JOHN ELLACOMBE - BATTLE OF BRITAIN - Signed Card

JOHN ELLACOMBE - BATTLE OF BRITAIN - Signed Card

Air Commodore John Ellacombe was born in South Africa and joined the RAF in 1939. He was posted to 151 Squadron in July 1940. The Squadron was equipped with Hawker Hurricane fighters - a type that Ellacombe had not trained on - but he was instructed by a pilot of 56 Squadron, who was recuperating from wounds. His first victory was a Heinkel He111 shot down over Hornchurch on 24 August 1940. The very next day he became embroiled with Ju88 bombers and was hit by return fire, forcing him to bale out of his burning Hurricane with serious burns. 

He returned to the Squadron in December 1940 before being posted as Flight Commander to 253 Squadron in 1942. On 28 July 1942, while flying a 'turbinlite' Havoc, he claimed a Dornier Do217 as 'probably' destroyed.

Ellacombe later flew Mosquito's with 487(RNZAF) Squadron.

This is a nice Signed card.