Spitfire units began moving to Corsica in December 1943. By July 1944 the following Spitfire units, operating a mix of Spitfire VIIIs and IXs, were engaged in operations over France culminating in August in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France:

7 Wing SAAF: 1, 2, 4, 7 Squadrons
251 Wing: 237, 238, 451 RAAF Squadrons
322 Wing: 154, 232, 242, 243 Squadrons
324 Wing: 43, 72, 93, 111 Squadrons
332 Free French Wing: 326 (GC/II/7 'Nice'), 327 (GC/I/3 'Corse'), 328 (GC/I/7 'Provence') Squadrons

The Wings moved to France at the end of August; 251 Wing to Cuers, 322 Wing to Fréjus, 324 Wing to Ramatuelle, and 332 Wing to Istres/Le Vallon. The units found it necessary to move often as the front moved quickly east towards Germany, linking up with Overlord units near Dijon in mid September. Many of the RAF Squadrons returned to the fighting in Italy in October. The Free French Wing, 1ère Escadre de Chasse, moved to Luxeuil in October staying there into March 1945. They then made their last move of the war to Colmar from where missions to Germany occasionally brought them into contact with the remnants of JG 53.

81 and 152 Squadrons became operational with Spitfire VIIIs at Baigachi and Alipore, India respectively during December 1943. By June of 1944 seven more Squadrons in the China/Burma/India (CBI) theater had converted to Spitfire VIIIs, namely; 17, 67, 136, 155, 273, 607 and 615 Squadrons. These squadrons played a significant role in breaking the siege of Imphal. They met with good success against the Japanese Army Air Force's Oscars. By late 1944 Nos 1, 2, 3 and 8 of the Indian Air Force were operational with Spitfire VIIIs. They were followed in 1945 by Nos 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 Squadrons IAF. Early in 1945 two more RAF units, 131 and 132 Squadrons, re-equipped with Mk VIIIs. The Spitfire VIII units supported the Fourteenth Army during its offensive through central Burma, the capture of Rangoon and Mandalay as well as the slaughter of the hemmed-in Japanese on the Mandalay Plain.

The RAF Spitfire Wing in Australia, comprised of 54, 548 and 549 Squadrons, converted to Spitfire VIIIs in April 1944. They were tasked primarily with the defense of the Darwin area. The Australian spitfire squadrons, Nos 79, 452 and 457, also began to re-equip with the Spitfire VIII in April. The Australian Spitfire Wing deployed to Morotai where they provided escort to Beaufighters and engaged in strikes against Japanese positions in the Moluccas.

Note: This report mentioned that the speeds were inferior to those obtained from Boscombe Down and it was unusual for the top level speed to be above the Critical Full Throttle Height. See Spitfire VIII Performance listing performance as 384 mph at 11,000 ft, 404 mph at 21,000 ft. (with extended wing tips).

F/Lt A. U. Houle of 417 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 4 October 1943:

         I was leading a section of four Spitfires proceeding towards Termoli. When about five mile away No. 3 reported bomb bursts. His R/T was distorted so I told him to lead me down. Immediately after that I saw a/c on the deck. I ditched my long range tanks and dove my a/c to about 1,000 feet when I saw a F.W. 190 above me going N.W. I pulled up and got two bursts of two sec. and 1 sec. approximately at a range of 200-250 yards. On the second burst I saw an explosion on the tail or rear fuselage of the 190. It went straight down into cloud at 2,000 feet. I flew through or around cloud unitl I sighted another 190. My filter had come into operation and I could not close with him. I gave him a few bursts at 3-400 yards and saw strikes and pieces fall off the port side of the fuselage near the wing root. A short while later I chased another 190 which broke left and followed him at ground level for about 20 miles giving him a short burst now and then. I saw strikes and pieces fall off the tail plane. I could not get any closer than 300 yards. As the fight was in and around cloud it was difficult to keep an a/c in sight for any length of time. I broke away short of ammunition but resumed patrol with the remainder of the section.
         Claims: 1 Probable and 2 Damaged. ¹

S/L A. U. Houle of 417 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 3 December 1943:

