Historical Aircraft

July 1943

 

Thursday, 1 July, 1943

It was sunny and warm today with 5/10ths cloud and a Northwesterly wind.  Ramrod 117: W/C Johnson led the Wing which was to act as the First Fighter Sweep for Typhoons bombing the Abbeville and Courtai aerodromes.  The bombers did not proceed but the Kenley and Hornchurch Wings did.  Rendezvous was made on schedule at Hastings below 500 feet.  The Wings started to climb almost immediately, arriving at Berck at about 20,000 feet.  We flew Eastward then towards Merrville and then back to St. Omer.  On proceeding Southwest, five ME 109s were seen flying Southward, in almost the same direction and climbing to our height.  These e/a passed behind and below 403 Squadron.  When the e/a were ahead and at the same height of our Squadron, Red and Blue Sections attacked leaving Yellow Section as cover.  One ME 109 dived away to starboard.  S/L Godefroy, Red 1, attacked the leader of the remaining four, giving him a 3-second burst and seeing strikes around the fuselage and the cockpit.  The e/a turned further and then began to spin, crashing NE of Abbeville.  This was witnessed by the W/C and is claimed as destroyed.  F/S Shouldice, Red 2, started firing at the e/a third from starboard, as it was about to fire on Red 1.  F/S Shouldice noticed explosions and pieces dropping off from his second 3-second burst.  Red1 saw this e/a whose engine exploded and its port wheel came down before it entered a spin.  This e/a is claimed as Destroyed.  F/O Fowlow, Blue 3, positioned himself at this time behind the e/a flying second from starboard, which turned to starboard.  He gave him a good burst of cannon and machine gun and noticed strikes all along the engine and cockpit and half-way down the fuselage.  Explosions followed and the engine disintegrated.  The action was witnessed by Blue 4 and this e/a is claimed as destroyed.  F/L MacDonald fired at the e/a on the port but it half rolled away and no results were observed.  There was no flak experienced or shipping seen.  All of our aircraft returned safely.  The Section were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Foster    F/S Shouldice    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Fowlow    F/O McKay    P/O Abbotts
F/O Brannagan    P/O McGarrigle

There were seven non-operational sorties today which were mainly air firing at Friston.  P/O J. Preston reported to this Squadron for flying duties today.  Two Canadian Service Police Corporals were posted to 403 today for duty with RAF Station Kenley, Cpl Pilon and Cpl Quesnel.

Friday, 2 July, 1943

There was a heavy ground haze that cleared in the morning.  Rodeo 236: The role of our Wing on this Rodeo was First Fighter Sweep and S/L Godefroy led the two Squadrons.  The Wing first went to Tangmere in the morning where it took-off on this operation at 1545 hours.  The Wing acted as top cover to the Hornchurch Wing and crossed the English coast at Bognor at zero feet, climbing from there to Eletot where it crossed into France at 25,000 feet.  From there, it flew towards Bernai and, over the Seine, was given a vector to fly between Rouen, Fruges, and Aunale.  When the Wing was over the Oiselmont area, there were 20 e/a flying from the direction of Doullens at 20,000 feet.  Three e/a were engaged by the Hornchurch Wing and our Wing remained as top cover.  The Wing came out between Dieppe and Le Treport at 25,000 to 30,000 feet and crossed Hastings at 15,000 feet.  The Wing was up from Tangmere at 1545 hours and landed at Kenley at 1715 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/L Coles    Sgt Rowe    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Fowlow     F/O McKay    F/O Marshall
F/O Foster    F/O Browne

There were eight non-operational sorties today, other than the flights to Tangmere, consisting mainly of cine-gun and formation flying.

Saturday, 3 July, 1943

The weather today was much the same as yesterday.  Rodeo 238: S/L Godefroy DFC led the Wing on this operation, their role being Second Fighter Sweep.  The Wing crossed out at Hastings at 8,000 feet and into France at the Somme Estuary at 26,000 feet.  From there they flew to Poix where they encountered some slight heavy flak.  At approximately fifteen miles South of Poix, they returned and flew Northeast, leaving France over Le Touquet at 25,000 feet.  One small ship was seen in the Boulogne Harbour.  The English coast was crossed at Rye at 13,000 feet.  The weather in the Channel was clear.  The Wing was up by 1610 hours and down by 1730 hours.  No enemy opposition was encountered on the operation.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Brannagan    P/O Dowding    F/O Browne
F/O Fowlow     F/O McKay    F/S Ogilvie
F/O Foster    Sgt Cousineau    P/O Abbotts

There were seven non-operational sorties today, mainly a/c tests.  Besides the sweep, there were two operational sorties carried out.  F/O Ogilvie and P/O Dowding went to the Le Havre area on a reconnaissance and weather recco but no e/a were sighted.  F/O J.F. Lambert was posted to this Squadron wef today for flying duties on the 5th.

Sunday, 4 July, 1943

Today, the weather was clear with the exception of a few scattered clouds.  Ramrod 122: S/L Godefroy led the Wing on this operation and their role was fighter cover to the first box of Fortresses.  The Wing was led to the rendezvous and met the bombers punctually just to the East of Argentan.  Our Squadron was on the starboard of the box with 421 Squadron above and behind at 27,000 to 30,000 feet.  There was 10/10ths cloud in the area of Fecamp, Caen and Rouen between 21,000 and 29,000 feet.  No a/c identified as enemy were seen and there were no distress signals from the bombers who were unmolested.  The Wing crossed out at Cabourg at 22,000 feet and in over the English coast at Newhaven.  Some moderate and accurate heavy flak was experienced over Le Havre.  The Wing was up by 1205 hours and down by 1355 hours.  The Section were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Foster    F/O Browne    F/O Marshall
F/O Fowlow     F/O McKay    F/S Shouldice
WO Wilson    P/O Dover

Ramrod 124: S/L Godefroy led the Wing whose role was Second Fighter Sweep.  They flew on schedule to Point D’Ailly and were then vectored North of Amiens towards what was supposed to be a large formation of e/a.  Two FW 190s were sighted but were not attacked because it was thought there was a large formation of e/a nearby which turned out to be a Wing of Spitfires.  Other small formations of a/c were investigated between Amiens and the Somme Estuary but they all proved to be friendly.  The Wing, flying at 30,000 feet, crossed the French coast at Hardelot, and flew along the coast before crossing the Channel and into England at Hastings at 15,000 feet.  The Wing was up by 1655 hours and down by 1820 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Brannagan    P/O Dowding    P/O McGarrigle
F/O Fowlow     F/O McKay    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Foster    WO Wilson    P/O Gray

Blue 3 and Red 2 returned with u/s a/c.  There were 12 non-operational sorties today consisting mainly of cine-gun.

