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Re: 9 April 1943 , 486 Sq claims near Etretat
Hello Zorglub
You are quite correct in supposing that Fitzgibbon ran out of fuel. After losing his No.1 he pursued the Fw190 south, overhauling it at 350 IAS and expending all his ammunition. The Fw's speed dropped to 160 mph, it lost height and the starboard u/c leg dropped. He saw the wheel hit the water before he remembered his fuel and immediately turned for base. He did not see the Fw crash.
He was vectored for Friston but ran out of fuel before he could identify the airfield in the thick haze, making a forced landing at Tarring Neville, north of Newchurch.
The time and place of the combat was given was 11.15 hours, 35-40 miles south of Beachy Head. Fitzgibbon claimed a 'probable' but this was upgraded to confirmed destroyed by Fighter Command HQ.
I have contacted Christopher Shores who collated the information on German losses but he is unable to identify which of many sources (mainly other enthusiasts) this came from. It was nearly 25 years ago...
Chris
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