In 1944, he was appointed temporary equerry to King George VI. His wartime record was 9 aircraft claimed destroyed (and 2 shared), 2 'probables' and 4 damaged. In January 1943, he was appointed Commanding Officer of RAF West Malling. 605 Squadron RAF, a night fighter unit, and attended the staff college from October 1942. Awarded a DSO in April 1941, he later became Commanding Officer RAF Drew in April 1942 and commanded No. He oversaw the conversion of 85 Squadron to night operations at RAF Hunsdon during early 1941. A bar to his DFC was awarded in early September 1940. He continued to lead the unit on the ground even after this wound resulted in his big toe being amputated, and he returned to operational flying on 21 September. On 31 August, during combat with Bf 110s over Tunbridge, Townsend was shot down and wounded in the left foot by a cannon shell which went through the glycol tank and exploded in the cockpit.
Return fire from the Dornier hit the Hurricane coolant system and Townsend was forced to ditch 20 miles from the English coast, being rescued by HM Trawler Cape Finisterre. On 11 July 1940 Townsend, flying Hurricane VY-K (P2716) intercepted a Dornier Do 17 of KG 2 and severely damaged the bomber, forcing it to crash land at Arras. 85 Squadron RAF, flying Hawker Hurricanes. Two more He 111s were claimed by Townsend, on 22 February and 8 April, and a sixth share on 22 April.īy May 1940, Townsend was one of the most capable squadron leaders of the Battle of Britain, serving throughout the battle as CO of No.
The pilots were F/L Townsend, F/O ‘Tiger’ Folkes and Sgt. The first enemy aircraft to crash on English soil during World War II fell victim to fighters from Acklington on 3 February 1940 when three Hurricanes of ‘B’ flight, 43 Squadron, shot down a Heinkel 111 of 4./ KG26 near Whitby. He was stationed at RAF Tangmere in 1937 and was a member of No. He served in Training Command, and as a flying instructor at RAF Montrose. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1933, and trained at Cranwell. 85 Squadron RAF exits his Hawker Hurricane at RAF Castle Camps, July 1940 Peter Townsend was born 1914 in Rangoon, Burma, and was educated at Haileybury School.
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