RAF No 609 (West Riding) Squadron

RAF No 609 (West Riding) Squadron Spitfire photographs

Aircrew RAF 609Sqn Ostaszewski-Ostoja nicknamed Osti Battle of Britain 01

FLt Piotr Ostaszewski-Ostoja nicknamed Osti RAF 609Sqn during the Battle of Britain and RAF 306Sqn after 21 May 1944

Gun camera footage from RAF 609Sqn FL McArthur showing a He 111 being hit 1940 IWM CH1823

A still from camera gun film shows tracer ammunition from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I of No. 609 Squadron RAF, flown by Flight Lieutenant J H G McArthur, hitting a Heinkel He 111 on its starboard quarter. These aircraft were part of a large formation from KG 53 and KG 55 which attacked the Bristol Aeroplane Company's works at Filton, Bristol, just before midday on 25 September 1940.

Imperial War Museum IWM CH 1823 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205022999

Gun camera footage from RAF 609Sqn PO Bisdee showing a KG55 He 111 being hit 1940 IWM CH1827

A still from camera-gun film taken from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I of No. 609 Squadron RAF, flown by by Pilot Officer J D Bisdee, as he dives on a formation of Heinkel He 111s of KG 55 which have just bombed the Supermarine aircraft works at Woolston, Southampton. The rearmost aircraft of the leading 'staffel' receives a burst of machine gun fire from Bisdee, as shown by the streaks of light from the tracer bullets. Its port engine is also on fire.

Imperial War Museum IWM CH 1827 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205023000

Gun camera footage from RAF 609Sqn PO Miller showing a He 111 being hit 1940 IWM CH1830

A still from camera gun footage taken from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I of No. 609 Squadron RAF flown by Pilot Officer R F G Miller, showing a Heinkel He 111 of KG 53 or KG 55 taking hits in the port engine from Miller's machine guns. The aircraft was one of a force which bombed the Bristol Aeroplane Company's factory at Filton, Bristol. Miller was killed two days later when he collided head on with a Messerschmitt Bf 110 of III/ZG 26 over Cheselbourne, Dorset.

Imperial War Museum IWM CH 1830 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205023002

Gun camera footage from RAF 609Sqn PO Staples showing a Bf 110 being hit 25th Sep 1940 IWM CH1834

A still from camera gun footage taken by a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I of No. 609 Squadron RAF, flown by Pilot Officer M E Staples, showing a Messerschmitt Bf 110 banking steeply to port as it tries to avoid Staples' gun fire. This aircraft belongs, either to Erprobungsgruppe 210, which bombed the Parnall aircraft factory at Yate, north east of Bristol, or to III/ZG 76 which was providing fighter cover for Heinkel He 111s of KG 55 which attempted to attack the Bristol Aeroplane Company's factory at Filton.

Imperial War Museum IWM CH 1834 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205023003

Gun camera footage from RAF 609Sqn P.O. Staples showing a Bf 110 being hit 25th Sep 1940. The German fighter (Messerschmitt Bf 110) in the frame of the gun camera of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I fighter flown by Pilot Office (Lieutenant) Staples from RAF 609Sqn. The fighter makes a sharp left banked turn, trying to escape Staples' gunfire. The aircraft belongs to either the Erprobungsgruppe 210, which on February 27, 1941, bombed the Parnall aircraft factory in Yate, northeast of Bristol, or to the III/ZG76, which covered the Heinkel He 111 bombers of KG 55, attempting to bomb the Bristol Airline Company (Bristol Aeroplane) in the city of Bristol. September 25, 1940

Gun camera footage from RAF aircraft showing He 111 being hit 25th Sep 1940 01

25th Sep 1940 at 1145 hours, 27 German bombers escorted by 30 fighters attacked the Bristol Aeroplane Company factory at Filton in southwestern England, United Kingdom; construction sheds and 8 newly-built aircraft were destroyed, while 132 were killed and 315 were wounded; the Germans lost 6 aircraft (8 killed, 10 taken prisoner), while the British lost 4 fighters (1 killed). At 1647 hours, 24 German bombers escorted by 12 Bf 110 fighters attacked Plymouth in southern England, losing 1 bomber. Overnight, London and other cities were bombed, while other German bombers laid mines in the Thames Estuary.

Gun camera footage from RAF 609Sqn Sqn Ldr Darley showing a KG55 He 111 being hit 1940 IWM CH1829

A still from camera-gun film taken from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I flown by the Commanding Officer of No. 609 Squadron RAF, Squadron Leader H S Darley, as he opens fire amongst a formation of Heinkel He 111s of KG 55 which have just bombed the Supermarine aircraft works at Woolston, Southampton.

Imperial War Museum IWM CH 1829 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205023001

Spitfire Mk IIa P8624 flown by Flt Lt John Bisdee of No 609 Sqn, Biggin Hill, May 1941. Below the cockpit of this spitfire can be seen the Bisdee family crest - a fleur de lys. While flying this aircraft John 'The Bishop' Bisdee achieved a half victory over a Bf 109 on Circus No 10. On that day No 609 Sqn as part of the Biggin Hill Wing acted as withdraw cover to a Blenheim formation which bombed the oil refineries at Bethune. As mentioned above John Curching flew successfully the P8624, although the aircrft was damaged in this combat. P8624 later served with No's 452 and 131 Sqn's, and after that it was involved with OTU's and and other task's, including the Empire Central Flying school until it was finally struck of charge in December 1944.

Spitfire Mk IIa P8098 'Enfield Spitfire' flown by Flt Lt John Curchin of No 609 Sqn, Biggin Hill, May 1941
Although this presentation Spitfire is known as the personal mount of the Australian Battle of Britain ace John Curching (8 and 4 shared destroyed, 1 shared unconfirmed destroyed, 1 probable and 1 damaged), he actually flew with P8264 when achieving his sole victories (1/2 I/JG 3 Bf 109F-2) with the Mk II on 8 May 1941. P8098 took part in the same action but was flown by Sgt R Boyd. It was badly damaged during a crash landing near Manston after an air battle on 21 May. After a major overhaul it was delivered to No 130 Sqn in August. Still in active service, the flying career of P8098 ended effectively when it struck barracks during a low level beat up at Peranporth airfield in October 1941.

Notes: The above information was gathered mainly from 'Osprey Aircraft of the Aces - Spitfire Mark I/II Aces by A. Price'
(all possible errors in translation to english are mine) Information of K9795 and R Leigh's R6800 from 'Jane's Supermarine Spitfire by David Oliver, Harpers Publisher 1999'
P. Richey quote from the 'Fighter pilot's Summer by Wg Cdr Paul Richey and Norman Franks, 1999 edition published by Grub Street'
P. Clostermann Quote from 'the Big Show' by Pierre Clostermann, Cassel Military Paperbacks 2004'
J. Goodson quote from the'Tumult in the Clouds by James Goodson, Penguin Books 2003'

Biggin Hill, England, United Kingdom