On 2nd August 1940 this 54 Squadron aircraft was damaged after it was belly landed at Catterick airfield, possibly after the pilot has simply forgot to lower the undercarriage. Even the great pilots made the odd mistake! No other details are known.
Pilot - F/O Alan Chirstopher Deere DFC RAF (40370), of Westport, New Zealand.
The name Al Deere is a legend in the RAF, he became one the most famous fighter pilots of the War and his life is well documented, he also wrote an autobiography called "Nine Lives". He rose to become Air Commodore Deere DSO, OBE, DFC & Bar. He was born on 12th December 1917, and was granted a Short Service Commission in the RAF in January 1938. Having survived the War he continued his service until December 1967, he died on 21st September 1995. During his time in Yorkshire he was involved in a number of minor mishaps and one very lucky escape near Northallerton.
His DFC was awarded in June 1940, the citation reads.. "During May 1940, this officer has, in company with his squadron, taken part in numerous offensive patrols over Northern France, and has been engaged in seven combats often against superior numbers of the enemy. In the course of these engagements he has personally shot down five enemy aircraft and assisted in the destruction of others. On one occasion, in company with a second aircraft, he escorted a trainer aircraft to Calais Marck aerodrome, for the purpose of rescuing a squadron commander who had been shot down there. The trainer aircraft was attacked by twelve Messerschmitt 109s whilst taking off at Calais, but Pilot Officer Deere, with the other pilot, immediately attacked, with the result that three enemy aircraft were shot down, and a further three severely damaged. Throughout these engagements this officer has displayed courage and determination in his attacks on the enemy." The photograph above shows The King presenting him with the DFC.
He was awarded the Bar to the DFC in September 1940, the Citation reads.."Since the outbreak of war this officer has personally destroyed eleven, and probably one other, enemy aircraft, and assisted in the destruction of two more. In addition to the skill and gallantry he has shown in leading his flight, and in many instances his squadron, Flight Lieutenant Deere has displayed conspicuous bravery and determination in pressing home his attacks against superior numbers of enemy aircraft, often pursuing them across the Channel in order to shoot them down. As a leader he shows outstanding dash and determination."
He was awarded the DSO while Wing Leader at Biggin Hill in June 1943, the citation for this award reads.. "This officer has displayed exceptional qualities of skill, which have played a large part in the successes of formations he has led. His fearlessness, tenacity and unswerving devotion to duty have inspired all with whom he has flown. Wing Commander Deere has destroyed 18 enemy aircraft."
Spitfire R6895 was built to contract B19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd at Woolston and was first test flown on 5th July 1940. On the same day it was delivered to 6 MU at Brize Norton and four days later it was issued to 54 Squadron at Rochford. On 28th July 1940 it moved with this unit to Catterick and sustained Cat.M/FA damage in the incident detailed above and was repaired on site. On 8th August 1940 it moved with the unit to Hornchurch only to suffer Cat.R/FB when it was damaged by bombs on scrambled take off at Hornchurch on the 31st August 1940, the aircraft rose to 100 feet, but the blast turned the aircraft over and it crashed inverted. F/Lt Deere was the pilot on this occasion and was slightly injured and was trapped under the aircraft. P/O Eric Edsall, though badly injured when his own Spitfire had been destroyed, crawled to Deere’s aircraft and freed him. But on seeing Edsall’s injuries, Deere then carried his rescuer to Hornchurch sick quarters for treatment. The aircraft was taken away to be repaired in works and on 17th September 1940 it was delivered to AST Ltd. at Hamble for repair. On 27th March 1941 it was flown to 9 MU at Cosford and on 6th May 1941 it was issued to 53 OTU at Heston. On 22nd June 1941 it sustained Cat.R/FA damage when the engine failed and it overshot a landing at Woodley and the undercarriage collapsed. It was again deemed damaged enough to warrent a repair in works. On 3rd August 1941, on completion of the repair it was flown to 45 MU at Kinloss and on 21st August 1941 it was issued to 58 OTU at Grangemouth. On 30th August 1941 it sustained Cat.B/FA damage when overshot a landing at Grangemouth and ran into a banking. Again it was taken away for repair in works and on 5th September 1941 it was delivered to Scottish Aviation Ltd. Prestwick, for repair. On 23rd November 1941 it was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride and then on 12th December 1941 issued to 57 OTU at Hawarden. On 13th June 1942 it transferred to 31st FG, USAAF at Atcham and on 19th June 1942 Cat.B/FA damage was sustained when it drifted during a landing at Atcham, stalled and the undercarriage collapsed again. After assessment it was Re-Cat.A(C) and repaired on site by 34 MU based at Monksmoor. By 13th July 1942 it was repaired and back on charge with 31st FG at Atcham. On 14th August 1942 it transferred back to the RAF and was issued to 61 OTU at Rednal. On 9th November 1942 it sustained Cat.A(c)/FA when the engine failed in the circuit at Rednal and it was force-landed downwind, overshot into soft ground and tipped on it's nose. Again it was repaired on site by 34 MU based at Monksmoor and was back on charge with 61 OTU at Rednal on 2nd May 1943. On 19th September 1943 it sustained unspecified Cat.B damage and on 21st September 1943 it was delivered to an unspecified works unit for repair and was awaiting collection on 10th December 1943 fully repaired again. On 31st December 1943 it was flown to 9 MU at Cosford and on 15th January 1944 it was transferred to the Royal Navy but remained in storage at 9 MU at Cosford. It never went to the Navy and was transferred back to the RAF on an unspecified date. On 17th April 1944 it was issued to 57 OTU at Eshott and on 26th August 1944 flown to 33 MU at Lyneham to be placed into long term storage. It was finally struck off charge havin being used for much of the war on 6th March 1945 though pretty much none of the front and underside of the aircraft was the same as originally built. It was returned to produce, a sad end to a veteran aircraft.