Hawker Hurricane Mk 11B , 488 [NZ] Sqn in Singapore, 1941 to 1942, Part 2

image source

488 [NZ] Sqn in Singapore

Arrived in Singapore on board HMT Sussex on 13 Jan 1942,
In crates were nine aircraft to be delivered to 488 [NZ] Sqn
At Kallang airfield in late Jan 1942 as replacements for the Buffalos

Several were destroyed on the ground by enemy air raids
Four were evacuated to Sumatra in early Feb 1942

DBR = Damaged Beyond Repair

BE 548
Flown Tengah to Kallang 25 Jan 1942
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To Palembang 5 Feb 1942
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To 232 Sqn flown 28 Feb 1942

BE 585

Delivered From Hawker Factory 24 Jul 1941 - 18 Mar 1942
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang
To 488 [NZ] Sqn 24 Jan 42
Code letter NF - P
To Palembang 5 Feb 1942
To 232 Sqn flown 28 Feb 1942

BE 632

Delivered From Hawker Factory 24 Jul 1941 - 18 Mar 1942
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang by F/L MacKenzie 24 Jan 42
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
DBR on ground 27 Jan 42

BE 640

Delivered From Hawker Factory 24 Jul 1941 - 18 Mar 1942
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang by F/L MacKenzie 25 Jan 42
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
DBR on ground 27 Jan 42

BG718

Delivered From Gloster Factory Sep 1941 - Dec 1941
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang 27 Jan 42
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
DBR on ground 27 Jan 42

BG 722

Delivered From Gloster Factoer Sept 1941 - Dec 1941
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang 25 Jan 42
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To Palembang 5 Feb 42

BG 723

Delivered From Gloster Factory Sep 1941 - Dec 1941
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang 24 Jan 42
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
DBR on ground 27 Jan 42

BG 800

Delivered From Gloster Factory Sep 1941 - Dec 1941
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang by F/L MacKenzie 24 Jan 42
Tto 488 [NZ] Sqn
DBR on ground 27 Jan 42

BG 809

Delivered From Gloster Factory Sep 1941 - Dec 1941
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang 25 Jan 42
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To Palembang 5 Feb 42

BG 845

Delivered From Gloster Factory Sep 1941 - Dec 1941
Merlin XX engine
Flown Tengah to Kallang 24 Jan 42
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
DBR on ground 27 Jan 42

BM 900

Flown Tengah to Kallang 25 Jan 42
To 488 [NZ] Sqn
To Palembang 5 Feb 42

51 Crated Hurricane II Bs with tropical filters arrived at Singapore on the HMT Sussex on 13 Jan 1942.

They were intended for use by 232 Provisional Sqn RAF.

2 were damaged in transit and were reduced to spares.