Monday, 5 July, 1943

Today was very clear and bright.  There was no operational flying today but there were 21 non-operational sorties, which consisted of air to ground firing at Leyesdowne, local flying and some formation and cine-gun practice.

Tuesday, 6 July, 1943

There was 5/10ths cloud with good visibility until noon when the weather closed in with rain and thunderstorms until 1600 hours.  It then cleared up until dusk.  Rodeo 240: The Wing was led by S/L Godefroy and its role was 2nd fighter sweep.  They crossed out at Beachy Head at zero feet and went in at Dieppe at 17,000 feet.  When they reached the Poix area, e/a were reported and the Wing turned port with 403 Squadron at 22,000 feet and 421 Squadron at 25,000 feet.  12 ME 109s were seen flying SW at 18,000 feet.  Our Squadron went down on them and 41 remained as Top Cover.  The e/a all dived away except for one.  F/L MacDonald, Blue 1, took his Section down on this one and from about 200 yards from behind fired a 2-second cannon burst.  The e/a straightened out from a dive and hits were seen on the fuselage and white smoke poured out.  It was seen to crash about 10 miles South of Abbeville.  This e/a is claimed as destroyed.  The Wing then reformed and flew towards Amiens.  Around this area, eight to twn ME 109s were seen coming in from the NE at 24,000 feet.  About four of them dived away as 421 climbed up to 28,000 feet to get above and behind them.  The remainder of the e/a made an orbit to starboard and 421 Squadron dived down on them.  The remainder of the e/a made an orbit to starboard and 421 dived down to get them.  Our Squadron gave cover to 421 and so, was not engaged.  S/L McNair of 421 destroyed one of these ME 109s and F/L Sager damaged one.  The Wing reformed again and proceeded to the Abbeville area and then up along the French coast to Boulogne where they crossed out at 26,000 feet.  They then crossed in between Folkstone and Dover.  Moderate heavy flak was encountered on the way out.  One large ship was seen in the inner harbour of Boulogne.  The Wing was up by 0945 hours and down by 1130 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/L Coles    P/O Dover    F/O Browne
F/O Fowlow     F/O McKay    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Brannagan    Sgt Cousineau    P/O Abbotts

Rodeo 241: S/L Godefroy led the Wing whose role was 3rd fighter sweep.  The Wing crossed Bexhill at 10,000 feet, climbing steadily to 26,000 feet before crossing in at Le Treport.  Various vectors were then followed which brought the Wing NW of Amiens.  About 15 FW 190s were seen flying from East to West in this area at 26,000 feet.  The Wing climbed to 29,000 feet and our Squadron attacked these e/a from out of the sun.  F/L Conrad, Yellow 1, attacked one, the last one of a set of three.  After he fired at him, the e/a turned violently towards him and passed beneath F/L Conrad.  P/O Dowding saw the e/a being attacked and noticed strikes along the wing root and cockpit and then saw it wallow a bit before rolling over and going down in flames with a large amount of black smoke.  This e/a is claimed as destroyed.  The Wing reformed and left France over Le Touquet, crossing into England at Rye at 8,000 feet.  Moderate heavy flak was experienced from Abbeville and Poix.  The Wing was up by 1905 hours and down by 2035 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Lambert    F/O Brannagan    F/O Ogilvie
F/O McKay     P/O Dowding    F/O Marshall
W/O Wilson    F/O Browne    P/O Gray

There were only three non-operational sorties today, two of them being co-operation with American Thunderbolts.

Wednesday, 7 July, 1943

The weather was sunny and warm with a 20-mph with and 5/10ths cloud.  Rodeo 242: The Wing was led by S/L Godefroy and its role was 2nd Fighter sweep.  They crossed out over Beachy Head at zero feet and began climbing, crossing into St Valery at 22,000 feet.  From here they swept to Duclair Harfleur and came out between Etretat and Courville at 22,000 feet.  No enemy a/c were sighted but two medium-sized ships were seen in the Bassin de Marie at Le Havre from 22,000 feet.  The Wing crossed in at Beachy Head at 8,000 feet.  The weather in the Channel was clear but hazy.  Over France, there was 8/10ths cloud between 5,000 and 10,000 feet.  The Wing was up by 1248 hours and down by 1415 hours.  The Section were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Lambert    P/O Dowding    F/L Pattinson
F/O Fowlow    F/O McKay    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Foster    F/O Brannagan    F/O Browne

There were 10 non-operational sorties today consisting of cine gun practice and Thunderbolt co-operation.

Thursday, 8 July, 1943

There were mainly scattered clouds today.  There was no sweep carried out today but there were nine non-operational sorties mainly being aircraft tests.  Today F/O Sheppard and Sgt Houghton reported to No. 1 PDC West Kirby on draft for Overseas.

