Spitfire IV BR644

**brian** · 9th February 2012, 21:53

Hi guys

The PR Spitfire force-landed in Turkey on 26 September 1943. The pilot was interned.

Can anyone provide further information including identity of pilot, please?

Two more Spitfires came down in Turkey on 24 October 1943; possibly one pilot lost, other interned. Any details, please?

Cheers
Brian

**COL BRUGGY** · 9th February 2012, 22:46

Hi Brian,

24-10-1943
No.680 Sqn
Spitfire PR.IV BR414

Airborne from Nicosia 0700, detailed to carry out a Photographic Reconnaissance of the Dodecanese Islands. ETA back at base 1200 and when an hour overdue Air-Sea Rescue carried out a search. The weather was very bad and no trace of the aircraft or pilot was found.

On 27-10-1943, H.Q.,R.A.F.,M.E., Signal AC.295 informed Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean H.Q.,M.E., that this aircraft had crashed into a hill near Bodrum, Turkey, and that the pilot was killed and buried the same day with full military honours.

AUS404617 P/O George Leslie Lachlan HAY RAAF +

See: http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1069698

and...

http://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z008_1.pdf

p.408 of 484

Hay is buried in Haidar Pasha Cemetery, Turkey. Row A. Grave 11.

Col.

**brian** · 9th February 2012, 23:05

Many thanks, Col.

Hopefully the other two losses will be identified.

Cheers
Brian

**Andy Fletcher** · 10th February 2012, 08:22

Hi Brian,

The pilot of BR644 on 26 Sep 43 was P/O K.O. BRAY 680 Sqn.

He took off from Nicosia at 08:30 to cover Efialti (?), Leros and Kos.

Source: F.540 680 Sqn ORB (unforunately the F.541 is illegible).

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

**brian** · 10th February 2012, 20:41

Hi Andy

Thanks for that. I haven't had chance to look at 680 Squadron records as yet.

I have just noticed another possible 680 Squadron loss - on 4 May 1943 a Spitfire force-landed at Aydin (Turkey)and the pilot was interned. Any ideas?

Cheers
Brian

**Andy Fletcher** · 11th February 2012, 11:51

Hi Brian,

Nothing in the 680 Sqn ORB regards any losses on 04 May 43.

Cheers

Andy Fletcher

**brian** · 12th February 2012, 20:55

Thanks for checking, Andy

However, I note that 680 lost BR663 on 4 APRIL 1943 - this was possibly the aircraft in question!

Also, I have another 680 loss on 14 February 1944 - BR430 FTR Greece/Crete.

Are you able to provide pilots names/fates, please?

Cheers
Brian

**COL BRUGGY** · 12th February 2012, 22:23

Brian,

14-2-1944
No.682 Sqn
Spitfire PR.IVT BR430

Took off Tocra 1330, for a photo recce of Candia and Pireaus. Strong winds were encountered and BR430 was instructed to return at 1545. The aircraft was correctly on track to Candia at 1412 and 164m from base. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft and it did not return to base. At 1720 with the aircraft overdue, air-sea rescue action was initiated but no trace of the missing aircraft or pilot was found. No distress calls from the aircraft were received.

AUS420029 F/Sgt Vincent Alwyn McCARTHY RAAF +

Commemorated on the Malta Memorial. Panel 16, Column 2.

McCarthy was a member of No.680 Sqn., possibly flying a No.682 Sqn aircraft.

Col.

**Andy Fletcher** · 13th February 2012, 10:01

Hi Brian,

I haven't got the 680 Sqn ORB for 1944 so can't verify Col's info for 14 Feb 44.

Regards the 04 Apr 43 loss I'm afraid both the F.540 and F.541 are practically illegible. However I can just make at the end of month summary for Apr 43 that a F/O Tozer was interned in Turkey due to engine trouble. This would be F/O G.G. Tozer and probably corresponds to the loss of BR663.

The 680 Sqn ORB microfilm copy for 1943 (AIR 27/2197) is one of those where large sectons of it are unreadable. Definitely a case of caveat emptor.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher