I’m writing a book on my local village: Milton Ernest in Bedfordshire. One chapter is devoted to wing commander John Michael Bryan who lived here as a boy. I have received some great information from a previous thread but thought I’d give this site one last try before publishing. I have two requests (1) I need to check whether the Bryan in Victor Bingham’s ‘Whirlwind’ book is F Bryan rather than JM Bryan. This is what I suspect but I need clarification that there were two Bryan’s in 137 Squadron at the time (1942-1943). Victor Bingham gives thanks to F Bryan in the book so I suspect I’m right and the Bryan mentioned in the text is F Bryan and not JM Bryan. (2) I desperately need a photograph of John Michael Bryan to compliment the text. Hopefully someone will have a photograph which they will allow me to use. Finally, if anyone has any more information on JM Bryan please pass it on to me as I want to be able to tell the whole story before I publish. He was in 137 Squadron flying a Whirlwind before flying a Typhoon in 198 Squadron and 164 Squadron. He was awarded the DFC and Bar before being shot down aged 22 over Falaise on 10th June 1944. Many thanks.
By: brewerjerry - 2nd July 2005 at 22:47
I’m writing a book on my local village: Milton Ernest in Bedfordshire. One chapter is devoted to wing commander John Michael Bryan who lived here as a boy. I have received some great information from a previous thread but thought I’d give this site one last try before publishing. I have two requests (1) I need to check whether the Bryan in Victor Bingham’s ‘Whirlwind’ book is F Bryan rather than JM Bryan. This is what I suspect but I need clarification that there were two Bryan’s in 137 Squadron at the time (1942-1943). Victor Bingham gives thanks to F Bryan in the book so I suspect I’m right and the Bryan mentioned in the text is F Bryan and not JM Bryan. (2) I desperately need a photograph of John Michael Bryan to compliment the text. Hopefully someone will have a photograph which they will allow me to use. Finally, if anyone has any more information on JM Bryan please pass it on to me as I want to be able to tell the whole story before I publish. He was in 137 Squadron flying a Whirlwind before flying a Typhoon in 198 Squadron and 164 Squadron. He was awarded the DFC and Bar before being shot down aged 22 over Falaise on 10th June 1944. Many thanks.
Hi
Just got 2nd taf by thomas & shores pg 150, It has a photo of an M Bryan , ex 137 Sq whirlwind & hurricane, 198sq typhoon , shot down D+4 nr falaise w/c 136 wing , photo credited to IWM, CH12812.
So IWM photo dept will be able to provide a copy .
hope this helps
cheers
Jerry
By: EN830 - 14th June 2005 at 20:47
Typhoon Attack by Norman Franks has a fair amount about J Mike Bryan, but no pictures.
By: Cranswick - 14th June 2005 at 20:04
Wg Cdr J.M.Bryan
IWM have a photo of Mike Bryan as a Sqn Ldr, 198 Sqn, examining the damaged wing of his aircraft, ref CH12812. You will find more info in ‘Aces High’ by C.Shores & C.Williams, Grub Street and Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No.27, ‘Typhoon and Tempest Aces of WW2’ by C.Thomas. He was credited with 2 destroyed, plus 4 shared destroyed, 1 shared probable and 2 damaged and was Wg Cdr Flying 136 Wing, Thorney Island, when he was killed.
Cranswick
By: Snapper - 24th May 2005 at 08:59
F Bryan was possibly the Canadian Tiffy pilot FJ Bryan who also served with 609 from 24th May 1943.
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May 23, 2005 at 9:33 pm