Operational sorties Detailed view
Ob.ltn. Kaj Birksted
Unit
332 Sqn
Aircraft
Spitfire IX , BS458 (KB)
Date
14.09.43
Time
16:50 - 18:30
Details
Ramrod 218. The North Weald Wing was to act as top cover to 36 Marauders bombing Woensdrecht airfield in Holland. Major K. Birksted, D.F.C., flying with this Squadron, was leading the Wing. The Wing made rendezvous with Beehive over Bradwell at 1705 hours as planned. When 20 miles of Blankenberghe, the Beehive returned owing to unsuitable weather conditions, but the Wing Leader decided to go on and the Wing swept Blankenberghe - Dixmude and crossed the coast out at Calais. The Wing tried to engage seven F.W.190's seen to the East in the Dixmude area, but these e/a dived inland into cloud. Soon after 6 Me. 109's in sections of 2-4-2 were sighted coming from sea flying in line abreast 2,000 feet below the Wing which was then at 28,000 feet. When these e/a crossed below the Wing, the W/Co. dived with this Squadron and engaged them. In combats which developed Major K. Birksted, D.F.C., destroyed one Me. 109G and Capt. Fosse G damaged another. After engagement the Wing reformed up sun and returned to base without further incident. Four other pilots of this Squadron fired but make no claims.
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.