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Re: Spitfire brought down by Royal Artillery - Normandy.
Hello Cheesey
Firstly, it was possible to get a hit from own artillery, IIRC one Typhoon was shot down by 25pdr or 5.5in shell during the opening day of the Operation Market-Garden. Also Lt Law, RN, claimed in 1978 that while directing fire of HMS Warspite on D-Day,his plane was almost hit by one 15in shell, after that he was quite careful to stay out of the line of fire.
Brian’s Seafire loss is probably that of Lt.Commander P.E.I. Bailey, CO of 886Sqn, shot down by “friendly” AA fire, baled out and landed on Allied beach, setting off a land mine but suffered only a sprained ankle. As one who had got a Pioneer training long time ago, I’d say if he stepped on anti-personel mine and didn’t get hurt more badly, he was extremely lucky.
Juha
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