NO. 40 squadron (RAF) May/June 1940.

[petenz]

I am interested in finding out more about NO. 40 squadron, particularly around May/June 1940.

My Grandfather was P/O Vaughan G.W. Engstrom. He was a New Zealander and Pilot of one of the aircraft shot down over St. Valery (France) on 6th June 1940, an ill-fated day when 5 aircraft failed to return to Wyton. I would be very interested in talking to anyone who knows anything or anyone involved.

Other members of his crew were Sgt M.R. Chouler and Sgt D. Liddle who were both captured and became POWs.

My Grandfather managed to escape, though injured; he found his way back to England. He became an instructor and died in a training accident in 1943, five weeks after the birth of his twin daughters (one of which is my mother).

If you can help please reply or call me on +44 (0)7932 122 791

Thankyou,

Peter

[Blenheim]

Dear Peter,


The aircraft your grandfather was flying on 6th June 1940 was Bristol Blenheim Mk IV R3692. I am not able to tell you the individual code letter, but 40 Squadron at that time, wore the letters BL. I hope this is of some use to you.


All the best,

Blenheim

[petenz]

Thanks, every piece of info helps. I am very interested in getting more info of his crew (or family of his crew). Do you have any ideas on how i could do this? POW records? electoral roles?

[RossGmann]

Airborne 0815 from Wyton. Force landed in the battle area and two of the crew were soon captured. although wounded, P/O Engstrom made his way to safety and was later admitted to RAF Hospital Uxbridge. P/O V.G.W.Engstrom Evd Sgt M.R.Chouler PoW Sgt D.Liddle PoW Sgt M.R.Chouler was interned in Camp 357. PoW No.739. Sgt D.Liddle was initially confined in Hospital before internment in Camp 9C. No PoW No. Subsequently repatriated. "

Kind regards
Ross

[B.F.M. Droog]

Peter,

Maybe the information on this page helps you: 40 Squadron, losses and operations May/June 1940.

Regards,

Bart

[robert]

Hi,

according to great! book of Peter Cornwell "Battle of France":

"Force-landed badly damaged by Bf109s during attack on troops advancing between St-Valery and Abbeville 10 a.m. and possibly that attacked by Lt.Rohwer of stab I/JG3."

Regards

Robert

[cobyfritz@casema.nl]

I am a volunteer for historial ypenburg. We did research for the Bristol Blenheim MK IV L8831 which whas crashed after bombing on the 10th of may 1940. The crew of this bomber is burried at Westduin, nearby The Haque.
A couple of months ago we received some remains of this Bristol Blenheim. Visit our web-site and you can read all about it: www.historischypenburg.nl
Now i'm trying to find photographs of the crew. Maybe somebody can help me?
With regards, Coby Fritz.

[Bertrand H]

Hi,

Very old topic but here is the wreckage of the Blenheim R3692 of n°40 sqdn:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/FOTO-FLUGZEU...AAAOSwALdctfOL


Bertrand