Make Number and Letter

 Pilot

 Date

 Remarks

Hawker Audax 

K7514, not confirmed as the right plane as the one noted in the narrative is a Hart

also K7514 was used by 4 SFTS Habbaniyah, on 22nd May 1941. Flown by Hans Ravn, K7514 0:40 hrs. Bombing and machine gunning troops at Fallujahbut K7514, could easily have been ROS from it's upset

Sqdn Ldr Duncan MacDonald "Slim" Somerville, 32113, RAF

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6142 RT U

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6142 RT U

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7922  

Fairey Gordon

K2719

Fairey Gordon  K2719, essentially a Fairey IIIF with a radial 525hp Armstrong Siddeley Panther IIa engine in place of the IIIF's slightly higher powered Napier Lion.

Sgt Charles John Wilson Tait, 565362, RAF and LAC G R McLennan, 539503, RAF

Aircraft can now be confirmed as K2719

14/1/40

Drogue Towing Flight, nosed over on a  force landing on an  island in the Nile, Tait ok McLennan broke his wrist According to the `K` File Air Britain J.J.Halley, K2719 Was with 112 Sq and was written off when it crashed in a forced landing at near Helwan on 14th January 1940Update via RAF Commands Forum member DaveW K2719 Delivered to Assembly Kenley 10/08/32; Posted out Date 02/11/34: Arrival Date Aboukir 22/12/34; Posted To Unit  Abu Seir; 112 Squadron by 11/39 for Target Tug. Engine cut; overturned on landing on small island near Helwan 14/01/40; SOC as BER.

Gladiator

MK I

unknown

Sqdn Ldr Duncan MacDonald "Slim" Somerville, 32113, RAF

15/3/40

Forced to bale out when plane mysteriously caught fire, pilot hospitalized with burns, Some months before Italy declared war, S/L ‘Slim’ Somerville was up in his Gladiator carrying out an aerobatic display, when suddenly in the middle of a slow roll, dead over the aerodrome, a spurt of flame and smoke burst from the cockpit.  The roll was completed and the C.O. took to his parachute, making a successful landing a few miles from the aerodrome but unfortunately his face and hands were badly burnt before he could get out of his aircraft.  However, the ambulance and ‘pick-up’ were racing across what appeared to be a mile of flat sand waste to where the C.O. was about to land.  The Ford ‘pick-up’ had outstripped the slower ambulance, when they shot straight into a wadi with a sheer bank of sand 15 feet below, but apart from scratches and bruises and a dent in the roof and bonnet of the car, no damage was done and the car was pushed onto its wheels, started up and even so arrived first on the scene to help the C.O. From March of the Gladiators by J.F. Fraser

Gladiator Mk I L7612

possibly coded RT F

Plt Off Gordon Albert  Wolsey, 41811 (K Flight)

2/6/40

Bent  wing tip at Aswan, ten planes of B Flight where off to form K Flight with 254 wing at Summit , plane was repaired and later went on to serve in K Flight

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6136

Sgt Charles John Wilson Tait, 565362, RAF (K Flight)

18/6/40

From 16/6/40 only  three fighters where constantly stationed at Port Sudan. On  18/6/40 they where surprise attacked by "Pipistrello" S81 formation. They did not inflict a lot of damage but Sgt Taits' Gladiator did not get airborne during the attack. The superficial damage caused by bomb splinters did not look significant, but had to be test flown. During the flight, the plane suddenly lost height while attempting to slow roll over Sgts' Mess it flew into the ground, pilot KIFA

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7922  

19/06/40

Gladiator Mk II

N5751- on detachment  to 33 Sqdn

Flying Officer Waldo Baker Price-Owen 39829 RAF , on detachment to "A" Flight 33 Sqdn

4/7/40

Shot down, explosion in the fuselage over Bug Bug, pilot safely parachuted, landing 15 miles inside the Egyptian border, F/O Price- Owen was badly shot up, though uninjured himself, and the decided to bale out.  However, unfortunately, he was wearing a parachute belonging to a friend of far greater stature and on pulling the rip cord, the loose harness gave him a very severe jerk between his legs which almost cost him his manhood – a very serious matter with Price-Owen.  He was incapacitated for some time and posted from the Squadron He went on to serve with 80 Sqdn. (from March Of The Gladiators page by J F Fraser)

Gladiator 

MK I 

K6130 

Flying Officer Anthony Gray-Worcester, 33338 RAF

18/7/40

Hit a hill obscured by a cloud at Qaret el Naga., KIFA, Towards the end of July, Tony set out for Sidi Barani with another three pilots and finding his first port of call covered in low cloud, he ordered his section to circle above the cloud while he went down to investigate.  He never came up again and his section managed to land by a near-by landing ground;  a search found Tony crashed into a sand dune.  He had gone down through the cloud to see if it was safe to take his section through but the cloud was lying on the ground and he must have hit the ground and killed himself before he had seen the danger.  In this land of clear blue skies, more experienced pilots have killed themselves through feeling their way down through belts of mist over the Delta and coastline than any other reason. (from March Of The Gladiators page by J F Fraser)

Gladiator 

Mk I

possibly K7939 not confirmed

Flying Officer Peter Edward Campbell Strahan, RAF no. 36154 "A" Flight pilot

25/7/40

112 Squadron flew a patrol near Bardia during the day and spotted eight CR.42s. 

Flying Officer Strahan of ‘A’ Flight claimed one shot down, although he himself was hit and forced to make an emergency landing on the return flight. He was returned to base with an infantry vehicle

Gladiator 

Mk I 

K7895

Plt Off Pieter Robert Marie Van der Heijden 40190, "A" Flight pilot

29/7/40

Attempting a slow roll Sidi Barrani, crashed, pilot injured and did not return to the Sqdn

Gladiator

N/A

possibly K8024 not confirmed

Plt Off Richard Alvin "Acky" Acworth, DFC, 40486 RAF, "A" Flight pilot

17/8/40

A/C written of due to battle damage and crash landing ,battle was against SM79s bombing the Mediterranean Fleet, pilot wounded, Acworth was able to fly back to base where he crash-landed and the aircraft was written-off (March Of The Gladiators F/O Ackworth was badly injured by shrapnel in the leg during a dog-fight off Sidi Barrani but he managed to get his aircraft back to Gerawla, landing downwind and finishing up at the opening of the medical tent.  The medical officer was infuriated at this demonstration, until he realized Acky was unable to get out of the cockpit and that it had saved him carrying Acky some hundreds of yards.  A dozen or more splinters were taken out of Acky’s leg, two weeks sick leave in Alex. and he was back in the cockpit again. )

Gladiator 

Mk I

K6141

Gladiator 

Mk I

K7986

"K Flight", pilot unknown

15/9/40

Crashed on take off, Sudan

Gladiator/

possibly 

L7608

Plt Off  Bert Benjamin Edye  Duff, 40684 "C" Flight pilot

31/10/40

A/C destroyed in combat Mersa Matruh, pilot parachuted suffering slight burns, 

may have been Italian ace Teresio Vittorio Martinoli 78 Squadriglia, 13 Gruppo, 2 Stormo

Bertie Duff dived out of the melee with a C.R. 42 on his tail, and another on either side of him, had his engine badly hit, and shortly afterwards baled out of his burning aircraft

Gladiator /possibly L7617

Plt Off Richard Alvin"Acky" Acworth,DFC, 40486 RAF

31/10/40

A/C destroyed in collision in combat Mersa Matruh collided with E R Smith both had to bale out, I dived on one of his attackers, and followed the aircraft through a loop, for some unknown reason, a popular Italian ‘dog-fight’ tactic of the early war days. The loop completed, I managed to get my sights on the C.R. 42, and ‘let fly’ with my four Brownings. At once, its engine started smoking badly, and the aircraft fell away on one wing; then….it happened!
For a time, I thought my engine had blown up, for during the dive, it had been doing far more ‘revs’ than the designed had intended. There was an explosion, and the next moment, I was drenched from head to foot with petrol, and suddenly frozen, as it began to evaporate. The ’stick’ was knocked smartly forwards, and momentarily trapped my thumb, as it hit the dashboard. My aircraft started a mad spin, and I had a split-second impression of a pair of mainplanes disappearing to my right, downwards twisting and turning like the blades of a lawn mower.
The controls were completely useless, and looking behind me, I soon discovered the reason why; to my dismay, there was only about a yard of fuselage left behind the cockpit, …..my complete tail-unit was missing

Most Gladiator pilots flew with their cockpit hoods open, as at times, they were difficult to open. I was no exception, and throttling back the engine, I tried to raise myself in my seat to commence the jump I knew was inevitable. I couldn’t move! I had often heard tales of pilots who had experienced difficulty in leaving a spinning aircraft, then I realized that during the ‘general flap’ I had forgotten to remove the pin securing the Sutton harness. By this time, the aircraft was in an inverted spin, and I pulled out the pin, and left the falling aircraft so relatively slowly, that it seemed like ‘slow motion’. The Gladiator, or what was left of it, followed me down, and it seemed an age before I was sufficiently far enough away to dare to pull the rip-cord of my parachute, for, to pull it too soon would have meant certain death, with my canopy caught by the crashing aircraft. I felt no ill effects from the delayed drop, and found I could move my arms and legs quite easily. However, I was taking no chances! I gripped the parachute ring very carefully in my right hand and gave a clean pull. After an anxious second or two, my rapid descent was abruptly checked as the ‘chute’ opened, and I had the strange feeling of being suspended in space, which, there and then, was not unpleasant, for firing on parachutists, at that time, and theatre of war, was unheard of.

Gladiator 

/possibly L7615

2/LT E R Smith SAAF, "C" Flight pilot

31/10/40

A/C destroyed in combat collision Mersa Matruh collided with Acworth both baled out

2nd Lieut. Smith had been after the same Italian that I was chasing, and had crashed into me, losing his wings in the process; P/O Duff had baled out on fire, as already described, and Squadron Leader Schwab had had engine failure, but had managed to shoot down two enemy aircraft before he finally forced landed; a noble effort!

Gladiator /possibly L7622 

Flt LT Lloyd Gilbert "Algy" Schwab, 37831 DFC, (Canadian)

31/10/40

A/C destroyed in combat Mersa Matruh due to engine failure / crash landing,

It seems that both L7608 and L7622 were lost in the combat over Mersa Matruh on 31/10/40 and as shown here five Gladiators from 112 Sq. were lost. This was a large combat over Mersa Matruh with ten S.79s from 9o Stormo, 11 from the 14o Stormo and five from the 33o Gruppo escorted by 18 CR.42s from 13o Gruppo and 18 more from 151o Gruppo.
They were intercepted by seven Gladiators from 112 Sq. and at least four Hurricanes from 33 Sq.112 Squadron and 33 Squadron claimed 4 CR.42s, 3 S.79s, 

1 probable S.79 and 1 damaged S.79 while losing 5 Gladiators and 2 Hurricanes.

The Italian fighters totally claimed 11 victories and the bombers claimed 7, 

while losing 1 CR.42 and 2 S.79 (2 more S.79s being damaged beyond repair).

Gladiator 

MK I 

possibly K7904

Flt LT Robert Hugh "Bobbie" Clarke, RAF No. 40513, "C" Flight pilot

31/10/40

A/C destroyed in combat Mersa Matruh pilot KIA by return fire from a SM79, K7904, 

destroyed in combat Mersa Matruh, Shot down by CR.42s and destroyed by fire, 04/11/40 SOC (Strike Off Charge)

Gladiator 

MK I  

K7977 

RT P

Flying Officer Jack Maurice Hayward, RAF, 40111, of the ‘B’ flight

6/11/40

Shot down by Fiat CR 42s over Metemma in Abyssinia, pilot KIA, Shot down by Fiat CR42`s near Gallabat / Metemma, his plane crashed very close to Pete Savages , pilot KIA this may have occurred on 7/11/40, but official records have 6/11/40 as his date of death

Gladiator 

MK I 

L7614

Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Howard "Pete" Savage (RAF no. 37483) B Flight

6/11/40

A/C shot down east of Metemma when a formation of an estimated six or seven 

CR.42s from 412^a Squadriglia led by the unit commander Capitano Raffi attacked them from out of the sun..  pilot KIA

Gladiator 

MK I 

K7969 

RT N

Pilot Officer Harold "Harry" B Kirk, 70808 "B Flight"

6/11/40

A/C shot down east of Metemma when a formation of an estimated six or seven CR.42s from 412^aSquadriglia led by the unit commander Capitano Raffi attacked them from out of the sun., pilot parachuted became POW

Gladiator 

MK I 

L7612 

possibly coded RT F

Flying Officer Jack Hamlyn DFC, RAF no. 40109 "B Flight"

6/11/40

Evaded the initial onslaught but his aircraft  was badly damaged and he force-landed, returning later on foot.

T he first brush with enemy fighters came at 0615 on 6 November 1940, w hen three R .A .F .Gladiators of „K Flight (brought from Port Sudan for the action) were patrolling over Metemma. These pilots had not operated

before in an area where enemy fighters could be expected and were, in the opinion of Brigadier Boyle, probably watching the battle scene, the withdrawing enemy, the crippled tanks and smoke rising from Gallabat. Suddenly a formation of six or eight C.R.42's came out of the morning sun. In a moment, two Gladiators were shot down, their pilots killed or taken prisoner; the third was forced down at El Hasiara, some 70 miles from its base.

Gladiator 

MK I 

K7939

8/11/40

Gladiator 

Mk II 

N5760

.

28/11/40

Lost in Greece, details unknown at this time

Gladiator MK I / K8013

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force

Gladiator / K8018

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Gladiator / K8031

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Gladiator / K8047

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Gladiator / K8054

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Gladiator / L7609

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Gladiator / L7611

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Gladiator / L7623

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Gladiator 

MK I  

K6135 RT E

.

