23rd May 1940

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,

On the above date in 2 separate actions, one a.m and one p.m RAF Hurricanes were shot down over Merville. In each case the pilots baled out safely and were provided with patched up Hurricanes on the airfield by Col.Louis Strange and returned safely to their home bases.
Can anyone cast any light on this incident - did it really happen ?

Bruce Lander

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello Bruce,

In Peter D. Cornwell's The Battle of France, Then and Now (2008) not a trace of this story. All pilots that baled out Hurricanes on 23/05/1940 were either captured or too wounded to fly immediately.

On 22 and 24 May 1940 also nothing that supports what you described.

Regards,

Bart

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Dare I mention Fighter Command Losses Vol 1 revised ?

List of Hurricane pilots that Bailed on the 23rd May 1940.
32 Sqn Sgt. Nowell baled from P3550.
242 Sqn P/O. Benzie baled from P2550.
242 Sqn P/O. Smiley baled from P3392 became a POW.

12 Days in May has
On page 316 it notes that ten Hurricanes were lost .
Here are the serial numbers and pilots names for four more, making a total of seven of ten.
242 Sqn P2809 F/O. Graafstra
242 Sqn P2730 P/O. Malone
253 Sqn N2614 P/O. Ford
605 Sqn L2121 F/L. Leeson

I hope this is a help and perhaps others may be able to add to or correct this info. I have not included Spitfire losses as the question was specific about Hurricane's.

All the best
Alex

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello all,

>> List of Hurricane pilots that Bailed on the 23rd May 1940.

>> 32 Sqn Sgt. Nowell baled from P3550.
Baled out badly burned, wounded
>> 242 Sqn P/O. Benzie baled from P2550.
Baled out wounded
242 Sqn P/O. Smiley baled from P3392 became a POW.

>> 12 Days in May has:

>> 242 Sqn P2809 F/O. Graafstra
KIA
>> 242 Sqn P2730 P/O. Malone
Exploded with pilot still aboard
>> 253 Sqn N2614 P/O. Ford
Believed captured
605 Sqn L2121 F/L. Leeson
Captured, badly wounded

Sources: CWGC and Peter D. Cornwell's The Battle of France, Then and Now (2008)

So, still nothing to support the story.

Regards,

Bart

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello Bruce,

If I may ask: what's the source of this story?

On the unofficial 23 Squadron-site I found:

'The Squadron's founder, Lt. Col. Louis Strange DSO OBE MC DFC, retired from the Service through ill health in 1921, but subsequently enjoyed an eventful career in civil aviation, before returning to battle in 1940 as a (50 year old) Pilot Officer in the Volunteer Reserve. During his "third" career he won a Bar to his DFC flying a Hurricane, pioneered the parachute training of Britain's airborne forces and established the Marine Ships Fighter Units for the catapult-launching of convoy defence Hurricanes. He continued to fly after the War and died in 1966, aged 75 years.'

Maybe in this book can be found where Louis Strange Strange was at the date on the supposed incident:
Flying Rebel - Story of Louis Strange, Peter Hearn, HMSO, London, 1994, ISBN 0-290500-5

Regards,

Bart

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,

The story is originally noted in "So Few" by David Masters and I believe also in the book on Louis Strange that you mentioned.
Apparently on 23/5/40 after seeing off the 2 Hurricane pilots safely in the patched up Hurricanes, Strange flew himself out of Merville in a remaining damaged Hurricane.
Of course the 2 pilots who did escape would not be listed as missing as they returned to their units safely ( albeit not in the Hurricanes they left in)
It is possible that only the relevant Squadron ORB's would note the incident.( I favour 229 or 253 )
I must confess that I have an open mind on this story, I should comment that both Brian Cull and I would not argue that "12 days In May" was the definitive final word on it's subject and I am sure Peter Cornwell would not make that claim for his own excellent book. Fresh facts are being constantly discovered and this forum is a great place to uncover them.
Lets keep digging.
Cheers

Bruce Lander

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Bruce,

I recall there was an article on Louis Strange in an issue of AIR ENTHUSIAST, in the no. 40-60 range. Unfortunately my copy is in my attic (on orders I'm sorry to relate !) and my children are asleep. I will look it up tomorrow for any reference to your enquiry, unless someone beats me to the punch.

Years ago you wrote an article on the air actions of this very date I also recall. In another sadly-missed aviation magazine, AVIATION NEWS, if memory serves me right. I loved that article and it played no small part in developing my interest in the Air Battle for France.

So thank you Bruce. I am not worthy !

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

PS. I also have 12 DAYS IN MAY and liked it very much.

[paulmcmillan]

His Obituary in the Times fro Nov 16th 1966 (he died the day before) says that "He rejoined the RAF in 1940 and was ground control officer of an aerodrome in France when it was hurriedly evacuted. He carried out a hasty and unorthodox repair to a Hurricane and flew it back across the Channel. It was not a type he had flown before and was more over unarmed and without several important instruments, nonetheless when attacked by eight Messerschmitts. Stange then 48 years old, became fairly belligernet and put on such a good show that the Germans apparently believing that he was trying to bring his non-existent guns to bear sheered off" - For his expolits he was awarded a bar to his DFC

A bit of a boys own description, and no reference to repairing other Hurricanes, though of course it is possible

[paulmcmillan]

His BAR to DFC makes mention of this fact, so it looks like something similar happened - But it looks like he repaired 2 and flew back in 1

Air Ministry,
21st June,

1940.

ROYAL AIR FORCE.

Gazette Issue 34878 published on the 21 June 1940. Page 7 of 60

Awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying
Cross,

Pilot Officer Louis Arbon STRANGE, D.S.O.,
M.C., D.F.C. (78522), R.A.F. Volunteer
Reserve.
Pilot Officer Strange was detailed to
proceed from Hendon to Merville to act as
ground control officer during the arrival and
departure of various aircraft carrying food
supplies. He displayed great skill and
determination whilst under heavy bombing
attacks and machine-gun fire at Merville,
where he was responsible for the repair and
successful despatch of two aircraft to
England. In the last remaining aircraft,
which was repaired under his supervision,
he returned to Hendon, in spite of being
repeatedly attacked by Messerschmitts until
well out to sea. He had no guns in action
and had never flown this type of aircraft
previously, but his brilliant piloting enabled
him to return with this much needed

aircraft.

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,

Martin - thanks for the kind words, I,m glad you enjoyed both the article and the book. Of course Brian Cull was very much the main man with "12 Days" and also greatly assisted and encouraged me with the article.

Paul - great work, the citation certainly supports the story of 2 Hurricanes being repaired and flown home ( by whom ?) and the last one flown home by Strange.

Thanks

Bruce Lander