1 Squadron RAF, 17/8/44

[BruceMk11]

On 17/8/44, 1 Sqn was engaged by JG/26 and lost two aircraft and pilots,
namely W/O JW McKenzie, RNZAF (Spitfire IX MK744) and W/O HG Wallace-Wells, RAAF (Spitfire IX NH201). Both pilots survived (Wallace-Wells was actually a New Zealander in the RAAF).
Can someone tell me if 1 Sqn managed to claim-the UK Archives don't appear to hold any combat reports for this date-or was this one of those rare defeats for the Spifire by this stage of the war?


Cheers, Bruce

[timothy]

Dammit!! My records end April '43.

= Tim

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Have 1944/1945 :-)

No claimes mentioned in ORB, but a Form 540 with a some humour:

"It is hoped that this incident [McKenzie and Wallace-Wells' being shot down] will act as a timely warning to those of the Squadron who are not possessed of india-rubber necks. So often has the C.O. stressed the importance of keeping a constant watch on the rear and without doubt all those who have not paid due attention to this warning will by now appreciate it's sterling [?] value?"

Regards

Mikkel Plannthin

[Bas Maathuis]

Bruce,

From No.1 Squadron p.129 by Michael Shaw:

"While escorting 36 Mitchells to attack a fuel dump in France, the Spitfires were taken by suprise by four audacious Focke-Wulf pilots. The Germans dived in from the rear, hit two of the fighters and escaped before the Squadron realised what was going on. WO Wallace-Wells was able to limp his Spitfire as far as the Channel, where he ditched and was soon rescued, but WO McKenzie was not so fortunate. He crash-landed in the target area, but was able to radio to his leader that he had survived the impact. He lay doggo for a week and was rescued by advancing Allied troops before rejoining the Squadron in september."

[BruceMk11]

Thanks Bas & Mikkel. I have a couple more questions: did 1 Sqn have any
claims between D-Day and VE-Day-apart from V1s? Could you name the CO & flight cdrs at VE-Day?


Cheers, Bruce

[Bas Maathuis]

Bruce,

According to No. 1 Squadron by Michal Shaw:

There were no other claims for aircraft during that timeframe.
However a goods train on 10th september 44 near Uitgeest Netherlands,
they destroyed the first V-2 rocket site near The Hague on 15th september 44

S/L D.G.S.R. Cox DFC+ took over from S/L Lardner Burke on the 11th january 1945 untill 21st april 1945.
There's nothing on the flight cmdrs.

[BruceMk11]

Thanks again for your help Bas. I was aware the UK Archives doesn't hold
any combat reports for 1 Sqn during the period in question but for some units, some of the reports are missing. Obviously not in the case of 1 Sqn!


Cheers, Bruce