253 sqn Claims

[Aussie7]

I have found a photo in the AWM collection of 4 fighter pilots in Tunisia, circa 1943. The photo caption states 'that they were part of a formation that destroyed 4 Italian torpedo bombers in less than 5 minutes'. The pilots were - F/L KAH Mason (RAF), F/S CE Kerville (RAAF), Sgt RJ Cammock (RNZAF) and Sgt D Jackson (RNZAF).

I believe that the pilots were from 253 Sqn and the combat was probably on 5 Apr 43 (as discussed in a previous thread in 2005). Unfortunately the 253 Sqn ORB is missing it's entries for Apr 43. Does anyone know who made claims on this occasion.

Thanks, Ian Westworth
(South Australia)

[phasselgren]

Hi Ian,
I had a question about these claims on RAF Commands Forum:
http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/d...D6&archive=yes
You get some information here but as you mention the 253 Sqn ORB failed to give any help.

Cheers
Peter

[Aussie7]

Thanks Peter.

It's all a bit frustrating, isn't it ? I have been trying to find out F/S Kerville's part in this combat. I have a locally produced book by a later 253 Sqn pilot (W/O Stenning) that has a newspaper article in it and it mentions this combat and states "5 Hurricanes on a night patrol destroyed 4 Italian bombers". I will now try to access F/O Kerville's PR file at the AWM, you never know there might be something interesting there.

Ian