Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear  Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia X4590 PR-F.  Aircraft History:    First flight 30th September, 1940. Delivered to 609 West Riding Squadron October, 1940. On 21st October, 1940, whilst flown by pilot officer S J Hill it shared in the destruction of a Ju88 which was 609 Squadron's 100th victory. X4590 was damaged on 25th October, 1940. After repair it was delivered to 66 Squadron. This aircraft is now preserved in its 609 Squadron markings in the Battle of Britain Hall at the RAF Museum, Hendon. Pilot Officer Sydney Jenkyn Hill:   Born April 1917, Sydney Hill joined 609 West Riding Squadron at RAF Middle Wallop in October 1940. On 21st October, 1940, whilst flying Spitfire Mk I PR-F serial X4590 he shared in the destruction of 609 Squadron's 100th victory (a Ju88), with Flight Lieutenant F. J Howell, DFC.  On 18th June, 1941, whilst flying Spitfire MKVb PR-H serial W3211, he engaged Bf109s off Cap Gris Nez. Although his aircraft was damaged he managed to get back to the English coast and was seen gliding down towards Dover. Sadly, he crashed 5 miles west of Dover and was killed.

609 (West Riding) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force: 609 Squadron came into being on the 10th February 1936 as part of the expanding Auxiliary Air Force. Initially a bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Harts. On 8th December, 1938, the Squadron's role was changed from bomber to fighter and the squadron took delivery of its first Spitfires Mk I during August 1939. The squadrons first victory was a Heinkel HE111 H-2 of 2/KG26 which was shot down near St. Abbs Head, 27th February 1940, by Flying Officer G. D. Ayre, Pilot Officer J R Buchanan and Flying Officer D Persse-Joynt. 609 squadron was, it is said, the first Spitfire Squadron to reach 100 victories (Ju88 A-5 1/KG51) on 21st October 1940. The victory was shared by Flight Lieutenant F J Howell and Pilot Officer S J Hill. During April 1942, 609 began to replace its Spitfires with Hawker Typhoons, and went on to become the first Typhoon squadron with 227 victories. Based at many RAF Stations 609 was in action throughout WWII, covering the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain and supporting the D-Day landings as part of the 2nd TAF. There were many decorations awarded to squadron members, these included 3 DSOs, 22 DFCs and Bars and 4 DFMs. On 16th December 1947, King George VI gave permission for use of the Royal Prefix for all Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons. 609 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was disbanded on 10th March 1957, whilst equipped with Gloster Meteors F8 at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire. On 1st October, 1999, 609 (west Riding) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, was re-formed at RAF Leeming operating in the guise of Air Defence Support Squadron (ADSS).

Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear  Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib R7752 PR-G.  Aircraft History: First delivered to 609 West Riding Squadron June 1942. It was the personal aircraft of Squadron Leader Roland Beamont whilst he was the Commanding Officer at 609. His personal victory tally is shown in greater detail in the pencil drawing. R7752 was damaged by enemy anti aircraft fire off Vissingen and crash landed at RAF Manston on 1st June 1943. The pilot, Squadron Leader A Ingle DFC, AFC, the Commanding officer of 609 at the time, was uninjured. R7752 was struck off charge 25th August 1943. Wing Commander Roland P Beamont, CBE, DSO and bar, DFC (USA), DL: Born 10th August 1920, Roland Beamont joined No. 87 squadron in France during November 1939. Returning to England 20th May 1940 (having destroyed a Do17 and an ME109) he went on to destroy a further three enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. In June 1941, he was posted to No.79 Squadron as Flight Commander. In December 1941 he went to Hawker Aircraft Ltd as a Service test pilot flying Hurricanes. On 29th June 1942, he was posted as Flight Commander to Hawker Typhoon equipped 609 Squadron at Duxford, and took command of the squadron in October. He returned to Hawker Aircraft during May 1943, to test fly the Tempest. In February 1944, he was tasked with forming the first Tempest Wing, No.150 at Castle Camps and later Newchurch. When leader of the five squadron Tempest Wing No.122 over Germany on 12th October 1944, Roland Beamont was shot down by ground fire and became a POW. During his time with No.150 and No.122 Wings he destroyed one Bf109, one Fw190, one Ju188 on the ground, and thirty two V1 flying bombs. After the war Roland Beamont became Chief Test Pilot for English Electric, test flying the Canberra, P1, Lightning and TSR2 aircraft. He was the first British pilot to fly a British aircraft at Mach 1 in level flight, and later Mach 2. After serving as Director of Flight Operations for the Tornado test programme he retired and became a respected author.

