Crash Landed Hurricane I

[kaki3152]

Nice picture of a crash landed Hurricane I being looked over by a German soldier. Probable code KW-U, serial number L1948. Listed online as belonging to 504 SQ, but their code letter was "TM". "KW" is 615 squadron code, can anyone nail down its identity?
There is a picture of the same airplane in "Battle of France:Then and Now" By Cornwell, unfortunately without the serial number being visible.

[MW Giles]

Are we sure it has not been tampered with. The squadron codes do not look right at all

Martin

[kaki3152]

Here's a copy of the photo in "Battle of France:T&N" Looks substantially the same, except further away.

[Martin Gleeson]

Kaki, Martin

This is a great photo – thanks to Ed West as ever for finding it. It poses some questions, made more difficult to answer by missing or incomplete documentation. I believe the markings are genuine, especially as there are at least two different photos of it.

L1948 is recorded in the F.541 part of the 242 Squadron ORB on 28 March and 14 April 1940, but the F.541 only records the reasonably few convoy patrols, etc. during this period.
On 13 May 1940 the 242 Squadron ORB (F.540 part) notes L1948 was one of four Hurricanes and pilots sent to Manston from their base at Church Fenton as replacements for the units in France. They were attached to 607 Squadron at Vitry but by the 16th were flying with 615 Squadron from Moorsele.

Three of these four pilots returned to England on May 19th with aircraft. However none of the four Hurricanes sent on the 13th came back with them. Certainly none of the four appear in the 242 Squadron ORB (F.541) for the rest of May 1940.
Three of the Hurricanes (L1948, L2004 and N2424) on page 2 of their respective Form 78 Aircraft History Cards all have a similar entry; ‘Lost in enemy territory, 1-6-40’ or ‘Missing, 1-6-40’. The source of this information is just noted as ‘F.149 May 1940’ or ‘May 1940’. Clearly all three were lost in France during May 1940 and the ‘1-6-40’ date is administrative tidying up it seems.
The fourth Hurricane was L2003 and this was returned from France on May 20th with 615 Squadron. It is shown in their F.541 being flown on patrols on 5 and 8 June, also on 5 and 22 July 1940. It remained with 615 Squadron until damaged in an air raid on Kenley on August 18th .

As 615 Squadron had no known aircraft losses (damaged or write-offs) between May 20th and June 7th inclusive it seems reasonable to believe that L1948 KW-U was lost sometime in the May 16 -19th timeframe in France while serving with 615 Squadron. Based on an examination of the known 615 Squadron losses in this period Peter Cornwell may well be correct in speculating that KW-U was the mount of F/Lt. James Sanders who had to force-land his Hurricane on May 19th , although this is not proven yet.

Apart from the 242 and 615 Squadron ORBs and the Form 78s, I also found ’12 DAYS IN MAY’ by Brian Cull, Bruce Lander and Heinrich Weiss very helpful.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[Faenor]

Hi Martin G,

I have the belly landing of F/Lt. James Sanders on 17.5.1940 after the claim of Ju 88.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/SandersJG.htm

There is the article and there is small info about this situation and location is Bethune:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obi...y-Sanders.html

As we know, in the next days this pilot was transferred back to fly Gloster Gladiator - probably punishment from commanding officer, that this pilot lost his valuable Hurricane in France and fly back to England - is there any other info?

Faenor

[Stig Jarlevik]

So does Martin (and Peter)

Martin just forgot to take his gloves off before writing and pressed a darn 9 instead of a 7.... Happen to us all now and then....unfortunately

17 May it is and nothing else. Seems L1948 is close to a winner though....
I agree, very nice and interesting photo!!

Cheers
Stig

[Martin Gleeson]

Yes Stig,

I did mean to write the 17th ! My mistake

Regards,

Martin.http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/images/icons/icon11.gif

The above was my sorry attempt to add one of the funny icons ! I can't figure out how to do it. Must ask my children !

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Martin Gleeson

Yes Stig,
I did mean to write the 17th ! My mistake
Regards,
Martin.

I know Martin, I know.....

Anyway I enjoy your comments. Always interesting to read.

Cheers
Stig