Flt. Lt. Thomas Rex Poynton KIA N. of Dieppe, 23 April 1943

[Steve Brew]

41 Sqn's OC A Flt, Flt. Lt. Thomas Rex Poynton was posted missing during a shipping reconnaissance to Dieppe on 23 April 1943. He was advised of eight enemy aircraft approximately 20 miles north of his position at approx. 11:30, which he acknowledged, but his plot was seen to turn sharply towards the French coast soon afterwards, and then disappear. He was posted as missing and is listed on the Runnymede Memorial today.

I believe the claimants may have been FW190s of JG26, but is anyone able to be more specific, please?

Currently have no access to my library as I'm on wifi in Brunei Airport!

Thanks
Steve

[COL BRUGGY]

Hi Steve,

JG 26 23 April, 1943

The coastal patrols were, as usual, unsuccessful, but Obfw. (Paul) Fritsch of the 5th Staffel led his "offensive-defensive" patrol all the way across the Somme Estuary to Dieppe where he shot down a No. 41 Sqd. Spitfire that was on a shipping reconnaissance mission. Fritsch received credit for one Mustang destroyed.

JG 26 Victory Claims 23-29 April 1943.

Date: 23-4-43
Rank: Obfw.
Name: Fritsch P.
Unit: 5
Claim No. 3
Aircraft: Mustang
Place: 25km W of Somme estuary.
Time: 1128
Opponent: 41 Sqd. Spitfire.
Confirmed: Yes.

See:
The JG 26 War Diary Volume Two: 1943-1945
Caldwell,Donald.
London:Grub Street,1998.
pp.49-50

Col.

[Steve Brew]

Thansk Col

Just what I was after; I appreciate the look-up

Regards
Steve