2/12/40

Given to Royal Hellenic Air Force.

Gladiator 

MK I 

K7974 RT O

"K Flight" unknown pilot as yet

22/12/40

Crashed on take off, Damaged beyond repair, Sudan

Gladiator 

MK I  

K7899

Flt Lt  Joseph Frederick 'Joe'  Fraser, 70229, RAFVR

Gladiator 

Mk I 

K6134 RT S

"K Flight" unknown pilot as yet

23/12/40

Crashed in Red Sea 15m South of Suakin, Sudan ditched short of fuel in bad weather

Gladiator 

Mk unknown

Gladiator 

Mk II  

N5810

Early 1941 more machines where ferried to Athens Greece, 18/01/41, the advanced surface party left Amiriya to embark at Alexandria. On 23/01/41, the aircraft began to Fly to Eleusis, by way of Crete, the main part of RAF 112 Sqdn., embarked at Port Said on the "Ethiopia". They arrived at Suda Bay on 30/01/41. By 10/02/41, "A" Flight flew a patrol with 80 Sqdn.

13/2/41

Hit bomb crater while landing at Yanina, Greece

Gladiator 

Mk II 

N5814

As above pilot unknown at this time

21/2/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

Flt Lt Richard James Abrahams RAF no. 37663 "B" Flight ex "C" Flight

28/2/41

A/C destroyed in combat over Sarande-Tepelene, Albania, Flight Lieutenant Abrahams, after his victory, was attacked by another G.50bis - believed to have been flown by Tenente Mario Bellagambi - and was shot down near Sarande. Pilot parachuted returning to Sqdn 1 March

“The old Glad suddenly went all soft. Nothing would work. I sat there and then decided I had better get out. I couldn't, so I sat there with my hands on my lap, the aircraft spinning like mad. Then, eventually, I did manage to get out. It was so pleasant sitting there in the air than I damn nearly forgot to pull the ripcord. I reckon I did the record delayed drop for all Albania and Greece. I landed, and no sooner had I fallen sprawling on the ground than I was picked up by Greek soldiers who cheered and patted me on the back. I thought I was a hell of a hero until one soldier asked me. "Milano, Roma?" and I realized that they thought I was an Iti. They didn't realize it was possible for an Englishman to be shot down. So I said "Inglese", and then the party began. I was hoisted on their shoulders, and the "here the conquering hero comes" procession started. We wined and had fun. Jolly good chaps.”

28 February 80 Sqdn was to be converted to Hurricanes and all remaining Gladiators where to be handed over to 112 Sqdn

1/3/41

Gladiator 

MK II  

N5823

Pilot Officer Robert Haldane "Mac"McDonald (RAF no. 42316) "A" Flight

9/3/41

A/C destroyed in combat over Albania pilot died of wounds and burns 2 months later 7 May 41

Gladiator 

MK II  N5913; from Aden Station

Flying Officer Edwin Thomas "Teddy" Banks,RAF 40978 ,"A" Flight

13/3/41

Failed to recover from dive during gunnery practice and hit Yanina lake sinking into the water, pilot KIA (‘Teddy’ Banks, courageous & quiet, already 3 or 4 victories, went up to test his guns on Jannina lake (sic), an ideal target where duck could be aimed at well away from any harm.  The lake for once was dead calm, just like a mirror, dived, leveled out, hit wheels about 300mph, turned onto back and sank in about 10 feet of water, broke neck on somersault, no effort to get out.  Buried in military cemetery full military funeral with Greek Generals etc…coldest wait ever. from March of the Gladiators by J F Fraser)

Gladiator 

MK II 

N5916

S/Ldr Harry Lennox Innes Brown, RAF No. 37060

14/3/41

A/C destroyed in combat over Kelcyre, Albania pilot safe, One Macchi shot the tail of N5916 and Squadron Leader H. L. I. Brown managed to bale out only with the greatest difficulty, in combat with 22 Gruppo based at that time in Tirana

Gladiator 

MK II  

N5817

Fg Off Neville "Bowks" Bowker, DFC RAFVR (89773)

14/3/41

Gladiator MKII  

possibly N5782 

No pilot involved

15/3/41

A/C damaged by bombing at Yannina, Greece, LAC Reed and LAC Walter emerged from their tent and extinguished the fire saving the aircraft

Gladiator 

MK II 

Unknown "K" Flight, might even been considered a 250 Sqdn plane by this time

22/3/41

Gladiator

MkII

had a 3 bladed prop

No pilot involved may have been Bennett's plane 

26/3/41

A/C destroyed after an effective strafe by C.200s of 153° Gruppo at Paramythia, Greece, this Gladiator carried a three blade propeller. In early March, the Italians began re-equipping some of their biplane fighter units with the newer Saetta fighters. These were rapidly placed into action and, in a bid to gain air superiority over Greece, they began a series of strafing raids on English airfields. On this day, M.C. 200s of 153rd Ompo strafed Paramythia airbase destroying a Gladiator and burning an unserviceable Wellington on the ground. They also encountered a flight of No. 112 Squadron Gladiators over the field which they engaged in a dogfight. One Gladiator was damaged in the air battle but the RAF pilots thought they had also nailed a Macchi in return. In fact, none were lost and all returned safely to base.

Gladiator 

MK II  

N5917

Fg Off Neville "Bowks" Bowker, DFC RAFVR (89773)

26/3/41

Gladiator MkII, N5910; from Aden Station Flight

Sqdn Ldr Richard John Courtney, Nedwill,

34169, AFC, RAF

26/3/41

Dived into ground at Paramythia, Greece; presumed pilot, blacked out and was killed. He was the CO of 211 Blenheims Sqdn but often flew Gladiators with 112 Sqdn

1/4/41

Gladiator 

Plt Off Peter Charles Lindsay Brunton RAF no. 89774

8/4/41

Forced to bail out after airscrew (propeller) came off near Koritsa, pilot returned to Sqdn on a mule later that day (Flt Lt Fraser mentions this incident in March Of The Gladiators)

Gladiator 

Mk II

Plt Off Peter Charles Lindsay Brunton RAF no. 89774

13/4/41

A/C damaged in combat over Koritsa by SM79, pilot ok thanks to quick action by a bofors crew

14/4/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

Plt Off Peter Charles Lindsay Brunton RAF no. 89774

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5627  

RT-D.

Personal aircraft of Flt Lt J. F. Fraser it was destroyed on the ground around this time

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5783

No Pilot involved

15/4/41

For those that can there is gun camera footage of Luftwaffe gladiator claims.----->

15.04.41  Ltn. Ernst Boerngen:3, 4./JG27, Gladiator, W.Tríkala:Greece  07.01Film C.2036/II Anerk: Nr.30

15.04.41  Ltn. Wilhelm Wiesinger: 8 4./JG 27 Gladiator,  W.Tríkala:Greece                07.04Film C2036/II Anerk:Nr.31  

15/4/41

On 15 April it was decided that 33 Squadron’s remaining Hurricanes would join 30 and 80 Squadrons at Eleusis, while 112 Squadron’s Gladiators would share Hassani with 208 Squadrons Hurricanes 112 Sqdn unserviceable aircraft and extra fuel supplies are burnt No of aircraft and serials not known at this time

Gladiator 

Mk II 

N5768 

Flt Lt  Joseph Frederick 'Joe'  Fraser, 70229, RAFVR

16/4/41

Gladiator 

Mk II destroyed on the ground possibly N5760

Plt Off R A "Acky" Acworth, 40496 "A" Flight

16/4/41

A/C destroyed by Flt Lt Manger (Adj) and a demolition crew to prevent capture, having been nosed over while taxing in mud, pilot ok

Gladiator

Mk II  destroyed on the ground possibly N5787

Fg Off Richard John "Benny" Bennett, 40982, "B" Flight ex "C" Flight

16/4/41

A/C destroyed by Flt Lt Manger (Adj) to prevent capture, having developed engine trouble, pilot ok

The remaining Gladiators 112 Sqdn at this point some 58 Gladiators have been recorded as damaged or destroyed or transferred out

18/4/41

12 Gladiators went to Crete those where Gladiators 

K6138 flown out

K8021 fate unknown at this time

N5753 SOC

N5768 SOC

N5773 SOC

N5776 SOC

N5825 flown out

N5829 RT-Z  not SOC till 01/07/1943 so it also had to have been flown out, pilot unknown at this time

N5834 SOC

N5858 SOC

N5859 fate unknown at this time

N5918 fate unknown at this time

P/O Neville Bowker flew N5858 to Crete

F/O Cochrane flew N5829 RT-Z, to Crete

Flt Lt Fraser flew K8021 to Crete

F/O Harrison flew N5859, to Crete 

K6138 and N5825 survived Crete and where flown out, pilots known for these two

N5825 was flown as late as 17/06/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra,

N5821, flown by Bowker 1 Mar 1941 must have been flown out as it later serves in RAF 6 Sqdn

N5829 RT-Z continued its career until 01/07/43, this would make at least three surviving Gladiators in 112 Sqdn service  flown out. One N5829, as yet on an undetermined date by unknown pilot

Also on the 26/06/41, P/O G. F. Westenra,  flew N5818, so far I have found no Greek/Crete connection for N5818

Some plane serials come from planes flown by Flt Lt Fraser on and after 22 April 1941, from his log book, N5834 see below on 24/4/41

23/4/41

Gladiator 

Mk II 

N5834

Flt Lt "A" Flt Cmnd Henry Willoughby ‘Jerry’ Harrison, 40910 , RAF

24/4/41

Remaining "A" Flight pilots flew to Maaten Bagush, Egypt,  28 April 1941, flying out in a Hudson and a  Lockheed Lodstar AX685, Flown by Flt Lt Fraser.  "B" Flight pilots remained to defend Heraklion, Crete,  Pilots Fry, Bennet, Bartley (escapes in Italy rejoining 112 Sqdn in 1943) and Bowker became PoW with Bowker eventually escaping Crete as did Westenra,  he flew K6138 from Crete to Egypt, Flying Officer James Edward Dennant,40465, 1430 Flight pilot got out in N5825  both men flew out 19 May 1941 (On 16 January 1945 Dennant was awarded a DFC at the time he was a Squadron Leader R. A. F. O. in 109 Squadron he is awarded a DSO on 9 March 1945 by which time he is a Wing Commander) (added note according to Flt Lt Fraser's in The March Of The Gladiators "By May 18, only three of 112’s Gladiators were operational

29/4 /41

1941 War Dairies of 112 Sqdn for May did not survive the war only four reports of "B" Flights time there remain, 14/5/41, Bowker, 15/5/41, Westenra, and Reeves, 29/5/41 Sgt Weir, all claimed victories.

Additional Gladiator finds include,  805 Sqdn FAA Gladiators N5535 and N5568 Flown in by Lieutenant Keith, assigned to HMS Eagle and 813 Fighter Flight and Sub Lieutenant R. W. M. Walsh delivered Sea Gladiators 17/04/41

Of Interest on this date 250 Sudan Squadron carried out the first Tomahawk mission over the desert

Pilot Unknown at this time

Known Plt Off D F Westenra Gladiator Mk II N5825 and Fg Off Reeves ( possibly Roy Reeve, 42648, not known yet if he was the one in 1430 Flight,  promoted to Flying Officer, 31 March 1941, in the London Gazette, Roy Reeve survived the war) Gladiator unknown (some sources say Westenra was in a hurricane) both pilots where flying that day

During an exceptionally heavy raid on the 15th an RAF Gladiator, shot down near the airfield, crashed and turned over on the beach in front of a machine-gun pit. While enemy fighters tried to set fire to the plane with incendiary bullets, Lance-Corporal Smith and Private Curtis¹⁰  (Later Staff Sgt M W Curtis, S-Sgt M. W. Curtis, MM; Greymouth; born Greymouth, 18 Oct 1917; motor mechanic.) left the gun pit, ran forward to free the trapped pilot, and took him to safety. Smith was killed a few days later, but Curtis was subsequently awarded the MM.

Additional Gladiator loses found while searching about Crete, all FAA loses not RAF 112 Sqdn loses but serving closely together

15/05/41,  N5517; coded  6A, unknown when it went to Crete, L/T Scott, Peter Favell, RNAS 805 Sqdn. FAA H.M.S. Nile, Gloster Gladiator, Son of Rear-Admiral George Arthur Scott, D.S.C., and Constance Mary Scott, of Grange-over-Sands, Lancashire,  lost on ferry flight from Maleme to Egypt, 

Lt A. H. M. Ash and Lt H. J. C. Richardson of 805 Squadron were attached to the RAF 33 Squadron at Maleme. Both were killed when their Hurricanes were shot down on the 16th.

