AVIATION REVIEW V6 N1 PADDY
FINUCANE_VIETNAM F-4 USAF_TBM_WW2 PIPER L-3_VCP-R_RENO 81
AIR PROGRESS SPECIAL MAGAZINE SERIES
VIETNAM WAR McD F-4 PHANTOM GROUND ATTACK MISSION
USAF
UNLIMITED RACERS AT RENO 1981
WW2 PIPER L-3 GRASSHOPPER LIASION AIRCRAFT AT WAR
WW2 POET ACE IRISHMAN PADDY FINUCANE
GRUMMAN TBF TBM AVENGER TORPEDO BOMBER USN VT RN
FAA
COULD THE RAF WIN ANOTHER BATTLE OF BRITAIN?
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VERVILLE FLYING EGGSHELL RACER ARMY AIR CORPS
USAAC VCP-R
GOODYEARS FORGOTTEN AMPHIBIANS (GA-1 GA-2 DUCK
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JAPANESE AIR SELF DEFENSE FORCE JASDF BLUE IMPULSE
AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
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Additional Information from Internet Encyclopedia
Wing Commander Brendan Eamonn Fergus Finucane,
DSO, DFC & Two Bars (16 October 1920 15 July 1942), known as Paddy
Finucane amongst his colleagues, was a Second World War Royal Air Force (RAF)
fighter pilot and flying acedefined as an aviator credited with five or more
enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial combat.
Born into a Catholic family in Ireland of Irish
and English heritage, Finucane grew up during the "early troubles"[N 1]
and the Irish Civil War. In 1936, the family moved to England, where he
developed an interest in aviation. Keen to fly, Finucane applied to join the
RAF and in August 1938, was accepted for flight training as a pilot. After a
shaky training career, in which he crash-landed on one occasion, he received
news that he had completed flight training. In JuneJuly 1940, he began
conversion training on the Supermarine Spitfire. On 13 July, Finucane was
posted to No. 65 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch.
Finucane's first victory was scored on 12 August
1940 during the Battle of Britain. During the campaign, he was credited with
two enemies destroyed, two probably destroyed and one damaged.[4] Promoted to
acting flight lieutenant in April 1941, he joined No. 452 Squadron flying
offensive patrols over Franceknown as the Circus offensive. During this
period, Finucane had his most successful period of operations, destroying 20
German aircraft, sharing in the destruction of three, with two damaged and
another two probably destroyed from 4 January to 13 October 1941.[5]
In January 1942, Finucane was promoted to the rank
of squadron leader in No. 602 Squadron. Within six months, he was credited a
further six individual victories bringing his tally to 28. Four more were
damaged, four were shared destroyed and two credited as individual probable
victories and one shared probable. In June 1942, he became the RAF's youngest
wing commander in its history. Finucane was appointed to lead the Hornchurch
Wing.
On 15 July 1942, Finucane took off with his flight
for a mission over France. His Spitfire was damaged by ground-fire. Finucane
attempted to fly back to England across the English Channel but was forced to
ditch into the sea and subsequently vanished. After his death, Finucane's brother
Raymond served in No. 101 Squadron RAF and survived the war.
Finucane was credited with 28 aerial victories,
five probably destroyed, six shared destroyed, one shared probable victory, and
eight damaged. Included in his total were 23 Messerschmitt Bf 109s, four
Focke-Wulf Fw 190s and one Messerschmitt Bf 110.[7] Official records differ
over the exact total. After the war, two of Finucane's victories that were
credited as probables had, in fact, been destroyed, but were not officially
included. His total victory count could be as high as 32.[8] Some sources
credit him this figure.
Finucane spent the winter of 193940 gaining as
much flight practice as possible. He was unable to gain any hours in fighter
aircraft. He was abruptly transferred to the practice and parachute test flight
centre at RAF Henlow. He had to settle for making trips around airfields in an
antiquated Vickers Virginia, as a co-pilot ferrying engineers and ground crew
from 16 September 1939. That month German forces invaded Poland on (1
September), prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany, and
beginning the war in Europe. Finucane's piloting skills were far from being at
the acceptable level for a fighter pilot. He continued in this trend until May
1940, when he was assigned to flying Miles Magister training aircraft.
