Fighters over the Aegean ?

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Have noted in Brian Cull's book "Fighters over the Aegean" what to me is a bit of a puzzle.

Re mention on page 30 and again on page 33 of Spitfire JK148.

Two separate events and two different pilots, not a problem but the serial number is.
There was it seems no Spitfire with this serial number, as the batch ended at JK145. So if not JK148 then what was the serial number ?

Another odd one is JG567 as recorded in a 7 SAAF document available from the National Archives. But did this a/c serve with 7 SAAF ? AB's JA100 - JZ999 has her with 607 and 67, SOC 31.5.45. I find it odd that the Squadron records the a/c serial number in the document incorrectly.
IIRC, Pilot Hynd in JG844 and Pilot Prescott in JG567.While in the book Prescott is said to have piloted JG844 and Hynd JK677. But on an earlier page Lt Seel is said to have been killed in JK677 on the 19th ?

Alex

[Graham Boak]

Sadly for us, it isn't that odd but fairly common. Some pilots even get things wrong in their own logbook. There simply were more important things to worry about, and humans are fallible.

You might look for JG567 in Spitfire The History, to see if that also records it as going to India.

One alternative is to look through the AB lists for all aircraft allocated to 7 SAAF, and see if you can spot an obvious transcription error. Such as JG657 - not an actual suggestion, but not untypical.

As for JG677, this is probably worth asking Brian if he (or his publisher) has introduced an error, or if it exists in the original documentation. I recall comment on UK-based Spitfires that occasionally a serial would continue to be mentioned after loss; either because the new aircraft had been issued the same aircraft letter, or because it had normally been flown by one particular pilot who was still with the unit.

[JohnE]

Prescott was flying JK667.

John Engelsted

[Alex Smart]

Hello Graham & John,

Graham, take your point but have already searched the AB series and their "Spitfire International" for the answer's.
Hence my questions on this forum.

John. What is your reference to state so firmly that Prescott was flying JK667 ?

In any event I offer the followng




Alex

[udf_00]

http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/production.htm

JG567 LFVIII 5053 CHA M66 FF 13-11-43 6MU 16-11-43 82MU 3-12-43 Kaimata 22-12-43 India 18-2-44 607S 67S SOC 31-5-45

JG677 LFVIII EA M66 9MU 20-3-44 82MU 14-4-44 Fort Churchill 17-5-44 India 4-7-44 SOC 11-4-46

JG844 Vc CBAF M46 45MU 21-1-43 215MU 28-1-43 Alphard 5-3-43 Takoradi 20-4-43 Middle East 10-5-43 Shot down by Bf109s over Cos 27-9-43 SOC 1-11-43

JK140 Vc CBAF M46 33MU 22-1-43 222MU 1-2-43 Alphard 5-3-43 Takoradi 20-4-43 Middle East 27-5-43 7SAAF Shot down by Bf109s over Kos 18-9-43

JK667 VcT CBAF M50 8MU 21-2-43 82MU 27-2-43 Fort McLeod 21-3-43 Casablanca 6-4-43 NWAfrica 30-4-43 Middle East 1-8-43 Shot down by Bf109s Kos 27-9-43

JK677 VcT CBAF M50 8MU 21-2-43 82MU 27-2-43 Fort La Mourne 12-3-43 Takoradi 20-4-43 Middle East 7-5-43 Spun into sea off Kos while chasing Bf109 19-9-43 SOC 1-11-43

[Brian]

Hi guys

I can't really add anything to what has been suggested, particularly by Graham. I may, of course, made errors when noting serial numbers.

Otherwise, I trust that the facts are correct, and those who have dipped into their wallets are pleased with the results.

Cheers & Happy New Year
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Hello Brian,

YES, am very pleased that you delt with that very difficult time in the Aegean and YES I found it a very good reference.
My problem was the serial numbers as given, maybe they had been deliberate or maybe typo errors and just wanted confirmation one way or another.

Another serial number was JK671, on page 37 noted as being damaged on the ground on 27th September.

"JA100 - JZ999" has : "Damaged by Bf109s over Kos 27.9.43; abandoned on evacuation of airfield".

"Spitfire - the History" has : "VC(T) M50 8MU 21-2-43 82MU 27-2 Fort L M 12-3 Tak 20-4 ME 7-5 SOC30-9".

"Spitfire International" has: " Spitfire F.Vc/Trop (Merlin 50); TOC/RAF 21.2.43; ME 7.5.43 - SAAF (MTO), No 1 Sqn formation attack by three Bf109s over Gulf of Santa Eufemia, crashed in sea in flames NE of Capo Vatinico, Cat FB/E 2.9.43 (Lt R L Cherrington killed), SOC".

"85 Years of South African Air Force" has: "
Page 300, VC - 7 - s/d by Bf109s, crashed in sea NE Cape Vatinco 02.09.43.
Page 305, 1 - 02.09.43 - Lt R L Cherrington (k)".

SO - if it was lost into the sea with Lt Cherrington on the 2nd Sept just which a/c was it that was damaged on the ground on Kos on the 27th and later abandoned ?

OR - if it was not that a/c that Lt Cherrington was in - then which a/c was he in on the 2nd when he went into the sea off Cape Vatinco and was killed ?

Not yet read up 74 Sqdn or the Beaufighters

Have a great 2013 everyone
Alex

[Brian]

Hi Alex

Maybe JK671 was one of the non-combatworthy Spits flown back to Egypt on 29 September (see page 40)?

I'm not a 'serial number expert' (as is obvious!) but I do try!

Cheers
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Hello Brian,

Thank you for the input and reference to page 40, Fisher, Inggs and Moolman. The three non operational Spitfires were ? anyone have the serial numbers of these three A/c ?

In any case my point was that if JK671 was lost with Cherrington on the 2.9.43 when it crashed into the sea on fire, then in no way could it have been damaged by Bf109's on Kos on the 27.9.43 and abandoned upon evacuation.

If it was not the a/c then which one was ?
And
If it was then what was the a/c that Cherrington was in when he was killed on the 2.9.43 ?

Still reading Brian,

All the best
Alex