Hudsons 206 Squadron July 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

On 3 July 1940 Hudson from 206 Squadron operated off the Dutch coast and P5143 flown by Plt Off BURNE was attacked by a Bf109. His rear gunner LAC DEIGHTON reported shooting this down in flames.

(a) Was there a Bf109 loss - if so, unit name of pilot and fate required, please.

(b) Was the Hudson pilot Tom Burne, who later flew a Hudson to Singapore and lost a leg when a bomb exploded beside his aircraft? Tom Burne later remustered as a Spitfire pilot and flew with 41 Squadron, gaining a DSO.

(c) What was the full name of the AG, LAC Deighton? I note that a LAC Raymond Deighton was lost on 5/7/41, possibly with Bomber Command. Same person?

Cheers
Brian

[rob van den nieuwendijk]

Hell Brian,

On 3 July 40 the Hudson of 206 Sqdn claimed a Me 109 over Holland. This was the Me 109E of 2./JG 54 - pilot (name alas unknown) baled out - and the German fighter crashed in Assendelft - alas no Werkenummer known.

The pilot of the Hudson was Pilot Officer Burne and the gunner was LAC Deighton - in the Hudson P5143.

Alas I do not have full names -

Hope this helps.

Regards
Rob

[Brian]

Thanks for the super-quick reply Rob - very much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Hans Nauta]

Hi again Brian,

Perhaps already know to you, but it concerned Hudson VX-M and the full name of the observer was P/O Robin Rustom, 42079 RAF. He would be killed in action just the next day...

Best regards,
Hans Nauta

[Brian]

Thanks Hans - I hadn't picked that up.

Cheers
Brian

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hans
Can you please expand on the statement that Robin Rustom would be killed the "next day" According to Coastal Command Losses there is none with such a name lost on July 4th

B Rgds
Stig

[rafcommands]

Hi Stig,

On the 5th but not July. See the entry for 5th Aug 1940

The pilot R T Kean had survived Cat E losses on
09/09/39
03/05/40

before his luck ran out on the 5th

Regards
Ross

[Stig Jarlevik]

Ahhh

NOT one day, but one MONTH later.... Quite a difference....

B Rgds
Stig

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Stig,

Typo from my side. Ross has put things right already.

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[pstrany]

According to "Naught Escapes Us", a history of 206th Sqdn RAF, Pilot officer R Rustom and PO Kean were killed on August 5, 1940 when their Hudson, VX-D P5133 stalled and crashed in flames near Syderstone, Norfolk.
As to the July 3rd mission, it records that Pilot Officer Burne, PO Rustom and LACs Deighton and Jack Holywell in P5143 encountered an "Me109" on a daily recconaissance of the Dutch and German coasts and Deighton in the turret "fired a burst at 500 yards and the enemy's tail fell off." Deighton was evidently awarded the DFM for the action. there are no further references to any of them in the book except for Jack Holywell, who survived the war and was later interviewed for the book.

Paul