609 (West Riding) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force:    609 Squadron came into being on the 10th February 1936 as part of the expanding Auxiliary Air Force. Initially a bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Harts. On 8th December, 1938, the Squadron's role was changed from bomber to fighter and the squadron took delivery of its first Spitfires Mk I during August 1939. The squadrons first victory was a Heinkel HE111 H-2 of 2/KG26 which was shot down near St. Abbs Head, 27th February 1940, by Flying Officer G. D. Ayre, Pilot Officer J R Buchanan and Flying Officer D Persse-Joynt. 609 squadron was, it is said, the first Spitfire Squadron to reach 100 victories (Ju88 A-5 1/KG51) on 21st October 1940. The victory was shared by Flight Lieutenant F J Howell and Pilot Officer S J Hill. During April 1942, 609 began to replace its Spitfires with Hawker Typhoons, and went on to become the first Typhoon squadron with 227 victories. Based at many RAF Stations 609 was in action throughout WWII, covering the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain and supporting the D-Day landings as part of the 2nd TAF. There were many decorations awarded to squadron members, these included 3 DSOs, 22 DFCs and Bars and 4 DFMs. On 16th December 1947, King George VI gave permission for use of the Royal Prefix for all Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons. 609 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was disbanded on 10th March 1957, whilst equipped with Gloster Meteors F8 at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire. On 1st October, 1999, 609 (west Riding) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, was re-formed at RAF Leeming operating in the guise of Air Defence Support Squadron (ADSS).

Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear  Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5.a D3540. "The Artful Dodger" was the personal aircraft of Wing Commander G.H. Lewis DFC and the aircraft in which he claimed four of his twelve victories.  Aircraft History: The third S.E.5 produced (A4563) became, in effect, the prototype S.E.5a with a 200hp Hispano Suiza power plant and shorter span wings. The S.E.5.a went to No56, No.40 and No.60 squadrons from June 1917, and by the end of the year No's 24, 41, 68 and 84 squadron had taken them on charge. After troubles with the reduction gear of the Hispano Suiza together with a general shortage of these power plants, the direct drive Wolseley Viper became the standard S.E.5a power unit. The S.E.5.a built a fine reputation for strength, performance and general flying quality, which together with the Sopwith Camel was the main reason for the Allies gaining and maintaining air superiority during 1918. Some aircraft were fitted with four 25lb (11kg) Cooper bombs on under fuselage racks. The S.E.5.a also service in the Middle East and several home defence units in 1918. At the end of World War I over 2,000 S.E.5.a aircraft were in service with the RAF. The type had served with 24 British, 2 US and 1 Australian Squadrons. After its 'demob' 50 of these aircraft were supplied to Australia, 12 to Canada with several more to other countries including South Africa, Poland and the United States of America. 50 came onto the British register and were used for developing the art of sky-writing. The S.E.5.a will always remain one of aviation's great warplanes.  Wing Commander Gwilym H. Lewis, DFC: Born 5th August, 1897, Gwilym Lewis qualified for his aviators certificate number 2116 on 27th November 1915. He was posted to France with 32 Squadron at he age of eighteen flying the DH2 single seater scout aircraft. Later after a period as an instructor he was posted as a flight commander to 40 squadron flying the famous S.E.5.a. By the end of the First World War, Gwilym Lewis had amassed a personal tally of 12 enemy aircraft destroyed and had been awarded the DFC. After leaving the RAF he went into insurance working for Lloyds Insurance Brokers, Sedgwick, Collins & Company Ltd. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, he rejoined the RAF and became a member of Winston Churchill's Joint Planning Staff in the underground Central War Room. After World War II, he resumed his successful career in insurance and retired in 1974.