16/05/41 L/T. Richardson, Herbert. John. Carbray, RNAS 805 Sqdn. FAA Gloster Gladiator, H.M.S. Grebe, serial unknown (HMS Grebe, and HMS Nile (Sphinx),in Dekheila, Egypt (both RNAS land stations) possibly N5513 or N5535
16/05/41 L/T. Ash, Anthony Harry Mitchell, RNAS 805 Sqdn. FAA H.M.S. Grebe. Gloster Gladiator serial unknown possibly N5513 or N5535

33 Sqdn Hurricane V7857 confirmed

Flight Lieutenant Charles Horace "Digger" Fry DFC, RAF no. 40047, RAAF no. 267607, "B" Flight ex "C" Flight

16/5/41

Unteroffizier Erhard Witzke’s 3U+SM of 4 staffel. Unfortunately for him, as he broke away Witzke’s gunner, Feldwebel Karl Reinhardt, got an accurate burst of fire into the Hurricane’s engine, pilot POW

Tomahawk Mk IIB / AK474

This was a 3 Sqn RAAF plane

Flown by 3 Sqdn pilot F/O Davidson

26/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II 

N5627 

RT-D

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5753

Used in Crete

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II 

N5754

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5768

Used in Crete

31/5/41

Struck Off Charge see above 16/4/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

 N5773

Used in Crete

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II 

N5776

Used in Crete

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5781

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II 

N5787

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5832

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk II

N5858

Used in Crete

31/5/41

Gladiator 

Mk I 

L7619

Was an ex-K Flight plane total Gladiators recorded so far 71

1/7/42

Struck Off Charge 

Being Flown in by a factory pilot

14/6/41

15/6/41

Gladiators Replaced by Tomahawks

"A" and "B" flights back together

29/6/41

During the month of June 1941 the Sqdn was re equipped and on this day the last of 112 Sqdn Gladiators where flown away N5825 was flown as late as 17/06/41 Flown By P/O G. F. Westenra on the 26/06/41 he flew N5818

Tomahawk 

Mk IIB  AM448

Sgt Fairbanks Koen Johnston, 102205, SAAF

20/8/41

Flying accident over Mariyut, trying to do aerobatics, a detachment from "A" 

flight had moved there on the 11th from Fayid to relieve 2 Sqdn SAAF, pilot KIFA

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AM432

Sgt Everard Harvie Mills RAAF, 404180

31/8/41

A/C accident (Training at Fayid) KIFA

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AM403

Sergeant Edward McCormack, 404181 RAAF

16/9/41

McCormack (ferry flight from 108MU) heading for LG102 which the Sqdn 

had moved to near Sidi Haneish, engine cut out on take off at 150 to 200 

feet altitude he tried to turn to regain the runway lost control and spun in pilot KIFA

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK495

Plt Off Derrick Fitzgerald 'Gerald' 'Jerry' Westenra DFC and Bar, RAF no. 89782

25/9/41

A/C shot down returning to base from patrol, nine Tomahawks of 112 Squadron 

carried out a shipping patrol, being bounced out of the sun by two fighters while on the way back to base, Pilot Officer Westenra bailing out. No Luftwaffe claim was made this day, but 112 Squadron identified their attackers 

as Bf109s, and it is possible that there was a confusion of dates in records, this 

being the victory of Oberleutnant Gerhard Homuth of 3./JG 27, who claimed 

a P-40 (victory no. 26) at 14:40 the previous day.(24.09.41 Oblt. Gerhard Homuth: 26 victories, 3./JG 27, Curtiss P-40,  Sidi Omar 14.40 hours Film, C 2036/II Nr.88892/42)

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK502 / N/A

Sgt Ian Harper Stirrat, 404186, RAAF

4/10/41

A/C destroyed in combat over Sidi Omar, claimed by Hpt Gerlitz 2/JG27, pilot KIA no Luftwaffe film found some dispute over this claim Jerry Harrison log book has it occurring on 3/10/41 , Escort for Tactical reconnaissance Aircraft- Escorted Hurricanes over Bardia-Capuzzo-Sidi Omar. on the way home jumped by 5 ME109,s Sgt Stirrat shot down in flames, Sgt Carson force landed, claims made by Oberleutenant Rodel and Leutenant Schlacht of 4/JG-27 

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN222 / N/A

Plt Off Francis Everett Parker, 406260, RAAF also with 450 Sqn?

12/10/41

A/C destroyed in combat over Bir Sheferzan, pilot wounded, survived following claims where made

12.10.41  Oblt. Ludwig Franzisket: 24 victories, 3./JG 27            Curtiss P-40, Bir Sheferzan, 08.00, Film, C. 2036/II Nr.88892/42

12.10.41  Ltn. Hans-Joachim Marseille: 24 victories, 3./JG 27,       Curtiss P-40, Bir Sheferzan 08.12, Film, C. 2036/II Nr.88892/42

12.10.41  Ltn. Hans-Joachim Marseille: 25 victories,  3./JG 27, Curtiss P-40, Bir Sheferzan, 08.15, Film, C. 2036/II, Nr.88892/42

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AM396 / N/A

Sgt Rudolf Maurice Leu, 404178, RAAF 

12/10/41

A/C destroyed in combat by Hpt Gerlitz ? II/JG27. pilot wounded, survived, over Sofafi possibly Leutnant Friedrich Körner, 12.10.41 time 0934 SE Sollum

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AM444 / N/A

Flt Off Jack Lawson Groves, 42305, RAF

12/10/41

A/C badly damaged in combat Cat II damage II/JG27 and 10 G50s,over Sofafi

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AM481 / N/A

Sgt C F McWilliams, RAAF, 404185

12/10/41

A/C badly damaged in combat Cat II damage II/JG27 and G50s, over Sofafi

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN413 / K

Sgt William Edward Carson,404168.RAAF,  brother to K F Carson also in 112 Sqn

12/10/41

A/C damaged in combat with G50's and Bf109's II/JG27, over Sofafi, plane was in use again on the 20th

Plt Off Peter Charles Linsay   Brunton, 89774, RAFVR 

12/10/41

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AM390 

GA W

13/11/41

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN413 / K

Plt Off Robert James Daniel Jeffries, 406179. RAAF

20/11/41

Damaged by Bf110's over Sidi Rezegh, the enemy 110 was painted in a all blue color, pilot ok could it have been a Luftflotte 4,4.(F)/121 , Me 110 ?

Tomahawk Mk. IIB 

AM 390 

GA W

Sgt Henry George Burney, 402343, RAAF

22/11/41

Aircraft crash landed near El Adem after being damaged in dogfight, with I and II/JG27,Wg Cmdr Fred Rosier landed a Hurricane to help him, burst a tire and both walked 30 miles back took 3 days was the planes first combat flight

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN330

Plt Off Jean- Paul  "Sab" Sabourin, J/3519 DFC 6,5 victories also was in 615 Sqdn (Canadian)

22/11/41

A/C destroyed by flak Sidi Omar, pilot wounded, he returned a few days later making him the first member of the "Late Arrivals Club" the badge was a small winged boot, 

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN390

Wing Commander Peter Jeffery, O35436 (145) RAAF

22/11/41

A/C crash landed, dogfight JG27, pilot walked back to base, 1540 hours fourteen 3 Squadron Tomahawks with nine Tomahawks of 112 Squadron took off to sweep over the Tobruk-El Adem area and met over twenty 109s of l and ll/JG 27 south-east of El Adem. During an hour long dogfight, JG 27 lost six 109s may have been Oberleutnant Karl-Heinz Bendert Stab II./JG 27

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK461/A

Sgt Frederick Dunford Glasgow NZ402469, RNZAF

25/11/41

A/C destroyed in combat over Sidi Resegh,  1 and 4/JG27, pilot KIA, at 1512, seven 3 Squadron Tomahawks took off with twelve of 112 Squadron and met seventy Axis aircraft over Sidi Rezegh. pilot shot down , KIA,  by Oberfeldwebel Albert Espenlaub of I./JG 27

Tomahawk Mk. IIB

AK503

Plt Off Neville Bowker, DFC RAFVR (89773)

25/11/41

Damaged in combat and force landed, may have been by 4./JG 27 Otto Schulz  1600 hours, Tobruk, he also pranged a plane on a night landing

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK538

S/Ldr Francis Victor Morello, 39256, RAAF

25/11/41

Damaged on ground attack sortie

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN439

Sgt William Earl Houston,NZ402473, RNZAF

25/11/41

Damaged in ground attack sortie, from his log book  Nov 25  Tomahawk     AN439    Self   

Ground strafing enemy convoy near Sidi Omar    .30 min "Got large hole in stbd wing. Holes in fuselage from cockpit to tail" 

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK405 GA A

Plt Off Peter "Hunk“ Harry Humphreys,  DFC, NCO, 754083. Officer, 84961, RAF

25/11/41

Damaged in combat with planes from 1 and 4/JG27 0910 hours, by 4./JG 27 Otto Schulz 

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN338 / B

Plt Off Neville Bowker, DFC RAFVR (89773)

30/11/41

A/C crash landed during a night landing at LG122 repaired ,may have been from damaged sustained from a G50, note A/C not written off until 1943

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK402 / GA F

Plt Off Neville Fredrick  Duke, 61054, RAFVR

30/11/41

A/C crash landed near Tobruk, 0920 hours, by 4./JG 27 Otto Schulz, picture of a GA F on photo page 2 also a photo of a GA D

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN327

Sgt Archibald Henry Ferguson, 404542, RAAF

4/12/41

Damaged by Bf109 and force landed, , by 4./JG 27 

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN337 / GA F

Plt Off Neville Fredrick Duke, 61054, RAFVR

5/12/41

A/C crash landed at Tobruk, may have been Maresciallo Ennio Tarantola, 151^a Squadriglia of the 20^o Gruppo C.T. in a Fiat G-50 or planes from JG27, pilot belly landed the plane after having been wounded in the leg by an explosive shell

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK457

Plt Off Joseph Jean Paul Sabourin RCAF  6.5 victories

5/12/41

Slightly Damaged by enemy fighters, planes from I/JG27, pilot ok

Sgt J Alves. 1001427

8/12/41

Damaged during combat with Bf109's and Bf110's, 7 / ZG26 and 3&4 / JG 27

Plt Off Joseph Jean Paul Sabouin (Canadian) 6.5 victories

9/12/41

A/C crash landed amongst XXX Corps, 1&3 JG27, pilot ok

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK533 / N/A

Sgt K (Kit) F Carson, 404233, RAAF

9/12/41

A/C badly damaged in action, at 1035 nine 3 Squadron Tomahawks with ten of 

112 Squadron were bounced south of El Adem by six 109s of 1/JG 27, Rex Kerslake Wilson, RAAF, 407788, 3 Sqdn KIA

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN413 / 

GA K

Plt Off Robert James Daniel Jeffries, 406179. RAAF

12/12/41

A/C Missing In Action near Tmimi, Libya Same plane Plt Off Bartle flew,Oblt. Erbo Graf von Kageneck,1346 hours, 9./JG 27, Raum Tmimi pilot KIA

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK457 / 

GA O

Sgt William Earl Houston, NZ402473, RNZAF

12/12/41

A/C Missing In Action near Tmimi, Libya, KIA , Oblt. Erbo Graf von Kageneck:  

9./JG 27, Dunes W. Tmimi: no height time 13:48 hours

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK476 / N/A

Sgt John Alves,1001427

12/12/41

A/C Missing In Action near Tmimi, Libyamaybe Ofw. Hermann Neuhoff,   7./JG 53  , pilot POW

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN340 / GA B then GA N

S/Ldr Francis Victor Morello, RAAF

20/12/41

A/C damaged in action near Marana, by JG 27  W Maraua

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN372 / N/A

Plt Off Kenneth Royce Sands, 406265,  (Australian)

20/12/41

A/C crash landed after combat over Marana, 0940 hours, JG 27 , pilot took 3 days to get back to the Sqdn, Hans Remmer, Hauptmann, 1/JG27 may have been the opposing  pilot as his claim was for 0935 hours that day

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AK418 / N/A

Sgt Archibald Henry "Fergie" Ferguson, 404542, RAAF

20/12/41

A/C Missing In Action over Marana, 0943 hours, 4./JG 27 Schulz, pilot KIA

Plt Off Neville Bowker, DFC, RAFVR (89773)

27/12/41

A/C crash landed after being hit by small arms fire during a strafe in El Agheila - Agedabia area of Libya, pilot POW

Tomahawk Mk. IIB AN283

Fg Off Peter "Hunk“ Harry Humphreys,  DFC, NCO, 754083. Officer, 84961, RAF

27/12/41

Reason unknown at this time 2 planes claimed in this area by 7/JG27 on 31/12/41 but not on this date

Arrival of the Kittyhawk Mk 1a P40 E

112 Sqdn only had Tomahawk for 4 months, the remaining Tomahawks went to 250 Sqdn

29/12/41

Approximately 68 Tomahawks passed thru the Sqdn ( more if you count training accidents before the planes where listed as operational) 20 where lost to enemy action with only AK 475 GA J and AK 451 lasting the whole 4 months (September till December)

1/12/42

Kittyhawk

Mk. I 

AK679

Sgt Stanley Charles Johnson, 404504, RAAF

1/1/42

Ferry flight accident, pilot caught in a dust storm,  KIFA, - hit telegraph lines in dust storm 11 km east of Cairo; he may have been injured and died the day after. All 6 planes where caught in the dust storm only P/O Duke pressed on above it the rest turned back towards Mersah Matruh where they had refueled It took Duke 3.5 hours to reach El Adem.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK582

Sgt Albert Thomas Crocker, 1259818, RAFVR

4/1/42

Crashed in his first test flight of new Kittyhawk, pilot KIFA, engine cut on take-off, crash landed Msus, Libya, DBF. plane burned

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I

Sgt William Edward Carson,404168.RAAF

9/1/42

1st mission that day escorting over Mersa Brega and El Aghellia He was flying as No 2 for P/O Duke,  Gerhard Homuth,  I/JG27, shot him and 2 others from 3 Sqdn RAAF ( F/O G Chinchen and Sgt Ronnie H Simes) causing Carson to force land 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK672/ N/A

Sgt Kenneth (Kit) Francis Carson, 404233, RAAF

9/1/42

2nd mission that day, A/C crash landed after combat over El Agheila - A/C recovered- eleven 3 Squadron Kittyhawks with eight of 112 Squadron escorted seven Marylands to Mersa Brega. pilot rescued by Australian troops, 1&3 JG27, BF109F

22/1/42

Several A/C Lost when

forced to abandon

28/1/42

 In retreat from Msus

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK602/ N/A

Flt Off Peter Charles Lindsay Brunton, 89774, RAF

3/2/42

A/C Missing In Action near Derna, shot down by ground fire. pilot KIA at the time he was the longest serving pilot in the Sqdn and had just been married.

 Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK593/ N/A

Sgt George Walton Elwell,1160921

8/2/42

A/C Missing In Action near Derna, Shot down by enemy fighters, , 2, 3 & 4/JG27 pilot KIA, there is a claim in by Major Gerhard Homuth, 1432 hours, 3/JG27, E Bomba Bucth 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK652/ GA D

Sgt Alexander Tait Donkin,1055285, RAFVR

8/2/42

A/C Missing In Action near Derna, pilot KIA,  , 2, 3 & 4/JG27, claim put in by Hans Joachim Marseille 1430 hours, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK585/ N/A 

4 gun model

Sgt Brian Patrick Hoare,NZ404365 RNZAF

8/2/42

A/C Missing In Action near Derna, Shot down by enemy fighters a claim 

was put in at 1030 hours, by 4./JG 27 Otto Schulz, Ain El Gazala, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK673/ GA F

Sgt Neville Holman, 932152 RAFVR

8/2/42

A/C Missing In Action near Derna claimed by Friedrich Körner, 2./JG 27, 1427 hours, over Bomba Bay, pilot reported KIA 11/2/42

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK584

Flg Off Czeslav Matusiak, P0304 (Polish)

12/2/42

A/C destroyed on training flight during practice dog fight, pilot KIA buried in Tobruk cemetery, mentioned in Brian M Thompson 3 Sqn war diary, that the plane went in and burnt

Kittyhawk Mk.I AK583/GA X

Sgt Donald Neil McQueen, 402530, RAAF

15/2/42

A/C damaged Cat II  in combat 1755 hours,  Otto Schulz, 4/JG27, SE Martuba, pilot badly wounded ( this was the mission S/Ldr E M Mason, 94 Sqdn was killed on, along with 2 other 94 Sqdn pilots) 112 Sqdn pilot wounded

 in arms and legs The last of this group was a plane marked GA-X. Its pilot, Sergeant McQueen, saw the Messerschmitt approaching 

quickly, but there was nothing he could do about it. Flying just above the ground, he had few maneuver possibilities. He took in the close-range shots tucking in behind his armor plate. The sound of bullets hitting it resembled “hitting the keys of a grand piano without strings”. He didn’t manage to avoid all of the bullets and was shot in the arms and legs. Its a mystery how he got out of the situation with his plane still in the air. McQueen had no idea that his attacker, having already shot down four planes, had simply run out of ammunition. Smoking, with a coughing engine, its wings riddled with bullet holes, The “Kittyhawk” flew toward the darkening horizon. The wounded pilot brought it to base, where he managed to land just before losing consciousness. McQueen’s wounds were tended, but the ruined AK5?? GA-X never flew again. Before the end of February it was crossed out 

of the 112.Sqdn’s armament. Otto Schultz returned to the ground after twenty minutes. He reported five victories and the fact that some of the Curtiss planes he had attacked bore Polish markings on their fuselage (!). Could it have been the work of one of the Poles, present in the 112.Squadron for a week? Anyway, the victory over McQueen, which crowned today’s success, raised the German pilot’s victory count to 44. It also earned him the Knight’s Cross, handed to him a few days later by Marshal Kesselring, who arrived from Martuba especially for this purpose. McQueen was the only pilot from the attacked five who managed to survive. A weakened convalescent, on the 13.04.1942 he left the hospital in Cairo and returned to his unit on the next day. He was greeted warmly. Among pilots wounded in battle, he was the first to make this decision.

Kittyhawk

Mk. I 

AK781/ N/A

Sgt Phillip Thornton Elliott, 404618,  RAAF

21/2/42

A/C badly damaged in combat over EL Adem, (cannon shell in the engine) Ltn. Hans-Joachim Marseille,  3/JG27 had 2 claims this day, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK678 

Sgt. Joseph Derma, P784742, (Polish)

21/2/42

A/C crash landed a claim for this day was put in by Oblt. Gerhard Homuth of 3/JG27. 1211 hours ( Derma had ran out of fuel near El Adem)

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I  

AK814

Lt  Witold Jander P76746 (Polish)

21/2/42

A/C shot down by Lt. Hans J Marseille, pilot suffered a broken leg in the forced landing, his leg was set in Tobruk and he was sent to England for convalescence on 25/10/42 the hospital was bombed by 2 FW190's, Lt W Jander was killed in the bombing and buried in Exeter.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I  

AK578 GA Y

23/2/42

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK707/ GA Y

No pilot involved more information personal aircraft of Neville Duke

27/2/42

A/C damaged during air raid of Gambut after 5/JG27 strafe it was shot up, he had the word Jager (German for fighter or hunter) painted on its side with 8 claims painted on the tail

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK761 N/A

No pilot involved

27/2/42

A/C damaged by enemy strafe of Gambut by 5/JG27 We had an early visit from Jerry insofar that five 109's shot up Gambut and wrecked five "Kittyhawks" another 2 burnt out,  whilst another shot down a "Hurricane" directly above us. The Jerry ,in turn, was shot to pieces by our ack-ack.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I AK658/GA X 

Caldwells "Grim Jester"

27/2/42

A/C destroyed by enemy strafe of Gambut damaged beyond repair by 5/JG27

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK802 N/A

No pilot involved

27/2/42

A/C destroyed by enemy strafe of Gambut damaged beyond repair by 5/JG27

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK910

No pilot involved

27/2/42

A/C damaged beyond repair by enemy strafe by 5/JG27

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK959

Flt Sgt Earl Morse Jackson R75046, RCAF (Can)

27/2/42

Aircraft was scrambled as part of 4 aircraft formation. During the scramble this aircraft Spun into the ground after turning to tightly 12M South East  of Gambut from approx. 10,000ft , pilot KIA

2 Kittyhawk where left at El Adem when Sqdn moved to Gambut 2

Group Captain Cross

29/2/42

Planes damaged when Group Capt. insisted on being checked out in a Kittyhawk, the cause

maybe that Duke had recently crashed the Group Captain's new personal Miles Magistar                                              

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I

.

8/3/42

450 Sqdn "L" had her nose ripped off by a "Kittyhawk" of 112 Squadron on take-off. The offending "Kitty" had to be crash landed as a result of damage sustained. Gambut South

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK700/ GA B

Sgt Phillip Thornton Elliott, 404618,  RAAF

9/3/42

A/C spun in  near Gambut Main Possibly shot down by unseen attack, or damaged during earlier attack on Ju88 - actual cause not known, pilot KIA, Sergeant Elliott's machine obtained heavy damages, and  Elliott died of the wounds in two weeks, the plane had suffered hits the day before while being flown by Fg Off Knapik

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK834/ N/A

Sgt Jerry W Rózanski, P1818, (Polish)

13/3/42

A/C shot down near EL Adem by 4./JG 27  Otto Schulz, pilot made a forced landing east of Tobruk, the aircraft exploded shortly after he got out,  pilot OK

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK632

P/O John (Jack) Phillip Bartle, 406171, RAAF

13/3/42

A/C shot down near EL Adem  attacked by Oberfeldwebel Otto Schulz (4./JG 27,pilot OK

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK878/GA C

Sgt Robert Bishop "Punk" Evans "A" Flight

RCAF

14/3/42

A/C shot down at Bir Hakeim, by Mc202, pilot wounded and put into hospital after parachuting

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK900/GA A

Sgt Robert Emil Simonsen, R69710, RCAF "A" Flight

14/3/42

A/C shot down at Bir Hakeim, by Mc202, pilot KIA 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK578/GA V

Plt Off Felix Francis Joseph  Edwards, 80140, RAFVR

2/5/42

A/C Damaged Cat B in combat

Kittyhawk

Mk. I 

AK957/GA D

Fg Off Felix Knoll P0768,PAF

2/5/42

A/C  Damaged during combat

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK766

S/Ldr Clive Robertson Caldwell, 402107 RAAF

3/5/42

A/C Slightly damaged during sortie

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK762/GA G

7/5/42

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK909

Flt Lt Dorrington (Possibly Philip James not confirmed 70186 not confirmed)

17/5/42

A/C Damaged during combat

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK763/  N/A

Plt Off John Redvers Fisher, 118192, RAF

17/5/42

A/C shot down by flak, Formation attack targets near Temrad during which this aircraft was hit by AA and crashed near Tmimi, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk

Mk. I 

AK766

Plt Off  William Alexander Jenkinson "Johnney" Johnson, 115625, RAFVR

18/5/42

A/C Hit by 37 mm shell during ground attack mission, aircraft gets him safely back

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK906/ N/A

Sgt Roy Arthur Drew, 407415 DFM, RAAF

18/5/42

A/C force landed near Gambut, after striking the ground with airscrew on departing low level from target, pilot ok, Sergeant Drew’s damaged plane managed to bring him within 20 km of Gambut before it crashed in the bush with an engine seizure

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK994/ N/A

Flt Sgt John Vernon Davey, R74906, RCAF

18/5/42

A/C shot down over Tmimi, was hit by AA and crashed near Temrad, pilot died next day

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK908

Fg Off Felix Knoll, P0768,PAF

22/5/42

A/C Damaged Cat 2 in combat 1, 2, 4 & 9 /JG27 involved, possibly by Leutnant Günther Steinhausen, 1/JG 27 ,7:50. 20 km S of Martuba

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK682/ GA U

PltOff Henry Knapik P1302, PAF

22/5/42

A/C Damaged Cat 2 in combat 1, 2, 4 & 9 /JG27 involved, landed in Gambut

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK787

Flying Officer Kenneth Cradock Gundry 81371, RAFVR

22/5/42

A/C shot down, possibly by (see above) Oberleutnant Franzisket, 1/ JG27, 0710 hours, 20 Kms E of Derna, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL122 / N/A

Flt Lt Eric Dickinson, 69420,RAFVR

27/5/42

A/C missing near point 385370, Missing from ground attack sortie, pilot walked back to base

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I

AK829/ N/A

Flt Lt Eric Dickinson, 64920 RAFVR

28/5/42

A/C missing near point 365395, shot down by pilot from II/JG27, pilot KIA 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK772/GA Y, photo

Plt Off Henry George (Tom) Burney, 402343, RAAF

30/5/42

A/C (London Pride) missing near point 359412 may have been Rudolf “Rudi” Sinner Stab I./JG 27 Bir-el-Harmat, pilot KIA, mentioned in Brian M Thompson 3 Sqdn war diary

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK999/ N/A

Plt Off Stuart Stewart Mitchell, NZ41348, RNZAF

31/5/42

A/C missing near point 372483, Derma, pilot KIA, mentioned in Brian M Thompson 3 Sqdn war diary, Pilot Officer Mitchell didn’t return from one of his first combat missions carried out with the Squadron. He died killed by his own bomb, which exploded when the “Kittyhawk” received a direct hit near Acroma.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL196/ N/A

Plt Off Ronald Kenneth Wilson, 115949, RAF

1/6/42

A/C missing after combat , 01 Jun 42 - At 1830 hrs five Kittyhawks of 112 Sqdn RAF and six from 3 Sqdn were scrambled, meeting four Ju 88s of I/KG 54and four Bf 110s, with an escort of Bf 109s. Four of these fighters from III/JG 53 attacked the Kittyhawks, Lt Quaritsch shooting down P/O Wilson of 112 Sqdn RAF in flames, the pilot bailing out and becoming a POW. source : http://members.tripod.com/mick_quinn/id62.html

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL121

SGT Clark

3/6/42

A/C Damaged Cat 2 in combat, Marseille claimed 6 that day 3/JG27

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL219/ N/A

Plt Off Eric Atkinson, J8414, RCAF

4/6/42

A/C missing after strafe near point 378372, Aircraft hit by AA and crashed, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK985

Sgt Roy Arthur Drew, 407415 DFM (Australian)

6/6/42

A/C Damaged Cat 2 in Combat, pilot ok

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL211/ N/A

Sgt Donald  Jeffery Birchall White, RAFVR, 1016777

6/6/42

A/C force landed after strafe Cat II damage, pilot ok

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I

AK988/ N/A

Sgt Edward "Ted"  B. Adye, 776184

11/6/42

A/C took off at 19:35Hrs and was reported missing from ground attack mission over point 368414,Hans Joachim Marseille , 16:25 hours , Sudostlich Fort Acroma

claim timings do not seem right, pilot returned safely, other sources have him as taken POW this date

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK937/ N/A

Sgt D F Greaves, 131855, RAF

11/6/42

A/C took off at 19:35Hrs and was reported missing from ground attack mission over point 368414 ,Hans Joachim Marseille claim timings do not seem right, pilot returned safely

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL149/ GA U

Flt Sgt Stuart Dymock Cassell, 402307 RAAF

12/6/42

A/C missing over "Rotunda" EL Adem, Shot down by AA fire, pilot safe

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL185

Fg Off  Jeoffery M S Crichton,

J.5032 RCAF

12/6/42

A/C Damaged by AA during fighter bomber mission

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK949/ N/A

Plt Off Felix Francis Joseph  Edwards, 80140, RAFVR

13/6/42

A/C missing after armed recce may have been  Friedrich Körner, 2./JG 27, Aircraft took off for attack on Artillery positions. Aircraft was last seen in area over friendly troops but did not return to base. Hans Joachim Marseille made 3 claims against 112 Sqdn this day, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL192

Fg Off  Jeoffery M S Crichton,

J.5032 RCAF

15/6/42

A/C slightly damaged by AA during fighter bomber mission

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL175/ N/A

Sgt Raymond H "Ray" Newton, 411437, RNZAF

15/6/42

A/C missing pilot safe, possibly by Leutnant Günther Steinhausen, 1/JG 27, 18:14, SW EL Adem

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL105/ N/A

Plt Off Sgt Kenneth (Kit) Francis Carson, 404233, RAAF ,his brother served in 112 Sqn at the same time

