Operation: Circus 30
Date: 03rd July 1941 (Thursday)
Unit: No. 611 Squadron (11 Group)
Type: Spitfire V
Serial: R7293 (Sans Tache)
Code: FY-A
Base: RAF Hornchurch, Essex
Location: Near Saint-Omer, Fance
Pilot: Sgt. Martin Kean Mchugh NZ/401281 RNZAF Age 23. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off from RAF Hornchurch in Essex with eleven others at 10:55 hrs on Circus 30 - escorting 12 Blenheims to Hazebrouk.
During the operational sortie the squadron dived to attack other enemy aircraft and in turn they were then bounced by another Luftwaffe formation - Sgt. Mchugh was lost during this combat after being shot down by Me109.
Crash photographs courtesy Paul Broderick
Burial details:
Sgt. Martin Kean Mchugh. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St-Omer). Plot 9. Row B. Grave 17. Son of David and Sarah McHugh, of Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand. A total of 270 flying hours logged and on his 35th operational sortie.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:
