spitfire losses 13/2/43 f/o Ian Grant

[buzzard]

hi im currently researching the air battle over le touquet on the 13/2/43 and the losses of three spitfires EP107, EP115 and particularly the loss of F/O Ian Grant in BM482 . Any information would be greatly appreciated .

[McFly]

Some information that might be useful.

According to L Jordan's book - 'The Spitfires of 485 Squadron'. Spitfire Mk VB - BM482 was brought on Sqn charge 1/7/42 from No 33 MU and struck off charge 13/2/43 after failing to return from Ops. The Sqn ORB and Sqn Diary does mention the le touquet (Abbeville) combat sortie, however I don't currently have that at hand. The other pilots lost that day were Tony Robson and Sgt Steed.

You may wish to contact Doug Brown of 485 Sqn fame and referenced in the following links:
See: rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Books&thread=13287&page=1#121405
and rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Postwar&thread=12527&page=1#111463


Ian Grant was Doug's wingman during the engagement when he was shot down. Doug has mentioned to me that Ian was the only wingman he lost and it hit him hard. He stated that he knew something was not quite right with his aircraft and suspected a radio problem as he wasn't responding to the various calls about the enemy aircraft and not taking evasive action etc. Doug goes on to mention that he flew up alongside and across his front to try to get his attention and for Ian to break off and follow him around but it was too late and he was shot down by the Fw-190s.

In Doug's book "Wine, Women and Song' Doug mentions the engagement in some detail on pages - 204-205.
Doug's memory and detail today is as fresh as the day it happened.
See: rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Books&thread=13287&page=1#121392

You may also be aware that Ian's brother Reg was also in the same action and saw his brother shot down and then went on to destroy the Fw-190 that downed Ian.
HQ 485 Wing RNZAF have a memorial room dedicated to Reg Grant.
See: rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Postwar&thread=12527&page=1#111178
and rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Postwar&thread=12527&page=2#111610

[buzzard]

many thanks for that information mcfly it is much appreciated and a great help !!

[angelsonefive]

The Spitfire production list states that the location of the loss of BM482 was Hardelot.

Also known as Hardelot-Plage.

[McFly]

The 485 Sqn ORB (Operational Record Book) for 13/2/43 has the following entry:

Place - Westhampnett
Date - 13/2/43
Time - 11:30-13:05

S/Ldr Grant lead 485 and 610 Squadrons in Rodeo 168 over Northern France, the original idea being to engage a standing patrol over Boulogne which was guarding an enemy vessel in the harbour. The Wing crossed in at Hardelot at 20,000' and swept as far as Desvres. At 12:15 the Wing was engaged in the Hardelot area and numerous dogfights ensued as a result of which S/L Grant and F/O Hume each destroyed a FW-190 and F/O Brown damaged a FW-190. F/O IAC Grant, F/O AR Hobson and Sgt Steed are missing. 610 probably destroyed 1 FW-190 for the loss of one of their a/c and its pilot. The fighting was heavy, some pilots reported it as the heaviest since Dieppe. The Wing was drawn down originally to attack some 16 FW-190's below them and whilst doing so were bounced by 20 others coming up from the South; the first gaggle seemed to have been a decoy. S/L Grant destroyed the e/a which was seen to to fire at his brother F/O Grant. F/Lt Black and Sgt Meagher fired but observed no result. Medium flak was met from Hardelot and Boulogne.

Kevin Wells's excellent book on 485 Sqn also covers it well.

[buzzard]

again many thanks for info you guys are great and it really is appreciated !!!

[McFly]

A bit more information...

Spitfire EP-107(U) Mk VB taken on charge 1/12/42 from 350 Sqn - lost 13/2/43. Sgt R.J Steed (NZ414354) shot down by Fw-190 near Abbeville - KIA.

Spitfire EP-115(R) Mk VB taken on charge 13/8/42 from 402 Sqn - Lost 13/2/43, F/L A R Robson (NZ403990) shot down near Boulogne and taken POW (Stalag Luft III).

Group of No 485 Squadron pilots including Sgt Steed standing in front of a Spitfire at Royal Air Force Station Westhampnett. Circa January 1943. L-R: Sgt R.J Steed, G.H. Meagher, H.S. Tucker, Metcalfe, J. Pattison, D. Brown, Ian Grant, Maskill, Black.


Sgt R J Steeds war grave is referenced here - muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/26477.detail?keywords=Steed%20Revell%20Jackson%20World%20War%20II,%201939-1945
www.cwgc.org/search/SearchResults.aspx?surname=steed&initials=r+j&war=2&yearfrom=1943&yearto=1943&force=Air&nationality=4&send.x=41&send.y=14

And a description of the cemetery is here - (Sgt Steed is interned at Plot 6 Row L Grave 19) www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=7500&mode=1 and plot

A photo of the Abbeville Cemetery -


Group of 485 Sqn pilots including F/L Robson having just returned from a sortie and being met by other members of the unit and some Admin Officers. Spitfire 'Auckland 1' in background.
Pilots are L-R: Doug Brown, A.R. Robson, J.J. Palmer, T.C. Goodlet, Bill Crawford-Compton, Stan Browne (partly hidden behind Crawford-Compton's shoulder) four non fliers, A.G. Shaw, Evan Mackie, H.R. Leckie.

Robson's Cenotaph record here - muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/130518.detail

Seven frames of gun camera film, showing a German FW190 being shot down by 485 Squadron pilot Flight Sergeant A.R Robson. - Circa May 1942




There's a good probability that either Steed or Robson was downed by Major Wilhelm-Ferdinand "Wutz" Galland of JG26 (Jagdgeschwader (JG) 26 was known as either "The Abbeville Boys" or "The Abbeville Kids" by both the British and Americans who flew against them. The unit had an official Luftwaffe name as "Jagdgeschwader Schlageter") who was based at Abbeville flying Fw-190s (His tally of 'kills' includes a Spitfire of 485 Sqn on the 13 Feb 1943 (his 29th kill). (Wilhelm Galland was the brother of the famous Luftwaffe Ace 'Adolf Galland').

See: www.luftwaffe.cz/gallandw.html


Aerial view of Abbeville airfield taken 2005.

[buzzard]

hi McFly looks like im in your debt again many thanks for the info and GREAT pictures !!! id really like to make contact via email if thats ok with you ? please say hello [e-mail]

[chinapilot]

Abbeville today is as the photo...'famous' for the sheep which graze on the field [supervised]

Very quiet these days but a good place to clear Customs coming from the UK. A few bunkers and buildings exist from the war.

It's just down the road from Le Touquet and the impressive beaches over which many of these battles were fought. They are very spectacular and great for walking.

On a rainy afternoon during the week very dreary waiting out the weather but at other times the hangars are open to reveal some very interesting types. Must go to the cemetery next time.

Berck-sur- Mer is still open as well.