In May German forces attacked the Netherlands and
Belgium which fell quickly. In June France collapsed. Fighter Command now
needed an influx of pilots, after losses in Western Europe. Finucane had
improved and on 27 June 1940 was posted to 7 Operational Training Unit (7 OTU)
in Hawarden near Chester, to undergo conversion training onto Supermarine
Spitfires, while awaiting a fighter squadron posting. Finucane made his first
flight in a Spitfire on 3 July 1940 and made 26 such flights in nine days. The
pilots were tested on radio transmission, handling, formation flying and
aerobatics. On 11 July 1940 he was permitted just one firing practice. At the
end of his stay at 7 OTU, he had logged 2 hours 40 minutes on the Magister, 2
hours 25 minutes on the Fairey Battle, 15 minutes on the Hawker Hurricane and
22 hours and 20 minutes on the Spitfire.
Battle of Britain
Finucane was posted to No. 65 Squadron at RAF
Hornchurch on 12 July 1940, arriving the next day, just as the Battle of
Britain was getting under-way. No. 65 Squadron boasted several aces, including
Bill Franklin who had destroyed 10 enemy aircraft. Finucane called him the
scruffiest man in the squadron, but was envious of Franklin's skill and was
keen to emulate him. Anxious to get more experience, Finucane loitered around
dispersal hoping to build up flight time on the Spitfire by asking as many
senior officers for as many hours practice as was possible. Finucane was
granted a few flights to improve his handling of the fighter before he was
assigned to B Flight or Green Section.[24]
On 24 July, the squadron moved to a satellite
airfield at Rochford in the county of Essex. The following day, he became
operational. The Battle of Britain was slowly escalating and air fighting
increased with a series of German air attacks against British shipping in the
English Channel, a phase of the battle termed Kanalkampf by the Luftwaffe.[24]
Finucane's first scramble came on 25 July 1940. Flying Spitfire N3128 code
YT-W, he took off at 08:45. The Spitfire was worn, having served in combat
since April. It developed a glycol leak whilst climbing and the cockpit filled
with escaping vapour from the cooling liquid condensing on the hot engine.
Suddenly his radio transmission failed. Still, he managed a wheels-up landing
at Rochford.[24] 65 Squadron was in action again at 12:20 and engaged enemy
aircraft but suffered no losses.
For the next few days, Finucane did not scramble.
On 1 August, he was assigned Spitfire R6818 taken on charge by the unit on 26
July. On 12 August, he took off to intercept a raid at 11:30. Climbing to
26,000 feet (7,900 m), 10 miles (16 km) off North Foreland, the squadron
attacked 30 Messerschmitt Bf 109s several thousand feet below them. Evading a
German counterattack Finucane dived upon a formation of 12 enemy fighters. He
fired from 250 to 50 yards (229 to 46 m), causing one Bf 109 to crash into the
Channel. The victory was witnessed by Sergeant Orchard in Finucane's
flight.[24] He landed at 11:45. While the squadron was refuelling and
assembling for another patrol at RAF Manston, the airfield came under a
low-level attack by Messerschmitt Bf 110s and Dornier Do 17s covered by Bf
109s. The Bf 110s were led by Hauptmann Walter Rubensdörffer, commanding
Erprobungsgruppe 210. 18 Do 17s from Kampfgeschwader 2 supported them. Not many
of the Spitfires got airborne. Alongside Jeffrey Quill, Finucane took off
downwind as the first bombs started to fall. Both Quill and Finucane sighted Bf
109s and engaged. Quill hit a Bf 109 and Finucane fired on two, claiming a
probable and one damaged.[24] According to another account Quill had taken off
without permission when he heard reverberations to his right. He saw a hangar
roof with a mountain of earth flying sky-ward and a Bf 110 pulling out of a
dive. He fired at, but missed, a Bf 109. One Spitfire was damaged in the
attack.[26] Finucane's first claim may be one of two III./Jagdgeschwader 54 Bf
109s shot down over the Channel by an unknown British fighter unit. One pilot
was unhurt, the other, a Leutnant Eberle was wounded in action. No losses for
Bf 109s were incurred on the second air battle.
