Originally posted by mw
Hello Gents:
The first Spitfire XIV operational sorties occurred 8 January 1944. The operations were mostly boring convoy patrols and defensive scrambles through February. 610 Squadron could field a full squadron by February, although they were still short a spare or two. Things heated up in March when 91 Squadron went operational with thier XIVs. The first air combat I know about occurred on 7 March 1944. See under Combat Reports here. By April 610, 91, and 322 Squadrons were all operational.
Mike
Nothing really tells me they were over France prior to the last bit of April 44. The logbook I have is Bruce Moffett's and he was A Flight CO of 91 Squadron during the transition time from the XII to the XIV and was with them until August 44 when they transitioned to IXs.
His first flight was in RB188 on March 2, 1944. with the month being filled with "air tests", "air to air" firing, "Air to ground" firing, height climbs, flight and squadron formation flying etc. On his first height climb in a Spit XIV he took NH701 DL-A to 42,000 feet. This was March 15, 1944. His first Operational flight in the XIV was April 25, 1944 when he went on a 'recce' to "Somme-Dieppe" and "shot down a barrage balloon in flames."
91 was declared operational on the XIV April 23, 1944
First XIV lost over France was May 28, 1944 when a 610 squadron XIV went down to flak and a forced landing. I've always thought it ironic that the Spit XII drivers were sent out the next day to try and find the wreck and shoot it up. Terry Spencer even mentions it in his diary for the 29th.
