Briggs before Bismarck?

[COL BRUGGY]

Simon,

Hendrie's book definitely quotes 4 March, 1942, and FP172. Here is what John Rawlings' Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons has to say (p.131):

No.202 Squadron.

Consolidated Catalina IB (Sep 1942 - Sep 1944)

FP111, B; FP122, C; FP172, D; FP181, A; FP213,V; FP237, O; FP272, D.

I place no faith in Rawlings' serials. At times he quotes non-existent serials, in other cases he mentions serials that never served on that particular squadron.

Col.

[wwrsimon]

Thanks for checking Col, much appreciated.

Regards

Simon

[Ross_McNeill]

"One other thing, if Briggs and been killed, or seriously injured in this crash, would have Bismarck not have been sighted by Briggs and escaped. "

Briggs was pilot in command but it was the co-pilot that took over flying when the sighting was made - Ensign L B Smith USN one of the nine USN pilots working up RAF/RCAF crews on Catalinas.

AH545 had been tasked by Coastal Command to a search area and Smith was at the controls so in answer to your what if - probably the same result.

Ross

[robin bird]

fair comment Ross. Briggs postings in 1940 remains my quest. Thanks again everyone

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Here is one other incident in which Denis Briggs was involved:

7/1/1941
No.209 Sqn
Lerwick I L7262

Wing dropped on take-off, bounced and sank, Stranraer.

37733 F/Lt Denis Frank SPOTSWOOD RAF (later A/W/C, DSO, DFC [WW2]) - Safe
580000 Sgt Denis Alfred BRIGGS RAF (later A/S/L, DFC*) - Safe
63795 P/O George Bernard WINDELER RAFVR - Safe
530401 Sgt William George EVANS RAF +
649212 AC1 Thomas MIDDLEBROOK RAF +

See also: CCL1/McNeill/Midland Pubs.,2003/p.89.

Col.

[robin bird]

Now think Briggs was at Helensburgh awaiting his posting to a squadron. Maybe he was hitching a lift in the Catalina to join it