Friday, 9 July, 1943

The weather started out the same as yesterday but it cleared in the afternoon.  Rodeo 243: F/L MacDonald led the Wing today due to the early return of S/L Godefroy with technical trouble.  Their role was 1st fighter sweep.  The Wing crossed Deal at 12,000 feet and climbed to the French coast where they entered between Gravelines and Mardyck at 22,000 feet, thence to Thielt and Ghent, reaching 33,000 feet.  Some 5 to 7 enemy a/c were reported in the Ghent area and 9 plus ME 109s in the Thielt area.  These latter e/a were engaged and S/L McNair of 421 Squadron damaged one.  There were no other combats and the Wing later left France over Dunkirk at 25,000 feet.  A large ship, though to be a gunboat, was seen in Dunkirk and a smaller one was seen travelling NE.  The Wing crossed in at Sandwich at 4,000 feet.  The a/c were up by 1130 hours and down by 1315 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
Sgt Cousineau    F/O Brannagan    Sgt J.R. MacKinnon
F/O Fowlow    P/O Dover    P/O Dowding
W/O Hargraves    P/O Gray    P/O McGarrigle

Besides the sweep, there were two other operational sorties, these being a scramble of two a/c to Selsey Hill however, nothing was seen.  There were 10 non-operational sorties today consisting of cine gun practice, low flying and cannon tests.

Saturday, 10 July, 1943

There was some scattered cloud, which cleared later in the day.  Ramrod 128: The Wing was led by S/L Godefroy as Fighter Cover to Fortresses.  The Wing crossed out at Newhaven at 10,000 feet and made rendezvous with a large box of bombers just inland of Fecamp at 20,000 feet.  Our Wing flew on the port side of the bombers and they gained height to 29,000 feet at Elbeuf thence to the Evreux area where the bombers turned back.  At this time, 12 plus enemy a/c were seen flying towards the bombers from the West at 26,000 feet and another 12 plus were seen off to the West at about 24,000 feet.  403 Squadron chased the latter 12 plus e/a but were unable to close on them and these were not engaged.  The former 12 plus e/a came between 421 and 403 Squadrons and another eight ME 109s came out of the cloud on 403 Squadron.  S/L McNair sent a section down on these and in the following engagement, one ME 109 was damaged and one destroyed by 421 Squadron.  In later engagements around the bombers 421 Squadron damaged another e/a.  The Wing reformed and came out of France over the Cabourg area at 20,000 feet.  After the Wing was ordered by the Wing Leader to set course for base, e/a attacked the Forts and two were seen to blow up and go down in flames, one near Rouen and one West of Bernai.  The Wing was up by 0707 and down by 0855 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Foster    P/O Dover    P/O McGarrigle
F/O Fowlow    F/O McKay    P/O Dowding
F/O Brannagan    W/O Hargraves    Sgt Rowe

Red 3 returned 15 minutes after take-off with R/T trouble.  Other than the sweep there was no flying today.  F/O Fowlow was posted to 421 Squadron today to be a Flight Commander and with a promotion to F/L.  LAC Kuracina JJ FME was posted to Number 2 PDC wef today on draft for Overseas.

Sunday, 11 July, 1943

The weather was 10/10ths cloud all day breaking up only slightly.  There was no sweep today and only seven non-operational sorties on air firing at Friston.

Monday, 12 July, 1943

It was very dull today with 10/10ths cloud and rain most of the day.  There were six non-operational sorties today on local flying and cine gun practice.  Approximately 82 of the ground personnel of this Squadron were posted wef today to No. 127 Airfield HQ.

Tuesday, 13 July, 1943

It was bright and clear with little cloud.  Rodeo 244: S/L Godefroy led the Wing whose role was 2nd Fighter sweep.  Rendezvous was made over Kenley with the Hornchurch Wings and they crossed over Bexhill at 9,000 feet.  France was entered over Ault at 22,000 feet and they swept over Poix, Amiens, Albert, Douchy and Doullens at 26,000 feet before leaving France over Hardelot at 20,000 feet.  No enemy aircraft were sighted but there were three barges coupled to a tug seen in the Boulogne Harbour from 22,000 feet.  The Wing crossed the English coast over Rye at 8,000 feet.  The weather in the Channel was 7/10ths cumulus scattered between 12,000 and 15,000 feet and the visibility over France was excellent.  The Wing was airborne by 0855 hours and had landed by 1010 hours.  F/O J.I. McKay, Blue 3, was seriously injured when his motor cut out beside the aerodrome and he crashed on the edge of the field when attempting a downwind landing.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Lambert    WO Wilson    F/L Pattinson
F/O McKay    P/O Dowding    F/O Marshall
W/O Hargraves    P/O Abbotts    Sgt Rowe

There were ten non-operational sorties today consisting of cine gun practice low flying and local flying.  F/O J.I. McKay was taken to the hospital where he is reported to be in serious condition.

Wednesday, 14 July, 1943

The weather today was the same as yesterday.  S/L Godefroy led the Wing whose role was fighter cover.  They crossed out over Newhaven at 9,000 feet and climbed up to 25,000 feet where rendezvous was made with 60 plus Fortresses.  The Wing now crossed into France over Fecamp and were flying to port and in front of the Fortresses.  From here, they swept west of Rouen to Evreux.  While in the Louviers area, nine ME 109s were seen at 20,000 feet, flying line abreast coming from East and heading towards the bombers.  403 Squadron turned to ward off the attack and meanwhile a further nine ME 109s turned in behind 403 Squadron, having approached from head-on and another section of approximately nine ME 109s dived straight at the bombers.  One bomber was seen to be on fire and two others crashed in the Louviers area.  One ME 109 was also seen to blow-up, from the Forts fire.  Our Wing was not engaged and they crossed the English coast over Newhaven at 5,000 feet.  There was a moderate amount of heavy flak from Evreux at 25,000 feet.  The Wing was up by 0700 hours and landed by 0838 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Lambert    F/O Browne    Sgt MacKinnon
P/O Dover    F/O Marshall
Sgt Cousineau    P/O Gray

There were eight non-operational sorties today, which included air firing at Friston and some local flying.

