Operational sorties Detailed view
Ltn. Kjeld Rønhof
Unit
332 Sqn
Aircraft
Spitfire IX , BS401 (AH-S)
Date
02.01.43
Time
12:05 - 12:45
Details
Rodeo 243. At 1205 hours 13 aircraft of this Squadron took off from North Weald with 331(N) Squadron on operation Rodeo 243. Major W.Mohr, D.F.C. was leading the Wing. The English coast was crossed over Manston at 22,000 feet and course was set for the French coast which was crossed over Dunkirk at 25,000 feet. After Dunkirk, the Wing turned to starboard and made a wide sweep passing East of St. Omer and out over the French coast at Berck-sur-Mer. Slight flas was experienced from the St. Omer area and some huns were seen closing in to 1000 yards astern. The Wing opened up and climbed owing to the very high wind which was very unfavourable for contact. The English coast was recrossed over Beechy Head and the Squadron had landed at 1335 hours. Weather:- 8/10ths of broken cloud over France with very good visibility.
Source
AIR 27/1728
Note
In his memoires (Rønhof, 1996) Rønhof tells that he experience a steep dive from about 30,000 feet due to a motor failure. He fails to level the inner ear pressure and is hospitalised from 3-24 January 1943.