Hawker Typhoon losses

Hello.

During our last trip to Normandy I went by a few memorials to individual Typhoon pilots. I would like to get a bigger picture of all the Typhoon losses during WW2 to see what memorials there are and the location of the graves of the concerning airmen.

I know there is a lot of info concerning Typhoon losses but these are mainly per region/country. Can I find a list of each day or do I have to go through the War Diary of the different Typhoon units?

Thanks
Tim

 

The best overall source for losses would be Christopher Shores's series of books on the 2nd TAF as they look at daily losses but they're out of print and almost impossible to find. Perhaps a local library might access them for you?

 

There are a few here that went down in France - Recherche crash avion 39-45 - France-Crashes 39-45 - just select Typhoon from 'Type d'Avion' then 'Valider' - shows from 1942 through 1944

TD

 

Does his earlier version include similar data?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/08...bp_QL65&keywords=2nd+tactical+air+force+shoes

 

They look like great books indeed, at a price.... Better start saving then . Thanks for the tip


Nobody knows of any source more specifically for Typhoons? Would be nice to have just one overall reference for Typhoon losses.

 

Hi Tim

What are you like at compiling books/reference documents - maybe wait until retired??

TD

 

Retirement is a bit far of I'm afraid. I have actually just ordered Volume 1 from the above mentioned series. If it's worth it, the other Volumes will follow.

 

Studiegroep Luchtoorlog 1939 – 1945

 

Hello Tim ,

The best source on all Typhoon losses and claims is '' The Typhoon and Tempest Story '' by Chris Thomas and Chris Shores .
You can easily find this book on ebay , Amazon...

Regards ,

Laurent

 

Tim, near my home an Typhoon of 193 Squadron crashed. I have from this pilot his logbook,photo's and his ORB.
Chris Woodcock wrote the book '' 193 Squadron , The Fellowship of the Bellows of Brazil Squadron ''.

Greetzz from Jaap

 

Does anyone have access to these books? I'm interested in Typhoon losses on 30th March 1945 in Germany.

 

Chris Shores posts on this forum quite regularly.

Regards,

Dave

 

I’ve got them and should be able to access them tomorrow so I’ll have a look.

 

There are 6 Typhoon 1b losses recorded for 30 March 1945 in Norman Franks 'Fighter Command Losses Volume 3 1944-1945. That includes losses of both ADGB and 2nd TAF.

The losses are one from 174 Sqn, one from 175 Sqn, two from 182 Sqn, one from 247 Sqn and one from 439 (RCAF) Sqn. They all look like they occurred in Germany. I'd be happy to post up the other details as well if you are interested (aircraft serial, pilot's name and the comments).

Regards

Tom

 

Steve - once you know the Typhoon losses, if you want to find out if a Luftwaffe aircraft shot them down you should post a question on http://forum.12oclockhigh.net. Rather like our esteemed site, someone out there will probably know. All I can tell you is that none were shot down by JG26 as Donald Cladwell’s book ‘The JG 26 War Diary, Vol Two, 1943-1945’ does not show any Typhoons shot down by the Geschwader on 30 March. Best. John

 

Jumping into this thread...
In an account of his parachute jump into Germany on Op Varsity, Ron Perry from the 7th Battalion stated he saw a Typhoon Crash Land and explode close by. This was as he was making his way to his RV after missing the DZ. Is there an easy way to look up typhoon loses on that date?
Alex.

 

Thanks chaps. Extremely helpful.

I'm interested in losses that day because, according to a book 'The Sharp End' published by my late father's Troop Leader (John Langdon, 1 Troop, A Squadron, 3RTR), dad and his Comet tank Commander (a chap called Peter Elstob), rescued the Pilot of a crash-landed Typhoon on 30th March 1945 near the town of Horstmar. I've validated the incident did occur when and where as described by Langdon via independent sources (notably various War Diaries etc) and the 182 Squadron Typhoon of F/O Spellman 'fits' all of the information I've collated but....and there's always a but....the reported location in various books etc is 'wrong' by about 10 miles. I obviously don't want to charge off up the wrong garden path so there are two natural questions:
1. Was there another, unreported in the various books etc, Typhoon lost (i.e. not Spellman's) in the Horstmar area, or
2. Do the various books and records state the wrong location, meaning it was Spellman's Typhoon but it crashed near Horstmar and not the 'official' reported location (Wettringen).

Needless to say dad never said a word about this - typical!

 

The other 182 Sqn Typhoon recorded by Franks as lost on 30 March 1945 was that of F/Sgt LS Phillips (Typhoon JP752) - recorded as being hit by flak and crash-landing south-east of Dingden. Is that in the right area?

Regards

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. I've discounted Phillips because the Squadron ORB (or another document - I don't have either to hand at the moment) provides a map reference for his crash site and it's well away from Horstmar and the route that 3RTR took that day. That's what makes me think there is either an unaccounted Typhoon loss or the 'official' Records have the location of Spellman's crash site wrong. As we know, official documents are not fault free by any means.

 

That's very true, and tank crew aircraft recognition could well have been dodgy too.

How about Spitfire XIV RM713 F/Lt TL Trevorrow of 130 Sqn. That was 30 March as well. 'Hit a tree while attacking MT near Munster and baled out'? My German geography isn't good though so that might be miles away from the incident you're chasing up.

Regards

Tom