On 13 August, the Luftwaffe began an all-out
assault on RAF airfields. Christened Adlertag (Eagle Day), the raids saw the
heaviest fighting thus far. Scrambling at 16:00 to intercept an incoming raid
near Dover, 65 Squadron encountered large numbers of Bf 109s from Jagdgeschwader
51 led by Hannes Trautloft. Finucane claimed a Bf 109 shot down and damaged
another, leaving the Messerschmitt streaming smoke. Finucane lost contact with
it in cloud and he claimed as a probable. One Bf 109 was lost from JG 51 and
the pilot wounded. Two more were 80 percent damaged. 65 Squadron suffered no
losses.[28] 0n 18 August Finucane was involved in the large air battles that
characterised the campaign. 65 Squadron engaged Heinkel He 111 bombers from
Kampfgeschwader 1 downing one of their number.
On 28 August, the squadron was moved to Turnhouse
near Edinburgh to rest, having lost two pilots killed in action, one missing in
action and four Spitfires between 14 and 27 August.[31] While at Turnhouse, on
3 September, Finucane was confirmed in his rank and promoted to flying officer.
A squadron report on 9 September noted that Finucane was learning quickly and
showing signs of becoming an efficient combat leader; "I have great hopes
of this officer. He is keen and intelligent and shows likelihood of becoming a
very efficient leader. Is being trained as a leader and is learning
quickly."
65 Squadron remained in the battle until its end
in October 1940, but Finucane gained no further successes. On 8 November the
unit was moved to RAF Leuchars and then on 29 November back to No. 11 Group RAF
in the south at RAF Tangmere near Chichester in West Sussex. The squadron
remained idle for the winter as The Blitz and the German night attacks began
and lasted in to the following spring.[32] Finucane billeted near Oving. While
drinking at a nearby pub overlooking the harbour an air raid struck Southampton.
Finucane heard the drone of German bombers over the Isle of Wight in the
distance and watched as the pathfinders marked the city. They clambered into a
Wolseley Hornet two-seater car and headed into the town to seek out
acquaintances of a squadron-mate. After seeing the destruction in the city
Finucane remarked: "Until this war is won we must shoot every Jerry from
the sky."
Channel Front
By early 1941, the Luftwaffe rarely appeared in
daylight and Finucane spent most of his operational time patrolling the Channel
coast. On 4 January 1941 at 09:50 off Selsey Bill, he caught and shot down a Bf
110 at 7,000 feet (2,100 m). It took 15 minutes and four attacks to bring it
down. The Bf 110 crashed into the Channel.[34][35] Off St. Catherine's Point on
19 January, Finucane was one of two Spitfires that intercepted a Junkers Ju 88
at 17,000 feet (5,200 m). They chased the Ju 88 to within 5 miles (8.0 km) of
Cherbourg and broke off for lack of fuel. They left the Ju 88 on fire in both
engines and flying at 50 feet. The pilot had proven a skilful opponent. The Ju
88 flew low-level skidding turns and into the sun where the glare prevented the
British pilots from gaining a clear view. The rear gunner was also firing
accurately, hitting Finucane's fighter with a few well placed rounds. The Ju 88
was credited as shared destroyed.[34] The share was with Sergeant H. Orchard.
In November 1940 Air Marshal Sholto Douglas became
AOC (Air Officer Commanding) RAF Fighter Command. On 8 December 1940 a
directive from the Air Staff called for Sector Offensive Sweeps. It ordered
hit-and-run operations over Belgium and France. The operations were to be
conducted by three squadrons to harass German air defences. On 10 January 1941
Circus attacks were initiated by sending small bomber formations protected by
large numbers of fighters. The escalation of offensive operations throughout
1941 was designed to draw up the Luftwaffe as Douglas' Command took an
increasingly offensive stance.[37] Trafford Leigh-Mallory, AOC 11 Group, penned
Operations Instruction No. 7, which he had written on 16 February.
Leigh-Mallory outlined six distinct operations for day fighters: Ramrod (bomber
escort with primary goal the destruction of the target); Fighter Ramrod (the
same goal where fighters escorted ground-attack fighters); Roadstead (Bomber
escort and anti-shipping operations); Fighter Roadstead (the same operation as
Roadstead but without bombers) along with Rhubarb and Circus operations.
