Extract from 125 Wing ORB for 19 April 1945 – This was late in the day and at about the same time a section of 130 Sqdn ran into 20-plus FW190’s and in the ensuing dogfight F/Lt Ponsford chased one of them 15 miles to the deck before he was able to shoot it down. By then he was alone and came back after trying to locate the other two F/O Murphy and F/Sgt Clay. Neither of them has been heard of since but we hope they got away with it, and in view of the rate at which the blokes are streaming in, they may be back with us quite soon. Here’s hoping. Earlier in the day F/O Carter of 130 Sqdn had engine trouble and force landed in our lines and is believed to be safe, so with any luck we shall be seeing him again quite soon.

Spitfire XIV dig

And this is Andy Miller – who was shot down by a gunner in a Ju188 – however, if anybody has a photo of F/O I Smith (SR80463) I would love a copy. He became the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia (then Rhodesia) before passing the job on to Robert Mugabe. cheers – Allan125 🙂

Spitfire XIV dig

Right Squadron – Someone looked in FCL and decided it wasn’t Terry Spencer, Phil Clay or Frank Woolley as they are Brit’s – but what about F/O W H Carter who is also RAAF and survived ? 🙂 cheers – Allan125

Hi Guys – I am involved in the dig in Germany – however, all I am allowed to say by the producer is that it is a Spitfire XIV, with an Australian pilot (who is still alive) – my hobby is 125 Wing 1943-1945 (41, 130 and 350 at the relevant time) and it’s in FCL so that narrows the squadron down a bit !! No it’s not an Oz squadron, they didn’t have XIV’s at the time. More when I can say – cheers – Allan125

Ashley – Looking through the 125 Airfield ORB for 9/7/43 – the first operational show from 125 Airfield since it’s inception in June ’43, it states: “As the machines were returning to base F/Lt. Bell of 19 sqdn. collided with S/Ldr Ekins” – so that is a small s and a full stop afterwards. In 1944 some entries showed Sqdn (large S no .) and others Sqn !! 1945 entries seem to be Sqdn (again large S no .) Also, on 7/5/45 it refers to 414 squadron RCAF as “but without the Recce Squadron (414).” Hope that helps?? 🙂

neutrals

hi Dave – Ulf Christiernsson was one of the few Swedish pilots who volunteered for Allied service during the Second World War. Before the war he was a successful pilot in the Swedish Air Force. In 1942 he asked the commander of the Swedish Air Force for permission to volunteer for Allied service. He went to the British Embassy in Stockholm and enlisted. The RAF transported Ulf in a British Airways Dakota to England for training – and, eventually, he served in 680 squadron in Italy. In 1944 he was transferred to 130 (Punjab) Squadron in Belgium. He was only stationed with this unit for three months before he was sent back to his old unit. Just after the end of the war in Europe he was stationed in Norway as a Spitfire pilot. After Germany had surrendered he volunteered as a De Havilland Hornet pilot in the “TIGER FORCE”, which was to be sent to the Far East. However the war ended before he was finished with his training. The Swiss used to fire flak at allied aircraft infringing their airspace – and the Spanish were well known for imprisoning allied personnel who crossed the border and were caught, or handed themselves over. before they were released and sent to Gibraltar. An Icelander also served with the RAF, Thorsteinn “Tony” Jonsson, he has written a book about his experiences. Flying Spitfires and then Mustangs in 65 Squadron – 122 Wing – Jonsson would become an ace over Normandy in June 1944 when he downed two Focke Wulf 190s. During the war, Jonsson’s victories included 8 aircraft destroyed, 1 probable, and 2 damaged. He had already fought in the desert, gaining the DFM. Hope this helps – Allan125