While relating the stories of fighter combat during WW2, we often talk of ‘miraculous escapes,’ but what happened to P/O ...
On 3rd February, 1943, 416 squadron, RCAF, were escorting Ventura bombers to St. Omer when they were attacked by FW190s of JG26. P/O John Rainville was lucky to escape with his life..
When Flight Lieutenant John Trull's engine failed over Lille on 20th February, 1944, he must have wondered if he would live to see another day, let alone marry his sweetheart...
At 16.25hrs, on 15th December, 1943, Spitfire IX, BS288, caught fire over East Grinstead, forcing the pilot, Flight Sergeant E. L. Hampson (138274), to abandon the aircraft and take to his parachute. The Spitfire plummeted into the ground at Forest Row.
S/L Norman Fowlow spent most of 1943 with the Canadian Wing at Kenley, and took command of 403 squadron RCAF, ...
On 4th September 1943, Squadron Leader Frank Edward "Bitsy" Grant brought down his first FW190 after taking command of 403 squadron, but following that engagement, failed to rejoin his squadron. He was posted as "missing" and subsequently found to have been killed in action.
On 27th July, 1943, George Clinton Keefer, who had been in command of 412 squadron RCAF for about 6 weeks, was leading them on a late afternoon sweep 15 miles over France, when the engine of his Spitfire, packed up.
On the 4th June, 1943, Wing Commander Leslie Sydney Ford, DFC and Bar, met his end leading 402 squadron, when ...
On 1st May, 1943, 403 Squadron's diarist noted the arrival at Kenley of one of the RCAF's great personalities..soon to become one of their most inspiring Wing Leaders.
Why would RAF Kenley become involved with carrier-deck landings? Answer: By 1942 the Admiralty were concerned over the ability of the ...
