Spitfire from 1435 Squadron
 

Hallo,
I am new in this forum and my english is not so good.
Who can help me please.
I search informations for the history and fate of S/Ldr Clements and his Spitfire Mk IX Nr LZ992 from 1435 Squadron.
He attacks on 7.3.1944 Kotor/Tivat in Yugoslavia and the german flak shoot him down. He get in prison. The Plane crash in the sea.
I speak with an old man in Montenegro, who saw this action and i dive and see the rests from the Spitfire. Now i want researche the exact Story.
best regards
Ferenc

Re: Spitfire from 1435 Squadron
 

Sdr Ldr John Dawson Clements of 1435 Sqn Serial Number 60094 aged 34 died 8.3.1944 (not 7.3.1944) according to the CWGC

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_...sualty=1081679

Also, I have seen the loss of LZ992 recorded for the 8.3.1944 and not 7.3.1944

If you say he was captured alive (and certainly the pilot of LZ992 was reported to have abandoned his aircraft), it implies he died in captivity at a later (unknown date), but the CWGC has recorded his death on the date of his last mission.

Paul

Re: Spitfire from 1435 Squadron
 

Addendum

Two Spitfires lost this date (still unsure if 7 or 8th March 1944)

The pilot who was seen bailing out of a Spitfire was F/O Chandler in MA474 - He was captured

Sdr Ldr Clements was killed (and is still listed as missing) in LZ992

"Two Spitfires from 1435 Sqd took off from Brindisi (Italy) for attack on German floatplane harbour between Kumbor and Zelenika (probably Arado 196A-3 from unit SAGr 126). Results of attack are not known but Squadron Leader J.D.Clements in Spitfire MkIX LZ992 (Coded 'D') was shot-down by flak in a left turn after attack. He flew over the
peninsula at Lustica, but hit the sea with full speed. His wingman F/O Chandler in Spitfire MA474 (Coded 'F') was also hit by flak, but managed to get some height in flight towards open sea and made parachute jump."

Re: Spitfire from 1435 Squadron
 

Other pilot was F/O Kenneth Gordon CHANDLER, RCAF Serial Number: J/17051, POW Number: 4090 Camp: L1

Re: Spitfire from 1435 Squadron
 

Hallo,
Thank You very much for the answer. Its a big assistance for me.

Please, can You tell me the source (Books, websites, Archives) or by which positions/organisations i can make inquirys.
I try to research more details in this case.

The Eyewitness (old man in Montenegro, live in Zelenika) say, the pilot was take from a german boat and get him to Zelenika. He was a long blond man, the face dark from oil.
You say both pilots was died. I want to research the fate from this pilot.

best regards
Ferenc