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.33. The Wing, led by Major K. Birksted, D.F.C., flying with the Squadron, was to act as top cover to Maurauders bombing Ghent Marshalling Yards on this operation, which went as planned. Beehive was escorted out to the Belgian coast which was crossed East of Ostende. Receiving information of e/a South of Dunkirk the Wing swept in that direction at 25,000 feet. Near Dunkirk another wing was seen to engage 6-9 Me 109-s at 20,000 feet. These e/a dived away as the Wing approached. Information was then received of friends engaged between Ostende and Nieuport as the Wing swept back and saw friendly aircraft but no e/a. Pilots report considerable amount of barges seen on river Scheldt in Ghent.
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.