John Joseph Lynch -- Raf

jamesicus · 24-03-2005, 07:29 PM

I am seeking information relating to John Joseph Lynch, Pilot Officer, RAF -- American from Alhambra, California -- joined the RAF in July 1941.

In 1943 while a member of the RAF 249th Fighter Squadron (Spitfires) stationed on Malta, P/O Lynch won an RAF sweepstake prize of 129 pounds sterling by shooting down the 100th enemy airplane (a German Ju-52 transport off the coast of Sicily) by a Malta based RAF Pilot. The sweepstake prize was put up by contibutions from RAF personnel stationed on Malta.

I believe the 249th was originally formed as a Spitfire squadron in May 1940, then participated in the Battle of Britain as a Hurricane squadron, subsequently switching back to Spitfires in 1942 when it was assigned to Malta -- thereafter participating in the Italian and Yugoslavian campaigns.

I would appreciate any information relating to his service in the RAF. I am especially interested in finding out how many enemy airplanes he is credited with shooting down.

morse1001 · 24-03-2005, 08:01 PM

[attachmentid=543]History of No. 249 Squadron.

Motto:Pugnis et calcibus - 'With fists and heels'
Badge: In front of a bezant, an elephant passant. Both the bezant and the elephant imply associations with the Gold Coast, of which No 249 Squadron was one of the wartime gift squadrons.

No 249 Squadron was formed on 18 August 1918 from Nos 400, 401, 419 and 450 Flights at the seaplane station at Dundee for coastal patrol duties. A sub-station was set up at Strathbeg in September and Short 184 seaplanes were flown for the rest of the war, the squadron disbanding on 8 October 1919.

On 16 May 1940, No 249 reformed as a fighter squadron at Church Fenton, initially with Spitfires, but after a few weeks re-equipped with Hurricanes. Becoming operational on 3 July, it flew defensive patrols and moved south in August to take part in the Battle of Britain. Offensive missions over France began in December 1940 but in May 1941, No.249 was transferred to Malta by aircraft carrier. There it formed part of the fighter defences, converting to Spitfires in February 1942. Fighter bomber missions over Sicily began in November 1942 and October 1943 the squadron moved to Italy. Sweeps were carried out over Albania and Yugoslavia and in September 1944, No.249 converted to Mustangs. In April 1945, it moved to Northern Yugoslavia for a month and after a short period in northern Italy the squadron disbanded on 16 August 1945.

On 23 October 1945, No.500 Squadron at Eastleigh, Kenya was renumbered 249 Squadron and flew Baltimores for a short time before re-equipping with Mosquitoes in February 1946. After taking part in survey flights, No.249 moved to Iraq in June 1946 and became a Tempest fighter squadron. Vampires were received in 1950 and after a period in Egypt the squadron moved to Jordan and converted to Venoms. In August 1956, it moved to Cyprus and in July 1957 to Kenya where it disbanded on 15 October 1957. It reformed at Akrotiri on the same day and after twelve years in the area No.249 disbanded on 24 February 1969.

This site includes a photo.

Lynch Biography

jamesicus · 24-03-2005, 08:39 PM

Thank you so very much, morse1001, for your outstanding response -- the information is exactly what I was looking for!

morse1001 · 24-03-2005, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesicus@Mar 24 2005, 07:39 PM
Thank you so very much, morse1001, for your outstanding response -- the information is exactly what I was looking for!

Quoted post

no need to thank me- thats what this forum is for.

24-03-2005, 08:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
morse1001 Very Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland Posts: 4,585	[attachmentid=543]History of No. 249 Squadron. Motto:Pugnis et calcibus - 'With fists and heels' Badge: In front of a bezant, an elephant passant. Both the bezant and the elephant imply associations with the Gold Coast, of which No 249 Squadron was one of the wartime gift squadrons. No 249 Squadron was formed on 18 August 1918 from Nos 400, 401, 419 and 450 Flights at the seaplane station at Dundee for coastal patrol duties. A sub-station was set up at Strathbeg in September and Short 184 seaplanes were flown for the rest of the war, the squadron disbanding on 8 October 1919. On 16 May 1940, No 249 reformed as a fighter squadron at Church Fenton, initially with Spitfires, but after a few weeks re-equipped with Hurricanes. Becoming operational on 3 July, it flew defensive patrols and moved south in August to take part in the Battle of Britain. Offensive missions over France began in December 1940 but in May 1941, No.249 was transferred to Malta by aircraft carrier. There it formed part of the fighter defences, converting to Spitfires in February 1942. Fighter bomber missions over Sicily began in November 1942 and October 1943 the squadron moved to Italy. Sweeps were carried out over Albania and Yugoslavia and in September 1944, No.249 converted to Mustangs. In April 1945, it moved to Northern Yugoslavia for a month and after a short period in northern Italy the squadron disbanded on 16 August 1945. On 23 October 1945, No.500 Squadron at Eastleigh, Kenya was renumbered 249 Squadron and flew Baltimores for a short time before re-equipping with Mosquitoes in February 1946. After taking part in survey flights, No.249 moved to Iraq in June 1946 and became a Tempest fighter squadron. Vampires were received in 1950 and after a period in Egypt the squadron moved to Jordan and converted to Venoms. In August 1956, it moved to Cyprus and in July 1957 to Kenya where it disbanded on 15 October 1957. It reformed at Akrotiri on the same day and after twelve years in the area No.249 disbanded on 24 February 1969. This site includes a photo. Lynch Biography __________________ WWW.WARFARETODAY.com

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24-03-2005, 07:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
jamesicus Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 285	I am seeking information relating to John Joseph Lynch, Pilot Officer, RAF -- American from Alhambra, California -- joined the RAF in July 1941. In 1943 while a member of the RAF 249th Fighter Squadron (Spitfires) stationed on Malta, P/O Lynch won an RAF sweepstake prize of 129 pounds sterling by shooting down the 100th enemy airplane (a German Ju-52 transport off the coast of Sicily) by a Malta based RAF Pilot. The sweepstake prize was put up by contibutions from RAF personnel stationed on Malta. I believe the 249th was originally formed as a Spitfire squadron in May 1940, then participated in the Battle of Britain as a Hurricane squadron, subsequently switching back to Spitfires in 1942 when it was assigned to Malta -- thereafter participating in the Italian and Yugoslavian campaigns. I would appreciate any information relating to his service in the RAF. I am especially interested in finding out how many enemy airplanes he is credited with shooting down.

24-03-2005, 08:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
jamesicus Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 285	Thank you so very much, morse1001, for your outstanding response -- the information is exactly what I was looking for!

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