Thursday, 15 July, 1943

There were some scattered clouds today and good visibility.  Rodeo 245: W/C Johnson led the Wing and its role was 1st Fighter Sweep.  The Wing started climbing shortly after take-off and crossed over Rye at 5,000 feet and entered France at 20,000 feet over Hardelot.  Here, intense, accurate flak was experienced from Boulogne.  Vectors were now given which brought the Wing South of Abbeville when eight e/a were seen.  All but two of these e/a disappeared as the Wing positioned itself up sun to attack.  These two, which were ME 109s, were attacked by our Squadron.  W/C Johnson, Red 1, attacked the lower one by diving on him and opening fire from dead astern at 300 yards range destroying this a/c.  F/L MacDonald, Red 3, attacked the other ME 109 three times.  On the second attack the e/a half rolled to port and dove down and on the third attack strikes were observed on the port wing tip, fuselage and cockpit.  The e/a, then at 12,000 feet, dove straight down and crashed.  This is claimed as destroyed.  Three FW 190s were seen SE of Le Treport but they dove away very fast when a section of our Squadron went after them, and were not engaged.  The Wing now reformed and left France South of Berck at 15,000 feet and crossed the English coast over Dungeness at 5,000 feet.  Ten small fishing boats were seen going North from Le Treport.  The Wing was up by 1613 hours and down by 1750 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
P/O Dover    W/C Johnson    F/L Conrad
W/O Hargraves    P/O Dowding    F/S Shouldice
F/O Brannagan    F/L MacDonald    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Middlemiss    P/O McGarrigle    P/O Abbotts

Red 4 returned early with super charger trouble.

Rodeo 246: W/C Johnson led the Wing out at Rye at 1,500 feet and they climbed until the French coast and crossed in at Le Touquet at 24,000 feet.  They were then given vectors, which took the Wing to Abbeville, Poix, and around Hardelot at 24,000 feet.  When off-shore at Hardelot, the Wing was directed South and six FW 190s were seen just off of Le Touquet flying South at 12,000 feet.  421 Squadron dived after them but were unable to close in as the e/a half-rolled and dived away.  The Wing reformed and left France, recrossing the English coast over Hastings at 1,500 feet.  One medium ship and nine smaller ones, heading slowly to the North were seen off Berck from 15,000 feet.  Slight heavy flak was experienced from Berck at 25,000 feet.  The Wing was airborne by 1945 hours and had landed by 2015 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
P/O Dover    F/L MacDonald    F/L Conrad
F/O Brannagan    F/O Lambert    F/L Pattinson
WO Wilson    P/O Dowding    F/O Ogilvie
Sgt MacKinnon    P/O Abbotts

Yellow 2 returned early.  There were five non-operational sorties today on air firing at Friston.

Friday, 16 July, 1943

The weather was dull and raining in the morning but cleared by noon.  Ramrod 144: W/C Johnson led the Wing and rendezvous was made over Kenely with Hornchurch.  They crossed out at Beachy Head and climbed steadily until they reached the French coast where they crossed in just West of Dieppe at 22,000 feet.  The Wings then flew to the vicinity of Grandvielliers and were vectored onto some aircraft below at 12,000 feet.  The Wing dived down to about 15,000 feet where they recognized the a/c as the Tangmere Wing.  The Wing then reformed and climbed up to 23,000 feet with the Hornchurch Wing being slightly above and up-sun, East of Abbeville.  At this point 20 FW 190s were seen coming head-on.  W/C Johnson manouvered so that the Hornchurch Wing could make a bounce from above on the e/a.  This was done but no claims were made.  The Wing then left France over the Somme Estuary at 20,000 feet and flew up the coast to Berck from which point they set course for Rye.  The Wing crossed into England at Rye at 1,500 feet.  No results of the bombing were seen.  There was some heavy flak in a moderate amount experienced from Abbeville and Poix.  Over France there was some high cirrus at 25,000 feet.  The Wing was up by 1915 hours and down by 2050 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
P/O Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
WO Wilson    F/O Browne    F/L Pattinson
F/O Lambert    F/O Middlemiss    F/O Ogilvie
WO Hargraves    P/O Abbotts    F/S Shouldice

There were eight non-operational sorties including a little cine gun practice and some aircraft tests.

Saturday, 17 July, 1943

There were some scattered clouds today.  Ramrod 145: The Wing took-off from Kenley and landed at Cotishall for this operation.  They were airborne from Cotishall at 1057 hours but were recalled as the operation has been postponed.  The Wing again took-off but were told to pancake as the operation was cancelled.  They were finally airborne at 1205 hours from Cotishall and landed at Kenley at 1235 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
P/O Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
WO Wilson    P/O Dowding    F/O Browne
F/O Lambert    F/O Middlemiss    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Brannagan    WO Hargraves    F/S Shouldice

Blue 2 and Red 2 returned early because of u/s a/c.  There were five non-operational sorties today. One flight of the Squadron was released in the afternoon for the remainder of the day and one flight was placed on 30 minutes.  Three more of the ground personnel were posted wef today to No 127 Airfield HQ.

Sunday, 18 July, 1943

It was very cloudy and dull with 10/10ths cloud.  There was no sweep carried out today the weather being unfit, but there were 12 non-operational sorties which included some cine gun practice, weather tests and local flying.  F/O Ogilvie and F/O Browne received permission from operations in the afternoon to do a weather test and recco to the coast of France.  They flew to Dieppe and Cap Gris Nez; no enemy a/c were sighted and they reported that the weather was very unserviceable there with 10/10ths cloud all along the coast of France and over the Channel.

Monday, 19 July, 1943

There was some scattered cloud today and it was very dull with some rain.  Ramrod 249: W/C Johnson led the Wing out at zero feet.  Just before reaching the English coast a climb was started and 8,000 feet was reached before they crossed out over Rye.  At 15 miles out over the Channel and at 10,000 feet, the Wing turned back due to rain.  Over almost the entire Channel area, there was thick cumulous cloud at 10,000 feet.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/O Lambert    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/O Foster    WO Wilson    F/O Browne
F/O Middlemiss    P/O Dowding    F/O Ogilvie
WO Hargraves    Sgt MacKinnon    P/O Gray

The Wing was up by 1620 hours and down by 1655 hours.  There were nine non-operational sorties today which were mainly formation and cine gun practice and local flying.

