An example of the Hurricanes from 80 Sqn RAF which made up the rest of the fighter force for the attack on Syria. Z4200 which made a forced landing on the coastal road during the advance into Syria, 20 June 1941. IWM E3208E.

On 8/6/1941 the invasion of French held Syria commenced. Initially there were only two fighter units involved, 3 RAAF with their new P-40B Tomahawks and 80 Sqn RAF with Hurricanes. There were limited resources available due to preparations for Operation Battleaxe, (15-17 June 1941) a planned British Army offensive to raise the Siege of Tobruk and re-capture eastern Cyrenaica. It started on 15th June and was such a disaster that it was cancelled by 17th June by which time half the British armour was out of action.

I don't intend to give a 'blow by blow' description of the air operations as Paul McGuiness covers that in detail in his article (see Refs at the end) but to concentrate on details of some of the Tomahawk airframes involved and their markings.

AK446 'Blackie'

AK446 'Blackie' , AK548, Unknown, 'Boomerang', Unknown. Tomahawks lined up at Rayak (IWM ME1888).

AK446 was Alan Rawlinson's first regular airframe up to 4th Jul 1941 (before he got AM386 'Sweet FA' (see later)). Rawlinson's nickname was 'Blackie' and his good mate Jock Perrin was 'Blondie'. According to some correspondence with Craig Buzby several years ago, Perrin at this same time flew AK464 'Blondie'. I thought I had an image showing the name 'Blondie' on a Tomahawk but have not been able to find it so I have not been able to illustrate that one.

AK366

AK366 as they found it when they accessed the site. Image: Mick Mirkovic (AHMWA P026202).

On 26 Jun 1941, 9 Tomahawks led by Alan Rawlinson flew a mission at 0805hrs to attack Homs and Rayak airfields. Heading home the Tomahawks came across a convoy of Vichy MT and proceeded to shoot it up, during this time Sgt Mervyn Baillie in AK366 was hit by FLAK and crash landed north of Lake Tiberius in Palestine near the Sea of Galilee, he was picked up by an Army patrol unharmed. Later when they were able to access the area, AK366 was hitched to the back of a truck to be returned to base for repair.

AK 366 Sgt Baillie 26-6-1941 being salvaged. Photo by Lt Francis Jameson Mulholland (2-1 Anti Tank Regiment) AWM P02572.006, Mick Mirkovic (AHMWA P880982).

AK456 'Ortogo'

The war in Syria ended with an armistice on 11th Jul 1941 and on 20th July 3 Sqn moved to Rayak for an intensive training period till they moved to the Western Desert from 04 Sept. While based at Rayak Peter Turnbull's personal airframe was AK456 named 'Ortogo' (after a Racehorse he reportedly owned). Photos of it show two slightly different variations on a theme, the spinner having been repainted at some stage.

AK456 'Ortogo' and others ('Sweepea' 2nd in lineup) at Rayak with the 2nd spinner variation (Black with White band).(Image via D.Norrie).

The profiles I did of the airframe. Colours - Dupont Dark Earth & Dark Green over Sky Type S Gray. Black serials. Standard RAF roundels of the time in six positions plus fin flashes.

AK354

The following image of AK354 is well known. Unfortunately it did not last long with 3 RAAF. Delivered 21/5/41 to the unit, on 8/6/41 it was flown by John Saunders on 3 Sqn's first operational Tomahawk flight in Syria. But on 19/6/41 Sgt M P A Randall (407080) crashed on landing at Lydda when oil obscured his vision. It was repaired then transferred 112 Sqn.

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