Hurricane I/X AG342

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Could someone with access to the latest AA100 to AZ999 AB Vol., please provide a service history/fate of Hurricane I/Trop.X AG342.

Thanks,

Col.

[Henk Welting]

Col:
AG342 - Hurricane X - 28/20 - missing from tactical reconnaissance - 18.2.44
Regards,
Henk.

[COL BRUGGY]

Henk,

Thank you.

Causes me some pain!

No.20 Squadron is known to have sustained two losses on 18-2-1944, namely:

AUS401161 F/Lt John Pender Deany THOMSON RAAF and
NZ414674 P/O Frederick Bryan PIRANI RNZAF.

Both listed as missing, and commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.

Thomson was reported lost in Hurricane IID KW871 'D', and Pirani in Hurricane IID KX124 'G'.

How AG342 fits into all this, Heaven knows.

Comments welcomed.

Col.

[Henk Welting]

Col,
Air Britain has for KW871: 5 Sqn - missing 19.2.44.
For KX124: FE - missing on non ops flight 20.2.44 (Errol as we know has KX124 and PARANI on 18.2.44).
Regards,
Henk.

[COL BRUGGY]

Henk,

No recorded fatalities listed for No.5 Sqn on 19-2-1944.

Four independent sources confirm serial of Thomson's Hurricane as KW871.

Air War for Burma/Shores pp.163-4
Spitfires over the Arakan/Franks pp.188-9 & 226
Storr: 1-50 Sqns. Vol.1. p.298 of 347
Thomson's Grave Registration Form.

Query on AG342 still unresolved.

Col.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
The Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour has
John Pender Deany Thomson Flight Lieutenant Service number 401161 .
AWM 148 RoH Cards
A705/166/39/236.
Hurricane IID KW871
Place Taung-U, Burma
Date 18th February 1944.
also noted is 20 Sqadron Andaman Sea cause flying battle.

The Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph database
P/O. Frederick bryan Pirani
Date of Death 18th February 1944 age 20
20 squadron
Place India
Photo from 19th April 44 Weekly News
Honoured on Column 445 Singapore Memorial and in Krangi War Cemetery.

Strange that the date of death for both these airmen is given as 18th yet a/c records it seems has later dates for their loss.

Alex

[COL BRUGGY]

Alex,

Thank you.

Col.

[paulmcmillan]

Col

Where did your reference to AG342 come from ware it Storr ??

Paul

[COL BRUGGY]

Hi Paul,

Storr? No. Chanced upon the entry in Francis Mason's, The Hawker Hurricane:An Illustrated History (Crecy,2001 ed.) p.241. Needed confirmation of entry, source being a bit dated.

Col.

[Jagan]

OpRep/Sortie report for the loss of Thomson and Pirani (From 20 Sqn Appendices). No Serials, but confirms aircraft letters and both were from the same mission on 18 Feb 1944
http://www.rafcommands.com/galleries/var/resizes/The-National-Archives/AIR-27-261-20-Squadron/20Sqn-1944-02-18-SortieReport.jpg?m=1404870001 (http://www.rafcommands.com/galleries/photos/510)
http://www.rafcommands.com/galleries/var/resizes/The-National-Archives/AIR-27-261-20-Squadron/20Sqn-1944-02-18-SortieReport-Detail.jpg?m=1404870001 (http://www.rafcommands.com/galleries/photos/509)