Tuesday, 20 July, 1943

It was very warm today with a good deal of cloud, mainly 10/10ths.  There were 12 non-operational sorties today, mainly formation and cine gun, a/c tests, local flying and sector recco for two of our new pilots.  F/L C.P. Thornton and F/L Southwood were posted to the Squadron wef today, Mr. Southwood coming from 416 Squadron and Mr. Thornton from 402 Squadron.

Wednesday, 21 July, 1943

There was very thick cloud and a light Northerly wind.  There was no flying all day, the weather being very unfit.  The Squadron was released until 1100 hours on the 22nd.

Thursday, 22 July, 1943

It was almost the same as yesterday – very dull with 10/10ths cloud all day.  There was very little flying today, there being only six non-operational sorties and all of them on aircraft and cannon tests off of Beachy Head.  The Squadron release was extended to 1300 hours.

Friday, 23 July, 1943

It was very dull with 10/10ths cloud all day.  There was only one sortie today of local flying, the weather being very unfit.

Saturday, 24 July, 1943

It was very dull with 10/10ths cloud.  There were only six non-operational sorties today on cine gun practice, cannon and aircraft tests.  Around 5 o’clock, a sweep was planned and a briefing set for 1830 hours but the weather was still very bad and very shortly afterwards the sweep was called off.

Sunday, 25 July, 1943

It was somewhat hazy early on but the weather cleared later in the morning to sunny and warm with only a slight haze with very little cloud.  Ramrod 154: 403 and 421 Squadrons took-off from Cotishall on this sweep with W/C Johnson leading the Wing.  Our role was forward target support.  The Wing crossed the Dutch coast at 24,000 feet over the target area and sighted the bombers.  They then skirted North of Amsterdam and followed the bombers out of the Dutch coast.  The Wing then swept down the Dutch coast as far as Noordwijk and did not see any enemy aircraft.  Some accurate heavy flak was seen around the bombers at Amsterdam.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
Sgt Cousineau    Sgt MacKinnon    F/S Shouldice
F/O Lambert    F/O Browne    F/O Marshall
WO Hargraves    WO Wilson    P/O Abbotts
F/O Foster

Blue 4 returned early with his a/c being u/s.  The Wing was up by 1415 hours and down by 155 hours.

Ramrod 158: W/C Johnson led the Kenley Wing on this Ramrod, their role being forward target support Wing to 12 Bostons bombing Schipol aerodrome.  The Wing was airborne from Cotishall and they crossed the Dutch coast between Noordwijk and Zandvoort at 22,000 feet, flying thence to Schipol which was reached on time.  When the Wing was just East of Schipol and flying in a southerly direction, a ME 109 was seen by the Wing Leader that was flying in the same direction and three miles ahead.  The e/a turned port and was positioning itself to attack the beehive, which was just crossing the coast.  A section of 421 was detailed to engage the e/a but being unable to see it, the Wing Leader took a Section down, ordering the remainder of the Wing to remain at their present height.  W/C Johnson engaged the e/a, which flew into the sun.  He did not see any immediate results but, as the Section broke away, the e/a was seen diving down through 6,000 feet by Black 1 and Green 3 saw it diving through 3,000 feet West of Schipol.  This e/a is claimed as destroyed by W/C Johnson who later saw it burning on the ground.  The Wing now reformed and headed for the coast, landing later at Cotishall without further incident.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
Sgt Cousineau    Sgt MacKinnon    F/S Shouldice
F/O Lambert    F/O Browne    F/O Marshall
WO Hargraves    WO Wilson    P/O Abbotts
F/O Foster

Red 1 returned early as his a/c went u/s.  The Wing was up by 1915 hours and had landed at Cotishall by 2110 hours.  There were 26 non-operational sorties on the flight to and from Cotishall today, along with four other non-operational sorties on cine-gun practice.

Monday, 26 July, 1943

The weather started with a slight ground haze, which cleared into a very sunny day.  Ramrod 159: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation, our role being forward target support.  The Wing crossed the French coast and swept over St. Omer, Berges, Aire, Berck and then home again.  There was no cloud and no enemy aircraft were seen.  Considerable smoke and debris was seen coming up from the marshalling yards and there was some heavy flak up to 10,000 feet experienced.  The Wing crossed in on the English coast at Hastings at 9,000 feet.  They were airborne by 1035 hours and had landed by 1200 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/L Goldberg    F/S Shouldice    F/O Foster
F/O Middlemiss    F/O Dowding    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Brannagan    P/O Gray    P/O Abbotts

Rodeo 250: 403 and 421 Squadrons, led by W/C Johnson acted as 4th Fighter Sweep.  The Squadrons swept Cassel and St. Omer areas.  Some enemy aircraft were seen but not engaged.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/L Goldberg    F/S Shouldice    F/O Foster
F/O Middlemiss    F/O Dowding    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Brannagan    P/O Gray    P/O Abbotts

There were six non-operational sorties today which were sector reccos and local flying.  Two of our a/c were scrambled on an interception of friendly bombers practicing an attack on London.  There was also a scramble of 2 a/c to Brighton to patrol at 15,000 feet but nothing was seen.  Sgt Lassardo, Fit IIA, was posted to 431 Squadron today.

Tuesday, 27 July, 1943

There were very few light clouds today with good visibility and warm temperatures.  Ramrod 162: W/C Johnson led the Wing, our role being 1st Fighter Sweep.  The Wing crossed out at Deal at zero feet and in at Blankenberghe at 22,000 feet.  From there they swept to Roulers and Guines at 27,000 feet.  No enemy was sighted and the Wing left France over Hardelot, loosing height to 20,000 feet.  Two small ships were seen in the Boulogne Outer Harbour with steam up, and some white smoke was seen coming from a fire in a wood West of Desvres.  The Wing crossed the English coast over Rye at 10,000 feet.  They were airborne by 1050 hours and had landed by 1220 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    W/C Johnson    F/O Ogilvie
F/L Thornton    F/O Middlemiss    P/O Abbotts
F/O Lambert    F/L Conrad    F/O Dowding
WO Hargraves    W/O Wilson    F/S Shouldice