         I was leading Rally White Section. We had given various heights to pin-points of six-plus bandits in our immediate vicinity. I had been told to pancake, when I saw a gaggle of a/c which I thought was our own release. I turned towards them, identified them as Me. 109's and turned in behind them. I took a short burst of one second at 300 yards at one, and he disappeared under my nose. I turned on to what I thought was the same a/c and at the same time saw an Me.109 going down on fire. I closed in line astern on the second and gave it a second burst at 200 to 250 yards. Its tail blew off and there was a long streak of flame from it. After I had overshot, I turned back and it was still doing aerobatics, on fire with pieces falling off. Both a/c were seen to hit the ground by myself and F/O Bushe who was my No. 2. We chased the others and were catching up, but had to turn back through shortage of petrol. I fired two bursts at 6-800 yards with no results. The Me. 109's had external cannons (one under each wing) and a bomb or long range tank under the fuselage. They had dark mottled camouflage.
         Claims: Two Me. 109's Destroyed. ²

S/L Evan Mackie of 92 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 3 December 1943:

         I was leading Yellow Section on Sangro River patrol when I heard Pyrex reporting bogies (12+) at 18,000 to Mustard A/C who we were about to relieve. We climbed rapidly to 19,000 ft and barely one orbit to port to keep in the area, I sighted approx. 12 strange A/C just north of Casoli, flying SE at about 18,000 ft. These were leaving black smoke trails behind them. Suspecting that these were the bogies I dived to attack definitely identifying them as Me 109s. They immediately split up, some losing height while others gained cloud base at 20,000 ft. I fired several bursts of cannon and machine gun at two Me 109s from approx. 300/350 yds but there were too many others around for me to concentrate much on these. Seeing my tail was clear I picked on another 109 and fired several bursts from about 10 degrees astern at about 300/350 yds range. I saw several flashes on the fuselage near the cockpit. The machine then went into a screaming dive towards the mountain taking no avoiding action. I did not fire any more but followed the 109 down to about 4,000 ft when I turned to port to avoid the mountain and saw it crash in the foothills at approx. H.1989. About the same time I saw another machine crash in flames near H.2495.
        Claim: 1 Me 109 destroyed.

S/L Evan Mackie of 92 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 5 December 1943:

         I was leading Yellow Section of 4 A/C on patrol in the Sangro Rover area when Pyrex reported 15+ bogies approaching from the west at 20,000 ft. I climbed rapidly to 22,000 ft, but the plots had failed and we were given no further information for a few minutes. Pyrex then reported 2+ bandits flying east near Casoli. I could not see the ground at all owing to dense cloud below, except for the snow covered top of Mt. Amaro,. Just east of this my No. 3 reported four 109s at 3 o'clock above. I immediately spotted these as they tried to dive onto our tails. They dived away westwards with myself and Yellow 2 in hot pursuit. We were going too fast to fire and as they were diving for cloud I broke away and climbed to about 20,000 ft again straight into sun as we were in the midst of 10 or 12 109s which appeared to be orbiting at 12,000 ft.
         From 20,000 I spotted a 109 getting away westwards about 15,000 ft, so I dived down and opened fire with cannon and machine guns from about 300/350 yds closing to 100 yds. I fired 8 to 10 bursts with the 109 weaving and diving and then climbing in front. At about 100 yds it blew up in a sheet of flame. Sgt E. Budgen my No.2 witnessed this. I then climbed to 20,000 ft again and resumed patrol. I saw 10 109s flying westwards over the mountain at about 1,200 ft, but as I did not know how much ammunition I had left and I did not know where Yellow 3 and 4 were, I did not attack.
         Claim: 1 Me 109 destroyed.

S/L A. U. Houle of 417 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 22 January 1944:

         I was leading eight aircraft call sign "Brandy", at 12,000 feet. Ground station "Earthwork" had reported bandits in the vicinity. I saw four aircraft in line astern formation 6,000 feet below, one which looked suspicious. I started down to investigate, then saw them drop their bombs. I gave the order to drop L.R. tanks and dove down behind the four F.W. 190's. I took a short burst at the last one with no visible results at about 150 yards. I closed in to about 100 yards and got in another second burst. Black smoke poured from his aircraft and I saw many strikes around the engine and fuselage and wing roots. At the same time a 190 got on my tail and my aircraft was hit in three places. I broke starboard into a squadron of Kittyhawks so climbed back on patrol. I did not see the F.W. 190 go in. 79 Group confirmed this F.W. 190 as also did Brandy Red Four.
         Claim: one F.W. 190 Destroyed. ³

