On 26 July 1942, No. 412 saw their biggest action to date. Long relegated to convoy escort duties in the 12 Group zone, they were now operating from Merston (Sussex), taking active part in the RAF’s summer offensive.

On that day, Fighter Command’s Rodeo (fighter sweep) operation prompted response from JG26 fighters. Yellow Section of No. 412 tangled with Focke-Wulfs over the latter’s home base at Abbeville-Drucat. Flt. Lt. F. E. Green destroyed one Fw 190 and damaged a second, Flying Officer G. C. Davidson scored a probable kill, and Flying Officer K. I. Robb damaged still another.

Interestingly, three of the squadron pilots on that mission were American guests. Major McNickle, Captain Davis and Col. Albert P. Clark were commanders of the 31st FG which then undertook its operational training in the UK. Col. Clark was the Executive Officer of the unit.

The Spitfire which Clark received for the mission was marked VZ-G. It became the squadron’s only loss of the day. Hit by a Focke-Wulf, Clark put down his Spitfire in a field, thus becoming the first 8th Air Force fighter pilot to be shot down over Europe. He survived his predicament and was taken prisoner by the Germans, who were somewhat baffled by his American uniform and his high rank.

Clark spent 33 months in the infamous Stalag Luft III. He was involved in the famous Great Escape, responsible for accumulation and hiding of supplies used in the breakout. After World War II, he progressed through key staff assignments with the U.S. Air Force.