Ramrod 164: The role of our Wing on Ramrod 164 was forward target support and W/C Johnson led the Wing reaching Tricqueville on schedule at 29,000 feet.  From here, the Wing swept to Harfleur and Londinieres at 25,000 feet and then crossed out at EU.  They lost height off the coast, going to sea-level to Le Touquet where they orbitted in search of S/L Keefer who was in a dinghy thereabouts.  Two small and empty dinghies were seen 10? West of Le Touquet, and nearby were two fishing vessels.  The Wing crossed in at Hastings at 2,000 feet.  No cloud and no enemy were about.  Bomb bursts were seen on the North side of the target aerodrome.  The Wing was up by 1749 hours and down by 1925 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    W/C Johnson    F/O Ogilvie
F/O J. Preston    F/O Lambert    F/O R.D. Phillip
F/O Brannagan    F/L Conrad    F/O Dowding
F/O Middlemiss    P/O Abbotts    P/O Gray

There were eleven non-operational sorties carried out today which included cine gun, local flying and a few aircraft tests.  Thirteen more of the ground personnel were posted from the Squadron today, 11 going to No 127 AFHQ and one each to 129 and to 126 AFHQ.

Wednesday, 28 July, 1943

The day became bright and clear after the heavy fog which we had in the morning had burnt off.  Ramrod 165: The Wing was led by W/C Johnson and set course for the rendezvous with the Fortresses 3 miles North of the Hague but were diverted to meet Fortresses 8 miles South of Rotterdam.  The forts accompanied by a strong escort, met the Wing and then did one or two orbits before steering southwest along the Dutch and Belgian coasts at 20,000 feet.  One Fortress was seen coming out between Dunkirk and Nieuport, which was escorted back.  The Wing landed at Manston and reported that S/L McNair of 421 Squadron had ended up in the sea when his engine cut-out on him.  The Wing was up by 1145 hours and had landed at Manston by 1330 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/L Conrad
F/L Goldberg    F/O Dowding    F/O R.D. Phillip
F/O Brannagan    F/O Middlemiss    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Foster    WO Hargraves    P/O Abbotts

Ramrod 168: S/L Godefroy led the Wing on Ramrod 168 and our role was 1st Fighter Sweep.  The Wing crossed Newhaven at 10,000 feet and went in on the French coast at Eletot at 24,000 feet.  From there, they swept to Montford, Abbeville and Dieppe, leaving at the Somme Estuary at 22,000 feet.  The Wing re-crossed the English coast over Bexhill at 15,000 feet.  No enemy aircraft were seen or any shipping and no flak was experienced.  The Wing was airborne by 1835 hours and had landed by 2010 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    F/L Conrad    F/O Ogilvie
F/L Thornton    F/S Shouldice    P/O Abbotts
F/O Lambert    F/O Middlemiss    F/O Dowding
F/O Foster    Sgt Cousineau    F/O Browne

Blue 4 and Red 3 returned early.  There were 49 non-operational sorties today consisting of low flying, cine gun practice and the Squadron flying to and from Manston and to Cotishall.  Sgt W. Rosputnek, WM, was posted to 127 AFHQ wef today.

Thursday, 29 July, 1943

It was very warm, bright and clear today with very few clouds.  12 Group Ramrod 22: The Wing went to Cotishall for this operation and took-off from there, led by W/C Johnson.  The role of the Wing was top cover to Marauders.  Rendezvous was made South of Southwold at 12,000 feet with the bombers who turned back when they were within 20 miles of Ijmuiden.  Our Wing continued on to the target before crossing out at the coast over Zandvoort at 22,000 feet.  Soon after crossing the coast, enemy aircraft were seen below and sections of 421 Squadron were detailed to attack while 403 Squadron remained as top cover.  In the following engagement, W/C Johnson fired on one, which is claimed as damaged, and P/O Linton of 421 fired on one, which he saw crash SW of the Schipol aerodrome and is claimed as destroyed.  About the same time, F/L Fowlow with 421 Squadron destroyed a ME 109, which was seen to crash SW of Amsterdam.  Sgt Dixon of 421 attacked the other ME 109 of the pair that were flying together and claimed this one as damaged.  421 Squadron later got one more 109 that was claimed as destroyed and was seen to crash.  P/O J.E. Abbotts and F/L Goldberg, both of 403 Squadron were flying with 421 Squadron and were bounced southwest of Amsterdam.  P/O Abbotts was last seen in this area and is posted as missing.  No one saw him being attacked.  403 Squadron gave cover throughout the entire engagement and were not engaged themselves.  There was moderate light and heavy flak encountered in the Amsterdam -Schipol and Noordwijerhout area.  The Wing crossed the coast on the way out in the Noordwijerhout area at various heights and times, pancaking at Cotishall at about 1115 hours.  The Wing took-off by 1115 hours and the Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Preston    P/O Gray    F/L Southwood
F/O Lambert    F/O Middlemiss    F/O Dowding
F/O Foster    F/O Brannagan    F/O Browne

P/O J.E. Abbotts and F/L Goldberg flew as White 3 and 4 with 421 Squadron.  Red 2, P/O Gray, returned from the sweep and landed at Kenley, his a/c being u/s.

Ramrod 171: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation, taking-off from Kenley with our role being forward target support.  The operation went according to plan to the target, thence to Dieppe and Neufchatel at 29,000 feet before losing height while they came out over the Somme Estuary at 20,000 feet.  Slight flak was experienced from Le Trait.  No enemy were seen and the Wing crossed in over the English coast at Hastings.  The Wing was up by 1748 hours and down by 1920 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/O Ogilvie
F/L Goldberg    F/S Shouldice    F/L Southwood
F/O Brannagan    F/O Lambert    F/O Dowding
WO Hargraves    Sgt Cousineau    F/O Browne

F/L Goldberg, Blue 2, returned early, his a/c being u/s and F/O Foster, as a spare, flew
in his place.

There were 32 non-operational sorties today which included the trip done by the Squadron back from Cotishall to Kenley after the sweep and then up to Cotishall again at night for a sweep the next day.  There was also some local flying and a number of a/c tests carried out.  P/O Abbotts has yet to return from the 1st operation and is posted as missing.  No one saw what happened to him.

