Hurricane shot down on 23.09.1940?

[Michal R.]

Hi All!

In some Czech books are info that on 23.09.1940 was by Bf 109 shot down Czech member of 253 squadron Vaclav Cukr (after second emigration in 1948 he used name Vicky Eric Cooper and from 1959 lived in New Zeland) but no other details. And in Formenas and Franks series about Fighter Command is no such loss stated (ther is any battle loss of this squadron this date).

Can anybody help? Maybe Cukr crash landed without enemy action?

Best wishes
Michal

[Alex Smart]

Hi,
Hurricane V7441 of 253 Sqn was lost on the 23rd Sept 40.
Air Brit T1000-V9999 has Engine cut; bellylanded near Biggin Hill; to 2233M.

Others lost this date were -
L2036 - 73Sqn - P/O Langham-Hobart - inj.
P8812 - 73Sqn - Sgt. Leng - inj.
V7445 - 73Sqn - Sgt. Perkin - safe.
P3226 - 73Sqn - P/O Kinder - inj.
P2879 - 229Sqn - P/O Allcock - inj.
P2960 - 257Sqn - Sgt. Aslin - inj.
P3643 - 257Sqn - ?

Alex

[Michal R.]

Hi Alex

thanks for info.

By Czech books is his story such. Cukr was hurt in France, when he was shot down by Ju 87 gunner on 8.June 1940 (Cukr claimed 8 victories in France). On 23. septrmber 1940 he was shot down by Bf 109 and crash landed in Biggin Hill and his hurt was restore and he must to stop his operational flying in beginning of 1941.

So it appears that Cukr crashed with V7441 without enemy action.

Regards!
Michal

[JohnE]

But didn't Cukr first join 253 Squdron on September 28th????

John E.

[Michal R.]

Hi John
you are right. I look in Cukr's biography by Jiri Rajlich and there is:
Cukr first served in 43 squadron, but on 28.9.1940 he was transfer to 253 squadron. On 23.9.1940 he was again shot down and forced landing in Biggin Hill.
In Rajlich next books about combats and losses of Czechoslovak pilots he write that Cukr was shot down on 23.9.1940 in 253 squadron Hurricane but no more details. And this agree with Alex's info.

There could be probably wrong date of transfer. Or Cukr crashed another day? Can anybody help with this?
Thanks!
Michal