40 Squadron Royal Air Force:   40 squadron was formed at Gosport on 26th February 1916 as a scout squadron equipped with the FE8. One flight went to France in early August and the rest of the squadron at the end of the month. However, the FE8 was soon obsolete and 40 squadron was unable to be effective in its task of fighting when faced with a faster aircraft. In March 1917 the squadron suffered heavy casualties when 9 aircraft were caught on patrol by Jasta 11 led by Manfred von Richthofen and all aircraft were brought down with four pilots killed. Before the end of March they were re-equipped with Nieuport Scouts and with these, 40 squadron began a successful career, flying offensive patrols and developing its own tactics for observation balloon attacks. During this period one of the 40 Squadron officers Lieutenant Edward Manock (later Major Mannock VC) destroyed 6 enemy aircraft and went on to a highly successful fighting career in command of two other squadrons. Before the end of 1917, 40 Squadron replaced its scouts with the highly successful S.E.5.a and continued offensive operations against the German armed forces until the end of the First World War. It ended the war with a squadron tally of 130 enemy aircraft and 30 balloons destroyed. The squadron returned to the UK in February 1919 and was disbanded 4th July the same year. It was reformed on 1st April 1931 as a bomber squadron and served in the UK and the Middle East theatre. It was disbanded in Egypt during 1947 and reformed later that year as a transport squadron until 1950. In 1953 it was again reformed as a bomber squadron before being finally disbanded in 1956. (The badge shown was issued in 1937 and reflects the role of the squadron at the time).

Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear   Hawker Hurricane MkI P2725 TM-B.  Aircraft History: The Hawker Hurricane MkI was part of the first production batch of 500 built by Gloster Aircraft  Co. Ltd, Brockworth during 1939/140 under contract number 962371/38/C.23A/ Delivered to 504 squadron, P2725 brought down the first enemy aircraft over London on 15th September 1940, piloted by Flight Sergeant R. T. Holmes. Ammunition exhausted he deliberately rammed a Dornier causing it to crash on Victoria Station, P2725 was badly damaged as a result of this action and Flight Sergeant Holmes had to leave the stricken aircraft by parachute. The Hurricane crashed in the vicinity of Victoria Station. Flight Lieutenant Raymond T Holmes: Born and raised on the Wirral Peninsula, Ray Holmes was the 55th volunteer for the RAFVR on its formation in 1936. As a sergeant pilot he was credited with being the first to bring down an enemy aircraft over London during the Battle of Britain whilst with 504 County of Nottingham Squadron flying Hawker Hurricane P2725. After flying convoy protection duties he was posted to Murmansk with 81 Fighter Squadron, escorting Russian Bombers over Finland. Upon his return to Britain he qualified as a flying instructor and spent two years at the Central Flying School. This was followed by a move to 541 Squadron at Benson, flying PR Spitfires, photographing targets such as Berlin, the Ruhr and Hitler's hideout at Berchtesgaden. At the end of the war he was appointed King's Messenger flying mail for Winston Churchill. Ray was demobilized in October  1945 to return to the Wirral and his pre-war career of journalism. Motto: "Vindicat in Ventis" ("It Avenges in the Wind").

504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force: 504 Squadron came into being on the 14th March 1926 based at Hucknell as part of the Special Reserve Squadron in the light bomber role. The squadron was equipped with Horsleys, Wallaces and Hinds before becoming a fighter squadron equipped with Gloster Gauntlets on 31st October 1938. By the beginning of World War II, 504 had been re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. The squadron's first victory was a Ju88 shot down over France on May 14th 1940 where it had been sent as a BEF reinforcement. After suffering heavy losses in France, 504 was sent back to Wick in the UK and began to build itself back to operational strength. On 5th September 1940 504 flew to Hendon and began intensive operations attacking German formations over London and the South East of England during the Battle of Britain. During 1941, 504 was re-equipped with Mk IIb Hurricanes and then divided. A flight joining No.81 squadron to go to Russian and a new 504 squadron being built up from B flight. 504 squadron saw action throughout World War II, taking part in offensive fighter sweeps over occupied Europe, escorting transport aircraft to Arnhem and bomber escort duties. During January 1945, six pilots were posted to Glosters for conversion to the Meteor, but the war ended in Europe before they could be used in combat. On 16th December 1947 King George VI gave permission for the use of the Royal prefix for all Auxiliary Air Force squadrons. On 12th February 1957 504 squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Wyneswold was disbanded.

Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear  Supermarine Seafire MkIII LR866 (S121).  Aircraft History:   Built by Westland Aircraft Ltd. Yeovil and delivered to 39 MU on 12th December 1943, it went to 880 squadron May 1944 then onto 887 squadron September 1944. Whilst being flown by S/L V Lowden on 15th August 1945 LR866 was credited with 2½ destroyed and 2 'probable' A6M5 "Zeke" fighters. This was the last air combat of the 1939-45 conflict. 887 Squadron Fleet Air Arm:  887 Squadron was formed as a Fleet Fighter squadron at Lee-on-Solent 1st May 1942. Initially equipped with Fulmars Mk II,  the squadron re-equipped with Spitfires MKV in December, finally equipping with Seafires Mk III in March 1943 - which 887 used until its disbandment - in both L and F variants. In April 1943 the squadron embarked on HMS Unicorn sailing in May on convoy escort to Malta and in September, they provided fighter cover for the Salerno landings. 887 became part of the 24th Naval Fighter Wing in October joining HMS Indefatigable in July 1944. 887 was in action off the coast of Norway during operations against the Tirpitz. On rejoining HMS Indefatigable, 887 sailed for Ceylon to join the British Pacific Fleet. The squadron took part in attacks on Sumatra (January 1945), the Sakishima Group of islands (March/ April) and prior to V J Day saw action over the Japanese mainland. In November 1945 they sailed to New Zealand and then onto Australia before sailing home. 887 squadron was disbanded on arrival at Gosport on 15th March 1946. Battle Honours: Atlantic 1943, Salerno 1943, Norway 1944, Palembang 1945, Okinawa 1945 and Japan 1945.

Sub Lieutenant (Air) Victor S Lowden DSC, RNVR:  Born in Bangkok, Siam September 1923, Victor Lowden joined the Fleet Air Arm in July 1942 and commenced his basic flying training at Sealand UK and then Kingston, Canada. After converting to Seafire's in August 1943, he joined 899 squadron in Northern Ireland and with the unit embarked on the escort carrier HMS Khedive. His first operational sortie in a Seafire took place in June 1944 in Air Defence Great Britain at Peterhead in Scotland. Further sorties on the type soon followed, notably over France during Operation Dragoon and then on to the Aegean in September 1944 with operational Aplomb and Outing. After arriving in Australia in April 1945 aboard HMS Chaser, 899 squadron was dismantled to provide pilot and aircraft for the Fleet Carrier HMS Indefatigable to which Victor found himself attached. He officially joined 887 squadron as part of the British Pacific Fleet in Task Force 37 off Sakashima, Japan in May 1945. Moving on to Task Force 38 in July of that year, he was engaged in dive bombing, strafing and providing Combat Air Patrols off Shikoko and Honshu. During the next few weeks, more 'Ramrod' operations followed, attacking shipping and shore installations off Sendai, Japan. On 15th August 1945 whilst leading a flight of Seafires Mk III in LR866 escorting Firefly's and Avengers attacking targets south of Tokyo, he ran into a force of approximately 15 A6M5 (Zeke) fighters and an intense dogfight ensued. The enemy accounted for one Seafire (out of 7) and one Avenger but in doing so paid a high price 8 Zekes were shot down and a further four counted as probable's. Victor Lowden was credited with 2½ destroyed and 2 probable's/damaged. This engagement subsequently proved to be the last aerial combat of the 1939-45 war, for shortly after landing back on the Indefatigable the official ceasefire flag was run up and flown on the ship. After the Tokyo Bay surrender, the carrier returned to Sydney and Victor was awarded the DSC. In mid September 1945 he sailed back to the United Kingdom for early demobilisation. Today he lives happily with his wife Helen in Scotland.

Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear  Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H.  Aircraft History: W5984 was built by Blackburn Aircraft Ltd at Sherburn-in-Elmet near Leeds and was delivered to 825 Squadron 1st January 1942. The aircraft was crewed by Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde DSO (Pilot), Lieutenant W H Williams (Observer) and Leading Airman W J Clinton (Telegraphist/ Air Gunner). Sadly on 12th February 1942, W5984 was shot down over the English Channel whilst leading Operation Fuller, the attack against the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen. All three crew were killed. Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde VC DSO: Born 1st March 1909 in Ireland, Esmonde joined the Royal Air Force in 1928 as a fighter pilot. He left the RAF in 1933 and joined Imperial Airways, flying passengers, mail and freight to Australia and the Far East. In January 1939 he was offered a commission in the Fleet Air Arm as a Lieutenant Commander of 825 squadron. On 23rd May 1941, Esmonde led his squadron on a search for the Bismarck. After locating the target, he led 825 into the attack. Flying through heavy anti-aircraft fire, one of 825's torpedoes hit the Bismarck amidships. For his courage and skill Esmonde was awarded the DSO. On 12th February 1942, 825 took off from RAF Manston to attack the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, in the English Channel. Despite heavy anti aircraft fire, and ferocious attacks by enemy fighters, the six Swordfish bravely pressed home their attack, but all 6 were shot down. Out of a total of 18 aircrew only five survived, four of whom were wounded. Esmonde's aircraft was seen crashing in flames into the sea. His body was later found washed ashore at the mouth of the River Medway, April 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

825 Squadron was formed 8th October 1934 as a reconnaissance squadron equipped with the Fairey IIIF. In July 1936, 825 re-equipped with the Fairey Swordfish Mk I bi-plane whilst on HMS Glorious. In May 1940, 825 disembarked to UK land bases, carrying out operations against U-Boats and E-Boats in the Calais area during Operation Dynamo - the Dunkirk evacuation. They joined HMS Furious in July, taking part in operations off Norway during September. In May 1941, 825 joined HMS Victorious and successfully located the German battleship Bismarck. Damage inflicted by the squadron enabled surface vessels to sink the battleship on 26th May. They transferred to HMS Ark Royal in June for Malta convoy protection duties. Following the sinking of HMS Ark Royal in November the squadron was reformed at Lee-on-Solent in January 1942. Six aircraft on detachment at RAF Manston attacked the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen in the English Channel. No hits were made and all aircraft were lost. 825 was on convoy escort duty in the Arctic and Atlantic until its disbandment in April 1945. Since 1945, 825 has been reformed and disbanded several times. They reformed at RNAS Culdros in May 1982 seeing action in the Falkland Islands. 825 returned to the UK and was finally disbanded September 1982. Battle Honours: Dunkirk 1940, English Channel 1940-42, Norway 1940, Bismarck 1941, Malta Convoys 1941, Arctic 1942-45, Atlantic 1944, Korea 1952, Falkland Islands 1982. Motto: "Nihil Obstat" (Nothing Stops Us).

Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear  Supermarine Spitfire MKVb W3458 YQ-X.  Aircraft History:  First flight 11th July 1941, then onto 12 Maintenance Unit 16th July 1941. W3458 was delivered to 616 Squadron on 23rd July 1941. It failed to return from operations over Northern France on 9th August 1941. Squadron Leader LH Buck Casson DFC, AFC:  Coming from Sheffield Lionel H Casson was one of the original volunteer pilots to join 616 (South Yorkshire) Auxiliary Air Force Squadron on its formation at Doncaster in 1938. After pilot training, he served briefly with 79 Squadron flying Hurricanes from Biggin Hill before rejoining Spitfire equipped 616 at Leconfield in July 1940. With the squadron he flew south to Kenley in mid-August and over the next three weeks was involved in fierce fighting during the Battle of Britain. On 30th August he was credited with a probable and a damaged HE111. Two days later he claimed a Bf109 followed by the destruction of a Do17. After suffering severe losses, the squadron was withdrawn to Kirton-in-Lindsay on 4th September and after a rest period, 616 moved to Tangmere in February to join the 'Bader Wing'. On 5th May 1941, Casson shared in the destruction of a Ju88 but was hit by return fire and was forced to bale out. Flying on daily sweeps and bomber escorts over Northern France, he destroyed a Bf109 on 22nd June and he claimed a damaged two days later. He was made Flight Commander in July and claimed two Bf109s as probables. On 9th August as he was leading his flight over St Omer, his aircraft was hit and he was forced to crash land. He was soon captured and spent the rest of the war in the infamous Stalag Luft 3. Shortly after his capture he was awarded the DFC. After his release four years later, he rejoined the peacetime 616 Squadron, equipped at first with Mosquito night fighters and then Meteor jet fighters. He was appointed as Commanding Officer in December 1950 during which time the Squadron won the coveted Esher Trophy awarded to the top Auxiliary Air Force squadron. After three years in command, he retired having been awarded the AFC for his outstanding leadership.

