[Robert Todd]

In December 1944 Lt Allen Burgham, Senior Pilot of 835 Squadron took off in ther twilight of an arctic "Day" to intercept 40 Junker's 88's attacking the convoy. Also taking off with him was Sub Lt "Dusty" Miller as Burgham's Number two. Darkness came quickly and they were in poitch black conditions in day fighters (Wildcat VIs). They only caught glimpses of the enemy flying in low at less than 500 feet. They managed to disrupt the torpedoe runs and not one ship was hit. However they were left up there and in serious trouble flying only on instruments and with no help. Burgham flew for over an hour and a half and was directed by the fighter direction officer of the ship. It was problematic because they were giving him directions relative to the ship - not to him. Fianlly after all that time he maaaaade it back only to be faced with a wall of tracersd from most of the ships in the convoy. Finally the shooting was ended by the Admiral (McGrigor). The exhausted pilot landed in total darkness (he received the Distinguished Service Cross for his gallant actions and was written up in London's newspapers. The Admiralty called it "a magnificent piece of workj" as he became the first man in history to land a day fighter at night (onto a 68 foot wide deck)

When he lanmdfed he was hit with a sea of angry piloits. They had seen Miller coming up the sea lane approachiung the ship. His undercarriage was down and his landing lights were on. he was waggling his wings. He was hit by a wall of fire from HMS Bellona. The navy never admitted that Miller was killed by friendly fire. But i9t is instructive to note that Rear Admiral McGrigor sent a sharp order to all ships to not fire on single engine aircraft. The enemy had two engines on thier planes and didn't fly with landing lights on and undercarriage down!