Hi all,
I am trying to establish whether H H Kitchener flew operationally with 263 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.
I have seen (Squadrons ORB) that he was attached to Red section of B Flight during the required period and that B Flight were operational on Hurricanes whilst A flight were non operational flying the newly arriving whirlwinds.
I believe that the evidence is compelling that he did in fact participate in operational flights from Drem and Grangemouth with them in 1940. (His replacement log lists 220 hours on Hurricanes from Tangmere, Drem and Grangemouth).
Unfortunately his original log book was lost in a bad crash in March 1941 and consequently the entries for the 1940 period are lost.
Does anybody have access to either Drem’s or Grangemouth’s station log to see if he is mentioned in either of them.
I know that he did talk to his family about flying ops during the period when they operated hurricanes from these stations.
I would appreciate any assistance that you may be able to offer.
Best wishes
Gerry
By: brewerjerry - 14th March 2011 at 22:34
Hi Gerry,
Many thanks for the reply and info.
To impose one last time, does he mention when he flew the spitfire, or was it an un-official flight, also his replacement log book, does he have any hours on any other twin in 40/41,( blenheim/oxford ?).
It was a great shame the way that his original logbook was lost, I recall he was still annoyed at them.
cheers
Jerry
By: gedburke3 - 14th March 2011 at 18:45
Hi Jerry,
Yes you are right.
After his accident on 11th March 1941 he spent several months in hospital.
He eventually joined 60(F) OTU at East Fortune on 11th October 41.
He was posted from them to 135(C) OTU on 21st September 1943.
He never flew Whirlwinds again after his accident in March 41.
He only has 7 hours on Blenheims and none on Beaufighters.
All the best
Gerry
By: brewerjerry - 14th March 2011 at 02:36
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your reply.
His logbook shows his whirlwind hours as 68. However this is only from the period August 1940 to March 11th 1941 when he had a bad accident.
Frustratingly our interests are almost the opposite. I was interested in his time with B Flight during the Battle of Britain.
I will see if I can get the total after March 1941 and let you know.
Cheers
Gerry
Hi Gerry,
If I remember rightly, there should be no more whirlwind hours,I will definitely be intrested if he had any,as I recall he told me he went (I think) as an instructor to an OTU. ( was it blenheims or beaufighters ? )
cheers
Jerry
By: Arabella-Cox - 13th March 2011 at 22:41
Hi Gerry
Just a quick query re Herb’s Whirlwind entries in his logbook. Did he include the aircraft’s id letter, or just the serial code?
Kind regards.
Paul
By: gedburke3 - 13th March 2011 at 21:48
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your reply.
His logbook shows his whirlwind hours as 68. However this is only from the period August 1940 to March 11th 1941 when he had a bad accident.
Frustratingly our interests are almost the opposite. I was interested in his time with B Flight during the Battle of Britain.
I will see if I can get the total after March 1941 and let you know.
Cheers
Gerry
By: brewerjerry - 13th March 2011 at 01:46
Hi
Found one of my notes, he mentioned hurricanes in aug/sep, but no combats……
……. later post 263 Sqn mentions flying spitfires, but I never found anything out about those then,( my interest was whirlwinds) and I can’t find out anything now.
Does his replacement log quote his whirlwind hours ?
I just realised it was almost 70 yrs to the date of his whirlwind crash 11 mar 41
Cheers
Jerry
By: gedburke3 - 12th March 2011 at 22:19
Cheers Jerry,
I would certainly appreciate anything you have.
Gerry
By: brewerjerry - 12th March 2011 at 22:06
Hi
I spoke with him many years ago,a great guy, i will try to find my notes,and see if there is anything there.
cheers
Jerry
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March 12, 2011 at 12:22 pm