1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France

[Andy Saunders]

I chanced upon some interesting original Battle of France (and later) photos of RAF losses today.

One shows a 504 Squadron Hurricane down on a French beach with German soldiers inspecting. It is intact and coded HE - T. It carries the 504 Sqn badge on the white of the fin flash and the 'T' is repeated in white on the cowling between the exhaust stack and spinner. It has the early pole-type aerial mast. There is no sign of damage and no visible serial number.

Any ideas?

[gedburke3]

Hi Andy,

Perhaps a hurricane of 'B' Flight of 263 Squadron?
Certainly the coding would suggest that.
However that doesn't account for the squadron badge.

Gerry

[Andy Saunders]

Sorry....!!

Typo.

I meant 605. Its been a long day.

Could it be L2119, Fg Off Forbes, 27 May 1940?

[pfP7063]

Hi Andy

To the best of my knowledge 263 Sqn used the code 'HE' at this time, yet according to the ORB there is no mention of them operating over France during the first half of 1940.

Is it possible that one of 263's Hurricanes had been passed onto 605 Sqn and that it hadn't yet been repainted?

(Adendum: I don't think that this was possible either - 263 Squadron were in Norway during May 1940 http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/263_squadron.html)

Any chance at us being able to have a 'squiz' at the photo please?

Kind regards.

Paul

[Andy Saunders]

Some reference sources give HE as being codes worn by 605 Sqn during this period and the 605 Squadron emblem on the tail strip is unmistakably 605 Squadron. Thus, I am convinced that we are looking at a 605 Sqn machine in this instance. I think we can safely rule out 263 Squadron. This is on a sandy English Channel beach, without much doubt.

[gedburke3]

Andy,

I hadn't realised that 605 squadron used HE as their squadron code.
I see now that they used it until September 39 when they changed to UP.
Gerry

[pfP7063]

Thanks for the info. Andy.

Interesting that both squadrons were using the same code at the same time.

Paul

[Andy Saunders]

I think that happened with quite a few squadrons at one time or another; 92 and 616 come to mind with QJ.

I will try to scan and post a copy of this image in next few days.

Gerry - I think they must have used it a bit past September 1939 as evidenced by this photograph which I am certain is May 1940.

Andy

[Alex Smart]

Hello Andy,
605 Squadron losses that may help.
25th April 1940
L2013 collided with N2358.
22nd May 1940
N2349 - F/O. Austin - Wounded.
L2058 - Sgt. Moffatt - Killed.
L2120 - F/O. Wright - Killed.
P3575 - P/O. Current - Returned.
23rd May 1940
L2121 - F/Lt. Leeson - POW.
26th May 1940
N2346 - P/O. Muirhead - Safe.
27th May 1940
L2119 - F/O. Forbes - POW.
P3423 - S/Ldr. Perry - Killed.
P3581 - F/O. Danielson - Killed.
31st May 1940
L2117 - Crashed UK.

Alex

[Andy Saunders]

My money is on L2121 or L2119.

The metal DH blades perhaps point to an 'L' series Hurricane, and assuming that the pilot was safe/POW is reasonable I think.

Perhaps Peter Cornwell or Larry Hickey might want to have a stab at it?

Whatever, the markings are interesting.