331°Sqd on 27/09/43

[focusfocus]

Hello

Under what circumstances the loss of Sgt.Hellan (331°Sqd) occured on 27/09/43?I found little information about it (crash location,time..)

Is it during evening raid on Rouen-Sotteville by No.2 Group Mitchells?
A French source says region of Conches...but I really have a doubt.

Michel

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi Michel,


The ORB of the Squadron (AIR 27/1725) mentions :
At 16.40 hrs, 11 a/c took off for Ramrod 521. They swept Gournay, Evreux and Bernay where they sighted the beehive and followed them out. No e/a seen. While on the way out from English coast Sgt.Hellan broke away from formation and his a/c was seen to be out of control. He was last seen diving between Dungeness and Ault. Sqdn. Returned to base 18.30 hsr.


Best regards


Luc

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

The note that I have is "not due to enemy action".

[Stig Jarlevik]

Sersjant Arild Hellan was lost in MA305 coded FN-N and his squadron mates thought it was due to lack of oxygen or problem with the oxygen system.

Non-officlal interviews with Johannes Helland, Annaeus Schjödt and Tryggve Woxen stated that during the mission Hellan's aircraft was seen to wave back and forth and when called by the others did not answer. After a while his aircraft just left the formation and dived out of control until it hit the ground.

Arild had passed his training with an average (by his commander of 34SFTS Wing Commander Scragg) and was at the time of his death flying as No 4 in Blue section

B Rgds
Stig

PS: Luc, the mission also included 11 further aircraft from 332 Skvadronen (Sq)

[focusfocus]

Thank you

I had thought for a moment that he could have been a victim of 10/JG2,but it seems,it's not the case.

B. Regards
Michel