Fulmar claims

[Frank Olynyk]

Brian,

I have no claims for any RAF or FAA aircraft on Sept 11, 1941, in either Europe or the Med.

For March 9, 1942:

Lt. Max John Stanley Newman (RN) + Sub/Lt Eric MacKay Frazier (RNVR)
Lt. Ragot Chatterton Wood (RNVR) + PO A. Hall
Lt I. G. Wallace (RNVR) + PO Eric A. Shoesmith
Sub/Lt(A) Hugh Morrison (RNZNVR) + L/Air D Sloan

The officers' ranks may all be (A); I wasn't recording that consistently.
The fact that I don't have the full name for Wallace may indicate that his initials are wrong.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[keith A]

Many thanks chaps. I didn't know about the Bv138! Also, after thirty-some years I know who claimed what at Kirkenes

regards

Keith

[keith A]

By the way I have the Fulmars claiming on 3 September 1941? (and an He111 to the Martlets of 802 Squadron flying from Victorious on 13 September 1941).

regards

Keith

[Tom Semenza]

Originally Posted by Frank Olynyk

Brian,

For March 9, 1942:

Lt. Max John Stanley Newman (RN) + Sub/Lt Eric MacKay Frazier (RNVR)
Lt. Ragot Chatterton Wood (RNVR) + PO A. Hall
Lt I. G. Wallace (RNVR) + PO Eric A. Shoesmith
Sub/Lt(A) Hugh Morrison (RNZNVR) + L/Air D Sloan

The officers' ranks may all be (A); I wasn't recording that consistently.
The fact that I don't have the full name for Wallace may indicate that his initials are wrong.

Enjoy!

Frank.

From the book Send Her Victorious concerning this claim:

"Very shortly after turning for home, the fleet was shadowed by a Blohm and Voss 137 [sic.] and a section of three Fulmars was flown off. After several attacks from beam, quarter and astern it was driven off with an engine apparently on fire, but German records make no mention of its failure to return to base."

Note that it says that only three Fulmars were involved whereas Frank lists four crews.

Consulting the Navy List for that time shows that the all officer ranks were appended with (A). Wallace was "Ian James Wallace." Morrison is shown as a member of the RNVR rather than RNZNVR.

Regards,
Tom

[Frank Olynyk]

Tom,
Thanks for your note; I have updated my file accordingly. I dug out the report and all the officers except Wallace are shown as (A), but I accept your digging into the Navy List. As a Lt RNVR, Wallace is unlikely to not be (A).

The report (ADM 199/166, page 662 gives the following attack details:

Newman, two attacks. One quarter, opened fire at 400 yards closing to 250 yards. Second attack beam, opened fire at 250 yards closing Fired 750 rounds.

Wood, one beam attack from 300 to 150 yards. Fired 690 rounds.

Wallace, one astern attack from 450 yards closing to 150 yards. Fired 1010 rounds.

Morrison, one beam to quarter attack from 350 yards closing to 200 yards. Fired 450 rounds.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Tom Semenza]

Frank,

Thanks for sharing the report details. Was the time of the attack noted?

An aside on Hugh Morrison: there was a Lt.(A) Hugh Morrison, RNZNVR who was KiA with 882 Sqn. on 04.05.45. I do not know whether this is a different individual or the same guy transferred from the RNVR to the RNZNVR at some point.

Regards,
Tom