Aeroplane Monthly 1981-12
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R.Nesbit - Navigator's progress (10)
Spitfire VB AD185 of 19 Squadron was one of six "rear cover" aircraft which came out to meet the three returning Beauforts and the twelve 152 Squadron Spitfires. The pilot is Sgt Sokol.
Percival flying the Beaufort II, with the author in the nose, together with three 152 Squadron Spitfires. The formation of three Beauforts and twelve Spitfires had just left the English coast.
On December 16, 1941, three Beauforts from Thorney Island, escorted by three Beaufighters and twelve Spitfires, crossed the North Sea at a height of about 100ft. The pilot of the Beaufort here is Plt Off Aldridge who earned a DFC, but who had lost a foot from his port wingtip on the mast of a ship attacked a fortnight before. The two other Beauforts were flown by Plt Off Seddon and Plt Off Etheridge. This photograph was taken by Sgt Hutchinson, wireless operator in Etheridge's aircraft.
The formation has just found a convoy and the leader, Plt Off Seddon, has just dropped a torpedo at the largest vessel, a Norwegian ship. Though the two other Beauforts attacked and one torpedo passed under the ship, the vessel was unscathed.