119286, -119146, -119206 and -119394.

The similar batch HK960 to HK972 includes the examples 42-33208, -33215, -33216, -33224, -33232, -33270, -33280, -33290, -33293, -33303 and -33313 (plus one unidentified) which were transferred from USAAF stocks in the Middle East, rather than from the USSR.”

Looking at the information in Winston Brent’s book, some of the following six aircraft could be among the five additional aircraft that are needed to make up the July 1942 total of 40 transferred aircraft:

HK869 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 12 SAAF – overshot landing at Hal Far 17.08.43
HK873 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 12 SAAF – tyre bust on take-off, swung, dbr Hal Far 23.07.43
HK921 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 24 SAAF – NFD (no further details)
HK922 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 24 SAAF – NFD (no further details)
HK923 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 24 SAAF – NFD (no further details)
HK924 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 12 SAAF – NFD (no further details)

I am not fully convinced by the matches made by Phil Butler, who was perhaps making the best job he could of the vague information on the relevant AM78 cards. Provisionally, my conclusion is that all 40 Bostons, the 37 A-20Cs and the three DB-7Bs, were assigned HK serials. However, it is clear that many of them flew with U.S. serials and single SAAF Squadron code letters for an extended period of time, so definitively matching the U.S. and SAAF serials of these aircraft may be very difficult indeed.

Kind regards,

Dan

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Stig Jarlevik

Dan

Pages sent

Stig,

Pages gratefully received

You will see that in my reply to Alex, just above, I made the best guess I could concerning the identity of the 40 Bostons, after looking at the images that you sent me. I stress that my conclusion is provisional.

Cheers,

Dan

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Zoran Petek

Hello,
Here are some that reached USSR.

41-19115 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. A-20C Havoc, diverted from British order. Many had Boston IIIA data plates, hence Soviet names B3 aka B-3 aka Boston.

Thank you for an interesting list, Zoran.

Several hundred Bostons originally intended for Britain, and carrying Boston Mark III or Mark IIIA data plates, were sent to the USSR. These were exported directly from the U.S. to the Soviet Union, so they do not appear in British records, or at least in any records that are presently known. The British serials which were provisionally assigned to these aircraft, mainly from the BZ block, were 'not taken up', as the contemporary phrase went.

Kind regards,

Dan