Spitfires at Bovingdon
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Although it could be established that the photo had been taken by the US personnel at Bovingdon, the reason for the presence No. 312 at the airfield is not explained. Probably the squadron made a friendly visit or had to land there due to some weather trouble at their home base at Mendlesham, Suffolk. Bovingdon was a B-17 operational training base and the home of 1st Combat Crew Replacement Center for B-17 units of the 8th Air Force.
[US National Archives]
Labels: Spitfire Mk. IX
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posted by
Anonymous on 14 Jul 2009 15:11:00
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Are you sure about the date? Between 5th March and 14th March 1944 the Czech and Norwegian wings took part in Exercise Lambourne I, training in attacking armoured vehicles and other ground targets. Could 312 Squadron have been there as part of the Exercise. On 15th March they were back on operations. On 27th and 28th March they escorted Marauders. At the beginning of April they moved to Appledram.
posted by
Spitfire Site Editor on 20 Jul 2009 10:08:00
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The quoted date is as stated in the US archival record. This by itself is, of course, no guarantee that the day is an exact match.
posted by
Anonymous on 12 Aug 2009 20:24:00
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Are you sure about 312 Squadron? The code seems to me as OU (485 Squadron RNZAF) not DU (312 Squadron).
posted by
Spitfire Site Editor on 13 Aug 2009 08:11:00
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Your coment has just preceded my finding of the same. (blush)
Yes, it would seem that the letters are OU, thus the Spits belong to No. 485 NZAF Sqn. I will update the caption accordingly. Thanks!