© Fighter Command War Diaries, July 1943 - June 1944, by John Foreman, ISBN 1-871187-43-5; transcribed and submitted by Allan Hillman
3 October 1943
Day:
Offensive Operations: Ramrod No. 258
began thirty minutes after the 10 Group raiders had taken off, with Bostons
being escorted to Distre, Blaingy and Chevilly Largue at low level. They were
intercepted by elements of JG2 and II./JG26 and claimed 6:1:3 for
the loss of six aircraft and five pilots. Note: 10 Groups Ramrod 90
had taken off at 13:00 so Ramrod 258 must have been 13:30!! - No specific
mention of 41 Squadron, but in the tables it shows 41 Squadron as losing one
Spitfire MIA (Missing in Action) and one Pilot MIA.
20 October 1943
Day:
Offensive Operations: Rodeo No. 263 began the day when, at
09.30 hours several fighter wings patrolled the Evreux, Rouen and Ostend areas,
drawing Bf109s to battle. The Westhamptnett Wing, ably led by Wing Commander Ray
Harries, claimed nine Messerschmitts and a lone Focke-Wulf, apparently from JG2.
Three Spitfires were shot-up, but all returned safely. Note: in the
tables it shows 41 Squadron as claiming 4 destroyed – with no loss.
13 March 1944
Day:
Offensive Operations: In the late afternoon, Ramrod No. 649,
B-26s with Spitfire escorts, raided No-Ball targets without incident. A
Mosquito crew was lost north of Sotteville on another Ramrod (number unknown)
and a Spitfire crashed at Lympne on return from an ASR mission, killing the
pilot. Note: in the tables it shows 41 Squadron as losing one Spitfire
Category E (write-off) and one Pilot KIA.
2 June 1944
Day:
Offensive Operations: On an early morning reconnaissance to Brest
a 41 Squadron pilot was shot down by Flak near Guernsey. Note: in
the tables it shows 41 Squadron losing one Spitfire MIA and one Pilot MIA.
7 June 1944
Day: Offensive Operations: To the west, 10 Group sent out Roadsteads, Rodeos and Rhubarbs, losing a Typhoon pilot from 263 Squadron, at St. Malo, and a Spitfire pilot each from 41, 131 and 165 Squadrons. Note: In the tables it shows 41 Squadron as losing one Spitfire MIA and one Pilot MIA. [Although not identified, this appears to be Flg. Off. Kenneth B. Robinson]
9 June 1944
Day:
Beachhead Patrols: Three
Spitfires were lost, one to Flak at Carentan and two to gunners aboard
warships off Omaha Beach. One pilot was later found in a US hospital. Note:
In the tables it shows 41 Squadron as one Spitfire Category E (write-off) and
one Pilot WIA.
12 June 1944
Day:
Other Operations: Rhubarbs
were flown in the late morning. 165 Squadron lost two pilots to Flak and
one pilot of 41 Squadron baled out into the Channel and was rescued. Another
from this unit returned wounded. Note: In the tables it shows 41 Squadron as two
Spitfires Category E (write-off) and one Pilot WIA.
18 June 1944
Day:
Other Operations: Two
Spitfires of 41 Squadron flew a shipping reconnaissance at dawn. One, hit by Flak,
was abandoned over the Channel by Flight Lieutenant T A Slack. Sergeant J P Ware
circled the dinghy, transmitting a fix for the ASR service until his fuel ran
out. Then he too baled out, and both were picked up by a Walrus. Note: In
the tables it shows 41 Squadron as losing two Spitfires Category E (write-off).
23 June 1944
Day:
Defensive Patrols:
Allied
fighter pilots operated against the continuing V-1 menace, claiming 25
destroyed. One 41 Squadron Spitfire was written off west of Farley in a
crash-landing due to fuel shortage. Flying Officer M. Balasse was injured. Note:
In the tables it shows 41 Squadron as losing one Spitfire MIA and one Pilot
MIA. [It is not yet clear which pilot went MIA]
27 June 1944
Night: Defensive Operations: Me110 intruders were out over England and shot down one Lancaster and damaged two other bombers, but no fighter interceptions were made. Fighter crews were again fully occupied in the south against V-1’s, day fighters claiming eleven and nightfighters twelve. One Spitfire crashed at Westhamptnett, injuring the pilot. Note: In the tables it shows 41 Squadron as losing one Pilot WIA (Wounded in Action). The only Spitfire lost that day on Defensive Operations was by 41 Squadron.
Another source suggests this final entry is not completely accurate and that Flight Sergeant Robertson crashed and collided with a landed aircraft, thus destroying both [see also the entry in the Casualties list for this date]. Terry Spencer's diary notes, "June 27 Squadron moved to Tangmere. There'll be little joy with Doodle Bugs here. Moved over to Westhampnett in the evening. Robertson pranged and wrote off two Spits." (Source: Dan Johnson)