S/L A. U. Houle of 417 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 27 January 1944:

         I was leading Brandy Section at 12,000 feet. 30-plus bandits were reported coming in from the east. I few minutes later I saw ten-plus Me. 190's diving on harbour Anzio from east to west. My section of four aircraft intercepted them at 10,000 feet before they bombed. I followed them down and closed in on two Me. 109's which had turned north. They were taking violent evasive action. I fired a few bursts using deflection with no results. Then I got the rear 109 with a short burst in the middle of his weave. His tail blew off and a large sheet of flame came out. It rolled over on its back and went straight in. I closed in on the other 109 and got in a deflection shot and it turned. No visible results. I then got a short burst line astern and it changed direction. There was a violent exlplosion on its port wing and large pieces fell off. I think I hit the ammunition. It went into a steep dive under the nose of my aircraft and I lost it. When I turned over and went down I could not find it. The 109's had external cannons, one under each wing, were dark green and light green canouflaged which blended well with the ground and the pilots seemed very experienced.
         Claim: One Me. 109 Destroyed, one Me 109 Damaged.

S/L Evan Mackie of 92 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 2 February 1944:

         I was leading Red Section of 6 A/C on battle patrol at 12,000 ft when bandits were reported NW of Anzio near the coast. When almost over Anzio itself a few minutes later, I spotted a gaggle of about 15 A/C half rolling and diving from about 13/14,000 ft, probably bombing some cruisers, through cloud just west of the Point. I intercepted one FW 190 as it levelled out over land and closing in to about 250 yds fired both cannon and machine guns. The 190 took evasive action by climbing, diving and weaving so I had no trouble in keeping in range. I fired many short bursts and saw strikes on the fuselage just in front of the cockpit and starboard wing roots. Streams of white smoke burst from the engine and there was a burst of flame. The 190 half rolled and diving through some cloud, crashed in a cloud of dust a approximately F.7846.
         I was then at less than 4,000 ft and as much light flak was coming up I beat a hasty retreat and resumed patrol.
         Claim: 1 Me 109 destroyed.

S/L A. U. Houle of 417 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 7 February 1944:

         I was leading the squadron of ten a/c on a de-louse south-west of Rome at 16,000 feet. I heard the enemy were engaged over Anzio and saw bomb bursts. A few minutes later I saw what I thought were a/c flying NW along the coast low down. I dove down, but lost sight of them and started climbing towards the north. My No. 2 reported an extra a/c on the right our our formation and a few minutes later it dove towards the deck. I followed it down, recognized it as an Me.109 and fired two short bursts at about 500 yards range. It started a left hand steep turn and stayed in the turn. I turned inside firing bursts at 300 yards, closing to about 50 yards. I got clouds of black smoke, then white smoke which slowed it down considerably. The 109 started to reverse its turn and a short burst blew its tail off. The pilot baled out and a few seconds later the a/c caught fire and went straight in.
         Claim: One Me. 109 Destroyed.

S/Ldr Neville Duke of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 13 May 1944:

         I was flying six a/c on a Fighter Sweep at 17,000 ft in the Perugia area. When flying south near Arezzo, six Me 109s passed below us flying north at 16,500 ft. I gave turnabout and chased E/A. When closing astern, E/A turned to port. I engaged one Me 109 in a turn and it dived after a burst from 300 yards without observing results. Following it down I fired a further burst from 300 yards observing strikes under fuselage to rear of the mainplane, causing small pieces to fly off. E/A continued in its dive and I pulled up to engage some Me 109s which were above.
         I claim 1 Me 109 Damaged.