BE 577 232 Sqn shot down 21 Jan 1942

BE 579 232 Sqn shot down 22 Jan 1942

BE 585 488 Sqn
To 232 Sqn flown 28 Feb 42

BE 585 488 Sqn
Damaged beyond repair on ground 27 Jan 1942

BE 587
flown Seletar to Palembang 2 Feb 1942

BE 588 232 Sqn 23 Jan 1942
Damaged beyond repair on ground 27 Jan 1942

BE 589 232 Sqn lost 27 Jan 1942

BE 590 232 Sqn lost 27 Jan 1942

BE 632 488 Sqn 24 Jan 1942
Damaged beyond repair on ground 27 Jan 1942

BE 633 232 Sqn shot down 22 Jan 1942

BE 639 232 Sqn crash landed 23 Jan 1942

BE 640 488 Sqn
Damaged beyond repair on ground 27 Jan 1942

BE 641 232 Sqn lost 25 Jan 1942

BG 678 Crash landed 6 Feb 1942

BG 693 Shot down 13 Feb 1942

BG 695 Flown 5 Feb 1942

BG 718 488 Sqn 27 Jan 1942

BG 720 232 Sqn shot down 22 Jan 1942

BG 721 Lost with the sinking of SS Derrymore 13 Feb 1942

BG 722 488 Sqn 25 Jan 1942
Damaged beyond repair on ground 27 Jan 1942

BG 768 232 Sqn crashed 12 Feb 1942

BG 796 232 Sqn shot down 22 Jan 1942

BG 797 232 Sqn shot down 9 Feb 1942

BG 798
flown Kallang to Seletar 2 Feb 1942

BG 800 488 Sqn 24 Jan 1942
Damaged beyond repair on ground 27 Jan 1942

BG 804 232 Sqn shot down 22 Jan 1942

BG 807 232 Sqn lost 24-Jan 1942

BG 808 232 Sqn damaged 29 Jan 1942

BG 809 488 Sqn 25 Jan 1942
To Palembang 5 Feb 1942

BG 810 232 Sqn shot down 22 Jan 1942

BG 818 232 Sqn shot down 20 Jan 1942

BG 820 232 Sqn damaged 23 Jan 1942

BG 828 232 Sqn shot down 26 Jan 1942

BG 829 Lost with the sinking of SS Derrymore 13 Feb 1942

BG 830 232 Sqn lost 11 Feb 1942

BG 845 488 Sqn 24 Jan 1942
Damaged beyond repair on ground 27 Jan 1942

BG 846 232 Sqn shot down 23 Jan 1942

BG 847 Lost with the sinking of SS Derrymore 13 Feb 1942

BG 848 232 Sqn shot down 20 Jan 1942

BG 860 232 Sqn lost 23 Jan 1942

BG 864 232 Sqn crash landed 21 Jan 1942

BM898 232 Sqn shot down 23 Jan 1942

BM900 488 Sqn 25 Jan 1942
To Palenbang 5 Feb 1942

BM 901 Lost with the sinking of SS Dettymore 13 Feb 1942

BM 902 232 Sqn
Damaged beyond repair on ground Jan 1942

BM 903 232 Sqn damaged 22 Jan 1942

BM 904 Lost with the sinking of the SS Derrymore 13 Feb 1942

BM 905 Lost with the sinking of the SS Derrymore 13 Feb 1942

BM 906 232 Sqn shot down 20 Jan 1942

Six crated Hurricanes were lost on board the SS Derrymore when she was sunk by torpedo
On route from Batavia to Singapore 13 Feb 1942

48 Hurricanes ex HMS Indomitable 28 Jan 1942

BD 891 Flown 5 Feb 1942

BD 892 Crashed 14 Feb 1942

BE 115 232 Sqn shot down 8 Feb 1942

BE 130 232 Sqn flown 14- 16 Feb 1942
Shot down 3 Mar 1942

BE 158 232 Sqn shot down 9 Feb 1942

BE 160 232 Sqn E flown 8 Feb 1942

BE 163 232 Sqn at Singapore Feb 1942

BE 195 232 Sqn shot down 8 Feb 1942

BE 202 232 Sqn R flown 15 Feb – 1 Mar 1942

BE 208 232 Sqn O crash landed 7 Feb 1942
Captured by Japanese after the fall of Singapore

BE 210 232 Sqn flown 20 Feb – 2 Mar 1942

BE 219 232 Sqn shot down 8 Feb 1942

BE 230 232 Sqn N flown off carrier 28 Jan 42
flown 24 Feb 42

BE 238 232 Sqn flown 19 Feb 42

BE 239 232 Sqn flown 23 Feb to 5 Mar 42

BE 293 Flown Bativia to Tjililitan 14 Feb 42

BE 332 Shot down 24 Feb 42

BE 365 258 Sqn flown off carrier 28 Jan 42

BG 677 232 Sqn C flown 8 Feb 42
Batavia to Tjililitan 15 Feb 42

BG 687 Flown off carrier 28 Jan 42

BG 767 Struck off charge 6 Feb 42

Z 3750 Flown 6 Feb 42

Z 3754 Flown 5 Feb42

Z 5472 232 Sqn flown 4 Feb 42

Z 5481 258 Sqn flown 5 Feb 42

Z 6582 232 Sqn crashed 7 Feb 42

Z 5485 232 Sqn flown 10 Feb 42

The following Hurricanes went to the Far East, but may have gone to Burma rather than Singapore

BE 170 BE 194 BE 196 BE 206 BE 207
BE 209 BE 212 BE 217 BE 218 BE 220
BE 225 BE 234 BE 235 BE 237 BE 240
BE 289 BE 292 BE 299 BE 333 BE 363

