Digging for Victory on the Spitfire Front

The great thing about researching and writing history books is that the story never really ends. The more you dig into the archives and share stories on social media the more you discover. 'Dig for Victory' was a World War 2 slogan to encourage folks to put all available land under the plough or spade to feed the British nation. I recall my grandmother telling me proudly that she was one of the Land Army girls. She also helped build a concrete runway at RAF Keevil, Wiltshire. (Spitfires were tested here. Agents were flown and parachuted into occupied Europe. The airfield was also used during D-Day).

Taking on board the 'dig for victory' mantra I decided to follow up on a few research areas with new year visits to the National Archives and the Royal Air Force Museum. To be honest it wasn't the easiest sale to my wife to come along to the National Archives. The weather was absolutely freezing and so wandering around nearby Kew gardens wasn't an option! Salvation for her was a nearby Marks and Sparks!

During the visit I was able to view a newly released Prisoner of War Card for South African Spitfire pilot Allan Goodman. To hold the card written neatly in German was quite something especially having told his story in my book Spitfire Pilots Legends of The Air. I was able to communicate with Allan in South Africa during the book writing process. His is quite a story which he revealed to his family and me in never heard before detail. They were amazed to see a photo of his POW record.

I then moved onto the escape and evasion story of 411 Squadron's Jimmy Jeffrey, the last of Spitfire 'Elizabeth's nine Canadian pilots to fly the aircraft on a mission in July 1944. It is 'Elizabeth' and her 411 Roaring Boys 80th Anniversary year. When you have spent literally thousands of hours gathering information and writing about a pilot like Jimmy to then see his handwriting and signature on a document gave an immediate connection to him. I suppose it's rather like getting an autograph or 'selfie' with a sports star or celebrity. What we often forget is that they are simply ordinary people who did extraordinary things in their lives.

My next visit was to the RAF Museum at Hendon. I wanted to check out the aircraft movement cards for Spitfire NH341 Elizabeth and Aero Legends soon to fly Spitfire MJ444 (available for flights from Aero Legends).

These cards record the dates an aircraft moves between the manufacturing base and maintenance units where each is fitted out before being delivered to a front line squadron. It was great to see an airframe number for MJ444 (previously unknown) which the owner will add to the newly restored Spitfire. A good feeling to have played a small part in the aircraft's history and restoration.

More ramblings to come in the next week as I gear up for 411 and Spitfire Elizabeth's 80th anniversary year with a selection of commemorative merchandise.

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