Loss of 3 Hurricanes of 85 Sqn 20 May 1940

[King Cobra]

Trying to find info on the loss of 3 Hurricanes on 20 May 1940 in the Arras area. Pilots included new CO. Possible link to Werner Machold of JG2. Can anyone confirm or provide any info? KC

[robert]

Hi,

all three (P3426, ?,?) were lost in combat with II/JG3 at 15.30. One (P2555) was lost to Bf110s at 10.15.

Regards

Robert

[B.F.M. Droog]

This is what I know:

Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk I
Serial number: ?, VY-?
Operation: ?
Lost: 20/05/1940
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Roger W. Burton, RAFVR 78440, 85 Sqdn., age 26, 20/05/1940, Querrieu British Cemetery, F

back up

Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk I
Serial number: ?, VY-?
Operation: ?
Lost: 20/05/1940
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Richard W. Shrewsbury, RAF 41874, 85 Sqdn., age 19, 20/05/1940, Arras Communal Cemetery, F

Regards,

Bart

[Peter Cornwell]

Hurricane. Shot down by Bf109s while ground strafing enemy columns east of Arras 3.30 p.m. Possibly one of those claimed by Hptmn von Selle of Stab II./JG3. Squadron Leader M. F. Peacock killed. Aircraft a write-off.

Hurricane. Shot down by Bf109s while ground strafing enemy columns east of Arras and crashed near Querrieu, north-east of Amiens, 3.30 p.m. Possibly that claimed by Lt von Werra of Stab II./JG3. Pilot Officer R. W. Burton killed. Aircraft a write-off.

Hurricane P3426. Shot down by Bf109s while ground strafing enemy columns east of Arras 3.30 p.m. Possibly that claimed by Lt Heymann of 4./JG3. Pilot Officer R. W. Shrewsbury killed. Aircraft a write-off.

Source: The Battle of France Then & Now

[Alex Smart]

Hi,
You will need confirmation , but I have -
Peacock with L2141.
Shrewsbury with P3426.
Burton with P2427.
Howes with P2555.
Alex

[Peter Cornwell]

Alex,

Thanks, but you appear to be quoting the serials provided by Heinrich Weiss for Brian Cull’s work? I assure you that I did consult this during preparation of The Battle of France Then & Now but was unable to find corroboration for these details in surviving records.

The Squadron ORB is singularly unhelpful but according to Halley’s RAF serials L2141 was never allocated to No. 85 Squadron and was finally ‘struck off charge’ by No. 601 Squadron on July 3, 1940. While P2427 was a Miles Magister that served in a variety of EFTS until its eventual sale in May 1949 though I note that Norman Franks has this listed in his FC Losses as P2437 - another Miles Magister lost by 16 EFTS on March 25, 1942.

P3426 was, at least, a Tangmere Station Flight Hurricane ‘presumed lost in France in May 1940’ so could well be correct but I have no hard evidence of the fact. The only one of the four actually known to have been allocated to No. 85 Squadron was P2555 the records for which merely state ‘Lost in France May 1940’.

As always, the danger in simply duplicating such doubtful information is that it may eventually become enshrined as fact. So I would be most grateful to hear from anyone who can provide confirmation of these serials.

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello Peter,

The CWGC has this on S/L Peacock:

Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Michael F. Peacock, RAF 90124, 601 Sqdn., DFC, age 28, 20/05/1940, Arras Communal Cemetery, F

As the initials and the date of death are the same, I guess this is the same man as the S/L you mentioned. Have you any idea why the CWGC has him listed as member of 601 Sqdn.?

Regards,

Bart

[Peter Cornwell]

Bart,

I cannot answer for the CWGC. Michael Fitzwilliam PEACOCK was a pre-war member of No. 601 Squadron and was the best aerobatic pilot in the squadron. Born in South Africa he was educated in England, captained Brasenose College Oxford rugby team, skied for England, & became a barrister sharing chambers with Roger BUSHELL another celebrated member of the squadron. BUSHELL went on to command No. 92 Squadron while PEACOCK was posted to command No. 85 Squadron on May 20, 1940, after S/L 'Doggie' OLIVER was posted to command No. 60 Wing.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Peter,

you appear to be quoting the serials provided by Heinrich Weiss for Brian Cull’s work?

Who Heinrich Weiss is I have no idea and what "Work" would that be please ?

Thanks
Alex

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello Peter,

I understand you're not the CWGC. Why I asked is that I've seen many men listed by the CWGC with a rank one step higher than they have when mentioned by other sources, and rarely the other way round, as in the case of M.F. Peacock.

Regards,

Bart