Lt Ingar Helge Knudsen

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi All

On behalf of a Belgian friend who wonders if anyone knows more about this incident reported on this page
http://www.luchtvaartgeschiedenis.be...elius-horebeke

Right now we are pretty confident that Lt Ingar Helge Knudsen did not serve in 331/332 Sq or 132 Wing.

He is last mentioned as joining 611 Sq in July 1944 and may well have been with this unit when the accident happened.

If anyone knows more and can advise the serial number and confirm the unit of the Spitfire we would be very happy

Cheers
Stig

[Col Bruggy]

Stig,

No.611 Sqn Spitfire IX MA843, crash-landed after an engine cut on a fighter escort mission 05/01/1945.

http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/_prodn%20list.txt

Chapter 7 1945.
1945 - Hawkinge - Squadron Ldr P R McGregor, Croix de Guerre.

Things were so quiet that four pilots spent the morning in the Link Trainer. Things improved on 5 January with an operation at last! Snow threatened but Wg Cdr Donnet briefed the Squadron at 13.00 for a Ramrod and they were airborne at 14.40 to rendezvous and provide top cover for 150 Lancasters returning from bombing marshalling yards at Ludwigshafen. The rendezvous was successful but on the way home Lt Knudsen developed engine trouble in Spitfire IXA MA842 [sic] and force landed. Flt Sgt Mack saw him go down and landed at Charleroi in France. Flt Sgt Mack was uninjured and returned the next day but did not know what had happened to Lt Knusden [sic]. Four days later the Squadron received the news the Lt Knusden [sic] was in Hospital in Brussels suffering from a fractured skull was fortunately was [sic] not on the danger list. There were no enemy interceptions on the Lancasters and the rest of the Squadron returned to Hawkinge safely at 17.20. (pp.137-8).

Appendix III - Aircraft used by 611 Squadron.

Spitfire IX.

MA843 - Del ex-313 Sqn 08.10.44. Crash-landed on fighter escort sortie, 05.01.45. Lt Knudsen injured. (p.215).

Beware! Beware! The History of 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
Ferguson,Aldon P (with John Hamlin)
Reading:Airfield Publications,2004.
pp.137-8 & 215 (includes a photo of Lt Knudsen on p.137).

Col.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Col

Amazing details! Thanks for checking and advising me.
If ever in Gothenburg, call me! I owe you one!!

Cheers
Stig