KITS 02/2023

MT775, S/Ldr Neville F. Duke, No. 145 Squadron, Loreto, Italy, July–September 1944

Neville Frederik Duke, native of Turnbridge in Kent,

joined RAF in June 1940 when he was eighteen years

old. After he completed his pilot training in February 1941, he was assigned to No. 92 Squadron where

he scored his first two kills. Frequently he flew as

a wingman to famous “Sailor“ Malan, commander

of the Biggin Hill’s Wing. In October 1941 Duke was

dispatched to North Afrika to No. 122 Squadron flying

Tomahawks and Kittyhawks where he scored another

four kills. He started his second tour of duty again

with No. 92 Squadron which was transferred to the

African continent and received “tropical“ Spitfires

Mk.Vb. In the course of several months Duke score

further fourteen victories. In March 1944 he assumed

command of No. 145 Squadron equipped with Spitfires

Mk.VIII and till the end of September he was credited with another six victories. In the role of No. 145

Squadron commander Duke flew three personal Spitfires Mk.VIII. Their serial numbers were JG241, JG953

and MT775. All those three Spitfires carried ZX-J

codes painted in Deep Sky outlined in white. His last

Spitfire s/n MT775 carried No. 145 Squadron insignia

on both sides of the engine cowling. Unfortunatelly

photograph of the starboard side has not known yet

but most likely, same as on his previous Spitfires, the

victory markings were painted on the port side under

the windshield. Neville Duke finished the conflict

with 28 kills and became the most successful MTO

pilot. After his return to Europe he continued flying as

a chief test pilot for the Hawker company.

1Lt. Leland P. Molland, 308th FS, 31st FG, Castel Volturno, Italy, December 1943–February 1944

Leland Phillips “Tommy“ Molland was born on May 7, 1919

in Chaffie, North Dakota. He completed his pilot training

at Moore Field in Texas and on July 5, 1943 was attached

to 31st FG. He achieved his first success as a fighter pilot

on January 16, 1944, when he managed to shoot down

one Bf 109 in cooperation. Another two kills quickly fo-

llowed. On February 22, 1944 he became an ace having

shot down two Bf 109. At the same time he became one

of the most successful Spitfire Mk.VIII pilots. When in the

end of March 1944 the 31st FG converted to P-51 Mustangs he continued flying combat missions and shot

down another six enemy aircraft. After the war Molland

remaind in the Air Force service and was promoted to

Lt. Colonel. But on May 16, 1951 he tragically lost his life

in Korea. Flying T-33 under the marginal weather

conditions he struck terrain returning from the

meteorological reconnaissance over the enemy territory.

MT507, F/O Len A. Smith, No. 152 Squadron, Sinthe, Burma, March 1945

In 1943 Len Smith served as a sargeant with No. 152

Squadron operating over Tunisia, Sicily and Southern

Italy. He scored four kills for which he was awarded

DFM. Before his squadron’s transfer to Burmese front

in November he was promoted to Flying Officer. In the

end of 1944 he was credited with a confirmed kill of

Ki-43 and became an ace. His kill was one of only

February 2023

three Japanese aircraft destroyed credited to No. 152

Squadron during the fighting in the Burmese theater.

In the spring of 1945 Smith completed his tour of duty

with this unit and returned to the Great Britain. Sadly,

shortly afterwards he was killed in a flying accident.

His Spitfire, which he flew in the beginning of 1945,

sported the fuselage nose painted white contrary to

the regulations on SEAC aircraft white quick recognition markings. The propeller spinner was decorated

with black chevrons painted at the propeller blades‘

bases. The unit insignia, leaping black panther, was

painted on the fuselage port side.

INFO Eduard

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