F/O Labrum / Sgt Smith 418 sqdn

[Alain57]

Hi ,

During the night of 27/28 july 1943 F/O Labrum and Sgt Smith from 418 sqdn flew an intruder mission to the Low Countries. They crashlanded their Mosquito at Ford. What was their target that night ?

Regards
Alain57

[Stig Jarlevik]

Alain

The book Achtung Moskito by Martin Bowman says that between 28-30 July 1943 patrols were made on three nights to Schleswig/Jegel, Gilze-Rijen and Venlo airfields, all without success.

Cheers
Stig
PS: Mosquito crashlog says 29.7.43 418 Sq HX810 Ford Aerrodrome. Swung on take off, undercarriage collapsed. 1 injured.
Is this the crash you are talking about as well? In that case you and the booklet states the opposite of each other...

[Alain57]

Hello Stig ,

According to a friend of mine the info came out of Fighter Command losses by Chorley.
Anyway thanks for the help.

Alain57

[Chris Goss]

FC Losses was by Norman Franks?

[Stig Jarlevik]

Alain

Just as Chris says, Fighter Command losses was written by Norman Franks. Checking the relevant day (in vol 2) he lists no Mosquito loss at all, so I am more and more puzzled.

Chorley has nothing for this date, and, correct me if I am wrong, but the Intruder Mossies did not belong to Bomber Command, so Chorley is out with regard to 418 Sq.

Perhaps you should disclose exactly what you have?

Cheers
Stig

[Alain57]

Gents ,

Indeed i think the info i got is not ok . I will try to find out some more , sorry .

Regards
Alain57

[Mark Proulx]

Hi:

Labrun and Smith were flying Mosquito HJ741 on this evening. They were on an Intruder to Bretigny/Melun. They successfully bombed a railway juntion south of Melun. The aircraft returned successfully and did not crash land on return.

This data from my originally sourced 418 archives.

HTH

Mark Proulx