Four Spitfire losses over Dunkirk on the above date from No.222 Squadron, RAF. The Morning mist and low cloud over Dunkirk evaporated as the first German attacks of the day on the evacuation started at 4.15 am. The Germans were over the beaches before the air cover provided by the RAF had arrived. This was the day that the Royal Navy lost three Destroyers -HMS Basilisk, Keith and Skipjack with HMS Ivanhoe badly damaged during the morning attacks. No.222 Squadron out of Hornchurch was one of the first Squadrons over Dunkirk that morning and lost four Spitfires in approx ten minutes.
Pilot Officer Gerald Massey-Sharpe CWGC :: Certificate Spitfire. Failed to return from combat with Bf109's of I./JG26 and Bf110's of I./ZG1 and believed crashed near Pihen-les-Guines 5.40 am. Possibly that collided head-on with Oberlt Moller of 2./ZG1. P/O G. Massey-Sharpe killed. Aircraft a write-off.
Sergeant Leslie James White CWGC :: Certificate Spitfire N3232. Shot down in combat with Bf109's of I./JG26 and Bf110's of I./ZG1; possibly that claimed by Uffz. Wolf of 3./JG26 over Dunkirk 5.36 am. Sgt L J White killed. Aircraft a write-off.
Spitfire P9377. Engine damaged in combat with Bf109's of I./JG26 and Bf110's of I./ZG1 and belly landed on beach east of Bray-Dunes 5.30 am. P/O R A L Morant unhurt. Aircraft fired by pilot.
Spitfire P9317. Damaged in combat with Bf109's of I./JG26 and Bf110's of I./ZG1 and forced landed at Le Touquet 5.40 am. P/O H E L Falkust captured. Aircraft ZD - A a write-off. All the above sourced from ATB's The Battle of France after photographing P/O Whites headstone in France.
And some people say the RAF werent there at Dunkirk. They did try but were so outnumbered. RIP to all who died. Dee
And some people say the RAF werent there at Dunkirk. Dee, We had a thread about that.... http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/11929-dunkirk-raf.html
Dee, We had a thread about that.... Owen thanks for that will have a read of it. Worth taking out of the closet occasionally. Is there a thread about why you have been called a grumpy old moose cos I bet you arent! Dee
Owen thanks for that will have a read of it. Worth taking out of the closet occasionally. Is there a thread about why you have been called a grumpy old moose cos I bet you arent! Dee Yes he is!
Just a quick note can we keep this thread to the four chaps Drew has mentioned . It's his little tribute to them.
