Operational sorties Detailed view
Ob.ltn. Kaj Birksted
Unit
332 Sqn
Aircraft
Spitfire IX , BS458 (KB)
Date
04.09.43
Time
17:05 - 18:55
Details
Ramrod S.31. The Wing, led by Major K. Birksted, D.F.C., flying with the Squadron, was to act as top cover to 36 Maurauders bombing Courtrai Marshalling Yards. The operation went according to plan. No e/a were sighted until the Wing had crossed at Nieuport. The 6 unidentified aircraft . probably e/a - were seen waiting off coast at 8-10,000 feet. The Wing dived from 22,000 feet but the e/a were then seen to be engaged by Spitfire V's Four splashes were seen in the sea, at least one of these was caused by a F.W.190 going in and another by a Spitfire V. The Wing was now informed of friends being engaged in the Ypres area, so the Wing climbed to 24,000 feet and sighted a Spitfire wing half way between Ypres and Dunkirk - The North Weald Wing flew back on top of this other Wing and landed at base without further incident.
Source
AIR 27/1728
Note
ORB indicates aircraft as BS548, but this is likely be an error as BS458 was 132 W/C mount during this period.