On 5 February, Finucane participated in the third
Circus operation. 65 supported 610 and 302 Squadron over Saint-Omer. Leading
high cover, Finucane claimed another Bf 109 over Cap d'Alprech as three German
fighters attempted to attack the other squadrons from behind. It was seen to
crash into woodland.[39] On 26 February 1941, 65 Squadron was posted to Kirton
in Lindsey. The airfield was located in Lincolnshire in No. 12 Group RAF's
sector where air-to-air combat was very uncommon in daylight.[39] The stay at
Lindsey was short. On 14 April 1941, Finucane was posted as a Flight Commander
to the newly formed Australian No. 452 Squadron RAAF, the first RAAF squadron
to serve in Fighter Command. He was promoted to acting flight lieutenant the
same day.[40]
The following day, 15 April, he flew his final
sortie with 65 Squadron flying support for 266 Squadron and 402 Squadron. On
the way back in the afternoon he claimed one Bf 109 destroyed. This, his fifth
victory, made him an official fighter ace.[40] However, according to other
accounts, only two Bf 109s were involved in the brief air battle. Finucane's
and 65's likely opponents in the battle was Adolf Galland, Geschwaderkommodore
(Wing Commander) Jagdgeschwader 26 and future General der Jagdflieger (General
of Fighter Forces). Galland had taken off with his wingman and a crate
containing lobster loaded into the fuselage of his Bf 109 to deliver to
Jagdfliegerführer 2 Theo Osterkamp for his birthday at Luftflotte 2 headquarters.
En route, Galland took a detour over the English coast and attacked several
flights of Spitfires, claiming two 266 squadrons shot down. Galland's
landing-gear fell down during the battle, possibly leading Finucane to claim it
as destroyed. Both German pilots returned to France, their machines
undamaged.[41][42] Finucane was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on
25 April.
Finucane's start at No. 452 was unimpressive. On 3
May 1941 while on a recognition flight with his new commanding officer,
Squadron Leader Roy Dutton, Finucane got too close and his propeller sliced
through Dutton's tailplane. Finucane radioed Dutton immediately. Dutton
attempted to abandon the aircraft but was too low and crash-landed, cracking
several ribs but surviving. Finucane excused himself from error asserting that
his Spitfire was the only one with a metal propellerthe others being elder
Mark I's with wooden mountswhich gave him extra speed. In tight formation,
this had caused the collision. Despite the incident, he was gazetted on 13 May
and given temporary command of the squadron while Dutton was injured. While at
452 Finucane became a popular commander and encouraged a more relaxed
atmosphere, which he believed would help him get more out of the Australian
pilots. He was now in command of 23 pilots, 16 fighters and 130 ground
crew.[43]
The squadron re-equipped with Mk. II's in May 1941
and Finucane was assigned serial P8038, formerly of No. 303 Squadron RAF, on 21
May. It was the first of four Spitfires to carry the Shamrock emblem as his
personal insignia. Jimmy Firth, his airframe rigger and 'Speedy' Moore, a
Canadian engine fitter, were attempting to put an outline of the design on.
Poorly done, it attracted the attention of Maurice Pownhall a professional in Lithography.
Using green dope he completed the emblem on the forward left part of the
cockpit fairing panel. Finucane approved and the Shamrock stayed.
On 11 July 1941 Fighter Command conducted Circus
Number 44. 12 Group flew as the lower echelon with Spitfire squadrons 452, 65
and 266. Two 11 Group wings from RAF Biggin Hill encompassing 72, 92 and 609
Squadrons and the incomplete RAF Kenley wing with 485 and 602. There was so
much competition in the squadron to fly on its first Circus operation that
Finucane had to draw lots. The squadron re-fuelled at West Malling after
staging down to the coast through England. Flying as the middle-squadron at
18,000 ft Finucane's flight crossed the coast east of Dunkirk at 14:45 GMT.
Over Poperinghe the wing split into four groups and headed to Cassel. The sole
charge was a Bristol Blenheim of No. 60 Group RAF which was to act as a decoy.
