Operational sorties Detailed view
Ltn. Kjeld Rønhof
Unit
332 Sqn
Aircraft
Spitfire IX , BS407 (AH-Y)
Date
03.02.43
Time
15:00 - 17:00
Details
At 1500 hours, the Squadron again took off to act as Target Support for Venturas bombing Abbeville in Circus 259. Nine aircraft of this Squadron, led by Capt. Thorager F., joined 331(N) Squadron over base. The Wing was a few minutes late at rendezvous, but bombers were seen ahead and above when about mid-channel. The Wing flew at sea level until in sight of the French coast, when they climbed rapidly, arriving over Abbeville at 14,000 feet. As the bombers turned right after dropping their bombs, the Wing followed. Then the Controller reported e/a in the Dieppe area, and as the bombers seemed to be well covered by their escort, the Wing turned to port just after the French coast had been crossed. Having climbed on the way out, the Wing was at 20-22,000 feet when 6 F.W.190's were seen to port at 17,000 feet. The Squadrons dived on these e/a and 2/Lt. Eriksen M. D.F.M. probably destroyed one F.W.190. The Wing was split up but later reformed when approaching the English coast.
Source
AIR 27/1728
Note
Se Rønhof (1996) p. 45