Sergeant R. S. Fry

[Many Souffan]

Bonsoir.

I look for some infos about a pilot who was with 213 Sqn. in the desert 1941/42: Flight Sergeant R. S. Fry

By advance thank you.

[BruceMk11]

His initials were apparently S.R., rather than R.S. He was shot down on the 4th August '42 by II./JG 27, crash-landing north of Hammam. Flying Hurricane IIc BN117, he appears to have survived.

See MAW Vol 2, p. 297.

[BruceMk11]

BN117 was a/c 'X' in mid-June.

[Many Souffan]

Hello Bruce.

Thank you for the Answer

I Have this interesting and very useful book: MAW Vol 2. And I had already found the infos P297 but thank you again.

I know The books of the author, Christopher Shores and its serious, since the seventies. He is for me, one the most important historian about the Air War. He gave to me the interest I have for the pilots of WWII and why I write about this subject since 25 years...

So, if I looked for infos about this pilot (S. R Fry of 213 Sqn.) because it seem's to be the 143rd or 144th victory of Hans-Joachim Marseille, the 11 september 1942. And he was dead in the Hurricane BP381... It is what I found in Google... But nothing in MAW 2. ?

I found also, in "Those other Eagles" always from "Chris" Shores, page 200 a Samuel Richard Fry, a Pilot Officer (RAF 187066) he was in Sicily with 92 Sqn. where he got 2 destroyed and 1 damaged during 1943. Is it the same pilot ?

Thank you.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Many

BP381 is an odd choice, since it was officially transferred to Turkey on Aug 1st, 1943.

BN117 is also a bit awkward since it is listed as transferred to No 80 Sq and not being officially SOC Feb 22, 1945!

Unfortunately the only El Hammam (German records), or Hamman (British records) which can be located by me is far behind the Allied lines. If it is the same place now as back then I am puzzled why combat took place that far in the rear. Presumably our Hammam was a very small settlement now abandoned or perhaps simply a recognisable place in the desert. However I would say it is a good chance to have been on the Allied side of the line or at least within quick reach after the German withdrawal.

This if course gets us nowhere with regard to Fry, but it feels likely he survived.

Cheers
Stig

[JohnE]

Samuel Richard Fry (1280563/187066)

John Engelsted

[Many Souffan]

Hello.

Thank you Stig, Thank you John

Please John, what means the number : 1280563 ?

[paulmcmillan]

Many

1280563 Was his service number before he was commissioned officer

[Many Souffan]

Thank you.

I understand better.

He was Sergeant at 213 Sqn. in 1942, and Pilot Officer in 1943 at 92 Sqn.

[udf_00]

According to "Spitfires over Sicily" he was a Warrant Officer in July 1943.
His official commission was gazetted 09 JAN 1945, backdated 31 MAR 1944.

266 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 9 JANUARY, 1945
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE. GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Appointment to commission.
As Pil. Offs. on prob. (emergency): —
Wt. Offs.
1280563 Samuel Richard FRY (187066). 31st Mar. 1944.