Spitfire Patrol Pilot Officer Alan Deere, 54 Squadron, May, 1940 FINE ART PRINT BY SIMON SMITH ww2 aerial warfare IS BROUGHT TO LIFE IN UNRIVALED DETAIL BY LEADING BRITISH MILITARY AND AVIATION ARTIST SIMON SMITH. now available as a stunning artist signed AND NUMBERED Limited Edition print from an edition of only 200 copies Alan Deere was born in New Zealand on 12 December 1917. His first job was as a law clerk, but he joined the RAF in 1937. Having completed his flying training, the received a short service commission as a Flying Officer. He was posted to 74 Sqn at Hornchurch in August 1938 and then in September to 54 Sqn, both squadrons flying Gloster Gladiators. Deere’s exploits with 54 Sqn would become the stuff of legend.
In May 1940 the squadron were assigned to cover the Dunkirk evacuation. By this time, Deere had gained a personal aircraft, N3180 coded KL-B, which he named “Kiwi” and marked with a kiwi emblem underneath the windscreen. This is the aircraft depicted in Simon Smiths painting.
On 23 May 1940 Deere took part in a daring rescue operation. He and Pilot Officer Allen escorted their flight commander, James Leathart, to France where he was to land a Miles Master trainer and pick up the CO of 74 Squadron who had made a forced landing on the airfield at Calais-Marck. The pick-up was made, with Allen watching from 8000 feet and Deere circling at low level. An approaching formation of Bf 109’s was spotted by Allen as the Master taxied out for take-off.
As the Bf 109’s began their attack Deere singled one out, fired a short burst and sent it crashing into the sea. Deere, climbing to help Allen, crossed the path of two more109’s, one of which turned towards him. Deere also turned, firing at the second one, which rolled over and dived away. Pursuing the first at treetop level, he fired off his remaining ammunition before the German escaped.
Heading back towards the coast Deere called up Allen and was relieved to hear him answer. In the interim the Master had taken off and headed for Hornchurch. In the action three Bf 109’s had been shot down and three others severely damaged. Later that day, Deere shot down another Bf109. The following day, he shot down a Bf110 and then two more on the 26th May, making him an ace.
On 28 May, Deere attacked a Dornier (some sources say a Do17, others a Do215) over Dunkirk. The return fire from the Dornier was very accurate and hit the spitfires Glycol tank Deere had to make a forced landing on a beach in Belgium. He was knocked unconscious by the landing and was dragged from the wreckage by a soldier. N3180 caught fire and was burned out on the beach, although the fire was put out by the tide!
Deere walked to Oost-Dunkerke where his injuries were tended. He then hitched a lift in a lorry to Dunkirk, got on a destroyer to Dover and took a train to Hornchurch and was back at base just 19 hours after taking off!
This incident set in motion a chain of events which led to him losing four more aircraft in three months. On 9 July, while flying Kiwi II, he was involved in a mid-air collision with a Bf109E of 4/JG51 flown by Oberfeldwebel Johann Illner. Deere force-landed his aircraft at Ash in Kent. He escaped uninjured but Kiwi II was again burnt out. Illner returned to base safely.
On 15 August Kiwi III, was badly damaged in combat with Bf109s over Dunkirk. Deere headed straight back over the Channel and despite the best attempts of his opponents, who tried to force him to ditch, he made it back over the coast. However, his spitfire was too badly damaged to make it back to Hornchurch, so Deere baled out.
On 28 August, Deere was shot down again… by a Spitfire!
On 31 August, Hornchurch was bombed heavily. Deere’s section of three aircraft were hit by a bomb as they were taking off. This incident probably inspired a scene in the film Battle of Britain. Deere’s aircraft was blown onto its back and Deere was trapped in the wreckage. His wingman, PO Edsall freed him from the wreckage despite being badly injured himself. Deere then carried Edsall to the medical facilities. Thankfully all three pilots survived the incident.
54 Sqn was withdrawn from the Battle of Britain on 3 September. By that time Deere had claimed 12 enemy aircraft destroyed and had lost five Spitfires! By the end of the war he had 22 confirmed victories, 10 probables and 18 damaged. He had also been shot down seven times! He seemed to live a charmed life – so much so that his post-war autobiography was entitled Nine Lives.
Deere went on to have a very distinguished career in the RAF, retiring in 1977 with the rank of Air Commodore. He passed away on 21 September 1995. His ashes were scattered over the river Thames from a Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.. Print size overall approx: (24 inches x 16 inches) The print quality of this print can only be appreciated first hand. Printed to Fine Art Trade Guild standards, on thick (300gsm) German etching paper using the latest 12 colour Giclee print technology. The vibrant and accurate lightfast colours will last forever. This is printing at its very best quality! each print is hand signed and numbered by the artist Simon Smith from an edition of only 200 prints! buy now to avoid disappointment!! Prints are despatched with a certificate rolled in tissue paper in a strong tube by signed for delivery. Price £75 free uk shipping Look out for new releases coming soon or email me for further details |
