218 SQUADRON CREW LIST 14-05-40

[Stephen Smith]

Have enjoyed all the posts on No.218 (B) Squadron and we at the association are always pleased to learn something new.

In all the posts I have seen no mention of Battle K9254. (see attachment)

The aircraft is mentioned a number of times in the ORB, the last of which is January 12th 1940 when on return from a exercise the engine developed a problem resulting in the pilot, P/O Forth making a forced landing 20 kms of Campiagne. (sic).

The Battle File mentions that the aircraft was abandoned in France, interested in any views on this and P/O Forth.

Regards

Steve

[Ex Shack]

Steve,
Do your records show the 218 Sqn a/c that was coded HA-B in May '40, if any?The B is a possibility for a Battle shown in Peter Cornwell's book "The Battle of France-then and now" The photo shows the rear fuselage up to and including the Sqn code, but the a/c is nearly vertical among a dense stand of trees and the curve of the fuselage takes away much of the lower part of the lettering. In the book it is very provisionaly identified as HA-R but it is shown,on p272 alongside another Battle that is unambiguously HA-R and the possible double use of the letter has caused much discussion in an area where the records are so incomplete and there is justified concern about being as accurate as possible.
Regards
Dick

[Stephen Smith]

Good evening Dick,

Sadly the squadron ORB does not record the individual a/c letter at all until the squadron was re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington. As already mention the pages for May 1940 are missing. !! Most frustrating!!!

Slightly off topic, yes we all would like to positively identify the aircraft in the photograph, however I think we all should congratulate Peter on a magnificent publication on a topic fraught with potential minefields.

[Ex Shack]

Steve
I would certainly endorse your "off topic" sentence
Regards
Dick

[Iain Torrance]

Has anybody got more info on L5402 or P2189

Simong mentions photos exist of L5402 as 'burnt out' -
anybody got a scan?
and any chance it is the Battle destoyed in air raid at Auberive when bomb load (4x250lb) went off?

Anything at all on fate of P2189?

thanks

Iain

[Iain Torrance]

Having gone back over the records a few more thoughts on the two HA-Rs (or the HA-R & HA-B)

My hunch is that the photo ‘in the wood’ is likely to be HA-B.

So if that’s right then it would be a newly coded HA-B replacing K9324, well documented as having the B plane code, which left 218 Squ on 7 March. Incidently K9256 also seems to have left the squadron at that date (incidentally this plane is stated by Cornwell as abandoned at Auberive this is unlikely as Battle File has it as gone to 21AD, Nantes). There was also the Hulbert crash, on 1 March, of K9252.

Consistent with this are the three planes recorded as arriving 218 Squadron in early March, presumed as replacements, and one of two these could have been coded HA-B....

L5232 – was the Harris loss on 14 May – crew killed
P2189 – I have nothing on the fate of this a/c
P2192 - arrived 12 March is the much photographed HA-E abandoned Auberive

Can anybody please help with further info on L5232 or P2189? Photos?

Also L5402 is recorded in Battle File as Damaged by ground fire Luxembourg - on 10 May, returned, and abandoned on evacuation

Again I’ve never seen a confirming photo, or other evidence, can any body please help on that one?

Thanks

Iain

[adrianh]

Hi, Better late than never.
I have been researching the Fairey Battle as a subject for a rc scale model (Around 80" span). The RAFM provided some history on K9324 HA B which is the one I will model. According to the aircraft records it was one of the original 11 sent out by 218sqn and returned from the mission in question and finished its days in Australia. Appears it was recalled back to the UK very soon after those huge losses as squadron strengths were decimated.

Adrian

[arnaud]

Malcolm,

Is it possible to have the two texts mentioning attacks on May 14th 1940 of
- F/Lt J. M. M. Hughes (DFC) and
- Cpl J. A. Drummond (DFM)

Battle L5402 and P2189 were also shot down on that deadly mission on Sedan on May 14th 1940, crews baled out : one of this Battle hurt in mid-air a Bf 109 of JG 53 : I have found the two wreckages (German and British) side by side on the ground... The German pilot was taken prisonner. The two Battle crews were not killed.

I am looking for a photo of those three wreckages:
- a Battle of No. 218 Squadron (L5402 or P2189) and a Bf 109 of JG 53 all together
- a Battle of No. 218 Squadron (L5402 or P2189).

Merci

[malcolmjameswilson]

Hello arnaud,

If you send me an email address via PM I will forward you copies – safer than me typing them out!

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[arnaud]

Bonjour,

I haven't checked if this crew was mentioned in this thread. Here they are...

Sergent Owen :
“On the 14th May, 1940, whilst carrying out a raid on Bouillon, he was attacked by a very heavy formation of enemy fighters. Although his aircraft was badly damaged Sergt Owen pressed home his attack and by his skilful manoeuvring materially assisted his air gunner in shooting down one of the enemy fighters and having completed his mission brought his aircraft safely back to its base” (Recommendation Sgt C D Owen).

AC Evans :
“On the 14th May, 1940, this airmen was wireless operator air gunner of the aircraft which on a bombing raid, was attacked by a force of Me 109’s. Although heavily outnumbered Aircraftman Evans remained cool and withhold his fire until his gun could be used effectively. He shot down one enemy fighter and damaged others, causing them to break off the engagement. His courage and coolness in the face of heavy enemy opposition were largely responsible for the success of the raid and the safe return of the aircraft”(Recommendation AC E.J. Evans).