616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force: 616 Squadron Motto: Nulla Rosa Sine Spina (No rose without a thorn). 616 squadron was formed at Doncaster on 1st November 1938 as the last of the Auxiliary Squadrons. Formed initially as a bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Hinds, it was re-equipped with Gloster Gauntlets in June 1939 and transferred to Fighter Command. The squadron's first Spitfires arrived in late October. 616 first saw action and claimed its first victories whilst covering the evacuation from Dunkirk in May 1940. Returning to Yorkshire, the squadron claimed further enemy victims with 15th August standing out as a memorable day. 616 intercepted a large force of unescorted German bombers off the Yorkshire coast and claimed eight enemy aircraft destroyed. They moved to Kenley to join 11 Group at the height of the Battle of Britain, and destroyed 15 aircraft and claimed a further 15 as probables or damaged. During February 1941, 616 joined the Tangmere Wing led by Wg Cdr Douglas Bader. Flying Spitfire II fighters, they flew 'circus' and 'ramrod' sweeps over Northern France, and re-equipped with Spitfires Vb during July 1941. For the next two years 616 continued as a front line fighter squadron and was heavily engaged during the Dieppe expedition and later flying beach-head patrols on D-Day. In July 1944, 616 re-equipped with Gloster Meteor jet fighter thus becoming the first and only Allied squadron to operate jet aircraft in World War II. The squadron destroyed a number of V1 flying bombs whilst operating from Manston before joining the 2nd Tactical Air Force. In January 1945, 616 moved to the continent and operated in the ground attack role before being disbanded at Lubeck on 29th August. The squadron was re-formed at Finningley on 31st July 1946 equipped with Mosquito NF XXX night fighters which were replaced with Meteor F 3 day fighters a few months later. 616 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was finally disbanded at RAF Worksop on 10th March 1957 whilst equipped with Meteor F8 aircraft.

Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear  Gloster Gladiator Mk II L8011 YK-O.   Aircraft History:  Built by Gloster Aircraft, L8011 was one of a batch of 28 Gladiators delivered in September 1938 to the Royal Air Force. Allocated to 80 Squadron, L8011 saw service in North Africa and Greece, until it was transferred to the Royal Hellenic Air Force, 15th December 1940. Squadron Leader Marmaduke T St. John 'Pat' Pattle, DFC:  Born on 3rd July 1914 in Butterworth, Cape Province, South Africa, 'Pat' Pattle joined 80 Squadron in 1937. The Squadron was sent to Egypt in April 1938, and Pattle became a flight commander in 1939. During August 1940 the Squadron moved up to the Libyan border. Whilst escorting a Lysander, Pattle's flight was engaged by a force of Italian fighters. Pattle (claiming 2) was forced to bale out inside Italian territory, but returned to base the next day. The Squadron moved to Greece in November in support of Greek forces on the Albanian border. Pattle was awarded the DFC in February 1941. In March he was awarded a bar to the DFC promoted to Squadron Leader and given command of 33 squadron equipped with Hawker Hurricanes Mk I. By this time he was credited with 23 victories. Due to the chaotic conditions during the British and Greek retreat, records were lost. However, relying on personal records and memories, it appears that his score of victories was 50 (possibly as high as 60), making him the highest scoring RAF pilot of the war. On 20th April 1941, he led the combined remnants of No.s 33 and 80 squadrons from Eleusis airfield. Although suffering from influenza and fatigue and on his third sortie of the day, Pattle led the remaining Hurricanes to intercept a German formation over Eleusis Bay. He was seen to shoot down a Bf110 but two other Bf110's then attacked him. Pattle was hit and he was seen slumped forward in the cockpit of his aircraft as it fell into the Bay.

