W/O John Henry Tranter 508751 ID of Beaufort

[cozzy711]

The aforementioned airmen is shown on the database here as being on one of two crew killed aboard Beaufighter T2339 of 252 Squadron on 10th May 1941. He is buried at Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia.

T2339 however relates, I think, to a Blenheim of 45 Squadron lost on 26th May 1941 with the loss of 3 crew.

I have looked up the 252 ORB and there is no mention of the incident. I am aware that the Squadron was based at the time at Chivenor/Aldegrove, but with detachments in Luqa, Heraklion and Abu Sueir. There don't appear to be any records on TNA for the detached units.

If anyone knows the details of what happened and the correct aircraft I would be obliged.

Sorry title should read Beaufighter not Beaufort!!

Thanks

Chris

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

10/5/41.

Throughout the day Axis reconnaissance aircraft searched for the convoy in variable visibility. Beaufighters from Malta continuing to provide cover and frequently heard making reports but experiencing difficulty in maintaining contact. Two Beaufighters were vectored onto one 'snooper' 70 kilometres south-west of the isalnd, an aircraft from 2(F)/123. Following an exchange of fire the Ju 88 flew back to Sicily in a damaged condition and with one crewman wounded, but one Beaufighter - T3239* 'B' crewed by Flt Lt J.J. Lowe and F/Sgt J.H. Tranter - failed to return, presumably shot down by the return fire from the Junkers.

* Note: RAF A/c T1000 to V9999 has T3239 as - 252 -Missing 15.5.41.

See:
Malta:The Hurricane Years 1940-41.
Shores,Christopher, Cull,Brian & Nicola Malizia.
London:Grub Street,1987.
p.203.

Col.

[Jagan]

Sorry, saw this just now - and i fixed the record in the CWGC db. Fixing it led to another error with T3239 because the AIR81/5392 http://www.rafcommands.com/database/....php?qnum=5392 incorrectly listed wellington R3239 with a 'T'. fixed that one as well.