Fleet Air Arm RN Spitfire loss 4 Aug 1943

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Ravrick, Apr 1, 2019.

  1. Ravrick

    Ravrick Senior Member

    Hi,
    I am researching the career of Lt Herbert Douglas Barr RNR, a pilot who is listed as crashing a Spitfire in 1943. The extract from the 'spitfire register' reads:

    Spitfire EP762 Vb CBAF M46 9MU 16-8-42 RNDA 9MU 4-9-42 880S Stretton 9-42 ASTH 3-10-42 hook fitt RNAS Lee on Solent 28-10-42 899S Hatston 1-43 768S Machrihanish 3-43 to 4-43 AST Hamble 30-4-43 (RIW) RY 26-6-43 Stretton 3-7-43 897S 8-43 Caught wire landing skidded to stbd hit crane Unicorn 4-8-43 (Lt HD Barr) ros 12-8-43 AHU Stretton 10-9-43 768S Abbotsinch/Ayr 2-44 Hit barrier damaged prop spinner and port wing Argus Cat X 8-2-44 (S/L GH Brittain) DLT Trouncer hit ship landed in field u/c retracted 8-2-45 (Mid PH Anns)

    Can anybody assist with deciphering the abbreviations so I can find out what happened?

    I believe he is the same Lt Barr involved in this incident with 709 Naval Sqn:

    On March 30th 1945 Lt. H.D. Barr RNR, flying in Hellcat JV240 flew through debris after making a Rocket projectile attack at Treligga Range, this caused aileron damage but the aircraft made it back to St Merryn.

    any expansion on these incidents would be appreciated, also any more info on Lt Barr,

    Cheers,
    Rick
     
  2. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    897S 8-43 Caught wire landing skidded to stbd hit crane Unicorn 4-8-43 (Lt HD Barr) ros 12-8-43

    What it says on the tin
    Assigned to charge of No.897 Squadron Aug 1943
    on 4th Aug landing on HMS Unicorn, caught the arrester wire but dragged and caused aircraft to skid - hit a starboard crane alongside the fight deck
    Repaired on Site 12th August 1943

    HMS Unicorn was landing on the Squadron off Gibraltar about this time and then carried out work ups in preparation for the support of the operations off Salerno in Sept 1943.

    So likely it was either arrival onboard the ship or very shortly afterward but damage was enough for the aircraft not to be taken to Salerno (first day of ops 10th Sept) and to be returned to AHU Stretton for full repair.

    Ross
     
  3. Ravrick

    Ravrick Senior Member

    Thanks Ross, that makes sense now...
    cheers,
    Rick
     

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