Z 5317 Z 5319 Z 5534 Z 5341 Z 5343
Z 5376 Z 5437 Z 5438 Z 5442

39 Crated Hurricanes arrived at Java on HMT Athene

Z 5555 Flown Kemajoran to Tjililitan 13 Feb 42
Z 5602 Flown Kemajoran to Tjililitan 17 Feb 42
To 232 Sqn Flown 3 Mar 42
Z 5609 Flown Batavia to Tjililitan 15 Feb 42
Z 5616 605 Sqn Flown Tjililitan 19 Feb 42
Damaged 1 Mar 42
Z 5664 Flown Kemajoran to Tjililitan 15 Feb 42
To Dutch 2-VIG-IV Crash landed 1 Mar 42
Z 5667 232 Sqn T Flown 8 Feb to 27 Feb 42
Z 5682 Flown Kemajoran to Tjililitan 15 Feb 42
Z 5685 232 Sqn Flown 19 Feb 42
Z 5690 605 Sqn Flown 22 Feb 42
Z 5691 232 Sqn Flown Kemajoran to Tjililitan 15 Mar 42
Z 5693 232 Sqn Flown 11 Feb 42
Z 5696 Flown Kemajoran to Tjililitan 16 Feb 42

The following Hurricanes went to the Far East, Some may have gone to Burma rather than Singapore

Z 5546 Z 5556 Z 5557 Z 5580 Z 5581
Z 5582 Z 5583 Z 5584 Z 5590 Z 5598
Z 5601 Z 5611 Z 5612 Z 5615 Z 5619
Z 5620 Z 5622 Z 5649 Z 5657 Z 5666
Z 5671 Z 5683 Z 5692

12 Hurricanes presented to NEI Air Force on 10 Feb 1942 Ex HMT Athene

Records suggest that a total of 138 Hurricanes reached Singapore and Java.

Of which at least 2 were found to be damaged when their crates were opened

6 were lost at sea en-route to Batavia from Singapore

12 were transferred to the Dutch

Therefore a maximum of 120 aircraft were potentially available for use by the RAF at Singapore,
Sumatra and Java

At least 9 were destroyed or damaged beyond repair during the air raid on Kallang on 27 Jan 1942

The last 2 airworthy aircraft were destroyed by 242 Sqn on 7 Mar 1942

Although several were later repaired by the Japanese including one that crashed on 10 Mar 1942
Killing its Japanese pilot.

ROLL OF HONOUR

SINGAPORE

Date Rank Name Sqn Fate A/C Nation
20 Jan 42 S/L L N Landels 232 P Sqn KIA BM 906
P/O A C Marchbanks 232 P Sqn KIA BG 848 US

21 Jan42 Sgt P D Lowe 232 P Sqn KIA BE 577

22Jan 42 F/L H A Farthing 232 P Sqn KIA BG 796
P/O B P Daniel 232 P Sqn KIA BG 804
Sgt J H Leetham 232 P Sqn KIA BE 579 RCAF

