Spitfire's 1st victory over Me 109?

[Lagarto]

Hello, I'm trying to establish the first confirmed victory by a Spitfire pilot over a Messerschmitt 109. Was it F/Lt Alan Deere of No 54 Sqn RAF, over Calais-Marck airfield, on 23rd May 1940?

[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.

[Lagarto]

Great info Peter, thank you very much!

While we are at it, some sources claim that the Me 109 pilot, with whom Deere collided on 9th July 1940, was Oberfeldwebel Johann Illner of 4./JG 51. Can anyone confirm/deny? Thank you in advance!

[kaki3152]

So, Forumites, which was the unit that Alan Deere tangled with? I've had a copy of "Nine Lives" for many years and have always wondered. Was it JG-51?

[CJE]

Deere (and also 92 Sqn) most probably tangled with I./JG 27 that lost four (one killed and three POWs) and claimed three during the day (but in two different actions).