2 PRU October 1942 -Some Questions

[Russell]

Hello All,

The following 2 PRU Spit fires below reportedly lost in October 1942.

Spitfire IV BP933 FTR ops 26 October 1942
Spitfire IV BP934 MiA 13 October 1942,

Can anyone help with whether these dates are correct and who was flying them?

The following 2 pilots were lost in October 1942. and are listed on the Alamein Memorial. I have not been able to trace the aircraft they were lost in.

Plt Off W BAIN 47993 2 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE UNIT 23/10/1942 ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE

Flg Off BIRD JS J/6826 2 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE UNIT 16/10/1942 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE
Any assistance appreciated, even better if anyone has leads on what happened to them, as there appears to be no claims for any of the four dates mentioned here.

Regards

Russell

[Frank Olynyk]

Russell,
The book They Shall Grow Not Old just states:

Bird, John Stanbridge F/O(P) J6826. From Banff, Alberta. Killed in Action Oct. 16/42 age 23. #2 Photo Reconnaissance Unit. Spitfire aircraft failed to return from a photo reconnaissance operation. Flying Officer Pilot Bird has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Alamein War Memorial, Egypt.

Usually the book gives the aircraft serial number, so they must not have been able to find it either.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Col Bruggy]

Russ,

Well past its use by date - J6826 F/O (Pilot) John Stanbridge BIRD RCAF was lost on 16 October 1942 in 2 PRU Spitfire PR.IV AB312.

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...d=1#post135858

If you need more info, contact Matt Poole.

Col

[Alex Smart]

Hello Col,

Have looked in Henk's lists and For Bird, John S. J6826 RCAF he has 16 Oct 42 - Y0146.
In a post in RAF Commands you had AB312 but noted that the ORB had it as BR312.
Ahh, that post is the link you give in the above post .

Alex

[Alex Smart]

For interest -
AB's
AA100-AZ999
Has

AB312
1PRU/2PRU
Missing 19.10.42

BA100-BZ999
Has

BR312
2PRU/126/249
Damaged by Bf109 and crash landed near Takali, 8.6.42.

BP933
1PRU/2PRU/681
Missing 6.10.42.

BP934
1PRU/2PRU
Missing 13.10.42.

Spitfire the History has -

AB312
2426 - HEA FF 23-12-41 de 27-12 no record - 2 PRU Egypt 17-3-42.

BR312
2884
EA FF 30-4-42 39MU 1-5 VA 3-5 8MU 6-5 47 MU 7-5 "Empire Conrad" 10-6 Malta CE ops 8-6 SOC 7-7

BP933
2819
HEA FF 15-4-42 1PRU 18-4-42 ME 5-6 601 S FACB 28-6 FTR ops 26-10.

BP934
2831
HEA FFV16-4-42 1PRU 18-4 47MU 25-5 "Corabella" 16-6 Tak 30-7 ME 11-8 FTR 13-10.

Alex