Registered Company No. 05549911

ROGER BUSHELL

Many of us know the outline of the main story of Squadron leader Roger Bushell who built up, and led, 92 Sq so well, who was lost to the squadron, in action on 23rd May 1940, and becoming a prisoner of war, then went on to become ‘Big X’ of what is now known as ‘The Great Escape’ subsequently murdered by the Gestapo.

We have recently been passed a lovely little bunch of Spitfire photographs, one of which is of the actual aircraft, which S/ldr R.Bushell was piloting when he was lost to 92 Sq. It is known that he was operating Spitfire Mk1. N3194 on that day.

Sqdn Ldr. Roger Bushell's 92 squadron Spitfire N3194 lying crash landed on the beach near Calais 23 May 1940.

The full-size photo clearly shows the serial as N3194, together with the 92 squadron code letter ‘Z’.

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There is now a pylon mounted, glass fibre reproduction Spitfire, at the entrance to St George's Chapel of remembrance at Biggin Hill, bearing the serial N3194 and Sqdn code of Roger Bushell's aircraft, GR-Z.

A replica Spitfire in the exact same 92 squadron markings stands as a silent memorial to Squadron Ldr.R. Bushell, who flew away from RAF Biggin Hill on 23rd May 1940 destined never to return.

The original photo shows the aircraft to have been force landed in open country, quite close to the sea, the u/c is retracted, the engine had stopped with one of the three propeller blades upright and not damaged, while the other two at the bottom, had both been bent backward, which would indicate that the engine was not running at the time of landing, the guns have been fired, and the cockpit section is pretty well burnt out, almost certainly carried out by Bushell AFTER his forced landing in France immediately before capture.

We are in the course of preparing a major article on the story of Roger Bushell, and seek further information, particularly from anyone who met/knew him at any time, ex p.o.ws etc, absolutely any little note is of great interest.

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The Great Escape

A brief history of the Spitfire pilots murdered by the Gestapo after ‘The Great Escape’ together with a note of the individual aircraft, if known.
An example;
F/L.Henry Birkland, born Canada,16 August 1917, with 72 Sqd, Rodeo on 7th November 1941, shot down in Spitfire W3367. pow. last seen alive 31st March 1944

F/L. Henri A Picard. born Belgium 17th April 1916
With 350 sqdn. Circus 208 Abbeville 27th August 1942 shot down in Spitfire BM297 pow. some accounts give his capture as 2nd September 1942. did he evade for a time before capture? He was murdered 29th March 1944 after ‘The Great Escape’

We can put more of these up if you have interest?
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Wanted

PHOTOS OF ROGER BUSHELL.

ALSO DETAILS OF ANY AIRCRAFT THAT HE FLEW ?

WE SEEK ANY PHOTOS, AND FURTHER INFORMATION FOR A FORTHCOMING HISTORY PUBLICATION OF THIS EXTAORDINARY MAN.
TO BE PUBLISHED SOON.
Full credit acknowledged for any help and / or contribution.
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All proceeds and funds, however raised, go directly toward advancing the Spitfire Tr 9 project ONLY.

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