6 Group Unavailable
414 Squadron RCAF (Totis viribus) RAF Croyden. Flight Lieutenant Frederick Edsall Clarke (RCAF), flying Mustang Ia aircraft AG 375 RU-F was one of a two-aircraft low-level tactical reconnaissance flight south of Dieppe, France as part of Operation Jubilee. The second Mustang Ia was flown by Flying Officer Hollis Hills (RCAF)(USA) who was Clarke's wingman. Hills spotted enemy fighters as the pair neared the French coast but Clarke's radio had become unserviceable and failed to hear Hills multiple warning calls. Clarke 's aircraft was attacked by German Focke-Wulf 190's and badly damaged but Hills turned to attack the FW190's and successfully shot one down. This was the first confirmed Mustang claim of an enemy aircraft in World War Two
With his radiator destroyed and instrument panel shot away, Clarke was forced to ditch in the English Channel off the coast of Dieppe. He was knocked unconscious in the crash but the aircraft remained afloat long enough for a soldier from a nearby landing craft to jump into the water, swim the Clarke's aircraft and pull him free. Clarke was later transferred to the British Destroyer HMS Calpe, itself engaged to a fight for survival against German fighters and bombers. Flight Lieutenant Clarke, survived his head injury and returned to England to fight again
The Greatest Air Battle, Dieppe, 19th August 1942 by Norman Franks, pages 52-3, 115-16, 235
Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database
19 08 1942 414 Squadron RCAF Mustang Ia AG375 RU:F Flt Lt Clarke...
