|
Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
What's the story behind this Spitfire; all I know is that VZ is the code for 412 Sqn and that it appears to be a Mk V with roundels that date from 1942
__________________
Larry Hayward Last edited by Larry; 10th November 2015 at 20:13. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
Hello Larry,
"VZ-G" Alex |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
http://spitfiresite.com/2012/07/spitfire-victims-of-jg-26.html
3rd pic & 1st & 4th comments. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
So its the first pilot of the 8th USAAF to be shot down!
The following comes from the attached link but as these often disappear with time I thought I'd copy the text! On 26 July 1942, No. 412 saw their biggest action to date. Long relegated to convoy escort duties in the 12 Group zone, they were now operating from Merston (Sussex), taking active part in the RAF’s summer offensive. On that day, Fighter Command’s Rodeo (fighter sweep) operation prompted response from JG26 fighters. Yellow Section of No. 412 tangled with Focke-Wulfs over the latter’s home base at Abbeville-Drucat. Flt. Lt. F. E. Green destroyed one Fw 190 and damaged a second, Flying Officer G. C. Davidson scored a probable kill, and Flying Officer K. I. Robb damaged still another. Interestingly, three of the squadron pilots on that mission were American guests. Major McNickle, Captain Davis and Col. Albert P. Clark were commanders of the 31st FG which then undertook its operational training in the UK. Col. Clark was the Executive Officer of the unit. The Spitfire which Clark received for the mission was marked VZ-G. It became the squadron’s only loss of the day. Hit by a Focke-Wulf, Clark put down his Spitfire in a field, thus becoming the first 8th Air Force fighter pilot to be shot down over Europe. He survived his predicament and was taken prisoner by the Germans, who were somewhat baffled by his American uniform and his high rank. Clark spent 33 months in the infamous Stalag Luft III. He was involved in the famous Great Escape, responsible for accumulation and hiding of supplies used in the breakout. After World War II, he progressed through key staff assignments with the U.S. Air Force.
__________________
Larry Hayward Last edited by Larry; 12th October 2013 at 10:47. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
Quote:
|
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
Thanks to everyone for clearing up this mystery.
|
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
Just came across this old post. According to AP Clark's book he was Big S in charge of security. He would have been on the list to go but all the Americans had been moved before the Great Escape.
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
Hello,
VZ-G yes but question still over its serial number. Was she EN784 or BL964 ?? "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces " vol 1 has on page 21 - "EN784, that Clark baled out - then notes that Lt Col Clark reported that he crash landed 8 miles south of Cap Gris Nez". "Spitfire International" has Clark with BL964. Whith EN784 as returned to RAF 18th August 42. And the Air Britain RAF serial books BA100 - BZ999 and EA100 - EZ999 have - BL964 - 64/High Ercall/309US - Reported as missing from sweep, 26.9.42 [ the 9 could be a typo ?]. and EN784 - 308US/317/412 - Engine cut; abandoned over Channel, 27.7.42. RAF FCL vol 2 has -26th July 1942 - 412(RCAF) Sqn Spitfire Vb EN784, LtCol L.C.Clarke usaaf - POW - Rodeo,pm Shot down by JG26. Photo is from E-bay a long time ago, could do nothing to eliminate the red markings. Alex Last edited by Alex Smart; 18th December 2014 at 04:52. |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
For what it is worth, the excellent Spitfire production list at http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/p036.html has Clarke lost in EN784, but lists it as "abandoned over the Channel", which doesn't match this photo. BL964 is reported on the same set of web pages as failed to return on 26 July 1942. Does anyone have the 412 Sdn ORB for this period, or any POW reports by Clarke?
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Whats the story concerning this 412 Sqn Spitfire
Hi,
Clarke himself wrote about his aircraft at this time: "The serial number of my aircraft was EN921 [sent for repairs ca. 24 July] and that of my replacement was EN964. On Saturday afternoon, 25 July, I was told that the next day we would be participating in a sweep over the Continent." Cheers, Andrew A. Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web (new version) | Laurent Rizzotti | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 66 | 12th May 2020 13:14 |
RAF and RAAF ORBs available on the Web | Laurent Rizzotti | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 43 | 23rd October 2015 14:46 |
Spitfire Histories | Alex Smart | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 16 | 13th April 2010 13:19 |
Thunderbolts and Mustangs versus the Jagdwaffe (split topic) | Ruy Horta | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 98 | 9th August 2007 16:22 |
The remarkable William Tex Ash, 24 March '42 | Brendan | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 3 | 4th February 2005 18:55 |