Five miles west of Lille at 15:00 GMT they were engaged by elements of
Jagdgeschwader 2 and JG 26. Finucane engaged 8 Bf 109s and other units engaged
three flights of 10 Bf 109s in total. Finucane was able to position himself
behind a straggler after firing 90 rounds the Bf 109 was hit and the pilot
bailed out. Fighter Command claimed seven destroyed, two probably destroyed and
seven damaged for three Spitfires. Circus 45 took place 40 minutes later.
Finucane's success was the first victory for the squadron.
On 21 July 452 was moved to Kenley on a plateau
near Kenley Common just south of London in East Surrey. There it joined 602
(City of Glasgow) and 485 (New Zealand) Squadron. These fighter units were to
form the nucleus of the new Kenley Wing. From here, they were to fly many
intensive operations over the summer period. The squadrons were bolstered by
experienced Non-commissioned officers but were relatively inexperienced units.
One of them, 602, was commanded by the seasoned Squadron Leader Al Deere. While
there Finucane developed a friendship with the Australian pilot Keith Truscott,
who joined 452 in May 1941. The two frequented Oddenino's restaurant on Regent
Street, a favourite among pilots in blacked-out London. Lew Stone the dance
band leader played there. One evening he met Jean Woolford who was to become
his fiancé. Whatever time Finucane could spend on leave was spent in Kew
Gardens or Richmond Park with her.
After a period of air-to-air exercises and
practice the Wing undertook a Circus operation on 3 August 1941. In the evening
the Wing crossed out over Manston at 18,000 ft and then dropped to 13,000 ft
over the coast at Gravelines and set course for Saint-Omer. Near Ambleteuse
five Bf 109Fs were sighted one thousand feet above and in front travelling past
the Spitfires. The German fighters shadowed the flight before three detached
and dived to attack, curving in from behind. The Spitfires turned into them.
Finucane missed with his first burst of fire and chased the leading Bf 109 into
cloud while following the Bf 109's condensation trail. Hitting the enemy with
another burst from 200 yards the Bf 109 burst into flames. He sighted another
formation of 18 Bf 109s above and climbed to attack supported by six Spitfires.
Finucane scored hits on the tail unit of one which went down vertically and
into a cloud layer at 2,000 ft at which point contact was lost. Finucane
claimed one destroyed and one probably destroyed. The operation elevated his
tally to 7. The day was best remembered in Fighter Command for the loss of
Flight Lieutenant Eric Lock who was shot down by ground-fire in the morning
patrol.
On 9 August Finucane was involved with Circus 68
in which five Wings escorted five Blenheims from No. 2 Group RAF to a power
station at Gosnay four miles of south-west of Béthune. Kenley's three squadrons
shared the target support role with Tangmere Wing 610, 616 and 41 Squadrons led
by Wing Commander Douglas Bader. The escort wing was 71, 222, and 111 squadrons
from North Weald and the escort cover wing was 403, 603 and 611 from Hornchurch
while Northolt Wing committed 306, 308 and 315. With thick cloud cover they
abandoned the Gosnay operation and moved to a secondary target at Gravelines.
The Luftwaffe provided severe resistance and large air battles developed over
the coast. Finucane and 452 were positioned as the lower squadron in the Kenley
Wing at 20,000 ft with Finucane leading A Flighta section of four Spitfires.
Over Saint Omer at 11:32 Finucane engaged eight Bf 109s and with a long
four-second burst of machine gun and cannon-fire from 100 yards one of the
Messerschmitts caught fire and went into a spin. Finucane then shared two
others with Keith Chisholm. The squadron lost three pilotsJay O'Bryne became a
prisoner of war while Barry Haydon and Geoff Chapman were shot down. Bader was
also captured after being shot down by friendly-fire.
Over the next few days 452 re-equipped with
Spitfire VBs which had two Hispano-Suiza HS.404 calibre cannon in each wing to
supplement four 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Browning machine guns. Finucane hand-picked
AB852 because it had the code W adorned on the fuselage. The Spitfire that
Finucane damaged in the collision with Dutton earlier also had this letter.
