5 Squadron loss - 25th April 1944

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good night to all!
I am looking for details of the dismise of F/L Arthur Singleton Boyes (RAFVR 119706) who was killed on the 25th April 1944, probably aboard a Hurricane Mark IIC of 5 Squadron.
Was he on an operational mission and shot down by Flak, or was he killed on a training or normal flight?
ANY details of the aircraft type, serial number, etc...will be most welcomed.
Yours sincerely
Adriano Baumgartner

[Andrei Demjanko]

From Shores' Air War for Burma:

Hurricane IIc LB953, shot down by ground fire

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Boyes was not shot down by ground fire. He was last heard calling up his leader that he was attacking a moving Japanese staff car, and was seen to flip over on his back the moment he started his attack. It was determined that a shell had exploded prematurely in the breech of one of his cannons, which blew off an area of wing panel with consequent violent loss of lift.

See:
Mohawks Over Burma.
Beauchamp,Gerry.
Earl Shilton:Midland Counties Publications,1985.
pp.133-4.

Col.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Andrei and Col.Bruggy;
THAN YOU so much! You gave me a "path" to search for...the serial number of the aircraft, the reason and causes of the accident as well as several sources to look for. I do have NO WORDS to express my gratitude.
Yours MOST sincere and grateful,
Adriano Baumgartner