G.B "Scotty" Murray DFC, in his Mk. Vb Spitfire "Marion"

Scores his first victory against an FW190
May 1st, 1942 - 401 Squadron, RCAF, Biggin Hill

Signed by the artist Len Krenzler

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G.B. "Scotty" Murray and his mount, a Mk. Vb Spitfire named "Marion" spent a total of 99 hrs and 40 minutes on 98 sorties together during the spring and summer of 1942.  On the 1st of May 1942, Murray flew Marion from Biggin Hill to Gravesend where they staged for a sweep of Le Havre, France.  15 miles off of the coast of Le Havre, Murray encountered his first Jerry, a FW190 where he chased it back to the enemy coastline and ultimately scored his first victory.  Low on fuel after the encounter, Murray returned home and landed at Tangmere on the coast of England.  Despite his daring dogfight, that same day Murray returned to the air for an air sea rescue search for two of his fellow sqaudron mates.

Here G.B. "Scotty" Murray describes his first "Jerry" :

“I was Red 4 flying at 20,000 feet about 15 miles west of Le Havre, where Wing Commander Rankin, Red 1, spotted enemy aircraft below and to the north. We dived and the section split up in two, line abreast, Red 3 and 4 being nearer the French coastline. The section of two aircraft turned to the right on the tail of the FW 190.”

“I was leading on the starboard side of the section and noticed the Red 2 aircraft, Barwell, firing at enemy aircraft, after which the other members of the section broke away. I continued chase alone until enemy aircraft reached the coastline at which time range had closed to 500 yds at 3000 to 4000 ft.” “I opened fire delivering a two second cannon burst closing to approximately 400 yards. As I fired, a sudden burst of thick black smoke poured from the enemy aircrafts wing roots, increasing in volume. I then broke away because I found myself alone just offshore of the enemy coastline. I climbed and rejoined Red 3 whom I noticed had covered me during the attack.”