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Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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401 Squadron Crest
13.03.1942 No. 401 Squadron Spitfire Vb AD234 YO-X Sq/Ldr. Douglas

Operation: Circus 144

Date: 13th March 1942 (Friday)

Unit: 401 Squadron (RCAF - The Rams) 11 Group

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: AD234

Code: YO-X

Base: RAF Biggin Hill

Location: Woodchurch

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Alfred Graham Douglas 70188 RAFVR


We are extremely grateful to François Dutil (438 Squadron Archivist) for supplying photographs and information to Aircrew Remembered in October 2017. All photographs shown within this page are available to relatives at a higher resolution (as are most of those named within this page) - courtesy of François.


REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking part in Circus 144 when attacked by Fw190 from JG26. Aircraft hit and badly damaged the pilot was forced to bale out over Woodchurch. Survived the war and was the commanding officer of the squadron between January and June 1942.

Above left: Sq/Ldr. Alfred Graham Douglas - Right L-R: Fl/Lt. Neal. Sq/Ldr. Douglas, P/O. Ormston (all DFC Holders)

Distinguished Flying Cross. L/G. 29th May 1942:

"This officer has completed over 100 operational sorties of which 72 have been over enemy territory. He has destroyed 2 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed 1, and damaged a further 2. On one occasion, whilst over France, the port tailplane and starboard elevator of his aircraft were shot away, but he succeeded in flying back to base safely. In a recent engagement his aircraft was so severely damaged that he was compelled to abandon it! He was, however, flying on operations again the following day. Squadron Leader Douglas has led his squadron with skill and determination".

L-R: P/O. John Randolph Patton, Sq/Ldr. Douglas, Sgt. Jim Flander, P/O. Gerald Bickle Whitney, P/O. Hugh Merritt, Sgt. Slim Cosburn, Fl/Sgt. James Whitham, Sgt. Alec Blakely, Sgt. Jerry Denancrede, P/O. Hugh Godefroy, P/O. Ormston. Front: Sgt. Don Morrison, Sgt. Chuck Pope, Sgt. Frank Duff.


Above Spitfire AD234 - at this time being flown by Hugh Godefroy in October 1941.

Burial details:

None - Sq/Ldr. Alfred Graham Douglas survived the war.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Francois Dutil, other sources as quoted below.We do recommend readers to the 'All Spitfires Database'. Kurt from Ottawa, Canada is doing a terrific job with this - a database that you are able to directly assist with, take a look.

KTY - 14.11.2017

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Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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