VIII Fighter Command
Command
VIII Fighter Command was established as VIII Interceptor Command at Selfridge Field on 2 February 1942.
EN909
Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire EN909 Mk Vb, Built at Chattis Hill.
Delivered to No 5 MU 14-5-42, assigned to 309FS, 31FG 42, High Ercall 21-6-42,
Flying accident plane destroyed Cat CE damage, crashed in a low flying stall/spin accident, killing the pilot Capt. Winfred L. Chambers, Westhampnett, England. 1-10-42, SOC.
Service
Units
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31st Fighter Group
Group
The 31st Fighter Group only flew missions from England between June and September 1942 but during this period they supported the Dieppe raid, the assault on occupied Europe, predominantly by the Canadian army. The attack was forced into early retreat... -
309th Fighter Squadron
Squadron
People
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Winfred Chambers
Military | Captain | Pilot | 31st Fighter Group
Crashed near Westhampnett airfield in Spitfire VB EN909. Group was transferred to 12th AF on 14 September but was still operating under 8th control
Places
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High Ercall
Military site : airfield
Built during 1939-41 for the RAF, as a combined fighter station and Maintenance Unit base, High Ercall had three tarmac runways, 23 hardstandings, two T2 hangars and 24 other hangars of various types. Occupied by the RAF from October 1940, it was... -
Westhampnett
Military site : airfield
Acquired in 1938 as an Emergency Landing Ground for RAF Tangmere, Westhampnett was upgraded to satellite status in 1940. It had eventually three grass runways, 19 pan hardstandings, 32 small pens, and one T1 plus eight over-blister hangars. Occupied by...
Events
| Event | Location | Date |
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| Manufactured | RAF Lyneham Flying Club, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 6BA, UK | 14 May 1942 |
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Delivered to No 5 MU 14-5-42. |
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| Assigned | High Ercall, Telford, Telford and Wrekin TF6, UK | 21 June 1942 |
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Assigned to 309th FS, 31st FG VIII Fighter Command, High Ercall 21-6-42. |
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| Crashed | Westhampnett, Chichester, West Sussex PO18, UK | 1 October 1942 |
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Flying accident plane destroyed, Cat CE damage, crashed in a low flying stall/spin accident, killing the pilot Capt. Winfred L. Chambers, Westhampnett, England. 1-10-42. |
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| Struck Off Charge SOC | Westhampnett, Chichester, West Sussex PO18, UK | 2 October 1942 |
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Struck Off Charge. |
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Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2015 18:55:27 | Al_Skiff | Changes to production block number, description, events, unit associations and place associations |
| Sources | ||
Spitfire Production List. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 23 October 2014 17:40:42 | Lee8thbuff | Created entry with serial number, aircraft type, production block number, manufacturer, description, unit associations and person associations |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 23-Oct-2014. "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE. |
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