Superstition compelled him to fly with a W-decorated fighter for good luck. On
Saturday 16 August 1941 Finucane celebrated his greatest success in this
machine. Circus 73 began at 07:25, and once again the wing was sent to Saint
Omer. Near Gravelines eight to ten Bf 109s engaged 485 squadron. At the
customary 100 yards a two-second bursthis secondput the first enemy aircraft
into a spin. Pilot Officer Truscott witnessed it diving steeply at 1,000 ft and
spinning. At midday 452, 602 and 485 participated in Circus 74 but made no
claims. At 17:45 Circus 75 yielded another response from the Luftwaffe. Kenley
performed the role of escort wing. Eight Bf 109s engaged at 9,000 ft and 452
claimed seven. Finucane engaged one which caught fire and emitted a lot of
white smoke. He then opened fire on another from 10 yards after his gun sight
failed. The Bf 109 lost its tail unit. The day's successes were victory numbers
9, 10 and 11.
The success of 452 and its highest scoring pilot
Brendan Finucane brought fame and publicity and information about the
squadron's exploits was released by the Air Ministry to the press. That same
day, Sunday 21 September 1941, 452 escorted Blenheims to Gosnay once more on
Circus 101. 452 met resistance and Bf 109s engaged the Wing. Finucane claimed
two at around 15:25 GMT. Chisholm witnessed the first one explode and the
second victory burst into flames and dived out of control. The Air Ministry
released the details of the operation to the press that night. The Daily Herald
had planned to use the headline Finucane wants 3 for his 21st 21 for his 21st
birthday. Editions were changed overnight to Finucane wants one more. The Daily
Mail, a believer in publishing fighter pilots' exploits since the First World
War, ran the headline Spitfire Finucane shoots down 20 Nazis [sic]. Most of the
headlines carried pictures of the squadron in the aftermath of Circus 100B and
the stories elevated Finucane to national hero status.
On 2 October 1941, 452 was joined by 485 from
Kenley. The Tangmere Wing's 41, 616 and 129 Squadrons followed to participate
in another Circus operation. These formations flew from Mardyck to Boulogne at
22,000 ft to tempt the Luftwaffe to send fighter units into battle. III./JG 26
scrambled to intercept with a staffel (squadron) of Bf 109s. Engaging in battle
Finucane shot the wing off one Messerschmitt Bf 109 and damaged another while a
third attacked him and was promptly dispatched into the Channel. Finucane
followed it down to 6,000 ft but could not ascertain the result because he was
attacked by five Bf 109s. A series of barrel-rolls and steep climbing turns
affected his escape. The engagement took place approximately three miles from
the French coast. Upon returning the airfield Finucane's Spitfire was painted
to include his initials on the shamrock and 21 Swastika emblems encircling it.
Finucane was not pleased with the decoration and ordered it removed. On 4
October he was given temporary command of the squadron when his commanding
officer went on leave. On 11 October, he was awarded the Distinguished Service
Order (gazetted 21 October) for 21 enemy aircraft shot down.
The next day Circus 107 took place and 452
participated. Blenheims attacked the port of Boulogne protected by 19 squadrons
from six wings. Between Le Touquet and mid-Channel at 12:20 the RAF formations
were engaged by approximately 50 Bf 109s. Finucane shot down a Bf 109 but lost
Chisholm who bailed out and was captured. Chisholm escaped in 1942 and spent
the next three years evading recapture through Poland, Nazi Germany and France
to Paris until the city was liberated in 1944. On 12 October 1941 Circus 108A
yielded two victoriesone over Saint Omer and another just out to sea off
Boulogne. Attempting a third attack Finucane hit a Bf 109 in a climbing attack
but stalled and had to dive out of the fight. Truscott, according to his own
logbook, shot at a German pilot in a parachute. The attack was frowned upon but
the Australian argued leaving an enemy to live to fight again was unwise.
The cockpit was awash with blood. It was not until
I was feeling a touch sick and dizzy it dawned on me that it was my blood. It
made me mad. Good Dublin blood should not be wasted. Just then things began to
go blackhow ever I managed to land back at dispersal without a crackup will
never be known.
