Spitfire in France?

[Peter Cornwell]

This is one of four Spitfires lost by No.222 Squadron during a wing patrol over Dunkirk on June 1, 1940, as follows:

Spitfire P9377. Engine damaged in combat with Bf109s of I./JG26 and Bf110s of I./ZG1 and belly-landed on beach east of Bray-Dunes 5.30 a.m. P/O R. A. L. Morant unhurt. Aircraft ZD*U fired by pilot.

Spitfire P9317. Damaged in combat with Bf109s of I./JG26 and Bf110s of I./ZG1 and forced-landed at Le Touquet 5.40 a.m. P/O H. E. L. Falkust captured. Aircraft ZD*A a write-off.

Spitfire P9339. Failed to return from combat with Bf109s of I./JG26 and Bf110s of I./ZG1 and believed crashed near Pihen-lès-Guines 5.40 a.m. Possibly that collided head-on with Oberlt Möller of 2./ZG1. P/O G. Massey-Sharpe killed. Aircraft ZD*J a write-off.

Spitfire N3232. Shot down in combat with Bf109s of I./JG26 and Bf110s of I./ZG1 and crashed near Koksijde; possibly that claimed by Uffz Wolf of 3./JG26 over Dunkirk 5.36 a.m. Sgt L. J. White killed. Aircraft a write-off.


Source: The Battle of France Then & Now (as amended)