On this day, January 30th 2001, James Edgar “Johnnie” Johnson, Spitfire Ace and top scoring RAF fighter pilot passed away at the age of 84.
Johnnie was born on March 9th 1916 in Leicestershire. After attending Loughborough College and Nottingham University he became a civil engineer. In 1939 he was finally accepted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and selected for pilot training. After a brief posting to 19 Squadron at Duxford Johnnie joined 616 Squadron and flew with the legendary Douglas Barder as part of Barder’s Tangmeer Wing. Johnnie was flying with Barder on the day Barder was shot down.

Johnnie is probably best remembered for his time as Wing Leader of the Canadian wing at Kenley, later to become 127 Wing. It was during this period that Johnnie began his association with the legendary Spitfire MkIX. Johnnie’s personal Spitfire at this time was MkIXb EN398. This Spitfire is regarded as having the most successful combat record of any Spitfire ever with at least 10 and possibly as many as 15 victories to it’s credit. Johnnie himself scored no less than 14 victories with 5 shared during his time with the Kenley wing, winning the DSO for his efforts.

After a rest tour with the planning staff, Johnnie was given command of the newly formed Canadian 144 Wing. Johnnie led 144 Wing up to and during the Normandy campaign and 144 was the first fighter wing to move to France at St. Croix-sr-Mer. By the time 144 Wing was disbanded in August 1944 it had become one of the highest scoring fighter wings in the Second Tactical Air Force and Johnnie had become the top scoring RAF ace. Johnnie rejoined 127 Wing and scored his 38th and final victory in September 1944.

Post war Johnnie served a tour with the USAF flying Sabre jets in Korea. In 1960 Johnnie was appointed senior air staff officer in 3 Group, Bomber Command. By the time he retired in 1966 he had reached the rank of Air Vice Marshal and had become Air Officer Commanding, Air Forces Middle East in Aden.

Johnnie flew Spitfires throughout the war and every one of his victories, with the exception of a half share in a BF 110, was scored against single engine fighter opposition. On only one occasion was Johnnie’s Spitfire damaged by fire from an enemy aircraft and he was never shot down. He flew over 1000 combat missions. Johnnie was officially credited with 38 victories (although some claim it may have only been 34) and only South African pilot Marmaduke Thomas St. John Pattle who’s unofficial score of as many as 50 (15.5 on Gloster Gladiators making him the top Gladiator ace of WW2) surpassed Johnnie’s total in the Royal Air Force.

Air Vice Marshal James Edgar “Johnnie” Johnson, DSO and two bars, DFC and bar, Legion d’honneur, Croix de Guerre, DFC (US) 1916-2001.

Screw his wartime record, etc.  I remember him because despite all his medals, honors and assiociated poopoo he took time out to reply to a fan letter from a 14 year old kid in a little island in the Caribbean.

He may have been all that, but in the end, he was a neat guy.

Quote:


Have I mentioned that you look horrible through envy-green glasses?

Oh wait, that's how you look anyway...  oops!

Add me to your envy list Felix...I met Jonnie at a Sqdn function.

He liked our Hornet for some strange reason.  



Under the port LEX the side-code reads "9G A".

Under the starboard LEX the side-code reads "JE J".

441 (TFS) "Silver Fox" Sqdn CF-188 celebrating the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. "9G" was the old code for 441 Sqdn RCAF during D-Day.