We are trying to assist a family with some information on this pilot we know he survived the war dying just a few years ago but he never spoke to the family about his war time experiences.
We know he flew Spitfire W3311 a mk Vb built at Eastleigh ff.5/6/41 and that he was shot down engaged with a BF109 over Lille in that aircraft 6/7/41.
He was uninjured and taken POW at camp 357 no 39229.
He was also so his family understand based in Malta at one stage but no info is known.
the Questions are
1) what happened to his aircraft
2) What or where is camp 357 and what does 39229 refer.Apparently he was pow for 2 years
3) codes and scheme for his aircraft
4) information on his Malta service and his aircraft /squadron etc.
Any photo’s etc of Sgt Smith (we have those off the 611 web site)
Any help with the above from you crash experts etc. to help this family piece together what he did during the war.
Many Thanks
Mike E
By: Ross_McNeill - 6th May 2013 at 10:13
Camp 357 was a Stalag and also called Kopernikus.
http://www.rafcommands.com/Air%20Force%20PoWs/RAF%20POWs%20Camp.html
The number is his recorded PoW number in the 1944/45 updated lists from the Red Cross
http://www.rafcommands.com/Air%20Force%20PoWs/RAF%20POWs%20Query%20S_1.html
It is possible that he filled in a PoW Liberation report on this release and return into the UK. This will be held at The National Archives Kew.
Also at Kew is the AIR 27 Operations Record Book for the unit which will give the known details of this last and previous flights with the squadron. This is available for download in month bites at the approximate price of a pint (even on Bank Holidays)
Regards
Ross
By: Jon H - 6th May 2013 at 10:03
Has anyone gone through Aldon Fergusons book on 611 squadron?
I have just quickly scanned through my copy and found several references and pictures of “Mushroom” Smith – so called as he was a farmer in civilian life.
Jon
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May 5, 2013 at 11:27 pm