Culmhead Spitfire VII claims

[BruceMk11]

I have a few questions re several Spitfire VII claims:

12/6/44, W/O RA Hart (RAAF), 616 Sqn: Bf 109 dest

6/8/44, W/O HA Patton (RAAF), 131 Sqn: FW 190 dest

Would like the serial & codes for Hart and serial for Patton; his a/c was
apparently coded NX-V (and was possibly MD187).

19/7/44, F/O GB Edwards, 131 Sqn: ?

19/7/44, P/O IT Wilson, 616 Sqn: ?

Can someone fill in the blanks?

I haven't found any claims after 7/8/44, when 131 claimed three FW 190s
dest, so was this the Spit VIIs last combat?


Cheers, Bruce

[Aussie7]

Bruce,
from the book 'Jack's Adventures' (The story of F/L Jack Cleland) - W/O Hart was flying YQ*F serial number MB808.
I have sighted a combat report (CR) at the PRO for 19 Jul 44 which has F/O GE Edwards (131 Sqn) and P/O Wilson (616 Sqn) sharing a Me109 conf. I only saw the CR on 7 Aug 44 for F/L Waterhouse, who claimed the other two.

Ian (Adelaide)

[BruceMk11]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for that info; helps complete the picture. The other claimants on
7/8/44:

W/C PM Brothers; MD188 'PB'

S/L RWF 'Sammy' Sampson; MD165 'NX-M' (borrowed from 131 Sqn CO, S/L IN MacDougall)

Brothers was leading 131 Sqn and Sampson was a guest; he planned the operation and was Brother's No2.
Can you confirm the serial of Patton's a/c as MD187?


Cheers, Bruce

[Aussie7]

Bruce,
no such luck I'm afraid as I don't really collect serial numbers, just pilot details. It just happened that the other serial numbers were in the book about Jack Cleland's time in 616 Sqn.

Just out of interest who else flew Spitfire VII's apart from 131 and 616 Sqn.

Ian

[AUS_RAAF]

Hi Guys,

Ian - 124, 131 and 616 Sqn were the main operators of high altitude Mk.VII Spitfires. According to RAF squadrons by W/C Jefford the following also used the type – 118, 313, 518, 519, 611 Squadrons and possibly 154(?)

Ian and Bruce - of the Aussies with 124 Sqn, DP Kelly had a few claims with the Mk.VII. Ironically they were both at low altitude.

3 Oct 43 – 1 Fw 190 probable, Spitfire ON-N
14 Feb 44 – 1 Bf109E destroyed, Spitfire ON-U

The probable may have been later confirmed. I do not have the a/c serials.

There is a combat report available from PRO for RJM Johnson RAAF for 13 June 1943. I think the claim for this date was actually by GL Nowell RAF (his biography, Resurgam, was written by Vincent Adams-Winter RAAF, also of 124 Sqn). Another source suggests Kelly may have another destroyed claim during 1943.

Kelly later flew with 616 Sqn RAF and lost an eye in combat. Despite the injury, he returned to the squadron (non-ops) and trained pilots to fly the Meteor.
http://www.australiansatwarfilmarchi...views/156.aspx

Drew

[BruceMk11]

Hi Ian/Drew,

Thanks for that additional info. The re-formed 154 Sqn operated Spit VIIs
from 11/44 to 2/45, when conversion to Mustang IVs took place.


Cheers, Bruce