John Dundas (RAF officer)
| John Charles Dundas | |
|---|---|
Portrait of John Dundas, by Cuthbert Orde
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| Nickname(s) | Dogs |
| Born | 19 August 1915 |
| Died | 28 November 1940 (aged 25) English Channel |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–1940 |
| Rank | Flight lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 609 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
| Relations | Sir Hugh Dundas (brother) |
John Charles Dundas, DFC & Bar (19 August 1915 – 28 November 1940) was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War credited with 12 victories.
Born in West Yorkshire as the son of an aristocrat, Dundas was an able student and academic. After graduating from Christ Church, Oxford, he became a journalist and joined a newspaper in his home county. After two years, Dundas tired of life as a reporter and joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) in July 1938, being commissioned as pilot officer in No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron and trained as a pilot at his own expense.
In May 1940 his squadron took part in the Battle of France, during which Dundas claimed his first two victories. Dundas remained with his squadron throughout the Battle of Britain, claiming nine German aircraft shot down. On 9 October he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for 10 victories. At the time of his last battle Dundas had been credited with 12 aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed, four probably destroyed and five damaged. During a battle over the English Channel on 28 November 1940, Dundas is believed to have engaged and shot down Helmut Wick, the highest scoring ace of the Luftwaffe at that time. Moments later Dundas was also shot down into the sea. Both pilots vanished and remain missing in action.
John Charles Dundas was born in West Yorkshire in 1915. He was related to two aristocratic families in the region; he was the grandson of the Scottish Liberal politician John Dundas and the great grandson of Lawrence Dundas, 1st Earl of Zetland. Dundas was also related to the House of Halifax.
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