263 Squadron 27 May 1940

Discussion in '1940' started by Paul Reed, Nov 14, 2008.

  1. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    This unit was based out of Bardufoss and flying Gloster Gladiators in the latter part of the Norway campaign.

    Can anyone tell me exactly what they were doing on 27 May 1940 ? And what and who the losses were?
     
  2. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    27/05/1940: Norway. 263 Squadron.

    At 08:00 things started to heating up when 11 Ju87Rs from I/STG 1, escorted by three Bf110s from I/ZG 76, appeared over Bodø and began dive-bombing radio masts at Bodøsjøen, only 800 yards from the landing ground. Lieutenant Tony Lydekker took off at once, but Flight Lieutenant Caesar B. Hull and a fitter were forced to leave his Gladiator (N5635) for a few minutes and shelter from the bombing.

    With the initial attack over they managed to get the fighter started and Hull took off, at once catching Feldwebel Kurt Zube's Stuka at the bottom of its dive. He caused it to fall in a gentle dive into the sea, where two Bf110s circled the wreckage. Zube and his gunner were picked up safely by German troops.

    As Hull completed his attack, another Ju87 went past and shot up his aircraft, smashing the windscreen. At the same moment he was attacked from behind by one of the escorts, flown by Leutnant Helmut Lent, and the Gladiator was hard hit. Hull managed to get back to the airfield at 200 feet, but was then attacked again by the Bf110 and crashed at Bodøhalvøya, wounded in the head and knee. N5635 has been identified by serial number found on the wreckage. Lent logged his victory at 08:20 (Helmut Lent shot down another 263 Squadron Gladiator on 2 June when Pilot Officer J. L. Wilkie in N5914 was killed east of Rombaksfjorden).

    Type: Gloster Gladiator
    Serial number: N5635, HE-?
    Operation: Intercept
    Lost: 27/05/1940
    F/L C.B. Hull - injured

    Lydekker meanwhile was being attacked by most of the remaining Luftwaffe aircraft, his aircraft being badly shot up and himself wounded in the neck and shoulders. Unable to land at Bodø as three Stukas were circling overhead, he set course for Bardufoss at low level, where he eventually landed with his Gladiator a complete write-off. A second claim for a Gladiator was put in by Oberleutnant Jäger, shared with his gunner Stabsing. Thönes, and timed at 08:25, but this was not confirmed. Watchers on the ground at Bodø reported that the Gladiators had shot down at least three aircraft, Hull and Lydekker each having got at least one apiece. This was not in fact the case, for only one Ju87 had been lost.

    Type: Gloster Gladiator
    Serial number: ?, HE-?
    Operation: Intercept
    Lost: 27/05/1940
    Lieutenant Tony Lydekker

    F/L Hull was evacuated back to the UK in a Sunderland flying boat, and on 21 June was awarded a DFC, which credited him with five victories over Norway. On 31 August 1940 he was posted back to 43 Squadron as commanding officer. The unit was at the time based at Tangmere.
    Ltn. Lydekker was evacuated to the UK. After recovering from his injuries he returned to his duty as the Armament Officer on the Air Staff of HMS Furious.

    Paul
    Hope this is a help

    Regards
    Peter.
     
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  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Peter - many thanks indeed.

    I have found details of some LACs who died with the Sq that day. Are they likely to have been in the air or ground crew?
     
  4. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Peter - many thanks indeed.

    I have found details of some LACs who died with the Sq that day. Are they likely to have been in the air or ground crew?

    I would think more likely to be ground crew, but during those early days of the war LAC's I believe, did act as aircrew, at this point I have no way of confirming this but have put out a couple of feelers.
     
  5. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Thanks Peter, much appreciated. You have helped greatly, already!
     
  6. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Paul,
    I have just logged on and seen your question. I realise that Peter has given a great account, but I have a book which chapter seven is about the Norwegian campaign.
    THE SINKING OF THE GLORIOUS.
    It mentions 263 squadron.
    If you want I can copy the chapter and email it to you tomorrow. I have to go out soon and so have no time tonight.
    There is a good photo of a camouflaged Gladiator of 263 Squadron.

    The book is called Courage in the skies. by J.E.'Johnnie' Johnson and P.B.'Laddie' Lucas. ISBN 0-09-178807-2

    Regards

    Tom
     
  7. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Paul,
    Just made time and have posted to both your email addresses.

    I hope that it is of use to you.

    That chapter is quite good reading.

    Regards

    Tom
     
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  8. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Tom - all received; many thanks, that's very useful indeed!
     
  9. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Paul

    Just received the names of the LAC's killed on the bombing raid of 27 May....from John Larder a fellow researcher.

    LACs Squire Hurley (522985) and Rhys Penry Jones (545400) of 263 Sq. killed in an air raid on Bardufoss.

    The LAC's killed would have been ground crew as the 263 Squadrons Gladiators were single seat aircraft.

    Regards

    Peter
     
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  10. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Peter - many thanks indeed. That's fantastic.
     

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