25 Jan 42 Sgt C F Marsh 232 P Sqn KOAS BE 641 RCAF
Sgt V Coutie 232 P Sqn KOAS BE 589 RAAF

27 Jan 42 Sgt C D G Christian 232 P Sqn KIA BE 590

31 Jan 42 P/O B A McAlister 258 Sqn KIA RNZAF

7 Jan 42 S/L A J A Llewellin 232 Sqn KIA Z 5482

9 Feb 42 Sgt W A Moodie 232 Sqn KIA BG 797 RNZAF

PALEMBANG

6 Feb 42 P/O C Kleckner 258 Sqn KIA RCAF/US
P/O K Dawson-Scott 258 Sqn KOAS

7 Feb 42 Sgt R B Keedwell 258 Sqn DOW RCAF
Sgt K A Glynn 258 Sqn KIA

8 Feb 42 F/L E Murray-Taylor 232 Sqn KIA BE 115
Sgt S N Hackforth 232 Sqn KIA BE 219

13 Feb 42 P/O L A Emmerton 232 Sqn KIA BG 693 Rhodesian

JAVA

25 Feb 42 F/L H A Dobbyn 605 Sqn KIA RNZAF

1 Mar 42 P/O N C Sharp 605 Sqn KIA RNZAF
believed killed by Japanese following a crash landing

4 Mar 42 2/Lt N Anderson 242 Sqn KIA SAAF

PRISONERS OF WAR

15 Apr 42 Sgt H P Low 266 Wing KOAS RCAF Executed
Sgt R C Smith 266 Wing KOAS RCAF Executed

4 May 42 Sgt D A Poland 266 Wing KOAS Executed

21Jul 42 Sgt W H James 266 Wing DOAS Infection

18 Jun 43 Sgt D J P Isdale 242 Sqn DOAS

29 Nov 43 F/L G P White 605 Sqn KOAS RNZAF Sinking of Suez Maru

19 Jul 44 Sgt A D Jack 266 Wing DOAS

Known Claims and credits by Hurricanes

SINGAPORE

20 Jan 42 P/O B J Parker 232 P Sqn Ki – 43
Sgt H T Nicholls 232 P Sqn Ki – 43
Sgt R L Dovell 232 P Sqn Ki – 43
F/L E Murray-Taylor 232 P Sqn 2 x Ki – 43
Sgt S N Hackforth 232 P Sqn BG 720 2 x Ki - 21
Ki – 21 Prob
Sgt G Hardie 232 P Sqn BG 810 2 x Ki 21
Ki – 21 Prob
Sgt J H Leetham 232 P Sqn BE 579 2 x Ki – 21 RCAF
Ki – 21 Prob

21 Jan 42 F/L H A Farthing 232 P Sqn BG 796 2 x G3M
G3M Prob
P/O B P Daniel 232 P Sqn BG 804 G3M

22 Jan 42 F/L T P M Cooper-Slippper 232 P Sqn 2 x G3M
F/L E Murray-Taylor 232 P Sqn G3M
Sgt S N Hackforth 232 P Sqn BG 720 2 x G3M
Sgt G Hardie 232 P Sqn BG 810 G3M
G6M Prob
P/O R Mendizabal 232 P Sqn BM 903 G3M Prob RCAF
P/O B J Parker 232 P Sqn G3M Prob
F/L H A Farthing 232 P Sqn BG 796 A6M
Sgt H T Nicholls 232 P Sqn A6M

23 Jan 42 Sgt G W Schaffer 232 P Sqn BG 846 Ki – 43 RAAF
Sgt C F Marsh 232 P Sqn Ki – 21 RCAF
P/O W N McCullough 232 P Sqn BM 898 Ki – 43 RAAF
Sgt I S Fairburn 232 P Sqn BE 639 Ki – 43 Prob RAAF

26 Jan 42 S/L R E P Brooker 232 P Sqn Ki – 27
P/O B J Parker 232 P Sqn Ki – 43
Ki – 27
F/L E Murray-Taylor 232 P Sqn Ki – 27
Sgt H T Nicholls 232 P Sqn Ki – 27
Ki – 27
Sgt R L Dovell 232 P Sqn 2 x Ki – 27
2 x Ki – 27
P/O R Mendizabal 232 P Sqn Ki – 27 Prob RCAF
Sgt J P Flemming 232 P Sqn BG 828 Ki – 27 Prob

29 Jan 42 P/O R Mendizabal 232 P Sqn BG 808 G3M RCAF
G3M Prob

30 Jan 42 F/L E Murray-Taylor 232 P Sqn Ki – 27
Ki – 27 Prob
P/O W N McCullough 232 P Sqn Ki – 21 Prob RAAF
Sgt H T Nicholls 232 P Sqn Ki – 27 Prob

31 Jan 42 Sgt R L Dovell 232 P Sqn Ki – 43
P/O J A Campbell 258 Sqn Ki – 43 US
F/L D J T Sharp 258 Sqn Ki – 21 NZ

5 Feb 42 P/O E C Gatrell 232 Sqn Ki – 21 RNZAF
Sgt G J King 232 Sqn Ki – 21
F/L I Julian 232 Sqn Ki – 43 Prob RNZAF

6 Feb 42 P/O M C Fitzherbert 232 Sqn Ki – 27
P/O R T Bainbridge 232 Sqn Ki – 43

7 Feb 42 P/O J C Hutton 232 Sqn Ki – 27
P/O J A Campbell 258 Sqn Ki – 43 U S
P/O A H Milnes 258 Sqn Ki – 43

8 Feb 42 2nd Lt J Stewart 232 Sqn BE 195 Ki- 21 SAAF
Sgt J A Sandeman Allen 232 Sqn Z 5667 Ki – 21 Prob
F/L E Murray-Taylor 232 Sqn BE 115 Ki – 43 Prob
Sgt S N Hackforth 232 Sqn BE 219 Ki – 43 Prob

