Operation Ironclad claims

[BruceMk11]

According to David Brown in 'Carrier Operations in WWII Vol 1 The Royal Navy', apart from the six Vichy a/c claimed destroyed by 881 Sqn in early May '42, 11 probables were also claimed.

Who were the probables awarded to? And the Martlet pilot of 881 lost in combat on the 6/5/42?

Cheers,

Bruce

[Tom Semenza]

Bruce,

As you probably already know, the six claims by 881 are found in Dust Clouds in the Middle East and no probables are mentioned. The only other claim I have found is by Mid.(A) Andrew Cameron Lindsay, RNVR of 881 for an unidentified twin engine aircraft damaged on 6 May 42 at 06:00 [per Sturtivant in Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945].

Also from Sturtivant, B Flight of 800 Sqn. destroyed 3 MS.406s and 4 Potez 63s on the ground at Diego Suarez on 5 May.

I have not found any fatalities for 881 on that date or during that period. The only FAA fatalities on 6 May at Madagascar were a crew of an 829 Swordfish [Sturtivant and CWGC website].

Regards,
Tom

[madaroums]

Originally Posted by Tom Semenza

Bruce,

As you probably already know, the six claims by 881 are found in Dust Clouds in the Middle East and no probables are mentioned. The only other claim I have found is by Mid.(A) Andrew Cameron Lindsay, RNVR of 881 for an unidentified twin engine aircraft damaged on 6 May 42 at 06:00 [per Sturtivant in Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945].

Also from Sturtivant, B Flight of 800 Sqn. destroyed 3 MS.406s and 4 Potez 63s on the ground at Diego Suarez on 5 May.

I have not found any fatalities for 881 on that date or during that period. The only FAA fatalities on 6 May at Madagascar were a crew of an 829 Swordfish [Sturtivant and CWGC website].

Regards,
Tom

Hello
According to pictures taken by FAA photograph after action, only three Potez 63-11 were destroyed on ground inside the hangar at Diego Arrachart airfield. It is confirmed by the French unit ORB that only three Potez were stationned here.

The only plane straffed outside on the airfield was a civilian one. There is a picture of it at Kew National archives. According to this picture, it could be the Puss Moth belonging to Percy Mayer who was "a British spy"...

Best regards
Franck

[madaroums]

Originally Posted by Tom Semenza

Bruce,

As you probably already know, the six claims by 881 are found in Dust Clouds in the Middle East and no probables are mentioned. The only other claim I have found is by Mid.(A) Andrew Cameron Lindsay, RNVR of 881 for an unidentified twin engine aircraft damaged on 6 May 42 at 06:00 [per Sturtivant in Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945].

Also from Sturtivant, B Flight of 800 Sqn. destroyed 3 MS.406s and 4 Potez 63s on the ground at Diego Suarez on 5 May.

I have not found any fatalities for 881 on that date or during that period. The only FAA fatalities on 6 May at Madagascar were a crew of an 829 Swordfish [Sturtivant and CWGC website].

Regards,
Tom

The "three Morane and four Potez 6311 " claims maybe come from this logbook

Best regards
Franck

[Leendert]

Indeed, not on 6 May but on 7 May a Martlet shot down, but pilot safe. In Dust Clouds no name mentioned of FAA pilot either....

Regards,
Leendert

[twocee]

Ray Sturtivant's book names the 7 May pilot as Lt. L.A. Hordern, shot down by an M406. The serial number was unidentified.

[madaroums]

Originally Posted by Leendert

Indeed, not on 6 May but on 7 May a Martlet shot down, but pilot safe. In Dust Clouds no name mentioned of FAA pilot either....

Regards,
Leendert

This Martlet was probably shot down by Commandant François Leonetti belonging to Escadrille de chasse n°565, who later on, was shot down by another Martlet. He bailed out and was catched as POW suffering light burns.

Best regards
Franck

[BruceMk11]

Thanks guys. I do have a copy of Dust Clouds, albeit buried in a box somewhere...

Hordern was an Aussie; he later commanded 896 and 881 Sqns and got a DSC.

I thought the combat with the M406s was the day before the Po 63s?

[BruceMk11]

The revised edition of Sturtivant's book may shed more light on the claims and dates of this short-lived campaign.

I believe it to be possibly coming out next year.

[bearoutwest]

There's a little written in the Osprey Aces volume on the Morane 406. Preview via google books - link below:
https://books.google.com.au/books?id...ochine&f=false


I've tried to add a screenshot for quick reference. Can't seem to attach .png files. Anyway refer above, page 58.

...geoff