Combat with FW190 28 June 1944

[Andy ingham]

While compiling a full list of losses for 127 Squadron I have a possible loss on 28 June 44.
The ORB states that F/Lt Doyle RCAF Crash landed at B.4 after combat with FW190's.
He took off from B.2 at 1650.
The serial of the aircraft in question was ML413.
'Spitfire the History' lists this aircraft as 127S 30-5-44, FRU 6-7-44.
What is the meaning of FRU?
The meaning in the glossary(Fleet Requirements Unit) makes no sense.

I also have seen that 2 spitfires were claimed by the Luftwaffe in the late afternoon but I can find no corresponding losses other than this one. Has anyone any more details on the Lufftwaffe claims for this date.
Regards
Andy

[SteveB]

Andy

This was almost certainly No 511 Forward Repair Unit which was frequently referred to simply as "FRU". It was based at Odiham at this time so presumably your spitfire was taken home by Queen Mary. There is more detail and several photos taken at Odiham in 2TAF Vol 3 by Shores & Thomas. In November 1944 it was reformed as No 151 Repair Unit.

Steve

[Andy ingham]

Thanks Steve
That would make sense appart from the fact that B.4 was in Normandy.
Andy

[SteveB]

Andy

I know that B.4 was Beny-sur-Mer in Normandy. Perhaps I am being too cryptic. Sorry if you know this but a "Queen Mary" was an articulated, low-loader lorry. So, if an aircraft was damaged beyond the facilities and capacity of local Servicing Echelons and Repair and Salvage Units, it was disassembled into the main components, loaded onto a Queen Mary and sent back to the UK (in this case to 511FRU, Odiham) via a returning LST. Early in July 1944 not all the RSUs had moved to France, No 412 RSU did not move to B.4 until August 1944.

It might be entertaining if it were possible to reconstruct the bureaucratic thinking that established "No 511 Forward Repair Unit". As you may have seen from RAF T&S Units this was the only "Forward" Repair Unit which seems to be why it is often logged on Form 78 simply as "FRU". It seems likely that when it was established it was intended to follow the advancing frontline across Europe but strangely when it moved to Europe in November 1944, as No 151 Repair Unit, the "Forward" bit was dropped from the title.

Steve

[Andy ingham]

Thanks Steve
I never considered an LST.
Just imagined one way traffic.
I think the conclusion is that ML413 was damaged Cat B in the force landing on 28.6.44. Transported back to the UK by July 44 and repaired at 511FRU at Odiham. Allocated to 441Sqn in March 45.
Andy