Crawford-Compton 145 Wing 1944

[keith A]

Bill Crawford Compton made four claims for German aircraft destroyed in 1944. From the combat times and locations my assumption is that he was flying with 340 Squadron for both claims on 29 June 1944 and that on 9 July 1944 but what about on 7 June 1944 when he brought down a Ju88 possibly of ZG1?

regards

Keith

[Chris Goss]

You will need to check the ORBs as he was leading 145 Wg which was 329, 340 and 341 Sqns on 7 Jun 44

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,
The orb of the 3 squadrons mention :

329 Squadron – AIR 27/1720 7/06/1944
Form 540 : The squadron was again engaged on low beach cover to the Eastern assault area, and three sorties with the wing were flown. During the first W/Cdr Crawford-Compton DSO DFC, flying with this squadron, fired a four or five second burst at a Ju88 as the e/a was making for cloud at 3000 ft. Its port wing caught fire and it spiralled and crashed.
The form 541: For the pilots of the Squadron Time up 0900 , Time down 1055
340 Squadron – AIR 27/1737 7/06/1944
Form 540 : Thirty six aircraft of 329, 340 and 341 Squadrons took off at 0900 hours to act as low beach cover in the eastern area. W/Cdr. Crawford Compton, DSO DFC, led the formation. Five Ju88’s were seen N.Of Caen flying south, four being seen to drop bombs on the beach. W/Cdr. Crawford Compton fired a five second burst from the port quater as the enemy aircraft was making for cloud at 3,000 feet. Its port wing caught fire, and it spiralled and crashed.
Form 541 : W.V.C. W/Cdr.Compton, together with G/C Grisham (MJ234 X) , Adj.Guilloux (MJ896 Z), and Sgt.Butel (..177 S) : red Time up 0900, Time down 1035
341 Squadron – AIR 27/1738 7/06/1944
Form 540 : Another day of intense air activity, although the Squadron did one operation less than the previous day. A cold northerly wind with 8/10 clouds which continued most of the day. The Squadron of 12 aircraft took off from base led by Comdt Martell, acting with the Wing as low beach cover in the eastern area. The patrol went according to plan. Five J.U.88’s were seen north of Caen flying south, four were seen to drop bombs on the beach. The Wing Leader, Wing Commander Compton fired a 4 to 5 seconds burst as the enemy aircraft was making for cloud at 3,000 feet, its port wing caught fire, it spiralled and crashed.
Form 541 : For the pilots of the Squadron Time up 0900 , Time down 1050

Best regards

Luc

[keith A]

Superbe!

Thanks Luc. Then this means that 329 Squadron scored a kill in WW2!

145 Wing claimed twelve confirmed victories. Seven by 340 Squadron, four by 341 Squadron and the last by 329 Squadron. Crawford-Compton contributing one to 329 and three to 340.