16/6/42

A/C shot down west of Sidi Rezegh, claimed by Friedrich Körner, 2./JG 27,took off at 14:30hrs for ground attack mission near Sidi Rezegh, was hit by AA, set on fire and failed to return. KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL127

Plt Off  Brian Anthony Fredrick "Compo" Cuddon, 115619, RAFVR

16/6/42

A/C Damaged Cat 2 in Combat 1, 2, 3, 5 & 7 /  JG27 where all involved this day

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL127

Fg Off  Jeoffrey M S Crichton,

J.5032 RCAF

16/6/42

A/C slightly damaged by AA during fighter bomber mission

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK586/ N/A  4 gun model

Flt Sgt Roy Arthur Drew, 407415 DFM RAAF

17/6/42

A/C shot down Ofhr. Willy Kientsch from 2/JG27, 1025 hours near Sidi Rezegh pilot KIA, Hans Joachim Marseille made 2 claims against 112 Sqdn this day, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL225/ GA T later GA D short tail small fin fillet

Flt Lt Rudolf Maurice Leu, 404178 RAAF

21/6/42

A/C force landed at Sidi Azeiz, behind enemy lines aircraft was captured, he became POW, Reference Air Britain Serials "AA100 to AZ999"., mentioned in Brian M Thompson 3 Sqn war diary 112 Sqdn Plt OffW A J "Johnny" Johnson landed and tried to pick him up Leu was badly burned and a rescue was not accomplished

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK571/ N/A 

4 gun model

Fg Off  Jeoffery M S Crichton, J.5032 RCAF

21/6/42

A/C force landed at Sollum, A/C believed recovered later in the war hit by AA while covering Johnson and Leu above, pilot was picked up by an armoured car from the Gurka Regiment

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA ET526/ N/A

Plt Off  Brian Anthony Fredrick Cuddon, 115619, RAFVR

26/6/42

A/C shot down in combat,  A/C took off at 12:05 hrs on an escort mission and was shot down near Charing Cross by Bf109's of JG27 pilot KIA, claimed by Barr

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA AK909 

Fg Off John Archibald Milne, 42758, RAF (Canadian, Yorkton, Saskatchewan)

Possibly

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA AK770 GA J 

Plt Off  William Alexander Jenkinson  "Johnny" Johnson 115625, RAFVR

26/6/42

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK852

Flt Lt James Arthur Walker,40876 DFC 6 victories (Canadian)

27/6/42

A/C Shot down, but aircraft recovered and back in operation a couple of days later, Daba

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I AK920/GA ? 

Sgt Donald Jeffery Birchall White, RAFVR, 1016777

3/7/42

A/C shot down over point 865269 may have been Werner Schroer 1450 hours 8./JG 27 SE El-Hammam update On the 3.07 fire from the ground shot down a plane marked AK920 GA-?, which was accompanied by seven “Kittyhawks” – all of them bombing a convoy of German trucks. The pilot, Sergeant White, not only managed to parachute, but also to march away from the threat in the direction of his own troops

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I AK852/N/A

Flt Sgt J B Agnew

4/7/42

A/C badly damaged near point 870290 may have been Werner Schroer 1840 hours 8./JG 27 SE El-Alamein, “Kittyhawk” AK852, shot over El Daba, returned to base, but literally fell apart during landing. Sergeant Agnew, who was piloting it, made it out of the crash unhurt

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I AK890/N/A

Sgt Desmond Ibbotson, 129238, RAFVR

7/7/42

A/C shot down by flak while bombing LG21 aircraft force landed, Qattara escarpment, pilot returned

unknown at this time

Sgt Desmond Ibbotson, 129238, RAFVR

7/7/42

Another prang in the training flight this morning - Sgt Ibbotson.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK892/ GA D

Fg Off Felix Knoll P0768,PAF

10/7/42

A/C shot down near LG106, when 450, 250 and 112 Squadrons attacked L.G.21. Qotafiyah lll, but were intercepted over the sea north-east of El Daba by 109s and Macchi 202s, someone scored a direct hit on the bomb slung under Knolls' plane, KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA ET794/ GA C

Sgt Donald Jeffery Birchall White, 101677,RAFVR

10/7/42

A/C shot down into the sea near LG106,when 450, 250 and 112 Squadrons attacked L.G.21. Qotafiyah lll, but were intercepted over the sea north-east of El Daba by 109s and Macchi 202s,pilot ok, Piloting an ET794 (probably marked GA-C), Sergeant White was lucky once again, parachuting and marching the 50 km separating him from the air base.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I AK677/GA G 

Sgt Richard DeBourke,R79049, RCAF  (American)

20/7/42

A/C damaged over El Alamein and force landed. pilot returned to Squadron on foot

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA ET790/ GA ?

Plt Off John Satterehwaite Barrow, 118054, RAFVR

22/7/42

A/C shot down by flak over battle area also claimed by Hans-Arnold "Fiffi" Stahlschmidt, Oberleutnant, W El Alamein . 0845 hours,  2./JG 27. pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA ET510/ N/A

Flt Lt Geoffrey William Garton, 67034, RAF

23/742

A/C force landed at point 877257, returned on foot cause thought to be AA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK866/ GA Z

Sgt Cedric Don Young, 411490 RNZAF

23/7/42

A/C force landed cause thought to be AA on operational sortie, returned on foot IN HIS LOG BOOK HE JUST SAID ENGINE FAILED, picked up by armored cars

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK603/ N/A

Plt Off  William Alexander Jenkinson "Johnney" Johnson, 115625, RAFVR

24/7/42

A/C shot down over LG20 and LG104 Qotafiyah may have been Rudolf “Rudi” Sinner (6./JG 27. S Bir el Abd ) took off at 09:45hrs as part of a wing raid on LG20 and LG104 along with Baltimore and Boston Bombers. This aircraft Crash-landed 15M South East of LG20 update 

I note that the relevant Air-Britain RAF Aircraft serials volume states AK603 as having  ' crash-landed 15m SE of LG.20 and abandoned, 24.7.42'. According to 'Jeff' Jefford's 'RAF Squadrons' LG20 was Qotafiyah I, located on or close to the Libiyan/Egypt border. From this it seems unlikely that the pilot died but, given that LG20 was at the time a long way behind enemy lines, his being taken PoW looks to be a strong possibility. 

Errol Martyn

Imperial War Museum has his YMCA 'Wartime Log' (116pp) kept while a prisoner of war, July 1942 - May 1945, having been captured while serving with No 112 Squadron RAF in North Africa and subsequently held in various prisoner of war camps in Italy, Germany and Poland, comprising colourful illustrations of wartime scenes and POW life, photographs showing him with fellow prisoners, newspaper cuttings, notes on parcels received and theatre productions staged in camp, and a brief written record of his thoughts on being a prisoner. Together with a photocopied ms letter (2pp, 16 August 1942) written by Flying Officer A C Baker (Baker  (Plt Off), Aubrey Cyril , 64892 , RAFVR, )  to Johnson's father, describing the circumstances in which Johnson was captured; official correspondence relating to Johnson's capture; two photographs of him in uniform; and a few further sketches and cuttings

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA, ET527 GA J

Pilot Officer Brian Anthony Fredrick Cuddon, 115619 , RAFVR

27/7/42

Force landed  near the front line due to a oil pressure failure, this was in large part due to the extended use the planes where getting at this time. pilot ok A/C recovered, 35881 to RAF as ET527. SOC Sep 8, 1942

Kittyhawk

Mk. IA, ET865 GA K

Sergeant Cedric Don  Young, 411490, RNZAF

27/7/42

Force landed  near the front line due to a oil pressure failure, this was in large part due to the extended use the planes where getting at this time. pilot ok A/C recovered

41-36219 to RAF as ET865. SOC Feb 1, 1944 no record of this in his log book at all

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK744/ N/A

Sgt Randolph Charles Carlyle Smith, J16175 RCAF (Americian)

1/8/42

A/C force landed possibly A/C was recovered

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

good possibility it was EV340

Sgt Harold Verne Schofield, R/83903, RCAF

15/8/42

pilot killed in flying training accident CD Young writes about this incident in his book they had just taken off with little air speed when "B" flight bounced "A" flight Sgt Schofield spotted them and went into a tight turn which resulted in the crash.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK703/ GA X

Sgt Cedric Don Young, 411490 RNZAF

24/8/42

A/C engine failure with bomb attached, force landed at point 895254 he writes about this in his book

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA ET1017/ GA V

Plt Off Joseph Ernest Loree. J7414,  RCAF (Canadian)

28/8/42

A/C shot down at Deir-EL-Abyad, pilot POW,  I/JG27 Leutnant Hans Remmer and Oberfeldweber Stephan both made claims that day

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK746/ N/A

Sgt. Lawrence Daniel Patrick "Larry" Barlow, 83050, RCAF (Americian)

28/8/42

A/C shot down at Deir-EL-Abyad. pilot POW till 1944,  I/JG27 Leutnant Hans Remmer and Stephan both made claims that day, 1 Staffel of JG-27

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA EV365/ GA A

Sgt Desmond Ibbotson, 129238 DFC and Bar RAFVR

3/9/42

A/C returned CAT 1 after dogfight, may have been Rudolf “Rudi” Sinner 6./JG 27 south El Hammam, pilot ok

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK701/  GA T later GA F

Sgt H G E Thomas, NZ405000, RNZAF

5/9/42

A/C shot down over point 455275. pilot POW 1100 hours, Süd-südöstlich Imayid, Hans Joachim Marseille, Bf109F

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA EV368/ GA A

Plt Off Howard Lynn Phillips, J/8653, RCAF (American)

9/9/42

A/C force landed at 1 SAAF Bde workshops, 41-36622 to RAF as EV368. SOC Feb 22, 1945

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA ET789/GA C

Sgt Wallace Daniel Hogg, 402401 RAAF

12/9/42

A/C crash landed CAT 2 in Alamein,  El Daba area A/C returned to Sqn in October  Stumpf JG 53., pilot ok, 36143 to RAF as ET789. Damaged by Bf 109 and crash landed in desert Sep 12, 1942, 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK716

Sgt J H Morrison, 41144

13/9/42

A/C shot down crash landed and destroyed by fire. pilot survived may have been Werner Schroer 1725 hours 8./JG 27  7 Km SW El-Alamein

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AK694/ GA Y

Sgt Cedric Don Young, 411490 RNZAF

15/9/42

A/C shot down by own AA fire over point 878282, also claimed destroyed by  Homuth, pilot badly burned, 64th hospital stay did not return to 112 Sqdn He had taken George Wiley's place on that flight more about this on claims page.

16/9/42

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA ET795/ GA C

Sgt J H Morrison, 41144

30/9/42

A/C caught fire mid air, crash landed cause uncertain, EL Hanwirrya, the A/C where battle worn see next , 41-36149 to RAF as ET795. Diverted to USAAF, 49th FG, 9th FS. RAF records say that this plane was indeed delivered to them and was wrecked at El Hanwirrya Sep 30, 1942 when crash landed after catching fire in midair

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I 

AL192/ N/A

Flt Sgt George Rae 1179958, RAFVR , age 20

2/10/42

A/C dived into ground after take-off from LG.90, Egypt due to engine fire Pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IA ET919/ GA C later T 

Plt Off George William Wiley J/7234 RCAF 

7/10/42

A/C wrecked after force landed at point 452904, El Imayed, following flak damage,  pilot fractured his leg ,41-36273 to RAF as ET919. Wrecked when crash landed at El Imayed following flak damage Oct 7, 1942.

92 recorded incidents with Kittyhawk Mk. I and Mk IA this does not take into account the abandoned aircraft lost during retreats simply because I have not found there numbers yet also I might yet find further incidents or accidents

Kittyhawk

Mk III 

FR292 

Unknown

9/10/42

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR248/ N/A

Sgt Dennis Franklin Greaves, 131855, RAF

20/10/42

A/C shot down near LG21 pilot POW camp L3, aircraft was ditched in the sea, A group of 32 “Kittyhawks” covered British “Bostons” and American “Mitchells” this time. They were intercepted by Messerschmitts from JG53 and Macchis from the 4.Stormo over their own base. The enemy fighters first chased the “Kittyhawks” over the Fuka – El Daba – Qotafiyah triangle, and then during their almost 100 km long return trip. During the chase, Sergeant Greaves and his P-40 were lost without a trace. He landed by a parachute near one of the German numerous anti-aircraft positions. He spent the rest of the war in captivity. 42-45838 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR248 Jul 1942. Missing from escort mission to Gazala Oct 21, 1942 Another account of the day 20 Oct 42 - At 1130 hrs twelve Kittyhawk of 112 Sqdn RAF, ten of 3 Sqdn and others from 250 Sqdn RAF escorted twenty four Baltimore's and B-25s over Fuka, where they were attacked by sixteen Bf 109s and MC 202s. P/O Neill, Ritchie and Taylor spotted a twin engine Italian bomber and attacked. They hit it many times, but it landed near Abu Haggag. In the meantime three fighters attacked the rest of the squadron, P/O Alderson was shot down by enemy fighters. source http://members.tripod.com/mick_quinn/id62.html

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR236/ GA T later GA S then GA G

Sgt Wallace Daniel Hogg, 420401 RAAF

21/10/42

A/C shot down by AA, LG20 (Qotafiyah1), Gazla, pilot POW. this had been an escort mission for 66 USAAF escorting Mitchell bombers attacking LG 20 and LG 104  (Qotafiyah2) On the 21.10 the 112.Squadron was accompanied by the American 66.Fighter Squadron. In a mission carried out by the American “Warhawks” P-40F (“Kittyhawk” MkII), the “Sharks” participated for the first time on the just delivered “Kittyhawk” MkIII fighters. One of them was immediately shot down. The anti-aircraft defense of LG20 claimed a plane probably marked GA-G with well-aimed volleys from their 20-millimeter “vierlink”. The pilot, Sergeant Hogg, was taken captive.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR240/ GA A