         On climbing up, I saw one Me 109 circling above me. I started climbing and turning with him and easily climbed with and out-turned him. At 14,000 ft. when I was about to fire, E/A throttled back and skidded and slipped into a stalled position. I fired several bursts into E/A from 100-150 yards, saw many strikes large pieces flying off, apparently from engine cowling. E/A slowly dropped away in a wide spiral, more pieces blowing off. I lost sight of E/A when just near the ground but observed a burst of fire where it disappeared, approx. five miles south-west of Arezzo.
         I claim 1 Me 109 Destroyed. ⁴

F/Lt W. A. R. MacDonald of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 13 May 1944:

         I was flying No.5 in a formation of 6 a/c near AREZZO at 17,000' when 6 ME 109s passed below us. I turned into them with the rest of the formation but unfortunately all E/A appeared to be engaged by the rest of the formation. I dived down with our own a/c to 4,000' but then gave it up so pulled up gaining altitude rapidly. Of a sudden I saw 2 of the ME 109s diving towards me. I fired a short burst at one but did not see any results. I then turned about and dived after the E/A and fired a fairly long burst from 200 yards and saw strikes on the fuselage and engine cowling, then a large part of his tail plane flashed past my a/c and I saw the port tailplane had disappeared altogether. E/A engine had stopped and went down in a steep side slip in area (W) Q.73.
         Claim: 1 ME 109 Destroyed

F/Sgt D. H. Lorimer of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 13 May 1944:

         I was flying No.2 to F/Lt W. A. R. MacDonald when 6 a/c were reported below our formation flying in the opposite direction. After turning about and giving chase, our leader reported them as ME 109s. I lost my No.1 in the dive and pulled up to cover another Spitfire which was shooting at a Me 109 and saw another ME 109 on this Spitfire's tail. I therefore climbed up into it and it broke away in a very steep dive. I followed and opened fire at about 300 yards range but saw no strikes. As I closed to 50-100 yards, E/A began to turn slowly to port. I fired again and saw blue smoke coming from the wing tips. My next burst brought smoke and flashes from his engine. The E/A then flew straight and level and from about 50 yards I fired a long burst which brought more smoke from his engine and his hood and part of his cowling flew off. The E/A was now pouring clouds of smoke and what I took to be the pilot passed me to port. Flak was now bursting very close and I broke away. Lt F. M. DuToit, who had been following me, saw E/A crash into the ground area (W) R.15.
         Claim: 1 ME 109 Destroyed

S/Ldr Neville Duke of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 14 May 1944:

         I was leading a Fighter Sweep of eight a/c returning from the Rome area. When approaching Cassino at 15,000 ft, from Frosinone, control reported bandits at Frosinone heading for Cassino. I called a turnabout and when near Aquino, came head on and slightly below to four Me 109's with 4 more top cover. I pulled around and on top of E/A which jettisoned bombs. I closed astern on one Me 109 which started a fairly shallow diving turn to the south-west - easily held and closed on E/A. After firing two bursts, opening at 300 yards, closing to 200 yards, the hood and parts of the fuselage came away and fire broke out in the cockpit (Witnessed by F/Sgt A.G. Newman). The E/A crashed in the foothills south west of Aquino (area G.6520). I fired 320 x .303, 60 x 20 mm.
         I claim 1 ME 109 Destroyed ⁵

2nd Lt. D. J. Beisiegel (SAAF) of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 14 May 1944:

         After we turned about and intercepted 8 ME 109s, my No.1 went down after an E/A which was diving away. I followed and another Spitfire joined in the chase behind my No.1. I observed a 109 following to the left and I turned into him. This was at approx. 10,000'. He engaged me and we had a dog-fight down to 6,000' during which E/A made 2 head on attacks. At 6,000' he levelled out and flew N and I closed astern to 100 yards and opened fire with my cannons observing strikes on the engine cowling. The pilot immediately baled out and I saw his parachute open. The E/A crashed in flames into a wood (area G.83) and I heard someone (presume a ground station) report it.
         Claim: 1 ME 109 Destroyed

F/Sgt A. G. Newman of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 14 May 1944:

         On sighting 8 ME 109s in the AQUINO area I single out one of them and chased it NW up Highway 6 but before I was in range I lost it in haze. Returning to base at 8,000' I saw 2 a/c just SE of FROSINONE flying NE at 7,000' at high speed. Turning in behind them I selected the one on the left, identifying it as a FW 190. At the same time I noticed two Spitfire IXs on their tails. Closing in to fire, the FW 190 crossed over to the righthand side of the other E/A. I therefore crossed over the Spits and fired a quick burst hitting the FW on the side of the fuselage. I fired again from 200 yards astern, seeing strikes on the wing roots and tail unit and a flame from the underside of the fuselage. Then there was a sheet of flame and the E/A went down in a sprial. This is the last I saw of the E/A but 111 Sqn saw it crash in area G.4848
         Claim: 1 FW 190 Destroyed

