Battle of Britain Print

"Eye of the Needles, a sad witness"

J: in the series "Echoes of the Home Front by John Howard Worsley

August 11th 1940: A massive aerial dog-fight off the Needles. The passing of many brave young pilots and a
child's amazing escape as a British fighter crashes within feet of him and its ammunition explodes.

Extract from the Story-Sheet:

The 11th Aug, a Sunday, had dawned reasonably fair with broken watery clouds clearing away as the morning progressed. With improvement of the climate came an ominous build-up of aerial activity over the north of France, this seen clearly on British radar. Seven squadrons comprised of Spitfires and Hurricanes were scrambled to intercept the German raiders which numbered over 80 bombers with 95 escort fighters and were heading for the Naval base at Portland. A terrific dog-fight ensued which drifted east between Swanage and the Isle of Wight, within sight of the Needles.

Just after 10 a.m. Spitfire PR-D R6769 piloted by P/O Dundas of 609 Sqn from Warmwell, sustained severe damage to its starboard aileron and rudder. It was also leaking glycol and so the airman returned to base. Despite the damage, R6769 was brought to rest in repairable condition.

The story-sheet has a lot more about John Dundas and also about other pilots and aircraft caught in that fateful air battle

Peter Abbott relates that as a young boy, with his elder sister Nancy and brother Leon, he was collecting blackberries in the fields behind Lake.

"I saw a Hurricane flying slowly over the golf course with its pilot waving to the few golfers out that day. This was apparently, the other pilot's mate and he was escorting the shot-up fighter to a landing place. He was desperately waving to clear the area. I remember seeing two of the golfers cheerily wave back. .............

Available as hand mounted prints 10" x 8" , 14" x 11" & 20" x 16".

Also available to order as Canvas Repro'