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

EV319 GA G

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

EV340

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. II A  FL337

Unknown 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR279/ GA J

Plt Off John Garn Wright, J7233, RCAF

26/10/42

A/C crash landed near front line, after being damaged by AA and BF109 fire, read more here, swept over LG104, pilot wounded

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR263/ GA X

Flying Officer Keith Ronald Gardener (RAF No. 103554),

26/10/42

A/C shot down, read about it here , pilot died of wounds The Desert Air Force reported a general attack in the Fuka and Daba areas conducted by twenty-four Kittyhawk of 260 Squadron and 2 SAAF covering twelve Boston's and six Baltimore's bound for Fuka while twelve Kittyhawk of 112 Squadron escorted bombers. Ten Hurricanes of 274 Squadron covered by others of 127 Squadron, six Kittyhawk of 450 Squadron and seventeen Spitfires of 92 and 601 Squadron were also up, the Spitfire doing a “delousing” sweep. These large formations reported widespread combat with enemy fighters and while no bombers were reported lost five fighters failed to return, one Hurricane of 274 Squadron (Flying Officer Graves MIA), two Kittyhawk of 112 Squadron (Pilot Officer Wright wounded and 21-year-old Flying Officer Keith Ronald Gardener (RAF No. 103554) KIA), and two Kittyhawk of 260 Squadron (Flying Officer Meredith POW and 22-year-old Pilot Officer Charles Edwin Ody (RAF No. 135396) KIA). The RAF claimed eight Bf109s (in fact only a Messerschmitt and one Macchis were lost). 42-45853 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR263 Jul 1942. Missing from bomber escort mission Oct 26, 1942

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR262 GA Z

Sgt Arthur Fredrick George Martin, RCAF, R/97115

27/10/42

A/C crash landed at Fuka, was attacked by 3 Mc202's 9 Gruppo, over the target. This aircraft was reported missing from this operation. 42-45852 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR262 Jul 1942. Missing from fighter- bomber mission to Fuka Oct 27, 1942, Pilot died of wounds

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR281/ GA D

Plt Off David Alastair Bruce, 80213, RAFVR

31/10/42

A/C ditched near EL Daba, Near Daba 20 Ju87 and escorting Bf109's were encountered and attacked. This aircraft was reported missing from this operation 42-45923 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR281 Jul 1942. Missing from armed recon mission Oct 31, 1942., pilot ok

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR289/ GA Z

WO J B "Paddy" Agnew, RAF

1/11/42

A/C force landed in battle area, claimed by  Unterberger, shot up by escort and belly landed inside allied lines South of El Alamein

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR264 GA W

Flt Sgt Richard DeBourke, RCAF, R79049 (American)

1/11/42

A/C damaged in combat, pilot wounded in shoulder by Gustav Rodel, II/JG 27,  landed safely 45854 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR264 Jul 1942. Lost Nov 1, 1942

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR245 / GA B

Sgt John McIver Sherman MacAuley,  RCAF, 77152

5/11/42

Damaged in combat with Bf109's whilst escorting B-25's against Fuka, 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR216 GA P

Plt Off J M S Crichton,

J.5032 RCAF

6/11/42

Damaged in starboard wing whilst strafing near Charing Cross, 42-45820 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR216 Jul 1942. SOC Feb 24, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR263 GA X

Flt Sgt Randolph Charles Carlyle Smith J16175, RCAF

6/11/42

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR215/ GA V

Sgt Raymond Webb, RAFVR, 1313162

7/11/42

A/C shot down near Fuka, pilot KIA, 12 Kittyhawks of No.112 Sqn took off tasked with a recce, of the Sidi Barrani/Sollum area at 13:15 hrs. Sgt Webb failed to return from this mission, pilot and plane where never found

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR259/ GA X

Flt Sgt Randolph Charles Carlyle Smith J16175, RCAF

8/11/42

Damaged in ops and force landed, (FR259,GAX) 42-45849 to RAF as Kittyhawk III

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FL880/ GAZ

Flt/Lt Robert Rutherford Smith, 40952, RCAF

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR266/GA H 

Plt Off Joseph M S "Big Joe" Crichton,

J.5032 RCAF

11/11/42

A/C Collided with FR211, LG76,1500 hours unable to clear a USAAF P-40 aircraft being salvaged. Aircraft Burnt out 42-45856 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR266 Jul 1942. Wrecked when collided with Kittyhawk FR211 (42-45815) during takeoff at L.G.96 Nov 11, 1942 go with LG76 on this one, this plane burned out

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR211/GA E

Plt Off Howard Lynn "Tex" Philips, J/8653 RCAF (American)

11/11/42

A/C Collided with FR266, LG76,1500 hours unable to clear a USAAF P-40 aircraft being salvaged. Aircraft Burnt out

pilot badly burned sent to England on a BOAC flight via Lagos, Nigeria 8 March 1943, became member of the "Guinea Pig Club" after recovery went on to 412 Sqn

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR217/ GA C

Plt Off  Brian Anthony Fredrick Cuddon, 115619, RAFVR

11/11/42

Aircraft was shot down coming down in the Marble Arch area, 42-45821 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR217 Jul 1942. Lost Nov 11, 1942

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

EV360

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR245/ GA B

Sgt W E Pollock, RCAF, 63166

 17/11/42

A/C force landed 40 miles west of Msus, after being attacked by BF109 from III/JG77, pilot ok, returned to Sqdn 21 Nov 1942 42-45835 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR245 Jul 1942. SOC May 31, 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

ET977 GA W

Unknown Possibly P/O L P Mink 260 Sqdn

Kittyhawk

Mk. III

FL880/ GA Z

Flt Lt Robert Rutherford Smith, DFC , 40952, RAF later,  (Canadian)

10/12/42

Badly damaged by Bf109's of JG77 and Force landed pilot ok, 42- 45768, Jul 1942. SOC Aug 1, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR217/ GA C

Plt Off  Brian Anthony Fredrick Cuddon, 115619, RAFVR

11/12/42

A/C shot down in Marble Arch area pilot KIA, pilot was never found 42-45821 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR217 Jul 1942. Lost Nov 11, 1942

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR255/ GA J

Flt Sgt Wilfred David Brown later WO I (Canadian) 2 victories

11/12/42

A/C shot up force landed at Magrum' pilot badly wounded, 1510 hours led by Flt Lt Smith, escorting two hurricanes on a tac R, Joe Critchton was on this flight, aircraft recovered 42-45845 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR255 Jul 1942. SOC Feb 22, 1945, pilot was found by allied infantry in his landed plane  southwest of Mersa wounded and unconscious, he was transported by them to Benghazi, he returned to the Sqdn a short time later.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. II 

FR293

Sqn/Ldr Billy Drake,  39095

11/12/42

Aircraft force landed inside allied lines after combat he led 11 aircraft covering 66 Sqdn USAAF, made a wheels up landing amongst the 11th Hussars Armoured Car Regiment (The Cherry Pickers)

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR326

Sgt Michael Hugh Lamont,  776196,RAFVR

13/12/42

Damaged in combat and force landed

Kittyhawk 

Mk. II A  FL298

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III  FL296 GA R

 Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR127 GA B

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

EV136 GA Q

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR216 / GA P

Plt Off  J M S Crichton, J.5032 RCAF

11/1/43

A/C was on Tac r Escort Mission. Aircraft suffered an engine failure whilst attempting to engage enemy aircraft and crashed behind enemy lines, pilot POW

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR264 /GA W

Sgt Kenneth  Forrest Middlemist, 1376378, RAFVR

13/1/43

A/C believed  badly damaged during ops and written off on return

Kittyhawk 

Mk. I, 

6 gun model 87A-3 P-40E

AK784

13/1/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk III ??? 

GA F short tail 

Fg Off Lewin  Henry "Bunny" Curphey, RCAF, J/7769

13/1/43

A/C shot down over front lines, JG77 attacked 21 Baltimores of 21 Sqn, escorted by 44 P-40s and Spitfires of 57FG, 112 Sqn and 92 Sqn, 3 bombers where shot down as well,  pilot KIA  

Allison ("They Shall Grow Not Old") mentions:

Curphey bailed out of his Kittyhawk aircraft # FR195 over enemy territory at Bir Dutan, Egypt (what pres. should be Bir Dufan, Libya) and was not heard from again This may point to FR345 shown below as 14/1/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR214/ GA A

Fg Off Robert G Sayle, 115773 (Can)

13/1/43

A/C shot down near point R9070 map reference not supplied pilot POW 23 January 1943, 42-45818 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR214 Jul 1942. Missing from bomber escort mission Jan 13, 1943, plane found February 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR320/ GA J

Sgt D S "Butch" Watson, 516585, RAF

13/1/43

A/C shot down R9070, pilot POW, 5th February 1943. failed escape attemp lands him in Dachau, 42-46113 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR320. Missing from bomber escort mission Jan 13, 1943, plane found February 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR279 GA J

Sgt David (Fat) Brown, 1381428  RAF

14/1/43

Engine seized after take off belly landed his plane at 150 knots into the desert, pilot ok at the time he was doing circuits over Wing HQ 42-45869 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR279 Jul 1942. Missing Jan 14, 1943, presumably shot down by enemy aircraft near Bir Dufan. 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

 FR345

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

 FR325. GA V

Unknown

22/1/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FL730 GA P

Sgt J G R Lecours, RCAF, R79289  1 victory

5/2/43

A/C shot down near Ras Agedir, pilot POW, 42-9853 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FL730. MIA from ground attack mission Feb 5, 1943, presumed shot down by Bf 109s.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR317 / GA H

Flg Off Thomas (Tom) Livingstone, RAFVR, 61967

5/2/43

A/C damaged Cat II in combat

Kittyhawk 

MkIII

EV162 GA V

Unknown

26/2/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR130/ GA Z

Sgt Thomas Arthur Marsden, 993301, RAFVR

27/2/43

A/C shot down near EL Hamma. a large engagement with enemy fighters took place and this aircraft failed to return from this mission pilot KIA, FR130, GA Z, 42-9890 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR130. Missing from fighter-bomber escort mission to El Hamma Feb 27, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR520/ GA F

Unknown

5/3/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR118/ GA F

Unknown

5/3/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR385

Fg Off George William Wiley, J7234 RCAF

7/3/43

A/C Believed damaged Cat II during ops

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR325/ GA V

Flt Lt Robert Rutherford Smith, DFC , 40952, RAF later  (Canadian # is given)

10/3/43

42-46118 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR325. Crashed after colliding with Kittyhawk FL325 (41-13986) near Ben Gardane Jan 22, 1943, repaired only to be shot down near Foum Tatahouin, 45 miles northwest of Foumtatouin, 1530 hours, pilot POW, 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR275 

Flt Sgt Richard DeBourke, R79049 RCAF  (American)

10/3/43

A/C shot down near Foum Tatahouin, pilot KIA 42-45865 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR275 Jul 1942. Missing Mar 10, 1943, presumably shot down by Bf 109s NW of Foum tatouine

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR361/ N/A

Sgt John Henry Oliver. R/84086, RCAF

10/3/43

A/C shot down near Foum Tatahouin. was only his 4th operational sortie pilot KIA 42-46154 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR361. Missing NW of Foum Tatouine Mar 10, 1943, presumably shot down by Bf 109s

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR295/ GA G

Flt Off David Alastair Bruce,80213, RAFVR

10/3/43

A/C shot down near Foum Tatahouin. pilot KIA 42-45885 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR295 Jul 1942. Missing Mar 10, 1943, presumably shot down by Bf 109s NW of Foum Tatouine

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR292 

Sgt W.Richard Blake (Americian), R97463, RCAF

10/3/43

A/C damaged during this combat  42-45924 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR292 Jul 1942. Missing from bomber escort mision Oct 9, 1942. Presumably shot down by Bf 109s.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR335

unknown, pilot may have been Ray "Goose" Guess, RCAF J10277 he shot LT Heintz Ludemann down on this day

10/3/43

A/C damaged Cat III  in this combat, 42-46128 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR335. SOC Mar 8, 1945

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 42-45798 / 245788 GA D

Fg Off George William Wiley

10/3/43

A/C shot down 40 miles NW Tatauin, Tunisia ,taken POW 12/3/43 executed during the Great Escape 31/3/43 Stalag Luft III

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR131/ N/A

Plt Off Randolf Charles Carlyle "Smithy" Smith J16175 RCAF

10/3/43

A/C shot down near FoumTatahouin pilot KIA, 42-9891 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR131. Missing NW of Foum Tatouine Mar 10, 1943, believed shot down by Bf 109s. Missing NW of Foum Tatouine Mar 10, 1943, believed shot down by Bf 109s.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR259 GA X

Some error and confusion in the USAAF records here pilot was Plt Off Randolf Charles Carlyle "Smithy" Smith J16175 RCAF date of incident for this plane was 8/11/42

26/3/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR221 GA T

Unknown

28/3/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

EV339 GA A

Unknown

4/4/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR302 

GA I then T

Unknown

4/4/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR412/ GA D 

Sgt John Trevor Hounsell, 1268030, RAFVR

7/4/43

Aircraft encountered light to heavy flak and Breda fire over target area and this aircraft crash landed at Grid 1370. pilot returned to unit on the following day happened on 2nd mission. FR412,GAD, 42-9928 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR412. SOC Mar 8, 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR227/GA E

Fg Off Leonard Henry  Cherry, 114723, RAFVR

7/4/43

2nd mission that day, bombing MT on the Bjel Achiechle road A/C crash landed. On the final mission that day led by the Wing Commander had to crash land the aircraft but pilot was missing until the following day, as he did not crash land at base,  but he was  not injured.(FR277,GAE) 42-45867 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR277 Jul 1942. SOC Mar 8, 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III

FR137/ GAZ

Sgt Walter Richard "Dickie" Blake, R97463 RCAF 

7/4/43

2nd mission that day, bombing MT on the Bjel Achiechle road A/C crash landed. some sources have FR137, 42-9897 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR137. DBR when belly landed at Mellaha Aug 18, 1943 after undercarriage jammed.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR517/ GA R

Fg Off Edward Ross, 115030, RAF

17/4/43

Two aircraft were wrecked on landing taxing accident neither pilot was injured.FR517,GAR, 42-10404 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR517. Wrecked when struck by Kittyhawk FR338 (ex 42-46131) while taxing at El Ejem Apr 18, 1943 See below.

