KITS 10/2021

W9266, Fl/Lt D. S. G. Honor, No. 274 Squadron, Gerawla, Egypt, May 1941

Dudley Sandry Garton Honor was born on September 5, 1913, to the British parents in Quilmes, Argentina where he was also educated. After

that he relocated to the Great Britain where, in July 1937, he enlisted in the RAF for pilot training. After the training completion his was posted

to No. 88 Squadron equipped with Fairey Battle with which he participated in combat at the beginning of the German advance in France. During these battles the unit suffered heavy losses and F/O Honor was decorated with DFC for his conduct. After his conversion to Hurricanes,

as of August 28, 1940, he started his service with No. 145 Squadron. After a short stint at the No. 85 (Night) Squadron on January 29 he was

promoted to lead a flight with No. 274 Squadron operating in the Middle East. On May 25, 1941, he was shot down in this aircraft near Crete and

after seven days of evading the capture he was rescued by a Sunderland flying boat crew. In August 1941 he assumed command over the whole

squadron and as of November 12, 1941, he commanded No. 258 Wing. In 1944 he was named an aviation attaché to Columbia, Venezuela, and

Ecuador. He retired from the RAF in 1947 and remained in South America as a representative for several airlines. In 1973 he moved to Spain

where he successfully grew and cultivated lettuce until his return to England where he passed away on December 26, 2007.

Z4244 or Z4245, Lt. H. P. Allingham, Royal Navy Fighter Squadron, Western Desert, August 1941

After the Allied occupation of Syria (June 8 - July 11, 1941), from the remnants of 803, 805 and 806 Naval Air Squadrons at Dekheila base the

unit called Royal Navy Fighter Squadron was formed and equipped with Hurricanes (803 and 806 NAS) and Wildcats (805 NAS) originally destined for Greek Air Force. Its mission was convoy escorts and defense behind the front lines. During the large-scale attack on German and Italian forces in Libya the unit was also sent into combat. Lt. Henry Allingham, originally 806 Naval Air Squadron pilot, achieved his first success

on August 21 when he shot down a Bf 109. In December he added two more kills. Royal Naval Fighter Squadron was disbanded in spring 1942

when 803 and 805 NAS were re-equipped with Fulmars and dispatched to Ceylon. There is no clarity in regard to „red H“ serial number. Some

sources state Z4244, others Z4245. It is probable that the ground personnel painted additional ROYAL NAVY above the serial number.

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INFO Eduard - October 2021