5/JG 26 v. 66 Squadron, 13/5/40

[DavidIsby]

Is anyone aware of any sources, other than the brief account in TWELVE DAYS IN MAY, of the first encounter between the Spitfire and Bf 109? This was reportedly near Rotterdam on 13 May, 1940. Six Spitfires of 66 Sqdn and Defiants of 264 Sqdn, between 6:45 and 7:05, encountered,5/JG 26's Bf 109s escorting Stukas.


Thanks,
David Isby

[Bruce Lander]

Hi David,

there is a brief account in "The JG.26 War Diary - Vol 1" by Donald Caldwell on pp 24-25.

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[Peter Cornwell]

David,

The best and most definitive account of actions on this day can be found in Luchtgevechten boven West-Brabant en de Biesbosch by Dutch air historian Jan Jolie published by Lorelax Productions in 2000.

[DavidIsby]

Many thanks. Any ideas where a copy might be obtained as the WORLDCAT shows the nearest copy is on the shelf of the main library in the Hague, and thus out of range for an inter-library loan?

David Isby

[Martin Gleeson]

Hi David,

There is an excellent article on this engagement in English by the same author in the quarterly magazine 'AFTER THE BATTLE', issue 134. Published around 3 or 4 years ago I think and done in their 'Then and Now' style. You can order it direct from the publishers, just Google the name of the magazine.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.