Friday, 30 July, 1943

The weather was bright with very few clouds and a slight haze. 12 Group Ramrod 23: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation, taking off from Cotishall.  The role of our Wing was top cover and escort to 12 Bostons attacking the Schipol aerodrome.  Rendezvous was made with the ‘Beehive’ over Cotishall and course was set for the target.  The Wing later started to climb and crossed Ijmuiden with the Squadrons flying up to a height of 23,000 feet.  After the bombing, and as the ‘Beehive’ was crossing out at Noordwijerhout, two aircraft were seen 6,000 feet below and about 7 miles behind.  Believing that there were more, W/C Johnson took the whole of 403 Squadron down, leaving 421 Squadron as cover.  There were six plus enemy a/c in this area, which were engaged.  W/C Johnson attacked the starboard ME 109 of the originally sighted pair.  He fired and the e/a turned to port and dived down.  After he fired again, the e/a pulled out and started climbing.  W/C Johnson now closed in and noticed that both of the e/a’s wheels were down so he fired again but noticed no results this time.  F/S Shouldice, Red 2, followed his number 1 down and commenced firing from 400 yards after W/C Johnson had broken -off his attack.  In the course of the scrap, Red 2 fired about four short bursts at the e/a but did not observe any strikes.  Now flying at about 7,000 feet, Red 2 gave the e/a another burst while his wheels and flaps were down and, as he did, almost stalled.  After this, Red 1 observed the pilot in his parachute depart from this a/c.  Since it is not clear whose fire caused this, the ME 109 is claimed as destroyed and shared between W/C Johnson and F/S Shouldice.  At about the same time that this action was going on, F/O Lambert, Red 3, dived after the port a/c of the original pair sighted along with Red 4.  As he dove after it, the e/a dove steeply, rolled and then straightened out in the dive again.  At about 7,000 feet, the e/a began to pull out and F/O Lambert fired at him from about 300 yards range; however since he was very low, he had to pull out of his dive.  He last saw the enemy a/c at about 5,000 feet diving very steeply and at a very high speed.  W/C Johnson, who at this time had just broken off his attack on the other ME 109, saw the e/a that F/O Lambert had fired at crash; therefore F/O Lambert claims this ME 109 as destroyed.  F/L Southwood, flying as Yellow 2, had the windscreen fluid tank discharge nearly all of its contents over both the cockpit and himself and, as a result, lost sight of the Wing.  After he had cleaned off the windscreen, he found himself flying North of Amsterdam at 10,000 feet and he recognized a ME 109 coming towards him slight below and 500 yards ahead.  The e/a turned in on his starboard and F/L Southwood dove after him firing a short burst but noticing no results.  F/L Southwood now got astern of the e/a, which began diving.  He gave two long bursts, closing to within 50 yards.  After the first long burst, the e/as wheels fell down and black smoke poured over the tailplane.  F/L Southwood did not notice any strikes though as he was flying into the sun.  He last this e/a spiraling down to starboard with his wheels down and black smoke trailing behind it.  F/L Southwood had used up all of his ammunition and he was now at 4,000 feet so he broke off his attack.  This ME 109 is claimed as damaged.  The Wing now reformed and left Holland in the Zandvoort area where 2 FW 190s were seen but were too far away.  The Wing land landed at Cotishall.  421 Squadron maintained cover for our Squadron and were not engaged.  Considerable heavy flak was experienced from Amsterdam.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    W/C Johnson    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Foster    F/S Shouldice    F/L Southwood
F/O Middlemiss    F/O Lambert    F/O Dowding
F/O Brannagan    F/L Goldberg    F/O Browne

WO Hargraves flew as spare and returned early.  There were 27 non-operational sorties today which included the flight back from Cotishall and some local flying and aircraft tests.

Saturday, 31 July, 1943

It was very bright, clear and warm today with few clouds.  Ramrod 178: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation, our role being forward target support to 21 Marauders bombing the Merrville aerodrome.  The Wing crossed the English coast West of Lympe at 12,000 feet and continued climbing to reach Cap Gris Nez at 24,000 feet.  As the bombers were withdrawing from the target after finishing their bombing 12 plus ME 109s were seen orbiting at about 6,000 feet below.  W/C Johnson took down 421 Squadron and in the following engagement, P/O Linton of 421 Squadron probably destroyed one ME 109.  He fired at it and saw strikes along the fuselage just behind the cockpit with black smoke trailing and was last seen at 3,000 feet.  The remainder of 421 Squadron were not engaged, as was our Squadron which maintained top cover throughout for 421 Squadron.  After this combat, the Wing swept to Guines and Montreuil between 22,000 and 29,000 feet, leaving France over Berck at 15,000 feet and crossing in over Rye at 6,000 feet.  There was considerable heavy flak from Merrville and Hazebrouck, which was directed at the bombers.  One large ship was seen entering Gravelines.  The Wing was up by 1040 hours and down by 1225 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/O Ogilvie
F/O Preston    F/S Shouldice    F/L Southwood
F/O Middlemiss    F/O Foster    F/O Dowding
F/O Brannagan    WO Wilson    F/O Browne

Sgt Cousineau flew as a spare on the sweep and returned soon after crossing the English coast.

Ramrod 181: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation, our role being that of forward target support to Marauders bombing Abbeville.  The operation was carried out according to plan and no enemy aircraft were seen.  The Wing was up by 1540 hours and had landed by 1715 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Dover    S/L Godefroy    F/O Ogilvie
F/L Thornton    P/O Gray    F/L Pattinson
F/O Lambert    F/S Shouldice    F/O Dowding
Sgt Cousineau    WO Wilson    P/O McGarrigle

There were 11 non-operational sorties done today consisting of local flying, low flying and aircraft tests.

