Only 79 British Royal Air Force pilots who stood against the Nazi horde in 1940 are still alive. The Daily Mail gathered 17 of them for a group portrait and told biographical sketches of each one. Here's the tale of Air Commodore John Ellacombe:
Link via Ace of Spades HQ | Photo: Les Wilson
Single-handedly took on 12 German planes over the South East coast. ‘I went straight at them and started firing – and didn’t stop.’ He brought his Hurricane down in a field after a bullet hit his engine. ‘As I pulled myself out of the plane I saw a man running towards me, waving a pitchfork and shouting, “I am going to kill you, you bloody German!” He was chasing me around the plane. It was like a scene from Benny Hill.’ Fortunately four British soldiers arrived and disarmed him.
Link via Ace of Spades HQ | Photo: Les Wilson
Squadron Leader Mahinder Singh Pujji was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery
An Indian pilot who flew Hawker Hurricanes during World War II has died, it has been announced. Squadron Leader Mahinder Singh Pujji, 92, died at at Darent Valley Hospital in Kent on Saturday following a stroke.
Sqn Ldr Pujji was believed to be the last surviving fighter pilot from a group of 24 Indians who arrived in Britain in 1940. He survived several crashes and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for services in Burma.
Sqn Ldr Pujji also flew combat missions in Britain, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East during the war. Earlier this year he published a book about his wartimes experiences entitled, For King and Another Country.