Chris Le Roux - August 1944

[keith A]

On the Air of Authority website it states (posted N/E sick - 1 Aug). Can anyone tell me what this means?

regards

Keith

[Allan125]

Hello Keith

It means - posted non/effective sick - other than being seen by the squadron, or 125 wing medical staff it probably meant that he was either sent to a Field Hospital, if it was deemed serious, or stayed at B.11 Longues-sur-Mer - does that answer your query?

His absence, or temporary replacement, is not mentioned in the 125 Wing ORB, however, on 31 July 1944, it records "S/L Le Roux of 602 had an unpleasant experience when making his way back from an Armed Recce. He became separated from the rest of his Squadron and was out of ammo. When he was attacked by 6 FW190's. S/L Le Roux flew as never before, as he told us afterwards, and eventually outmanoeuvred the Huns, seeing one spin in and crash"

Strangely enough the above incident is not written up in the 602 ORB for 31 July, nor does it mention the pilots taking part - although it states "The following pilots took part in this sortie" - nor is the ORB signed by anybody at the end of July, despite it clearly stating "Squadron Leader, Commanding - No. 602 Squadron R.A.F", and of course it would normally have been signed above that, which might be relevant to his absence.

I don't hold the 602 ORB for August, but I do hold all of the 125 Wing ORB from June 1943 - July 1945, which contains précised pieces from all of the Wing squadrons where deemed important enough to report higher.

Allan

[keith A]

Cheers Allan, that is an interesting detail. I had wondered why the 31 July 1944 is not included in many accounts on his score, but the adventure with one or two enemy fighters flying into the ground while he is evading their fire is mentioned. I assume this last victory was not confirmed. If he was running for his life then there'd be no camera evidence.

regards


Keith