Whirlwind Ops

[NiallC]

Re 137 Squadron: Has anyone got any information on the crash that killed it's C/O, John Sample, October 28, 1941? Also looking for his a/c number and letter.

Robert

The accident happened on the afternoon of the 28th. Sample, Maurice Peskett and Jack Luing took off to perform practice flying. Luing performed one practice attack on the other pair, but as he turned in for a second run he saw Sample’s aircraft spinning down out of control with part of the tailplane falling away. Sample bailed out, but at low altitude and was killed, his aircraft (P7053) crashing nearby. The other two pilots landed safely, but examination of Peskett’s aircraft (P7058) suggested that the starboard propeller had hit the tail of Sample’s aircraft. Both sets of undercarriage doors and the central bulge of the Fowler flap also showed signs of contact. P7058 was carefully flown, undercarriage down, to Filton for repair.

HTH
Niall

[NiallC]

This is great stuff; many thanks. To help those helping me, I can say that I can definitely identify the following as being on Whirlwinds, viz:

No.137 Squadron

DESHANE, P/O C.W. killed in flying accident, 9 March 1942, aircraft P7036
WRIGHT, P/O R.E.D., killed in flying accident, 4 May 1942 (serial ?)
BRENNAN, FS J.R., killed on operations 27 May 1942 (serial ?)
MERCER, P/O C.E.. killed on operations, 19 february 1943, aircraft P7114
REBBETOY, F/O J.R., killed on operations, 25 April 1943, aircraft P7058

No.263 Squadron

GILL, F/O D.R., killed 7 November 1942, aircraft P7043
McPHAIL, WO D.B., killed 7 December 1942, serial ?
BREARLEY, F/O E., killed 16 April 1943, aircraft P6095

Hugh

Wright was killed in P7103
Brennan's aircraft was P7112
Mercer was, I believe, flying P7119 on the night he was killed, with Freeman, the other fatality, in P7114.
Don McPhaill was flying P6987 when he was lost to flak on Roadstead 45.

HTH
Niall

[paulmcmillan]

Hello Régis and Jerry,

The plane was broken at the pilot’s seat.
Joss

Process of elimination


1) All pictures I have seen of Brown's aircraft (on LEMB) show it complete when being examined by the Germans- i.e no broken back - So the one in the report cannot be P7095

2) I also have BM245 Shot down by flak nr Criquetot - which seems a long way from Lille

so I think it must be:
3) P7054 (Doig) Shot down by Flak near Poperinge, which is nearer Lille

[jossleclercq]

hello Paul,

I quite agree with you that it isn't P7095 that came down near Lille. I've seen the pictures too and the plane doesn't show the kind of damage quoted by the Préfet's report "broken behind the pilot's seat".

I agree that Criquetot is far from Lille. I'll try to check No. 416 Squadron ORB at Kew during my next visit, and I'll try again to find McLeod's PoW questionnaire.

It is also my assumption, so far, that DOIG came down near Lille, but there's no absolute evidence to back up this. Poperinge is about 35 km NW of Lille, while the plane came down 20 km south of Lille. 55 km in a fighter is just a few minutes of flight, but this was in the wrong direction, away from Manston, not in the direction of U.K.

Joss

[northeagle]

Hi Niall,
Thank you kindly for the information.

Best Wiahes.
Robert.

[brewerjerry]

Re 137 Squadron: Has anyone got any information on the crash that killed it's C/O, John Sample, October 28, 1941? Also looking for his a/c number and letter.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

Hi Robert,
I just came across an old letter ( 1986) with an eyewitness report.
extracted the relevant info :-

" It involved a westland whirlwind...
I saw what I now believe to be either the tail section or forward fuselage and wings tumbling over and over as it dived vertically onto a farm....
... unfortunately the pilot had cleared the aircraft but hit the barn roof before his parachute deployed......
....The aircraft and the building burned..."

Cheers
Jerry

[pfP7063]

Hello Hugh

I think I can help you out with you research. Please e-mail me.

One of the early Canadians on 263 was Irving Farmer (Hap) Kennedy. He has written a book called Black Crosses On My Wingtips.

Paul

[tonyl1962]

Hello,

While scratching around here, I came across this 2007 reference to a Bartlett (referred to as both P/O and F/Lt) serving with 137 squadron - can anyone confirm either his initials or service number from any documents that they have?

I'm trying to sort out the service career of a Ronald William Bartlett, 67656, who died serving with 61 squadron in 1945, who had previously (according to family legend) served in a fighter unit during 1941/42 prior to being a flight instructor in Canada. There don't seem to have been large numbers of 'Bartletts' in fighter command at this time, so this man in 137 seems a possibility.

Regards,

Tony Leach

[Phil Listemann]

Hi Tony,

The 'Bartlett' who served with 137 Sqn was Leonard H. Bartlett No.102959.

Seems not to be your man.

Phil

[tonyl1962]

Thanks Phil,

That's one Bartlett eliminated from the possibilities!

Regards,

Tony