Gerard Morris in “Spitfire: The New Zealand Story” relates the intriguing tale of Kiwi F/O Alan Roberts flying with 131…
“On the 12 May 1944 he was flying as Black I in a Mk VII Spitfire MD125/NX-X…when they were vectored to investigate bogeys. On arrival in the area, above and behind – a perfect position for attacking – they recognised the aircraft as three Spitfires in close formation. No markings were seen. They were lost in the haze.
At this time, two pilots of 41 Squadron (F/O Cook and P/O Malone) were scrambled, and detailed to intercept a raid which had been plotted from 36 miles south of Portland at 1000 ft on a zig-zag course. The aircraft came within 10 miles east of Dartmouth before climbing to 10,000 ft and turning south-east. The radar plots faded near Alderney.
The 41 Squadron Spitfires intercepted three Spitfires which were flying north in mid-Channel. No tally-ho was given and one Spitfire (the middle one) half-rolled down, whilst the remaining two did a lazy turn back to France, giving an unheard-of dead line astern shot. They disappeared in the direction of Germany.
No friendly aircraft were known to be in the area at the time and the possibility cannot, therefore, be excluded that these aircraft were Spitfires being flown by the enemy. No markings or cannon were seen.
F/O Roberts and F/Sgt Rigg landed at 0945 hrs. During the afternoon they were called to Bolt Head to attend a conference held by Sector Command. No decision was made as to whether to expect hostile Spitfires in the area.”
– Gerard S. Morris, Spitfire: The New Zealand Story, 2000, p. 172
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