80 Squadron Royal Air Force:   80 Squadron Motto: Strike True. 80 Squadron was formed at Montrose on the 10th August 1917, and saw action in France, specialising in the ground attack role. Remaining in Belgium after the war, they moved to Egypt in May 1919 where it was renumbered 56 the following year. 80 squadron re-formed at Kenley on 8th March 1937, equipped with Gloster Gauntlets and Gladiators. Posted to Egypt in May 1938, the squadron joined No.33 to form a Gladiator Wing for defence of the Suez canal. When Italy entered the war, 80 squadron was stationed at Amriya equipped with Gladiators and one Hurricane. In November 1940, the squadron moved to Greece and in February 1941, the squadron equipped with a mixture of Gladiators and Hurricanes was used on bomber escort duties. In March the Germans came to the aid of their Italian Allies and on 24th March the squadron was evacuated to Crete and then to Palestine. In November 1941 they returned to the Western Desert to take part in the relief of Tobruk. During 1942-43, the squadron was on defence duties and convoy escort work over the Eastern Mediterranean. Posted to Italy in January 1944 and then onto the UK, they were re-equipped with Spitfires Mk IX. 80 Squadron then took part in bomber escorts, sweeps and armed reconnaissance. They began to re-equip with the Hawker Tempest, and were used for anti V1 operations. 80 Squadron was posted to the continent to support the Arnhem landings and roamed over Germany in the ground attack role. They remained in Germany as part of the occupation force until 1949. It was then sent to Hong Kong on air defence duties equipped with Spitfires and Hornets between 1949 and 1955. Disbanded in 1955, 80 Squadron reformed in Germany as a P R Squadron equipped with Canberras PR7. They finally disbanded in September 1969.

Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear  Gloster Meteor Mk F.1 EE227 YQ-Y.  Aircraft History:  EE227 was 13th out of a batch of 15 F.1 aircraft delivered to 616 Squadron during 1944. Following service with 616, the aircraft was transferred to the Royal Aircraft Establishment and then to Rolls Royce, where it became the first aircraft to be fitted with turboprops (Rolls Royce Trents). It then went to the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment before returning to Rolls Royce and finally going back to the Royal Aircraft Establishment. After a distinguished career EE227 was struck off charge 27th June 1949. Squadron Leader Dennis Barry, Croix de Guerre Avec Palme:  Born on 26th August 1921 in London Dennis Barry joined the Royal Air Force in October 1940. In 1941, following pilot training, he was posted to 504 County of Nottingham Squadron and flew both Hurricanes and Spitfires. In August 1943 he was sent on a flight leaders course at Charmy Down and posted to Ibsley as a Flight Commander in 616 South Yorkshire Squadron. In June 1944 with other 616 pilots he was sent to Farnborough for a conversion course to fly the new Gloster Meteor. During this period, USAAF daylight bombers were under attack by German Me262 jet fighters so, together with three other pilots, Dennis was attached to Debden, where they staed mock attacks against 180 bombers and fighters to help the Americans gauge the speed of jet aircraft. In July 1944 616 moved to RAF Manston and was involved with the interception of German V-1 flying bombs and on 29th August he flew EE227 on an operational sortie. In February 1945, Dennis took four meteors Mk III to Brussels/ Melsbroeck. To enable Allied ground forces to distinguish the Meteors from the German jet fighters, the aircraft were painted all white. Prior to the end of hostilities, as the Allies moved through Europe, 616 were involved with numerous attacks on airfields, road and rail traffic. They moved to Lubeck at the end of the war, from where Dennis Barry led the Squadron on a victory fly past at the Copenhagen air show. In May 1946 he was demobilised from the RAF and re-joined 616 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Finningley in March 1948, remaining with the squadron until July 1951. During this period on 8th January 1950 he probably became the only pilot to successfully bale out of a Meteor without the aid of an ejector seat.

616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force:  616 squadron was formed at Doncaster on 1st November 1938 as the last of the Auxiliary Squadrons. Formed initially as a bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Hinds, it was re-equipped with Gloster Gauntlets in June 1939 and transferred to Fighter Command. The squadron's first Spitfires arrived in late October. 616 first saw action and claimed its first victories whilst covering the evacuation from Dunkirk in May 1940. Returning to Yorkshire, the squadron claimed further enemy victims with 15th August standing out as a memorable da