Traces of World War 2 
RAF - No. 32 Squadron
10/05/1940 - 30/06/1940

32 SQUADRON - Fighter, Hawker Hurricane Mk I

History | Operations and losses | Sources | Links | Books | Questions and/or remarks



No 32 received Hurricanes in October 1938 and these were flown on defensive patrols when World War Two broke out. In May 1940, the squadron flew patrols over northern France and took part in the defence of south-east England during the opening weeks of the Battle of Britain before moving to northern England at the end of August 1940.

During the Battle for France F/O Mike N. Crossley of 32 Sqdn. shot down seven enemy aircraft, including four Bf 109's, and was awarded the D.F.C. on the 21st of June 1940.

Stations
Biggin Hill
Abbeville, France, May 17 1940
Moorsele, Belgium, May 18 1940
Merville, France, 19 May 1940
Biggin Hill, 4 June 1940
(forward airfield) Manston, 8 June 1940
Acklington, 28 August 1940

back up

Operations and losses 10/05/1940 - 30/06/1940
Not all operations listed; those with fatal losses are

14/05/1940: Fighter Patrol, Hook of Holland, NL
19/05/1940: Patrol, F. 1 Plane lost, 1 POW
20/05/1940: Patrol, F. 1 Plane lost
23/05/1940: Patrol, F. 1 Plane lost, 1 WIA
02/06/1940: Dunkirk Patrol, F. 1 Plane lost, 1 POW
08/06/1940: Wing patrol Le Tréport - Aumale, F. 3 Planes lost, 2 KIA (early A.M.)
11/06/1940: Patrol over Le Tréport, France. 1 Plane lost, 1 POW?

back up

Fatalities 01/01/1940 - 09/05/1940 (incomplete)

Hurricane N2531 North Sea 2 miles off Folkestone.
Flying Officer Lancelot G. Bowler, RAF 39431, 32 Sqdn., age 22, 23/03/1940, missing - Runnymede Memorial

Sources: CWGC and Henk Welting

back up

02/06/1940: Dunkirk Patrol, F

Type: Hurricane Mk. I
Serial number: P2727, GZ-?
Operation: Dunkirk Patrol, F
Lost: 02/06/1940
Sgt D. Flynn - POW
Missing from Dunkirk Patrol. Held captive in Kopernikus camp.

Source: Norman L.R. Franks, Fighter Command Losses, Vol 1, 1939-1941, Second edition, Midland, 2008

back up

back up

Sgt Jones - believed to have been taken Prisoner of War
Missing after fight with Hs 126. The aircraft was captured on 11/06/1940.

It was on display at The "Beuteausstellung" in Leipzig from 25/08/1940 to 15/09/1940. The above photo was published on the Luftwaffe Experten Message Board (LEMB) and shows the aircraft during the exhibition in Leipzig. Photographer unknown.

Sources: CWGC; Peter D. Cornwell, The Battle of France, Then and Now, 2008; Norman L.R. Franks, Fighter Command Losses, Vol 1, 1939-1941, Second edition, Midland, 2008; Luftwaffe Experten Message Board (for registered users);

back up