Circus 108A cost Fighter Command 8 fighters for 15
claims. The squadron celebrated with a night of drinking. Walking back to their
quarters Finucane jumped Croydon Town hall's stone balustrade parapet which hid
an 18-foot drop the other side which broke his heel bone and put him in
hospital for several weeks. Finucane was treated in Horton Hospital which
specialised in combat wounds. While recovering Finucane was sent messages of
congratulations by Trafford Leigh-Mallory AOC 11 Group. The Air Ministry sought
to take advantage of Finucane's reputation by asking him to assist with morale
and propaganda activities. On 22 October he read out an Air Ministry-approved
description of his service for the BBC radio programme The World Goes By from
his hospital bed.[58] Finucane was moved to RAF Halton in Wendover,
Buckinghamshire on 14 November 1941. On 22 November he moved to the former
luxury Palace Hotel in Torquay. Upon arrival Finucane was asked to leave for
London to receive the DSO and two bars to the DFC on 25 November with his
brother and parents. That day King George VI personally decorated Finucane at
Buckingham Palace.
On 20 January 1942, Finucane was given command of
No. 602 Squadron RAF at RAF Redhill. Five days later Group Captain Victor
Beamish arrived as the new station commander. Beamish promoted Finucane
instantly to the rank of squadron leader. Beamish had flown in the Battle of
Britain and was posted to Group Captain Operations headquarters at 11 Group in
1941. Beamish frequently asked for an operational command and eventually
Leigh-Mallory relented and gave him Redhill. Beamish was ordered not to fly on
operations but usually flew whenever he felt like it. Beamish was killed on
operations just two months later. Finucane observed 602's Glasgow traditions by
reviving the squadron badge which pictured the Scottish lion rampant in
red.[60]
On 12 February 1942 station commander Beamish took
off and headed over the English Channel with wingman for an early morning
patrol. Reaching mid-Channel they sighted many ships and realised they had
over-flown strong German naval forces. The German navy (Kriegsmarine) were in
the midst of Operation Cerberus. The naval squadron consisting of both
Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen along with escorts.
The operation ran a British blockade and sailed from Brest in Brittany to their
home bases in Germany via the English Channel. The Luftwaffe protected the
ships with Operation Donnerkeil, an air superiority plan. The British
counter-plan, Operation Fuller was put into action at 11:30 after Beamish had
landed and reported the enemy position. Within five minutes Finucane was
ordered to take-off on a Roadstead operation. Seven of 602 Squadron fired on
warships and caught the images on cine gun-camera. The German operation was a
success and on 19 February 1942 Finucane was ordered to London with his former
squadron-mate Keith Truscott. He gave evidence before the Fuller Enquiry which
reported on the failure to prevent the break-out before Air Chief Marshal Edgar
Ludlow-Hewitt and Vice Admiral Hugh Binney.
On 20 February 1942 Finucane flew a two-Spitfire
sortie to Dunkirk, France. The last few days had been monotonous and Finucane
was eager to fly and asked Dick Lewisa 29-year old Australian who had put his
age down so he was accepted for pilot trainingto fly as his wingman. At 10:55
GMT Finucane took off and headed over Manston toward France. Off the coast,
they strafed a small ship and turned north to return home. Finucane spotted two
aircraft taking off from Mardyck but lost sight of them. Both Spitfires dropped
to sea level. Minutes later two enemy fighters came towards them. They were
identified as Focke-Wulf Fw 190s. The Fw 190 had a higher performance than the
Spitfire V in all departments other than turning circle and was more heavily
armed. Finucane scored hits on the first Fw 190's wing but the enemy quickly
gained the advantage and Finucane's Spitfire was hit with six machine gun
rounds which blew a piece of fuselage into the cockpit and into his leg. Blood
loss induced dizziness and Lewis protected his leader from six more astern
attacks. In the last attack the two Fw 190s came from opposite directions.
Lewis was able to claim one shot down and the other gave up over the
mid-Channel. They taxied to 452's dispersal where Finucane passed out after
shutting down the engine. On 2 March Finucane went on leave after spending over
a week in hospital.[62][63] No claim or loss was recorded by JG 26, the
resident German fighter unit.