S/Ldr Neville Duke of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 21 May 1944:

         I was leading 8 a/c on area cover NE of Velletri. When at 15-16,000 ft flying NW, approx. 10 miles NE of Velletri, we were confronted by 20+ FW 190's with top cover of a few Me 109's. E/A were flying SE down Highway 6 towards Frosinone in close line abreast formation in 3 layers of 6 a/c. The bottom layer was slightly below and to starboard of us. E/A were carrying one large bomb slung under the fuselage. As they came abreast and to starboard of us, I turned in behind them and selected No.2 in the bottom layer of six, firing from 100-150 yards from starboard quarter astern. I saw the E/A heavily hit by cannon and many pieces flew off and it finally went down and exploded on the ground at G-0961.
         I then closed on the next in line and after firing one burst it started to barrel roll onto its back. I followed it round, firing from 150 yards, and saw the hood fly off and the pilot left the cockpit. (F/Lt J. Wooler later saw this FW burst into flames, area G-0765.) I then continued after the other E/A which had broken up and were diving home and when at low level I was engaged by HAA, I broke away.
         The first E/A I engaged was a FW 190 with the BMW 801 engine, but the second had the DB 603. Both had green and brown camouflage with dark blue underside.
         I claim 2 FW 190's Destroyed. ⁶

F/Lt J. Wooler of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 21 May 1944:

         When E/A had split up and made for home, I chased 3 FW 190's one of which left the other two and dived to the ground. Following it I fired from 150 yards dead astern, seeing strikes all over E/A which blew up (area F.79). I did not see E/A jettison its bomb and from the size of the explosion, it was probably still on E/A.
         Claim: 1 FW 190 Destroyed

Lt J. M. G. Anderson (SAAF) of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 21 May 1944:

         I followed 1 FW 190 in a shallow dive N and closed to 250 yards and opened fire from dead astern, seeing strikes on the tail unit. I fired again from 150-200 yards and saw a large white flash on port side of the engine. I then pulled up over E/A, turned and saw it crash into the hillside (area F.9999) and blow up. Before I fired, E/A had jettisoned its bomb.
         Claim: 1 FW 190 Destroyed

F/O J. S. Ekbury of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 21 May 1944:

         When our leader went into attack, I attacked a section of six E/A above him. Chasing them in a dive, I fired short bursts at one of them from 200 yards astern, seeing strikes on the fuselage and port wing, and E/A began to pour blue-black smoke. It then dropped out of the formation and went down like a falling leaf, apparently out of control, from 3,000' (area G.0647). I then chased the next E/A firing short bursts from 200 yards dead astern, seeing strikes on wings and fuselage. E/A jettisoned hood and pilot baled out (area G.0162). I continued to chase the rest of the E/A when one of them turned to port. I closed on it quickly and fired 2 bursts from port quarter astern, seeing strikes on fuselage and port wing root. E/A started to smoke and then went straight into the ground from 500' and burst into flames. All these E/A were FW 190s and had Dark Green and Brown camouflage.
         Claim: 2 FW 190s Destroyed, & 1 Probably Destroyed

Lt G. E. Milborrow of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 21 May 1944:

         I saw a FW 190 pulling away from the main formation and I chased it N in a dive. After some time I got to 200 yards astern, seeing strikes on fuselage around the cockpit. I was then attacked myself and was forced to take evasive action and lost E/A. Flying S toward out lines, I saw 2 FW 190s flying N below me at 400'. I went down on them and attacked one of them from 50 yards astern. I observed strikes all over E/A and the pilot baled out from 400' (area G.8595) and I saw his 'chute open.
         Claim: 1 FW 190 Destroyed

F/Sgt J. C. Stirling of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 21 May 1944:

         I attacked one section of FW 190s, 2 of them breaking away from the other 4. Of these four I fired at 2 or 3 without observing results. I finally singled out one of them and closed 100-75 yards dead astern at ground level and fired, seeing strikes all along the fuselage and pieces flew off. I then saw flames in the cockpit and the E/A pulled up to 150-200 ft, flicked over and went in to the ground (area F7596). Pilot not seen to bale out. I saw the E/A burning on the ground and I also saw another similar fire NE of it. I believe this to be the FW 190 claimed by F/Lt J. Wooler.
         Claim: 1 FW 190 Destroyed

SG4 admitted the following pilots killed in the action of 21 May 1944 with 145 Squadron: I Gruppe - Oblt. R. Reiprich, Hptm. R. Strossner; II Gruppe - Lt. H. Bertram, Obfw. H. Schmitt, Untoff. R. Manske, Untoff. G. Assmann, Lt. H. Kulpa.

