Presentation Spitfire

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by jeffbubble, May 25, 2005.

  1. jeffbubble

    jeffbubble Senior Member

    I am trying to find out which squadron and which pilot flew this Spit' here is all the research to date -

    The 'John Peel's Hunter'

    Workington’s Spitfire Fund. In July 1940 the Mayor Councillor S. Walker was approached by a deputation from the ‘Star’ Tommies Smokes Fund with the suggestion that an aeroplane be purchased and be presented to the government. It was unanimously decided that authority be given to the committee to proceed with the scheme.

    The first subscription was received from a number of girls from the ‘Marsh’ who had held a procession and raised 3/6d. By the end of March 1941 £5,000 had been collected and a handing over ceremony took place in the Opera House on Sunday April 6th 1941.
    A cheque for £5,043-16-10d was given to Wing Commander JW Mitchell by 77 year old Mrs Williamson of Harrington, who had chosen a silver bowl as a memento of the occasion.
    Then in September the Spitfire took to the air, it was a MKV. Named 'John Peels Hunter' Number W3840.

    It took part in bomber escorts, convoy patrols and attacks on targets in occupied territory. On one occasion while acting as escort to bombers who were attacking Le Havre docks, and sinking two ships, it was hit by flack, then on the return home they were 'bounced' by a formation of ME109s. This action took place ten miles of the English coast two enemy fighters were damaged. Then on another escort over Barfleur it was attacked by a lone ME109, which was damaged during the dogfight and limped away.
    This hectic flying schedule came to an end in May 1942 when the bombers and escorts were met by heavy fighter opposition over the Docks at Cherbourg, it was shot down and the Pilot baled out. A short life but a worthwhile one so said the letter from Fighter Command, to the Times & Star.
     
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  2. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    I think this aircraft could be a Spitfire of RAF No 222 Squadron which was lost during this period.

    Norman Frank's Fighter Command Losses 1942-1943 lists an aircraft, Spitfire Mark Vb lost on May 25 1942 on Rodeo 51 in combat with German fighters of JG26.

    No detail is given regarding the aircraft serial number but the pilot, named as P/O G F Morgan survived as a POW.There is no information on the locality of the aircraft loss to link it with operations over Cherbourg

    A Rodeo sortie was a fighter sweep without bombers so this point is at variance with the informaton listed.However the loss entry appears to be the only one that would account for the loss of W3840.

    No 222 Squadron at this time was based at RAF North Weald with No 11 Group, a Battle of Britain airfield "clipped" by the M11 construction just north of the M25.

    North Weald is part of Britain's air heritage, a vital airfield during the Battle of Britain whose future apparently gives some cause for concern.
     
  3. Pte1643

    Pte1643 Member

    From "Spitfire.- The History" (Shacklady & Morgan)

    W3840 "Presentation" Spitfrie MkV, "John Peel's Hunter".

    Was part of the 2nd order raised for 450 MkI's on 22nd Feb 1940.

    These aircraft were built at Eastleigh (Hamps'), but were actually built as MkV's, the MkI being superceded by the time of manufacture.

    W3840 FF (First Flight) was on 6th Sept 1941.

    Then was entered into service with 45 MU (Maintenence Unit) on 7th Sept 1941.

    Transfered to 501 Sqdn on 16th sept 1941.

    She (It) was serving with 501 Sqdn when logged as "FTR ops" (Failed to Return from Operations) on 25th April 1942.

    Hope this helps.

    Mark.
     
  4. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    I should have looked deeper and outside the given date.

    Still here it is,

    Sortie Circus 137. No 501 Squadron was operating out of Middle Wallop, Hampshire and part of 10 Group,Fighter Command.

    (Circus, a Sortie, purpose of which was to bring enemy fighters into combat by the attraction of bombers entering enemy airspace and those being counter attacked by their escorts.)

    The bombing operation for this Circus was wide ranged from the Pas de Calais to Finisterre in Brittany against the Abbeville marshalling yards,Morlaix airfield and Cherbourg, Le Havre and Dunkirk harbours.36 Bostons despatched,29 bombed and 2 FTR.

    Fighter Command lost 19 aircraft that day and No 501 Squadron lost the most,losing 5 aircraft, all Spitfire Vbs.

    Spitfire W 3840 was being flown on the day by Sgt Rocovsky, a Czech flying with the Royal Air Force, No 501 Squadron. He was reported to have engaged ME 109s over Cherbourg but was killed after his parachute failed.

    Sgt Rocovsk's burial place is unknown. Unfortunately the CWGC does not appear to give the burial locations of foreign nationals serving with the Royal Air Force.
     
  5. jeffbubble

    jeffbubble Senior Member

    Thanks to all concerned - I am astounded, if not flabbergasted at the amount of expertise on this site!

    Ps Is this the way to say thanks or is there another route?

    Bubbles
     
  6. jeffbubble

    jeffbubble Senior Member

    Sgt Rocovsky has no know grave but he is recorded on the Runnymede Memorial panel 92.

    One of the 84 Czech Spitfire pilots killed in WW2
     

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