237 Squadron aerial victories

[keith A]

This squadron claimed 9 victories (one shared) in WW2. I know they shot down 3 italian aircraft in the East African campaign 1940-41, and that they shot down a Do217 with 238 Sqn in 1944 but haven't been able to locate the 5 others. Can anyone advise me when and where these victories were claimed?

regards

Keith

[BruceMk11]

How's it going old-timer?

Do you have any details (ie date, pilots, location) re the Do 217 shared between 237 & 238?

[Bruce Lander]

Hi
nice link here to 237 Sq
http://www.rhodesia.nl/Aviation/237sqdn.htm

Bruce Lander

[Bruce Lander]

Hi Again

237 claims:
16-3-41 P/O.P.H.S. Simmonds CR42 over Mount Sanchi

15-4-41 P/O.P.H.S. Simmonds Sm.79 Damagednear Deberach

15-5-44 F/Lt. Ipson; F/O. Bourne; F/O. Wilson Do.217
P/O. Forrest (238 Sq)
03-7-44 F/O. Mowbray Bf.109G ( Lt.Kolb 2/JG.77, W.Nr 162294)

237 also claimed 13 destroyed on the ground in April and May 1941

Bruce Lander

[phasselgren]

Hi,

2-2-41 F/O M.A. Johnson flying a Lysander forced a Ca 133 to crash-land but was himself shot down by escorting CR 42s. His air gunner J.G.P. Burl "caused some damage" to one of the CR 42s. Sources: Dust Clouds in the Middle East by Shores and DFM Register by Tavender.

Regards,
Peter

[phasselgren]

Hi again,

Found some more in Dust Clouds...
24-12-40 F/O MacIntyre with Sgt Collins as air gunner flying a HAWKER HARDY shot down a Ca 133.

21-3-41 F/Lt G.A. Smith and Sgt A.K. Murrell in a Lysander was attacked by CR 42s. Murrell claimed a damaged CR 42

28-3-41 Two Gladiators chased an S79 which returned with slight damage. The book has no names on the pilots and it is not mentioned if a claim was made.

regards
Peter

[keith A]

I had seen the stuff from "dust clouds....", fascinating to see victories claimed by Hardy and Lysander as well as Gladiator. Intriguingly the 3.7.44 claim would be their 10th of the war. I wonder if the African claims have been inflated by including ground kills, because the unit do not appear to have made any during the N African battles of 1941-43.

FLt Jens Ipsen was a Dane who had joined 237 Sqn in 1942.

[keith A]

Sorry, my mistake. It is FL Preben Ernst Ipsen rather than Jens.

[keith A]

"Bourne" is FO Adrian Burne, and one of the other claimants in May is FO Brian Wilson.

[keith A]

Mowbray is actually Duncan Mitchell Moubray. In one source his victory is listed as being shot down by 238 Squadron but Moubray is definitely in a photo of 237 in August 1944 so I assume this is a mistake.