Finucane returned to operations on 13 March.[57]
602 were strengthened over this time by the arrival of Flight Lieutenant James
Harry Lacey, an already established fighter pilot with considerable combat
experience. Lacey commanded several Flights in 602 over the spring and summer,
1942. By coincidence, Lacey would end the war on 28 aerial victories also. He
flew with Finucane and 602 on Circus 114 which targeted the railway yards at
Hazebrouck. Finucane fought an Fw 190 from 23 to 8,000 ft. He claimed it shot
down and it was witnessed by Sergeant Paul Green. Fighter Command claimed eight
for the loss of six.[66] JG 26 recorded no losses in the battle and the Germans
issued a communiqué on losses. Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal requested proof
from Sholto Douglas to demonstrate Fighter Command's claims were accurate.
Douglas issued him with combat reports from the Kenley Wing which stated two
German aircraft were seen to hit the ground and one pilot bailed out. These
claims cannot be substantiated through German losses.[67] One source records a
loss of Bf 109 from I./JG 26.
Finucane claimed three more successes in the
spring, one Fw 190 on 26 March escorting 24 Douglas A-20 Havocs from 88 and 107
squadrons to attack Le Havre docks; another on 28 March and one Bf 109 and
another Fw 190 on 17 May 1942. Four aircraft were claimed as shared, two
probably destroyed and four damaged. Life magazine filmed the squadron's sortie
on 26 March, as the fighters took off and landed. This operation was
significant as Finucane's unit was also making use of gun camera footage to
help verify combat claims. Finucane used footage to verify two claims on 2
April. Despite two clear images of two Fw 190s being hit he was credited only
with one damaged. 602 was prompted to use the cameras because the Command
thought the squadron's claims were excessive and the pilots were over stating
their success. The Air Ministry also accelerated a plan to introduce the
Spitfire IX to restore qualitative parity with the Fw 190 which was inflicting
heavy losses on British fighter formations; primarily through German pilots
taking full advantage of its superior performance over the Spitfire V.[69]
Finucane took at least one flight in the Spitfire IX. He flew the personal
aircraft of commanding officer W. G. G. Duncan Smith, 64 Squadron, on 26 June
1942.
Finucane had completed 108 fighter operations over
France by the fourth week of June 1942. On 27 June, Leigh-Mallory, with the
approval of Sholto Douglas, promoted Finucane to wing commander. Finucane
became the youngest wing commander in the RAF, and was to lead the Hornchurch
Wing.[71] Duncan Smith later said, that though he admired Finucane, he resented
the young fighter pilot's appointment and felt as an older, experienced leader,
he could have led the wing himself. Duncan Smith also felt the press gave the
young pilot too much attention. Nevertheless, the two maintained a cordial
relationship.[72] In his short time as wing commander of Hornchurch, Finucane
made a few alterations to the formation. The most notable was to tighten flying
discipline, loosen formation flying and increase low-level navigation skills.
On 15 July, Finucane was killed at the age of 21
while leading the Hornchurch Wing in a fighter "Ramrod"ground
attackoperation targeting a German Army camp at Étaples, France. Finucane took
off with his wing at 11:50. The attack was timed to hit the Germans at
lunchtime. Crossing the beach at Le Touquet, they targeted machine gun
positions. Finucane was hit in the radiator at 12:22. His wingman, Alan Aikman,
notified him of the white plume of smoke and Finucane acknowledged it with a
thumbs up. Standard regulations insisted the wing carry on the mission even if
the leader was in trouble. Radio silence was maintained so the enemy
radio-interception services would not know a person of importance was hit.
Finucane flew slowly out to sea, talking calmly to
Aikman as he glided along in his stricken fighter. Finally, some 8 miles (13
km) off Le Touquet on the French coast, he broke radio silence and sent his
last message. Aikman, flying alongside Finucane, saw him pull back the canopy,
and before taking off his helmet, say "This is it Butch". It was a
wellexecuted landing, but the waves were difficult to predict and the
Spitfire's nose struck the water and disappeared in a wall of spray. Before he
hit the water, witnesses Aikman and Keith Chisholm of 452 Squadron saw him
releaseor perhaps tightenhis parachute release harness and straps. If
Finucane had released them, it is possible he could have been thrown forward
onto the gun-sight and killed, or knocked unconscious and drowned. The exact
circumstances remain unknown.