9 Feb 42 P/O E C Gattrell 232 Sqn G3M RNZAF
G3M Prob
F/L I Julian 232 Sqn G3M
G3M Prob
Ki – 30 Prob
Sgt J A Sandeman Allen 232 Sqn Z 5667 2 x Ki – 30
2 x A6M Prob
Sgt T W Young 232 Sqn Ki – 21 Prob RAAF
Sgt P M T Healey 258 Sqn G3M

PALEMBANG

13 Feb 42 W/C H J Maguire 266 WING {Ki – 43}
Sgt H T Nicholls 232 Sqn { Ki - 43}
Sgt H T Nichols 232 Sqn Ki – 43 Prob
S/L R E P Brooker 232 Sqn Ki – 21
Sgt J A Sandeman Allen 232 Sqn X 5667 2 x Ki – 43
Ki – 21 Prob
P/O E C Gattrell 232 Sqn Ki – 43 Prob RNZAF
F/L T P M Cooper-Slipper 232 Sqn 2 x Ki 21 Prob

14 Feb 42 P/O W McG Lockwood 232 Sqn Ki – 21 Prob RCAF
F/L J R Hutcheson 226 WING BD 892 Ki – 56 Prob RNZAF
Sgt C T R Kelly 258 Sqn Ki – 43

15 Feb 43 P/O T W Watson 232 Sqn BE 130 Ki – 27 RCAF
P/O R T Bainbridge 232 Sqn Ki – 27
F/L I Julian 232 Sqn F1M [Moored ] RNZAF

JAVA

20 Feb 42 F/L I Julian 242 Sqn Ki – 27 RNZAF
P/O T W Watson 242 Sqn BE 230 {Ki – 27} RCAF
Sgt G J King 242 Sqn {Ki – 27}
Sgt T W Young 242 Sqn F1M RAAF

24 Feb 42 P/O J A Campbell 605 Sqn CW – 21 B U S shot down in error
F/L J C Hutton 605 Sqn Ki – 21
P/O N C Sharp 605 Sqn Ki – 43 RNZAF
Sgt E E G Kuhn 605 Sqn Ki – 43 RNZAF
Sgt G J King 242 Sqn Ki – 21
F/L I Julian 242 Sqn {Ki - 21} RNZAF
P/O T W Watson 242 Sqn BE 210 {Ki - 21} RCAF
2/Lt N Anderson 242 Sqn {Ki - 21} SAAF

25 Feb 42 P/O J A Camobell 605 Sqn BE 322 A6M U S
Sgt J A Sandeman Allen 242 Sqn BE 202 C5M

27 Feb 42 F/L J C Hutton 605 Sqn A6M Prob

1 Feb 42 Sgt E E G Kuhn 605 Sqn F1M RNZAF
P/O M C Fitzherbert 242 Sqn 2 x F1M on sea
Sgt C T R Kelly 605 Sqn F1M on sea

2 Mar 42 Sgt J P Flemming 242 Sqn 3 x Ki – 48 on ground RCAF
Sgt G K J King 242 Sqn Ki – 27

3 Mar 42 F/L B J Parker 242 Sqn Ki – 48 on ground
P/O E C Gattrell 242 Sqn Ki – 43 RNZAF
P/O M C Fitzherbert 242 Sqn Ki – 43
Sgt G J King 242 Sqn Ki – 43

4 Mar 42 Sgt J A Sandeman Allen 242 Sqn BE 239 2 x A6M
A6M Prob
Sgt G J King 242 Sqn 2 x A6M
S/L R E P Brooker 242 Sqn A6M
F/L I Juilian 242 Sqn A6M RNZAF
Sgt I D Newlands 242 Sqn Z 5691 Ki – 48 on ground RNZAF

5 Mar 42 F/L B J Parker 242 Sqn Ki 21

6 Mar 42 F/L B J Parker 242 Sqn Ki – 21
F/L I Julian 242 Sqn Ki – 21 RNZAF
P/O E C Gartrell 242 Sqn Ki – 21 RNZAF
Ki – 21 Prob
P/O W McG Lockwood 242 Sqn Ki – 21 RCAF

SUMMARY

242 P Sqn 38 Destroyed 18 Probables [Before 31 Jan 42]
232 Sqn 15 ½ 16
242 Sqn 21 2 Plus 9 on ground/water
258 Sqn 6
605 Sqn 5 1
266 Wing 1 ½ 1

86 38 9

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner