R. Collishaw and his "discharge" during WW2

Double edged post here....

I would assume that this has been debated to death here, but I only find one reference made about Raymond Collishaw in my search of this website, does anyone know why Collishaw was discharged in WWII? The things I've read are vague and of little value.

Is Collishaw not a favorite here? Like the above states I only found one mention of his name in the forum. Chances are also good I'm not using the search function properly.

Best to all,

Neo (Bill)

There have been suggestions that Collishaw's retirement was part of a process of "scapegoating" for RAF failures in Greece and Crete, 1941. However, given that he was retired almost two years after these events (and had been awarded a CB in the meantime) it is hard to make a connection between the disasters and the retiement. Nor is there any documentation to either support or undermine the "scapegoat" theory. There are times when "Don't know" may be a valid answer. However, it would be worth looking at how many other officers of his rank were retired at the same time, for although I cannot cite chapter, verse or names, I know he was not alone in being retired early.

[Barrett]

It's not really an explantion, but for one perspective look up "Messerschmitt Roulette" by Morley-Mower. He flew Hurricanes in the DAF and was unimpressed w/the OinC Air. Among other things, MM raw-ther resented being sent on single-ship recce flights into 109F airspace occupied by H-J Marseille & Kompanie.

Thank you Hugh and Barrett,

Just by reading both posts, it appears this is one of those murky subjects, that is more speculation than well drawn fact. Thanks for for the input.

Best wishes,

Neophyte (Bill)

[MilesC]

Collishaw was instrumental in holding the Italians at bay for some time, and even making inroads on their airforce and infrastructure with what were very much 2nd rate aircraft. The North African theater was allocated a few Hurricanes, Gloster Gladiators, a few antiquated Vickers Wellesley bombers and Bristol Bombay transports when the war started. He eventually received Wellington bombers, Baltimore bombers, Hurricanes and Kittyhawk fighters with which he did a lot of solid work against the Italians and the Germans during the Crusader Offensive. He commanded the DAF through Rommel's battles at Bir Hacheim and the defeat of Tobruk. Gen. Ritchie was sacked and Auchinlech took over. Following that battle the 8th Army and the DAF had retreated towards Egypt and were trying to pull themselves back together when Rommel launched the first battle of El Alamein. In combination the 8th Army and the DAF fought off the strong attacks, but Gen. Auchinlech had little time left, Churchill would sack him in August during a lull in the battle and replace him with Montgomery.

So, overall Collishaw outlived many of the ground commanders in the theater, but it was time for new blood. I have a suspicion, and that is all that it is, that Collishaw was not willing to be rotated out of his command. Rotation was a standard procedure, everyone got worn out on the same job if they stayed too long. Perhaps RAF HQ retired him instead of arguing (it was a very active and tense situation in July 1942) and Coningham took over the DAF.

Miles

BTW see my bio of him at :
http://www.constable.ca

Barrett, Better to lose 1 hurricane than a whole frigging squadron to H J Marseille. ( He once took out one pretty much by himself)

Collie did more with his 1 Hurricane "Battleship" than anyone so undersupplied did, with anything else in North Africa.

He could be a real hard-ass if he wanted to, he prolly po'd someone in high command.