Shot down Spitfire

[Giel VW]

Hi guys

A few weeks ago I aquired a large photo lot of two brother who were active in luftwaffe flak units. Amoungst these pictures there are some of a shot down spitfire. After a little search I found out this airplane AA865 belonged to Sgt Truhlar (313 Sqn) and was shot down on 10/04/1942 near Calais. He was wounded and taken POW.

But when looking up the code RYD, it shows 278 sqn, a sea rescue team above england... Seeing this unit was only active in rescue missions above the English coast, I was wondering how it is possible a German flak unit was able to shoot it down and take pictures of it? Was 278th transformed in 313 sqn?

Giel

[Giel VW]

Just found out the flak unit probably only took the photos. This spit was Spitfire Mk.VB AA865 (RY-D), No 313 (Czech) Sqdn, shot down on 10 Apr 1942 by Fw 190 flown by Fw. Karl Willius od 3./JG 26 during Rodeo over Pas-de-Calais, Sgt Vaclav Truhlar WiA/PoW (1943 repatriated), exact crash location: beach Oye-Plage, 13 km ESE Calais.

[Totenhead]

Interesting stuff, I wonder what happened to the Spit

[peter monahan]

Probably salvaged and melted down for mess tins or the like. After people souvenired the insignia.

[james m]

That one looks like it could have been put back in service with new landing gear and a prop!
Jim

[Doug Kenwright]

I can guarantee you that if it was that intact, the aircraft would have been taken for research purposes, and possibly test flown if the damage was not too great.

Those roundels were great aiming points, no? it looks like there is a large calibre through and through seen in the pics..high right on one side, and high left on the other side..!

[Doug Kenwright]

On second look..not a bullet/shell hole methinks?

[Styblo]

From the Czech website -

http://molet.blog.cz/1310/70-let-od-...lota-ze-zajeti

[Giel VW]

Very interesting link, thanks for sharing. Wish I could read the whole letters