I am trying to find information about a friendly fire incident during which my late father's C.O. was killed, maybe someone could help.

He was;

Christopher James Croasdale Bowen, B. 1915 New Zealand.

Major, 612 F.S. R.E. 11th Armoured Division, 1941-44 KIA 1.9.44 Harbarcq, France.

From CWGC;

BOWEN, CHRISTOPHER JAMES CROASDAILE Rank: Major. Service No: 63533. Date of Death: 01/09/1944. Age: 29.
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers Offr. Cdg. 612 Field Sqn.
Grave Reference: Plot 4. Row AA. Grave 1. Cemetery: AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION.
Additional Information:B.A. (Cantab.). Son of Charles Henry Croasdaile Bowen and of Frances Sybil Bowen (nee Danson), of Selborne, Hampshire; husband of Helen Florence Anderton Bowen (nee Lyon), of Selborne.


The entry for the Field Squadron War Diary for 1.9.44 reads;

Harbarcq. 1.9.1944. 1900 hrs (approx.) Maj. Bowen set out for Div. H.Q.to visit C.R.E. at Aubigny 3408 en route his Jeep was attacked by Br. fighter aircraft. Maj. Bowen was killed. Profound shock to the whole Sqn which he had commanded for almost 3 years (since October 1941)

I have located some more details from a French village website for Aubigny, amongst which the attackers were 'two aggressive Spitfires' however it would be helpful if I could narrow down the A/C operations for that day. I do realise this might well be a big ask and may well mean I need to check some Ops Diaries at Kew, I live in Yorkshire too, but I really have no idea where to start I might just end up groping in the 'dark'!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Peter