Operational sorties Detailed view
Ob.ltn. Kaj Birksted
Unit
332 Sqn
Aircraft
Spitfire IX , BS458 (KB)
Date
19.09.43
Time
17:05 - 18:35
Details
Ramrod 233. The North Weald Wing was to act as the First Fighter Sweep to 72 Marauders bombing the airfield at Merville. The Wing climbed from base and crossed the French coast just West of Dunkirk at 25,000 feet, then swept, under Appledore Control, to St. Omer and later to Bethune area. When approx. over Bethune itself, 10-15 F.W. 190's were sighted at 15,000 feet flying West. The Wing dived from 26,000 feet to attack, but the e/a immediately turned to their backs and dived away. The Wing reformed and crossed out between Le Touquet and Bolougne at 1809 hours.
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.