Kittyhawk Mk. III 

FR338/GA ?

Flt Sgt Wilfred David Brown, R/86267, RCAF

17/4/43

Two aircraft were wrecked on landing taxing accident neither pilot was injured. See above

happened at Kairouan ((FR338,GA?) 42-46131 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR338. SOC Mar 14, 1946)

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FL882/GA H

W/O Wilfred David Brown, R/86267, RCAF

19/4/43

A/C damaged in combat written off, may have been against 6 / JG53, happened at Kairouan ((FL882,GAA, later (March?) GAH 45770, Jul 1942. SOC Mar 8, 1944 ) 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR453/ GA K Long Tail

Flt Sgt Michael Hugh Lamont,776196,

RAFVR, 

22/4/43

A/C shot down, The Top section of the Top cover was attacked by 4 Bf109's and Sqdn tried to avoid these aircraft with evasive action. pilot KIA ,attacked by 4 109's of 11/JG27, LT Schneider and Uff e Stanglmaier made the claims FR453,GAK, 42-10074 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR453. Missing off Cape Bon Apr 22, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR212

Sgt Archibald Edward Prain, 1366355, RAFVR, (new pilot)

22/4/43

A/C shot down near Cape Bon may have been 22.04.43, Ltn. Bernd Schneider, 5./JG 27, ( a component of II/JG 27), Kittyhawk, £ 15 km. N.E. Ras el Fortas: 2.500 m., 09.46 hrs, Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.153,

22.04.43, Ltn. Bernd Schneider, 5./JG 27, Kittyhawk, £ 15 km. N.E. Ras el Fortas: 2.500 m., 09.48 hrs, Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.154,

or 22.04.43Dagobert Stanglmaier,4./JG 27,Spitfire, 15 km. N.E. Ras el Fortas: 2.500 m, 09.50 hours, Reference: JG 27 Lists f. 561,

pilot KIA ,attacked by 4 109's of 11/JG27, LT Schneider and Uffe Stanglmaier made claims but from the above information it would appear that RAF 112 Sqdn Kittyhawks where shot down by Ltn. Bernd Schneider

42-45816 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR212 Jul 1942. Missing near Cap Bon Apr 22, 1943. Presumably shot down by Bf 109s

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR276/ GA J

Sgt John Trevor Hounsell, 1268030, RAFVR, (see 7/4/43, FR412)

22/4/43

A/C shot down near Cape Bon may have been 22.04.43, Ltn. Bernd Schneider, 5./JG 27, ( a component of II/JG 27),  Kittyhawk, £ 15 km. N.E. Ras el Fortas: 2.500 m., 09.46 hrs, Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.153,

22.04.43, Ltn. Bernd Schneider, 5./JG 27, Kittyhawk, £ 15 km. N.E. Ras el Fortas: 2.500 m., 09.48 hrs, Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.154,

or 22.04.43.,UFFZ. Dagobert Stanglmaier,4./JG 27,Spitfire, 15 km. N.E. Ras el Fortas: 2.500 m, 09.50 hours, Reference: JG 27 Lists f. 561,

pilot KIA ,attacked by 4 109's of 11/JG27, LT Schneider and Uffe Stanglmaier made claims but from the above information it would appear that RAF 112 Sqdn Kittyhawks where shot down by Ltn. Bernd Schneider

42-45866 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR276 Jul 1942. Missing Apr 22, 1943, presumably shot down by Bf 109s off Cap Bon

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR118 GA F

Unknown

5/5/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FL714/ GA F

Sgt Ronald William Staveley, 1231263, RAFVR

11/5/43

A/C forced down when hit by AA landed at Hammamet 42-9770 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FL714. No record of fate

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR277 / GA E

Fg Off John A Burcham, 119713, RAF

11/5/43

A/C Damaged by AA fire over Cape Bon, 42-45867 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR277 Jul 1942. SOC Mar 8, 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR348

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR424

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR440/ GA V

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FL710.GA J

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR326

Unknown

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III .

Fg Off Raymond Vincent  :"Steely Grey" Hearn

13/7/43

Force landed at Pachino within 8th Army lines pilot ok , returned to Sqdn

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR502/ GA D Long Tail

Flt Sgt Fred Renshaw Vance,R80721, RCAF (American)

13/7/43

A/C shot down by flak near Lentini, Sicily, KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR793/ GA J (M series)

Sqn Ldr George Harold Norton, RAF 89308

13/7/43

A/C shot down by flak near Lentini, Sicily, pilot KIA, FR 793.GA J, Curtiss P-40M-5-CU, 43-5586, Missing from attack on enemy motor transport near Lentini Jul 13, 1943 )

Kittyhawk 

Mk III FR317.GA H

Unknown

21/7/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR315/ GA C

Sgt Ronald William Staveley, 1231263, RAFVR

30/7/43

A/C force landed near front line, at Syracuse (Grid J.0837)

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III / FR311

Plt Off Reginald Albert Wild, 407884, RAAF

3/8/43

A/C failed to return from this operation

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III  FR511 

GA Q then H then D

 (Conflict on this one as I have Flight Log Reg Drown showing GAF FR511 being flown on 14 Aug 43) 

3/8/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III / FR302 GA I later GA T 

P/O  Reginald Albert Wild, 407884, RAAF

4/8/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR429/ GA P long tail

Fg Off Raymond D "Goose" Guess, RCAF J10277

4/8/43

A/C shot  down by flak near Randazzo, Italy, pilot POW according to Medical Officer F/LT Crews 4 aircraft where lost due to glycol leaks caused by flak, during the month of August with only one pilot returning to the Sqdn (Reg Wild)

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR489/ GA H long tail

Fg Off Harold James Martin Barnes, 112407, RAFVR

4/8/43

A/C crashed into the sea near Catania, Sicily. pilot baled out, FR489,GAH, 42-10349 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR489. Crashed after pilot bailed out near Catania Aug 4, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR849/ GA Z (M series)

Flt Sgt Ian Treloar, 401551, RAAF

7/8/43

A/C shot down by flak near Randazzo, Italy, MT was spotted and attacked but heavy and light AA was encountered at Grid D0213. This aircraft failed to return and is believed lost to AA Fire near Randazzo, pilot KIA, FR849,GAZ, 43-5743, Missing from ground attack mission over Sicily Aug 7, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR293 GA ?

Unknown

Kittyhawk  Mk. III 

FR277/ GA E

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR137/ GA Z

Sgt Walter Richard "Dickie" .Blake R.97463, RCAF

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR866,GA T then K then M 

Unknown

21/8/43

Damaged on mission believed to have struck post, Struck pole during attack near Melito Aug 21, 1943 FR866 GAT, GAK in Sept then GAM, 43-5760, Struck pole during attack near Melito Aug 21, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR516 /GA A 

Plt Off George Wallace "Wally"  Rutherford J16548 RCAF

23/8/43

Damaged when aircraft suffered blast tube blow out

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR482 GA N

F/Lt Lucus  Mc Bryde, 407005 , RAAF

10/9/43

Kittyhawk Mk. III FR814/ GA T (M series)

WO Kenneth  Forrest Middlemist, 1376378, RAFVR

15/9/43

A/C shot down by flak near Pertosa, Italy, pilot KIA, he was making a second run on the target

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR494 GA W

Sgt Kenneth N.Cockram, 1425541

15/9/43

Damaged Cat II (led by J Darwen he was in a cloud of dust stirred up by planes in front, hit a tree on take off), pilot ok and flew later that day

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR835 / GA Z

Sgt. Alexander G. Rowe, 1336895

15/9/43

Lost believed due to combat. possible POW, (FR835,GAZ, 43-5729, Lost Sep 15, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FL897 / GA A

Flt Sgt Stanley Thomas Worbey, 1380985 NCO # RAFVR gets Off # later 174081

16/9/43

This aircraft was last seen at 12:20hrs at Grid N.6959 flying east, Potenza -Allevino -Vallata road-but failed to return, pilot returned to Sqn later that day

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III

FR389 / GA R

Unknown, Possibly Flt Sgt K N Cockram, RAF 1425541

16/9/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR866/ GA was T became K in Sept 

Flt Sgt Ronald William Staveley, 1231263, RAFVR

18/9/43

A/C shot down by flak near Vallata, Italy, took off at 16:55hrs as part of 10 aircraft formation on Armed recce in the Potenza-Vallata area. During this mission MT was attacked at grid O.1350 and O.1267. During this flight this aircraft was last seen strafing in grid O.0533 and was seen to be hit and crashed into the ground from approx 500 ft. pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR860/ GA D (P-40M-10CU ex US serial number 43-5754)

WOI Wilfred David Brown, R/86267, RCAF, 2 victories, 2 probable

19/9/43

A/C shot down near Avigliano. Italy map reference RAF Napoli 40/14, N9854 to Avigliano 0.0852 KIA, took off at 14:30hrs as part of 10 aircraft formation on Armed Recce Potenza-Vallata-Grottaminarda-Lioni-Aveglino areas. MT was attacked at Grid N.9754 and at Grid N.9854. Light intense AA was received from grid N.9854. This aircraft was last seen when it spun into the ground,1520 hours,  from approx 1500ft, and burst into flames. pilot KIA On 19 September 1943, after completing a successful bomb run he and his 9 team mates where returning to base and strafing targets of opportunity. Documentation shows the small arms and machine gun fire was “heavy and intense”, from a column of trucks that had been engaged. Wilfred’s plane Kittyhawk Mk III FR860, was hit while over the column, he climbed it to approximately 1500 feet, rolled it onto its back to allow the pilot to escape when it was engulfed in flames and entered a spin from which it never recovered. Although his plane crashed somewhere between Apoli and Avellino in Italy, nothing was ever found

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR814 / GA T

Unknown

20/9/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR789

Unknown

20/9/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR833

Unknown

27/9/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR870/ GA S

Unknown

3/11/43

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR132 / GA T

Flt Lt Lance Neville "Happy" Ahern, 402781, RAAF

2/12/43

This aircraft was hit in the glycol system and force landed at Grid C.4000 on the banks of the Sangro River 42-9892 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR132. SOC Feb 29, 1945.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR439 / GA K

Fg Off James Osborne "Tex" Gray, J16543 RCAF, American

2/12/43

Damaged when aircraft force landed at Canne LG due to combat damage port aileron 42-10060 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR439. SOC Feb 22, 1945

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR801/GA H

Flt Sgt William Edward Cocks, 1393866,RAFVR 

 19/12/43

Cocks lobbed her in a river,  pilot OK, 43-5598, SOC Feb 29, 1944, had been Bernie Peters mount, now Bernie flies a new to him but an old plane in service GA-H, FR-257

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR864/ GA M (M series)

Fg Off Robert Matthew "Hawkeye" also known as “Old Wilkinson” or  “Letchie Wilkinson”, Wilkinson, RAF 135092

19/12/43

A/C shot down near Ripa. Italy, pilot POW, FR864,GAM, 43-5758, Crashed at Ripa Dec, 1943 after pilot bailed out following flak hit Wilkinson on fire and bailed out at 1500ft. POW if OK. 

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR388/GA Z

Aircraft damaged Cat II in combat, 41- 9904, SOC Mar 29, 1945

Straffed Mk VI tank. Hit in left wing root on leading edge. Nearly bailed out., plane SOC Mar 29, 1945

CAT II. Left wing tank, radio, left brake, ASI, U/S.

December  20 Sabato S                 Liberato M

“A bloody heavy day.   1^st show me, in (Z). Gun fire & Ack Ack something terrific. I got a hell of a clobber in leading edge of left wing root at 200ft after shooting a big tank.  On way back 3 Spits shot at me.  My kite was a Cat II.   No ASI and kite stalled if you breathed hard. Didn't have guts to bail out, so returned. Runway was cleared for me & after doing a perfect 3-pointer (with ring twitch), I found I had no left brake. Skidded off right of runway, straight at bunch of  twin types, who ran.  Cut engine, but didn’t turn over & did a beautiful twizzle beside a row of tents, thumbing the types as I skidded by backwards.  Cocks shot down but OK

F/O Wilkinson on fire and bailed out at 1500ft. POW if OK. 

2/Lt H J Hanreck, 207359V, SAAF

31/12/43

A/C damaged and ditched off San Vito Chietno, This aircraft was hit by AA prior to attacking the target, and although the pilot completed the attack, he was forced to fly south east to the coast and ditched approx 200 yards off shore from San Vito Chietino at grid C.3812. returned to Unit a few days later FR839,GA J,43-5733, Hit by flak and ditched off San Vitro Dec 31, 1943

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR229 / GA Q

2/Lt N.G.Sharpe 328278V. SAAF

9/1/44

This aircraft was damaged Cat III when it force landed at Grid J.332

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR872 / GA P

WO Ernest Douglas "Doug" Holmes,403927. RAAF

12/2/44

Training accident, pilot KIFA, 43-5766 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR872. Lost Feb 12, 1944 (Bert Horden writes in his book "Shark Squadron Pilot" Flt Sgt Doug Holmes took his Kitty up just for a simple air test and was never seen again. A search was made to no effect.)

