341 Sqn Spitfire NL-H serial?

[wwrsimon]

Hi

I wonder if anyone can tie a serial number to Spitfire IX NL-H of 341 Sqn, flown by Christian Martell on Ramrod 73 on May 14th 1943.

A bit of along shot perhaps, but you never know...!

Many thanks

Simon

[Bertrand H]

Hi Simon,

Where do you learn that it is the NL-H ? Form 541 for n°341 for the most of year 1943 do not hold any serial or individual letter....

Bertrand

[wwrsimon]

Hello Bertrand

Apologies for not replying sooner.

On the combat report filled in by Martell on that date, it states "Spitfire IX H" - I'm guessing the H is the aircraft's individual letter?

I'll get

[Bertrand H]

Hi Simon,

I have the french translation of this combat report and it is written Spitfire IX A. Could your "H" is a deformed A ?

Must to be check !

Bertrand

[wwrsimon]

Hello again Bertrand

No, it's definitely an H. Perhaps your A is a deformed H!

The form I have is a 'Personal Combat Report', or Form 'F'. The information has been added using a typewriter, and it's a good photocopy, so it's clearly legible. Under the heading 'Type and mark of our aircraft', the entry is 'Spitfire IX H'.

I'm of course guessing the H doesn't refer to the type or mark of Spitfire?

Best regards

Simon

[Many Souffan]

Hello.

I can confirm from an original combat report it is indeed H as it is written in personal combat report that you can find at Kew (Air 50/407)

But in the Log book of Martell at the date of 14 may 1943 Martell made a test flight and a mission who he claimed a Fw 190 on.... NL-C

In the other side in my different discussions with Pierre Clostermann between 1998 and dec 2005, he told me that he flew in may 43 on NL-B, NL-A and NL-C specially the 11 may during the Circus 295 leaded by J E Johnson at the return he made a not good (he said a special) landing.

After that Martell was not happy and asked to him to make, the same day, 2 flights of aerobatics on Spit Mk V that he did and to give him 5 days for leave. Clostermann stayed in the base.

During these 5 days he made some local flights and finished 1 or 2 articles for Flight magazine on the grass of the dispersal that he told me

He remembered also during these five days off ,the test of his plane (NL-C) with Martell, and the same day the return of Martell with the first victory 341 Sqn. Alsace. Clostermann told me that he was so happy that he wrote a wrong date in his log book: " le 13 le cap. Martell obtient la première victoire du squadron"

With this victory Martell keep as his personal kite the NL-C ( during May, June and little July) and Clostermann a new NL-B. (not BS538 the first one, ex 340 Sqn./GW.K damaged the 5 may 1943 by Pierre Laurent)

To answer about the serial of the kite of Martell for this 14 may 1943, I don't know.

thank you

[wwrsimon]

Originally Posted by Bertrand H

Hi Simon,

I have the french translation of this combat report and it is written Spitfire IX A. Could your "H" is a deformed A ?

Must to be check !

Bertrand

Hello again Bertrand

Did you have a chance to check?

Regards

Simon

[Bertrand H]

Christian Martell flown only twice time on a Spit IX coded "H" ....in march 1943.

I confirm he was on NLC on 14 may 1943. Serial of this A/C has not been yet identified.

Bertrand