Battle Crash

[Chris Goss]

Before I start trawling, can anyone save me time by identifying this aircraft?

[gedburke3]

Hi Chris,
Is it possibly L5528 of 150 Squadron?
Lost on 27th July 1940.
See here https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ls/r/C16471943
regards
Gerry

[Chris Goss]

Gerry-that one was at RAF Newton; there are German vehicles in the background of the photo

[gedburke3]

Doh!!
Didn't even notice them...…...

[Chris Goss]

Serial appears close to that though

[dp_burke]

If you go to RAFCommands AIR81 database and search for the phrase "Battle L55" there are many returns

http://www.rafcommands.com/database/air81/


There are some very very useful search functions over on RAFC now, well worth playing around with.

[gedburke3]

The serial number is possibly L5328.
That's a Battle belonging to 12 squadron.
Gerry

[Martin Gleeson]

Hello Chris,

This is a new Battle photo to me, and a new wreck. The location seems to be an abandoned (RAF) airfield.

No matter how I look at it the serial seems to begin with 'L53'. The third numeral is probably '0' or '2'. Twelve Battles in the 'L53..' series were left in France. Based on photo evidence I can rule out all five in the 'L532.' batch, some of the others too like L5334 and L5397. None were lost in the 'L530.' group. That leaves four with unknown fates; L5333, L5338, L5362 and L5396.

If that second digit was indeed '5' and not '3' then L5508, L5509 and L5520 come into play, Again all final fates unknown.

Sorry I cannot help more, but I hope someone can identify this Battle.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[paulmcmillan]

OK I had a look, and based on the the downward "curve" of the middle of second number and the height of the "middle" of the number if I think it is a 5 rather than a 3 (compare to visible 5), and the wreckage hanging down is hiding the front of the 5. The last digit is an 8 to me and so the 4 number is either a 0 or 2

so L55?8

That can make it either L5508 (103 Sqn no fate) or L5528

L5528 was lost 27-7-1940 in UK (at Newton with 150 Squadron)

So as far as I can see it is L5508


Possible loss is one of these unknowns

https://www.northlincsweb.net/103Sqn...__to_1940.html

Based on the damage?

14th June 1940 – Fairey Battle I – Various – 2 aircraft destroyed in bombing at Souge and possibly others at the MU at Nantes

I think though "bombing" would be more appropriate damage -= any idea of what attacked Souge on this date


https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peo...a3294795.shtml
"
14.6.40

1700.
Low flying attack by approximately 9 M.E’s 110s or Dornier aircraft who approached over the brow of a hill bordering the aerodrome and delivered an “excellent attack”.

Several aircraft hit and set on fire. Sergt. Dons (?) wounded."

or

on 15th June 1940

Any photos of Souge from period ??

[paulmcmillan]

PS look at damage on roof of House

That looks like the after effects of a bombing o me

Loss of tiles etc, the rest of the building appears undamaged