Spitfire's 1st victory over Me 109?

[Peter Cornwell]

You are on sticky ground I’m afraid.

On 13 May 1940 a Messerschmitt Bf109E-3 of 5./JG26 was shot down in combat with No. 66 Squadron Spitfires and No. 264 Squadron Defiants and abandoned west of Dordrecht. Crashed at Oostmiddelweg, near Numansdorp, 6.00 a.m. Leutnant K. Borris baled out and captured unhurt. Aircraft a write-off.

Also, immediately preceding Deere’s celebrated scrap over Calais on 23 May 1940, 1./JG27 had already lost two aircraft in action with Spitfires as follows:

Messerschmitt Bf109E-3. Shot down in combat with Spitfires of No. 92 Squadron between Boulogne and Dunkirk 11.30 a.m. Possibly that claimed by F/Lt Tuck. Oberfeldwebel W. Ahrens captured. Aircraft a write-off.

Messerschmitt Bf109E-1. Shot down in combat with Spitfires of No. 92 Squadron between Boulogne and Dunkirk 11.30 a.m. Possibly that claimed by P/O Bryson. Feldwebel A. Pötzsch captured. Aircraft a write-off.

Caveat emptor.