Major Alexander James Wright RM 805/RNFS

[keith A]

I have this pilot as a member of 805 Squadron in May 1941 however I have found these statements I found among my notes conflict...

"WWII Royal Marines Fleet Air Arm Major Alexander James Wright who shot down 1 S.M.79 with No.805 Naval Squadron while flying a Grumman Martlet during the North African Campaign."

He claimed an Italian "mailplane" on 17 March 1941 flying a Fulmar with 803 Squadron from HMS Formidable.

Wright claimed a "probable" flying a Hurricane with the RNFS in North Africa.

Wright is more famous for his "Sharks teeth" Seafire LIIc while leading 809 Squadron at Salerno in 1943 but his early aerial victories are obscured in most sources. He may indeed have claimed three victories in three different aircraft types (he received an MiD" in December 1941 but I suspect this was for one or two victories.

best regards

Keith