New Zealanders in 611 Squadron 1942

[keith A]

There appears to be several NZ pilots with this squadron in 1942. The most famous was Bill Crawford-Compton but also PO BM Tapley and PO DE Hogan. Can anyone tell me if these latter two pilots claimed any victories?

My question is regarding a "probable" credited with Bill Compton on 28 August 1942. The ORB lists twelve pilots on this mission and supposedly four shared the claim. However only four of the eleven (excluding Compton) seem to be eligible once we remove those listed in AH and TOE, as well as pilots of B Flight. We are left with four possible pilots which includes PO Tapley and Hogan. These pilots land at Friston with Compton after the sortie so I assume both were members of his flight.

I should state that 611 Squadron site does not list this claim, and that others credit Compton on his own.

Yep I know its obscure but...where else can you get answers to obscure questions except this place?

[keith A]

Just found Hogan didn't make any claims with 611 but made more of an impact with 111 Squadron in Tunisia...therefore....Tapley, Sgt Nicholson and FO I.Thompson?

[Chris Goss]

No mentions in the history of 611 Sqn

[keith A]

Cheers mate, Yep that.. the 611 claims board also doesn't list a probable ( shared or otherwise) but Comptons citation does - so where's the provenance? I agree there may be an argument that the citation lists seven "damaged" and that therefore one of the "probables" was a former "damaged" claim but the totals don't add up. One of his "probables" was downgraded to damaged but again..... He is listed in most accounts as 8 1/2 destroyed by December 1942, with 6 probables and 7 damaged.