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR258

Unknown

18/2/44

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FL886/ GA B short tail, later GA K

Fg Off James Osborne Gray, J16543 RCAF (American)

29/2/44

A/C force landed in Anzio beachhead, took off at 15:25hrs as part of 11 aircraft formation, target was an Army concentration at Grid G.0233. Medium intense AA fire from south of the target was encountered and this aircraft was Hit by AA and force landed near Anzio beach head Flak in the radiator 45774,Jul 1942. DBR when force landed near Anzio Feb 29, 1944 following flak damage

unknown

29/2/44

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR795/ GA B

LT Micheal Grant White. 75645V , SAAF

2/3/44

landed with a burst tire after an attack on Motor Transport, heavy flak during engagement, the plane flipped onto its back, pilot OK, FR795,GAB, 43-5588,Lost Mar 3, 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR824/ GA A (M series)

Fg Off John A Burcham, 119713,RAF

7/3/44

A/C shot down near Rome, Italy, MT Targets were attacked at Grid F.9067, Grid G.4045 and at Grid G.4453. Light 40mm and 20mm fire was encountered during this operation and this aircraft was shot down, Flak causing gycol leak, pilot POW 43-5629, Lost Mar, 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR283/ GA P short tail

Lt Anthony (Tony)  Knowles Taylor,  SAAF,  328249

7/3/44

A/C landed on beach near Cutella, damaged, Flak causing gycol leak pilot OK

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR502/ GA D

Unknown

8/3/44

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR812/ GA R (M series)

Flt Sgt Stanley Thomas Worbey, 174081, RAFVR

13/3/44

A/C shot down, Flak causing gycol leak,  MT Targets at Grid G.1458 were attacked and Medium Breda and 40mm fire was encountered. This aircraft hit by AA and abandoned North of Genazzano, He is recorded as a Sgt on 16/9/43 and again on 13/3/44 when he was shot down by flak during an armed recce. He was captured and then subsequently escaped and hid with an Italian farming family waiting for the front line to reach him. News of his release (now a P/Off) reached 112 Sqdn in mid June 1944. FR812,GAB, 43-5613, Crashed N of Genazzano Mar 13, 1944 after pilot bailed out following flak hit, FR812,GAR letter change date unknown see above was GAR when it went in

.

Some 260 Sqdn Kittyhawk where transferred to 112 Sqdn as it (112) was short of aircraft and 260 Sqdn where re equipped with Mustang III

18/3/44

.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR861/ GA M (M series)

Sqdn Ldr Peter Fredrick Illingworth, 39529, RAF

22/3/44

A/C shot down near Trogir, Flak causing glycol leak, Aircraft took off at 15:45hrs as part of 12 aircraft formation briefed to attack 3 "E" Boats at Grid U.8238 in Yugoslavia. Aircraft attacked their Target and this aircraft was Hit by AA. White vapor was seen coming from the aircraft and the pilot force landed on flat land near Trogir, Pilot OK, FR861,GAM, 43-5755, Force landed near Trogir, Yugoslavia Mar 22, 1944 following flak hit He returns to the Sqdn on 4 April 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR862/ GA E

Unknown

23/3/44

Kittyhawk Mk. III FR121 / GA K

Unknown

6/4/44

Hit by AA was able to return to base, FR121,GAK, 42-9858 to RAF as Kittyhawk III FR121. Crashed when abandoned SE of Todi Apr 6, 1944 following flak damage.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III 

FR811 GA M, 

43-5612

Sqn Ldr Walter Kenneth Watts,400827  RAAF

6/4/44

A/C shot down near Todi, This section then continued North and this aircraft was hit by AA fire from Grid.A7066. The aircraft was abandoned by the pilot who landed at Grid A.7858 near Todi, pilot POW

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR857/ GA V, 43-5751

Flt Sgt Kenneth Crawford "Slim" Warburton, RAF 1435331 details of the day

7/4/44

A/C shot down near Rieti Landing Ground 1710 hours, took off at 16:20hrs as part of 12 aircraft formation on Armed Recce of Terni Area. Whilst approaching Rieti LG the formation spotted approx 12 Fw190 aircraft on the ground with 2 taking off and 3 more already airborne. A General battle ensued with this aircraft not being seen after the initial attack either being shot down by AA fire or by a FW190.,pilot POW, None of 112’s pilots saw F/S Warburton shot down but his loss is timed at 17.10, perhaps from his last W/T message and so Maikranz or Ochs may have been responsible.Fw. Maikranz, 3./SG 4, 10 km. E. Rieti A/F at 300 m. at 1711 hours or Uffz. Ochs, 1./SG 4, 6 km. S.W. Rieti A/F at 10 m. 1711 hours

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR288/ GA Z  short tail

Flt Sgt William Edward Cocks, 1393866,RAFVR details of the day Thanks Nick Beale

7/4/44

A/C crashed near Rieti Landing Ground 1710 hours, pilot KIA, It was probably Hellerbrand who claimed F/S Bill Cocks’ Kittyhawk since the time is an exact match with the 112 Squadron account and the location is very close (although his comrades thought Cocks had spun in rather than being shot down Fw. Helmut Hellerbrand 1./SG 4 1 km. E. Rieti A/F at 400 m. 1710 hours

Kittyhawk 

Mk. III FR474/ GA Jinx

Flt Lt Maurice Neville Matthias, 119867, RAFVR

7/4/44

Damaged in combat with FW190, badly holed by FW190 over the roundel

Kittyhawk

 Mk. IV FT854 / GA P later GA B

Flt Lt Lance Neville "Happy" Ahern, 402781, RAAF

7/4/44

Damaged during combat with FW190 near Rieti LG, 42-104759 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FT854 May 1943. No record of fate.

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX366/ GA S

WO G L Hirons, 1190809

16/4/44

Hit by flak badly damaged but was able to return to base, pilot ok

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX516 GA P  

Lt William Ewen "Fossie" Foster, 307365V, SAAF

23/4/44

A/C shot down at Lake Trasimeno, took off at 17:00hrs as part of 12 Aircraft formation briefed to attack an ammo dump at Grid W.4588-4589. Formation found and attacked the target, and Intense and accurate 20mm fire was encountered. During this attack this aircraft was hit as it made a run against the target from Lake Trasimeno, it hit the ground at Grid W.4585 and exploded, pilot KIA, 42-105087 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FX516. Crashed into Lake Trasimeno Apr 23, 1944 after flak hit

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX622/ GA W  

Lt Micheal Grant White, 75645V SAAF, Thanks Nick Beale

3/5/44

A/C shot down near Rieti, believed shot down by Bf109's - aircraft later recovered and used by 450Sqdn, the aircraft discovery near Rieti led to the burial location of the pilot, he had been buried in a vault of a local church, but because he had not been wearing his identity disc his location had not been known for some time, pilot KIA 42-106217 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FX622. Missing near Aquila May 3, 1944, presumed shot down

Kittyhawk

 Mk. IV FX544/ GA K 

Sgt Derrick Warren Grubb, RAF, 1323923

22/5/44

A/C shot down near Avezzano, took off at 05:25hrs as part of 12 aircraft formation on Armed Recce. MT was attacked on and Cross roads on Sora Road. This aircraft was hit in Glycol system and although was escorted back the pilot was forced to crash land at Grid 490775 3 Miles South West of Avezzano. pilot POW, 42-105227 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FX544. Crash landed 3 mi SW of Avezzano May 22, 1944 following flak damage

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX727/ GA S, 

Sgt Charles John Parkinson, 1800971, RAFVR

29/5/44

2nd of three operations that day A/C shot down near Frosinone, 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, pilot KIA , plane code behind this one is that although FX710 is quoted as GA-S a few days before, on the date concerned there is no serial number, which tends to lead to the question why not, when the serial was noted before, but further checking shows that this happened when the aircraft was new in the ORB and was later then known by its serial as well as code, pilot had joined the Sqn only 5 days before it was his second operation, pilot KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX777

GA C, 

previously coded GA E

Flt Lt Maurice Neville Matthias, 119867, RAFVR

29/5/44

3rd mission that day  hit in the glycol tank he crash landed it near Nettuno,  where he was picked up by an American unit and returned to base

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX670/ GA W

Sgt P  L Rees, RAF, 930745

30/5/44

2nd operation that day, A/C shot down near front line, shot down by MG fire, whilst attacking enemy MT, pilot POW, 43-22915 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FX670. Shot down by flak May 30, 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX740/ GA ? photo page 2

Sgt George Fredrick Davis,1614505, RAFVR

31/5/44

A/C shot down near front line, took off at 13:55hrs as part of 6 aircraft formation on an Armed Recce. Targets were attacked at grid G.5172. During these attacks it is believed that this aircraft was shot down by AA as it failed to return, pilot KIA, (FX740,GA? carried the cartoon character Wimpy forward on the cowling) 43-23325 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FX740. Missing Jun 1, 1944 as recorded on datum card USAAF

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX687/ GA K

Sgt  James Roy Carr, RAFVR, 1620942

2/6/44

A/C down  near Subiaco, Italy, pilot KIA it rolled onto its back and dived into the ground R/T silence never broken so remains a mystery if it got hit by flak or not, 43-22942 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FX687. Spun into ground at Subiaco Jun 2, 1944

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FT951/ GA M 

Unknown

2/6/44

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX792/ GA X

2/LT Donald A H Clarke, 328908V, SAAF

3/6/44

2nd operation that day, A/C shot down north of Lenne, pilot baled out safely 43-23717 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FX792. Crashed SW of Avezzano Jun 3, 1944 after pilot bailed out following flak hit

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV 

FT948 GA J

Sgt Eric Tickner, 1800763, RAFVR

4/6/44

A/C shot down near Castel Di Tora, KIA

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FX800/ GA R

Lt H F Churchill, 207324V, SAAF

4/6/44

A/C shot down near Castel Di Tora, pilot survived, POW, 43-23744 to RAF as Kittyhawk IV FX800. Missing Jun 7, 1944, as recorded on USAAF datum card

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV FT948/ GA J

Unknown possibly Sgt James McNab Dick, 1672409, RAFVR  see 28/6/44

9/6/44

Kittyhawk 

Mk. IV 

FX719 GA H

 Sgt Alan Albert Dowling, 1803433, RAFVR

21/6/44

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB286

Sgt Robert Desmond Davies, 1422019 and Sgt James McNab Dick, 1672409, RAFVR both pranged planes and where posted out of the Sqdn, Davies went to 450 Sqdn, Sgt Dick was KIA while with 250 Sqdn,  Dicks accident occurred on ?/6/44

28/6/44

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB291 GA F

Unknown

13/7/44

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB287 

GA Jinx

Fg Off Raymond H "Ray" Newton, 411437,RNZAF

14/7/44

Bomb release would not function forcing the pilot to bail out ditching the plane in the ocean, this plane was the regular mount of Peter Nuyten he was not pleased recorded on USAAF dataum as 42-103181 to RAF Mar 1944 as Mustang III FB287. Shot down by flak near San Felice Sep 16, 1944.

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB317/ GA T

LT A H Jones, 542465V, SAAF

1/8/44

Engine cut on take off pilot KIA, 42-103247 to RAF as Mustang III FB317 Mar 1944. Crashed on takeoff at Landing Ground Crete Aug 1, 1944

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB249/ GA N

may have been Sgt Kenneth Richard Mann, 1332895, RAFVR

2/8/44

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB296/ GA R short tail

Sgt Kenneth Richard Mann, 1332895. RAFVR

5/8/44

A/C shot down near Florence, hit by 88 Flak shell, pilot KIA, 42-103190 to RAF Mar 1944 as Mustang III FB296. Missing Aug 6, 1944

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB340/ GA Z

Sgt D C Goodwin,1601215

9/8/44

Swung on takeoff crashed into a Kittyhawk Mk III, pilot had concussion, otherwise ok, 42-103270 to RAF as Mustang III FB340 Mar 1944. Wrecked when swung on takeoff and hit P-40,  Landing Ground Crete Aug 9, 1944.

Mustang 

Mk. III 

HB827/ GA S

Unknown

18/8/44

Mustang 

Mk. III 

HB895/ GA N

2/Lt J C Hoyle, 282449V, SAAF

23/8/44

A/C shot down at Modena, pilot KIA

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB338/ GA C

Sgt L G Daniell, 1602798

27/8/44

crashed on take off pilot ok, 103268 to RAF as Mustang III FB338 Mar 1944. Crashed on takeoff, Landing Ground Crete Aug 27, 1944

Mustang 

Mk. III 

HB895/ GA N

Unknown

28/8/44

Mustang 

Mk. III 

HB936/ GA A

Sgt Arthur Banks, George Cross, 1607992, RAF

29/8/44

A/C shot down at point G514123 no map name given, Ravenna and Ferrara areas. led to beating and murder, 43-24928 to RAF as Mustang III HB936. Missing Aug 30, 1944 as per USAAF datum card

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB297/ GA X

Plt Off Jack Robert Greenaway, 184791.RAF

2/9/44

A/C shot down over front line, pilot KIA, 42-103191 to RAF Mar 1944 as Mustang III FB297. Missing from close support mission Sep 4, 1944

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB287

Unknown 

16/9/44

Mustang 

Mk. III 

FB323/ GA E

Lt G McFie, 542252V, SAAF

25/9/44

A/C shot down near Rimini, KIA, 42-103253 to RAF as Mustang III FB323 Mar 1944. Missing from close support mission Sep 25, 1944

Mustang 

Mk. III 

HB917/ GA N

Lt Chris J Liebenberg, 542464V SAAF

4/10/44

Lost bomb on take off damaged flaps, bomb did not explode so he jettisoned remaining bomb overshot runway with damaged flaps and turned plane on it's back, pilot ok, 42-103886 to RAF Jun 1944 as Mustang III HB917. Wrecked when overshot during attempted emergency landing and overturned, Lesi Oct 4, 1944