RAF 73 Sq. individual aircraft identification letters

[drifter206]

Hello all

I am trying to find individual aircraft letters for two RAF 73 squadron Spitfires:
1. 02.03.1944. Spitfire LF IX (EN 582) Dennis Draper - KIA (near Slano, Yugo)
2. 03.03.1944. Spitfire Mk Vc (JG 783) Charlie Hayne - POW (Orašac, Yugo)

I have Don Minterne book (history of 73 Sq. - vol 2) and in there he mention these cases but he didn't include "letters", only serial numbers
Also in AIR for 73 Sq. there is no mention of letters.
Is there anywhere I could try to find (log books …) information regarding letters.
Could you also explain RAF Sq. A and B flights. I read somewhere that there were two flights per squadron. RAF A flights would get letters A- ? and B flight letters ?? Were Draper and Hayne in A or B flights?
As always thanks in advance
Antun

[Alex Smart]

Not JG783 but JK783. Vol 3, not Vol2.
Although JG783 would seem to be correct as in ORB ?
Oddly though the only mention of Draper that I could see was 24th February, with EN252, but EN252 then later on same day flew MA311, is mentioned after that date but could find no more on Draper ?

https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8436396

February 44 Draper flew as per ORB
1 - JK437
2 - JK709
3 - MA712
9 - JK437
14 - EN252
17 - JK970
18 - JK970
18 -JG783
19 - JK630(Non operational )
22 - JK970
24 - EN252( Non operational ) - ( a/c recorded on later dates ).
24 - MA311 ( a/c recorded on later dates ).

As for EN582, could find 28th February, Horne(NZ). No mention after that I could see ?

[drifter206]

Yes Alex
You are right, my typing error for book vol 3.
Now it is rather interesting because in Minterne book on 3rd of March 44. Wilf Mygind describes Hayne missing but he was not flying with him on that day. He was flying with Draper day before, on 02nd. of March 44. (page 27). According to ORB of course, maybe I missed something.
Alex, do you know is there a list of pilots for February 44 with A and B flight in ORB so I can order that document.
I am not that familiar with national archives ORB-s.

[Alex Smart]

Hi Antun,
Just search through these and then order the one's you want.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...e/r/h/C2503271

Alex