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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
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 19 March 2021, 11:43