403 Squadron Establishment and Flying Times for Month of July 1943

RCAF        Others
No. of Officers – Flying    22    –
No. of Officers – Ground    1    –
No. of Airmen – Flying     7    –
No. of Airmen – Ground    5    –

Flying Times for the Month

Operational:         496:45
Non-Operational:    275:00
Tiger Moth:        _17:05
Total    788:50

Aircraft on Squadron Strength:     17 Spitfire Mk IX
1 Spitfire Mk VB
1 Tiger Moth

Our Casualties for the Month:  (2) P/O J.I. McKay (Seriously Injured not due to enemy action), P/O J.E. Abbotts (Missing)

Enemy Casualties:     (1) FW190 destroyed
(6 ½) ME 109s destroyed
(1) ME 109 damaged
Hillegom,
June 24, 1945

Dear Sir:

Herewith I let you know that I would be very pleased to come into conversation with a Canadian pilot who landed on one of our Bulbfields in Hillegom, Holland on the 29th of July, 1943.

It happened in the morning on a beautiful day, probably during an air raid on the aerodrome of Schipol by a couple of RAF twin engined bombers escorted by fighter planes (Spitfires).  The weather was beautiful, but the sky was dampy (fog) so we could not clearly count the bombers and the fighters we just only could hear.

Suddenly however a plane came down circling around with its engine heavy smoking.  We noticed at once when it came out of the damp that it was a British fighter.  The lower it came the more scared we got because we didn’t know where it should come down, because of its circling around.  You should have seen the workers in the fields, they were also running a circle.  When the plane came lower we saw the pilot was hanging besides the plane near the tail.  His parachute was hooked on the little radio mast, behind the aviator’s seat.  He was a lucky fellow, because the plane came on the ground all by itself with not too much speed, after flying over the roof of a little house with it missing it by a few inches.  The aviator was dirty and black from sand and mud, and injured not severely.  I asked what he was, and he said a ‘Canadian’.  Then I had to shut my dirty mouth, so as the German soldiers said to me, which showed up by that time.  I stole the plane’s propeller (it was a wooden one) and probably the aviator, which is now of course out of prison camp might like to have it as a souvenir of that plane which did his duty so wonderful to save his life by landing so beautifully all by itself.  The plane’s number was KH-H49. BS 509 Spitfire.

Please be so kind and let me have the pilot’s name and address or you might tell him about this letter so we could come into connection with each other, and he can have the propeller if he wants it as a remembrance.  Another man found a beautiful tie pin near the plane, which might be from the pilot.  It has the form of an Indian Sword (Klewang).  The man still got it, and don’t know if he likes to keep it.  I think he will, but it is the property of that aviator probably, and it might be a very worthing remembrance tie pin which he would like to have back (from his mother, father, or girl or wife).

I hope you will do all you can to find out the aviator’s name, so we can come in touch with each other.

Thanking you for taking notice of this letter.

Very truly yours,

(Albert Philipps)
Ambachstraat, 29, Hillegan, Holland

Forgive my poor English writing.  Hope you understand it.

File: S.47-20-403(DAS)

20 Lincoln’s Inn Fields,
London, W.C. 2

27 August, 1945

The Secretary,
Department of National Defense for Air,
Lisgar Building,
Ottawa, Ontario
Attn: Air Historian

Museum Material – J.17204, P/O J.E. Abbotts

1.    Enclosed herewith is a letter received at this Headquarters through HQ B.A.F.O. and the R.C.A.F. Staff Officer, Fighter Command, from Albert Philipps of 29 Ambachstraat, Hillegom, Holland.

2.    The pilot was J.17204, P/O J.E. Abbotts, now repatriated, who was missing from 403 Squadron in Spitfire aircraft BS.509 on the 29th July, 1943, although on that particular mission, 12 Group Ramrod 22 to Amsterdam, he flew with No. 421 Squadron.

3.    Steps are being taken to secure this propeller from Mr. Philipps for onward transmission to you and to make enquiries regarding the tie pin to which he refers.

(W.R. Thompson) W/C
for A.O.C.-in-C, R.C.A.F. Overseas.

814-3RD Ave., W.,
Owen Sound Ont
Sept 21,1945

Dear Sir,

Concerning the letter that I received from Hillegom, Holland in connection with my crash landing.

I would like very much to have it; I was very lucky to come out of it alive, and must have put on quite a show that day.  I don’t remember much about it so if I may have the letter, I would appreciate it very much.

Yours truly,

J.E. Abbotts

Copy    YOUR FILE S24-5-7 (AH)                    814-3RD Ave., W.,
Owen Sound Ont
May 20, 1946

W/C Hitchins F.H.
RCAF Station
Rockcliffe Ont

Dear Sir:

I received the piece of my Spitfire propeller.  Thank you very much!  You also asked me to tell you about that day, July 29/43.

My Squadron was 403 but I was flying No. 3 with 421 Sqn (short of pilots).  After checking the Forts out North of Amsterdam, we were sweeping up and down at 30,000 feet.

I spotted 2 – ME 109s below.  Winco ‘Johnny’ Johnson told me to keep an eye on them; finally he said ‘Go after them’.  I rolled out of the formation and was just coming up nicely through the odd puff of flak when something hit me; lots of oil and smoke.  I fired anyway but was out of range.

I started towards the North Sea but the engine quit, and a 109 was rolling over above to attack – I spun away to about 4,000 or 5,000 feet and decided to bale out.  I rolled over and came out but hit the fuselage and was knocked out.  When I regained consciousness, the shoulder strap of my parachute was around the aerial mast.  I was hanging on the right hand side of the a/c, the a/c was right side up, wings level and in a nice glide.  I held on with one hand and tired to tear the chute out, but I was getting too close to the ground.  I decided that it was all over.  And thought ‘I’ve had it’.  I passed out.  I woke up 3 hours later save in the arms of – Germans.

Several letters from Dutch people tell me that the a/c just missed a house, belly-landed, jumped a ditch, went through a hedge and started to burn while I was still hanging on.  They cut me free.

That’s the story Sir if you can make it out.  An English-speaking German said ‘One in a million’.  I guess that he was right.

Yours truly,

J.E. Abbotts