Description
Supermarine Spitfire LF.IX (MJ789) FU-B
453 (RAAF) Squadron
United Kingdom
No. 453 Squadron was formed in the UK as a Spitfire unit in June 1942. In the lead-up to the D-Day landing of 6 June 1944, the squadron flew defensive sweeps against German reconnaissance aircraft that might observe the Allied preparations. Their role then switching to providing air cover over the beachhead in France. It was on one of these missions that Flight Lieutenant Henry Lacy Smith, flying Spitfire FU-B, was shot down. He was from Sydney and had transferred to the RAAF in 1941.
The wreckage of his aircraft was located in 2010, and he was given a military burial. The remains of his aircraft have been preserved at RAAF Museum, Point Cook.
Lithographic Artprint (A3 size), matt stock. Print code P0034
