103 SQ Battle Losses during the Phoney War

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

The EOE Working Group is working on Battle losses on the continent through the end of the WC of 1940. Right now we are seeking photo sources for the following 103 SQ Battle incidents during the Phoney War period. I also need full first names and crew positions for the people listed. Can anyone help?

27 September 1939: Battle K9271. First attacked by French Curtiss H-75s then severely damaged by Bf109s of JGr.152 during photo-reconnaissance over the frontier between Bouzonville and the Rhine. Forced-landed on one wheel near Rohrbach 1.40 p.m. Flying Officer A. L. Vipan unhurt. Sergeant J.H. Vickers critically injured; died of wounds 5.10.39. AC1 J. E. Summers unhurt. Aircraft PM*G a write-off.
Sergeant Vickers, who was buried in the French Military Cemetery at St. Louis Les Bitche, was decorated with the French Medaille Militaire, the first such award to a member of the BEF. He was later reinterred in Choloy War Cemetery.

25 March 1940: Battle K9269. Returned to Bétheniville tail and port wing damaged by AA fire during leaflet raid on Frankfurt 1.10 a.m. Sergeant C. D. Perry, Sergeant Davison, and AC A. R. Layfield unhurt. Aircraft repairable.

26 March 1940: Battle P2256. Hit trees on take-off for night bombing exercise over the ranges at St-Hilaire-le-Grand. Crashed into woods near Moronvilliers and burned out 10.15 p.m. Pilot Officer I. P. Hinton, Sergeant D. C. Findlay and AC2 J. A. Sharpe killed. Aircraft a write-off.

Regards,