File:VCS-7 Pilots With Spitfire At Lee-on-Solent June 1944.jpg
U.S. Navy pilots are briefed before flying a gunfire spotting mission over the Normandy beach heads, circa June-July 1944. Those present are (from left to right):
Wing Commander Robert J. Hardiman, RAF, Commanding Allied Spotter Pilots;
Ensign Robert J. Adams, USNR;
Major Noel East, British Army Intelligence;
Lieutenant Harris Hammersmith, Jr., USNR; and
Captain John Ruscoe, Royal Artillery, Gunnery Liaison Officer.
The U.S. Navy officers are pilots of U.S. Navy Cruiser Scouting Squadron Seven (VCS-7), which switched from their usual Curtiss SOC Seagull floatplanes to British Supermarine Spitfire fighters during the Normandy operation. VCS-7 was based at Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire (UK), and drew planes from a pool of Supermarine Spitfire or Seafire fighters. The squadron flew a total of 191 sorties between 6 and 25 June 1944, losing one aircraft to ground fire.
Date
circa June 1944
Source
Official U.S. Navy photograph 80-G-302115.
Author
USN
Wing Commander Robert J. Hardiman, RAF, Commanding Allied Spotter Pilots;
Ensign Robert J. Adams, USNR;
Major Noel East, British Army Intelligence;
Lieutenant Harris Hammersmith, Jr., USNR; and
Captain John Ruscoe, Royal Artillery, Gunnery Liaison Officer.
The U.S. Navy officers are pilots of U.S. Navy Cruiser Scouting Squadron Seven (VCS-7), which switched from their usual Curtiss SOC Seagull floatplanes to British Supermarine Spitfire fighters during the Normandy operation. VCS-7 was based at Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire (UK), and drew planes from a pool of Supermarine Spitfire or Seafire fighters. The squadron flew a total of 191 sorties between 6 and 25 June 1944, losing one aircraft to ground fire.
Licensing
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This file is a work of a sailor or employee of the U.S. Navy, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain in the United States.
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