Aircraft Losses Database Corrections

[Buz]

Update to some of the information for you.

A29-1
this aircraft was lost with PLTOFF L H Holliday (411786) on the 7th Mar 1942. Originally thought as a write off, it was rebuilt after recovery over a 6 month period and returned to service. Finally lost with SGT M R Walker (417682) at 2 OTU.

References:
A29-1
RAAF Form E/E.88 – A29-1

PLTOFF L H Holliday (411786)
Preliminary Report (external) of Flying accident or force landing: Serial: 789 Period 1941/42
RAAF Unit History Sheets – Station HQ Archerfield (no mention of serial) 7/3/42


SGT M R Walker (417682)
Preliminary Report (external) of Flying accident or force landing: Serial: 84 Period 1943/44
Casualty file 166/43/276
Court of Inquiry re accident Kittyhawk A29-1 on 4.8.1943
RAAF Unit History Sheets – No.2 OTU 4/8/43

A29-507 was one of three aircraft lost from the same formation. A29-507 (Frolic Red 1), A29-432 (Frolic Red 2) and A29-514 (Frolic Red 4). FLTLT A W C Morrison (416816) flew Red 1 and WOFF J C Bates (409495) flew Red 2.

References:

WOFF J C Bates (409495):
Casualty file 166/5/737
Confirmatory Memorandum – Casualty signal A39/PGM 10/OCT VIDE AFO Appendix 18/E/1 (from 75SQN to No. 10 Operational Group, Base Pers Section, No. 10 O.G. HQ and No.78 Wing HQ)
Presumption of death – Casualties in RAAF Units – Minutes – 166/1/139 Part 3

FLTLT A W C Morrison (416816):
Casualty file 163/145/136
RAAF Form PT.81 Serial No. 693 Period: 1943/44
Confirmatory Memorandum – Casualty signal A39/PGM 10/OCT VIDE AFO Appendix 18/E/1 (from 75SQN to No. 10 Operational Group, Base Pers Section, No. 10 O.G. HQ and No.78 Wing HQ)
Presumption of death – Casualties in RAAF Units – Minutes – 166/1/139 Part 3

Buz

[Buz]

Here's the remainder of the Kittyhawk Information

AL189 – 3/8/44 - Aircraft approached too slowly to land. Aircraft stalled and flipped onto its back and was seen to dive into the ground at Fayid - SOC as Cat E 14/8/44 - Pilot FSGT G.E.C.MacGregor 423407

Reference:

Casualty file 166/26/541
AM Form 1180 – AL189



ET848 – 2/8/44 - Aircraft ran out of fuel and crash landed, aircraft later found at 2925N 2959E but pilot was reported missing - SOC 3/8/44 - Pilot Sgt J.A.Slater 1581743

Reference:

AM Form 1180 – ET848



FR275 – 10/3/43 - Aircraft took off at 15:45hrs as part of 12 aircraft formation on escort Mission as Top cover for 250 and 260 SQN which were in an area 40 Miles North West of Foum Tatounine. Whilst the strafing SQNs attacked, the top cover was involved in combat with enemy formation of approx. 12-15 Ju-87 and their escort of 20-30 Bf109's. During this combat this aircraft was shot down and was one of 6 lost in this mission – SOC 26th Mar 43 – Pilot FSGT R.DeBourke R/79049

Reference:

Air27/873/40



FX738 – 29/1/45 - Aircraft was part of formation of 4 Kittybombers attacking a heavy Gun position near Casalecchioi Di Reno. Aircraft burst into flames (believed to have been hit during the dive by AA fire) and crashed 6km SW of Bologna. – Pilot Lt J.Lithgow 329220V

Reference:

AM Form 78 shows date of loss 29th Jan 45
11 SQN OPREP 155 – Shows loss but not serial
Only reported loss this date
Springbok Fighter Victory - SAAF Fighter Operations 1939-1945 Vol.5



FX710 – 26/12/44 - Aircraft took off at 0900 hrs as part of 11 aircraft formation that were attack an ammo dump at G.291460. The target was easily sighted, and the aircraft attacked with bombs and MG fire. After the attack this aircraft had suffered damage and the temp reading started to go up, upon reaching Grid G6776 the pilot bailed out over the sea - SOC 28/12/44 - WOFF L.G Robinson 420274

References:

Casualty Report 166/36/428
450 SQN ORB
450 Squadron casualty Book
AM Form78 – Shows date of loss
Only reported loss this date



FX727 – 29/5/44 - Aircraft took off as part of 6 aircraft formation on a bombing mission against the cross roads at Frosinone. This aircraft was hit by Flak and crash landed heavily at Grid G.1457, aircraft then started smoking and burnt – SOC 31/5/44 - Pilot SGT C.J.Parkinson 1800971.

Cause of confusion – FX710 GA-S had been with the Unit until the 25th May 44, and then departed to be replaced by (it is believed) this aircraft as GA-S (with the Unit from the 27th May until 29th May). ORB shows FX710 as GA-S previosly, but the entry for GA-S on the 29th has no serial number.

Reference:

Air 27/874/10
AM Form 78 – shows loss as 30th May 44
Four losses this date - all others matched to serial number



FT934 – 17/2/45 - Aircraft took off on operational sortie, during which it was damaged by AA fire. During return and in the landing pattern at Pontedera, aircraft was seen to stall having had to take avoiding action when USAAF P-47's flew through the pattern. Aircraft crashed approx. 5km NNW of the LG after pilot bailed out. – SOC 22/2/45 - Lt JFL Burnard 542821V

Reference:

AM Form 78 (shows date of loss)
Only reported loss for this date
Springbok Fighter Victory - SAAF Fighter Operations 1939-1945 Vol.5

Buz

[Alex Smart]

Hello Jagan,

Re 80 Sqn and BP503 and Sykes loss.

The ORB for July '42 shows that BP503 was flown by the following between the 2nd and 14th.

Sykes on the 2nd, followed by Hulse, Wilshaw,Carpenter, Morgan, Ryder,Wilshaw (again), Mitchell, Sykes(again), Morgan(again), Shakespeare on the 14th July '42.

So looks like the a/c was not lost on the 10th July '42 as it was flown by at least two other pilots on days following the 10th.

Although AB's "BA100-BZ999 has 80 Sqn ,10/7/42 ?
So it seems not to have served with any other Squadron .

Alex

[Jagan]

Alex, Air Britain confirms its BP503 and I assume it was based on the aircraft card. Maybe other experts can chime in?

[Ross_McNeill]

There is a F1180 for Wallace in BP503 Cat E (missing) from No.1 R&SU on 24/12/42.

No F1180 for Sykes on 10/7/42 but I would not expect one for a FB loss only FA.

Ross

[Jagan]

I am proposing BN352 for Sykes. Air Britain has the aircraft recorded missing for the same date. No other pilot missing other than Sykes

Additionally BN352 flew the day before but hasnt been noted in next few days in the ORB..

John E had recorded BN352 against R T Hempstead on this date as "Force landed safe" but the ORB shows it as BE358...