Date: 15th July 1942.
Unit: No. 122 Squadron R.A.F.
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: BM329.
Coded: MT-C
Base: Fairlop
Location: Boulogne
Pilot: Sgt. Dennis Stephen James. R.A.F.V.R. 1377869. Killed.
Reason for loss:
Took-off from Fairlop, Hornchurch's Satelite, at 11.46 hrs. for a mass Rhubarb at noon. The main target was a hutted encampment near Etaples and the attacks that followed were made at extremely low level (0 ft according to the Squadron O.R.B's) Sgt James was found to be missing during the form up over the channel to return. Loss attributed to flak, crashed in Boulogne area due to attacking height baling out was not an option. Also lost on this raid was 41276 W/Cmdr Brendan E.F. Finucane D.S.O. D.F.C. and 2 bars from 602 Squadron. His aircraft was hit by machine gun fire which damaged the radiator and he ditched - unable to release himself he was lost with the aircraft.
The remainder of the aircraft landed safely at 13.25 hrs.
Wreckage of Spitfire Vb BM329.
Memorial at Ickenham County Cricket Club (Courtesy Stephen Hunnisett)
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.
BURIAL DETAILS:
Sgt. Dennis Stephen James. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Plot 12. Row E. Grave 3.
No further details
W/Cmdr Brendan E.F. Finucane D.S.O. D.F.C. and 2 bars Runnymede Memorial Panel 64,
Son of Thomas Andrew and Florence Louise of Richmond, Surrey.
Further information kindly supplied by Stephen Hunnisett.