S/Ldr Neville Duke of 145 Squadron recorded in his Combat Report for 3 September 1944:

         I was leading 2 a/c on patrol over the battle area. Control reported 2 bogeys at 13,000 ft going NW along the coast from the Pesaro area. Section climbed from 10 to 12,000 ft SE of Rimino, near the coast. Control gave positions of bogeys which must have passed in cloud or haze as they were next reported going away NW of us. I turned NW and saw three a/c crossing the coast N of Rimino about 5 miles ahead going NW. Gave chase and, although seen by these a/c, which opened up and poured black smoke, I closed slowly on them and identified them as Me 109's in line abreast formation with the port E/A lagging slightly behind the others, E/A were in slight dive.
         I engaged the port E/A from astern at 10,000 ft, fired a short burst at very long range (6-800 yards) in an attempt to slow it down, and observed a bright flash in the fuselage from cannon strikes. I rapidly closed and fired another burst, observing the hood fly off and what appeared to be the pilot leaving the a/c. E/A was seen going down and catch fire by F/O Hamer, my No.2, in area M.5820.
         I then continued after the other two E/A still going NW at approximately 10,000 ft. E/A started diving and then went intoa steep climb up to about 14-15,000 ft. I quickly caught E/A in the climb as my supercharger came in and closed with the leader as he levelled off. After firing a burst at fairly long range (3-400 yards) and observing no strikes I closed to about 200 yards and scored strikes behind the cockpit, presumably in the rear petrol tank, as E/A started to burn in the fuselage. The pilot baled out and his 'chute opened. A/C crashed in area M.3636. I lost sight of third E/A which had turned and dived as leader pulled up to the left. He was reported by my No.2 but fuel was short and we broke off and returned to base.
         E/A were a blackish brown colour. They took no evasive action except some slipping and skidding and took no advantage of cloud cover which was available at all time. I fired 800 x .303 and 240 x 20 mm.
         Claim 2 Me 109's F or G Destroyed.

S/L Bert Houle D.F.C. (Canandian) flew Spitfire VIII's with 417 (RCAF) Squadron in Sicily and Italy:

My favorite fighter was the Spitfire VIII with clipped wings. It had power and good armament. It could roll quickly and out-turn any enemy fighter we encountered.   Robert Bracken, Spitfire, The Canadians, (Boston Mills Press, Erin, Ontario, 1995), p. 62.

1.   F/Lt A. U. Houle, Combat Report - 4 October 1943. Unteroffizier Josef Braschaus of SKG-10 shot down, FW 190A-5 Wnr. 181661.
2.   S/L A. U. Houle, Combat Report - 3 December 1943. Unteroffizier Heinz Grundmann of 1/JG 77 BF 109G-6 WNr. 18014
3.   S/L A. U. Houle, Combat Report - 22 January 1944. Probably Feldwebel Franz Juengels of I/JG 4.
4.   S/Ldr Neville Duke, Combat Report, 13 May 1944. Lt. Horst Wegener, 7./JG 53.
5.   S/Ldr Neville Duke, Combat Report, 14 May 1944. Fw. Fritz Göhmann, killed, Uffz. Werner Heuer 7.JG/54. Lt Martin von Vacano 9./JG53
6.   S/Ldr Neville Duke, Combat Report, 21 May 1944. SG4 admitted the following pilots killed in the action of 21 May 1944 with 145 Squadron: I Gruppe - Oblt. R. Reiprich, Hptm. R. Strossner; II Gruppe - Lt. H. Bertram, Obfw. H. Schmitt, Untoff. R. Manske, Untoff. G. Assmann, Lt. H. Kulpa.