Operation: Cannon test run.
Date: 14th July 1944 (Friday)
Unit No: 132 (City of Bombay) Squadron, 2nd Tactical Air Force
Type: Spitfire LF.IX
Serial: NH481
Code: FF:B
Base: ALG B.14, Amble, France
Location: Lisieux, France
Pilot: Sqn Ldr. Kenneth Langley Charney DFC & Bar 112709 RAFVR Age 24. Survived
A full report on the career of Sqn Ldr. Kenneth Charney is published by Aircrew Remembered here including the repatriation of his remains to Argentina in 2015. With many thanks to Claudio Meunier for his wonderful research and efforts to enable this to take place.
Combat Report:
Taking off at 14:17 hrs from the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) B.14, Amble, France
Above: Pierre Clostermann (another ace) congratulating Sqn Ldr. Charney DFC & Bar on one of his recent 'kills' They were best of friends during this period. (courtesy Claudio Meunier)
His combat report reads:“I was flying Black 3 to Wg Cdr. Page on a cannon test when 12 x Fw190s were sighted above cloud at 6,000 ft. in the Lisieux area. The enemy aircraft dived below cloud when our section followed and engaged. I attacked a Fw190 in a climbing turn towards cloud base, angle of approx 40 degrees, range 150-200 yards. Time of action: 14:35 hrs.
I saw strikes around the tail unit and fuselage on the starboard side just as the the enemy aircraft pulled into the cloud. He re-appeared immediately inverted and started spinning at 2,000 ft. I watched him go straight into the ground where he blew up. No parachute was seen, cine gun used. I claim this enemy aircraft destroyed.”
Landed at 14:52 hrs.
Above: short video of 132 Squadron at ALG B.14 in 1944
Above: Argentinian aviation artist, Pablo Patricio Albornoz, sent us this painting that he has done for the ceremony of the repatriation of the remains of Wg Cdr. Charney DFC & Bar in May 2015.
His DFC was awarded as an acting Flt Lt. whilst with 185 Sqn, London Gazette 5th February 1943;
His Bar to the DFC was awarded as a Flt Lt. whilst with 602 Sqn. London Gazette 19th September 1944.
Citation reads: "Flight Lieutenant Charney is a brave and resourceful fighter. He has taken part in a very large number of sorties, involving- a variety of operational missions. In air fighting he has destroyed 6 enemy aircraft".
Burial details:
None - survived this operation and the war.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Claudio Meunier, Christopher Shores and Clive Williams - Aces High Volumes 1 and 2. Updated with new information for the aircraft and his DFC & Bar awards. (Oct 2022)
Other sources quoted below.
RS 26.10.2022 - Update to aircraft details and inclusion of awards information
KTY - Initial upload details unknown
RS 26.10.2022 - Update to aircraft details and inclusion of awards information
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them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 26 October 2022, 10:24