82708 Plt Off Eric Stanley ALDOUS, 610 Sqn, 1940

[Steve Brew]

A brief from OC, 610 Sqn, to OC, 41 Sqn, dated 1 Oct 40, states that 82708 Plt Off Eric Stanley ALDOUS "caused the following enemy casualties whilst serving with this Squadron. Destroyed ONE, Probable ONE, Damaged ONE".

Contemporary works only seem to mentioned one destroyed He111 on 30 Aug 40. Can anyone tell me what and when his probable and damaged victories were claimed with 610 Sqn, please? He was with the unit 27 Jul-11 Sep 40.

Thanks
Steve

[Peter Cornwell]

As you say, ALDOUS joined No.610 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 27 July 1940 direct from No.9 FTS and was assigned to 'B' Flight. On 24 August 1940, flying as 'DOGROSE Green 3', he returned to base damaged after claiming a 109 probable in combat over Dover around 11.35 hours. On 30 August 1940, flying DW*V (K9970) as 'DOGROSE Blue 2', he shared in the destruction of an He111 of 11./KG1 in action over Kent around 11.20 hours. He was then posted to No.41 Squadron at Hornchurch on 12 September 1940 and assigned to 'B' Flight. Flying as 'MITOR Blue 2', he next claimed a 109 damaged north of Dover on 18 September 1940 in action around 17.30 hours. Finally, on 28 September 1940, flying X4345, he was shot down and injured in combat south of Faversham around 10.40 hours and baled out over Pluckley.

[Steve Brew]

Thanks Peter

You're probably right. I guess what threw me is that the document is from the OC, 610 Sqn, dated 1 October 1940, and states these were the casualties to enemy aircraft "whilst serving with this Squadron". Could be a typo or misinformation, of course, as Aldous had also claimed a damaged Me109 with 41 Squadron on 18 Sep 40, and the document post-dates this event.

Cheers
Steve