Alan Eckford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Eckford
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Eckford and his Spitfire, 1942
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| Born | 6 February 1919 Thame Park, Oxfordshire, England |
| Died | 6 December 1990 (aged 71) Rickinghall, Suffolk, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 32 Squadron No. 242 Squadron No. 253 Squadron No. 154 Squadron |
| Commands held | No. 242 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Second World War
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| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Alan Francis Eckford (born February 6, 1919 – died December 6, 1990) was a brave British pilot. He was a flying ace in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. A flying ace is a pilot who shoots down five or more enemy aircraft. Alan Eckford was officially credited with at least eight victories in the air.
Born in Thame Park, England, Eckford joined the RAF in 1938. He flew with several squadrons, including No. 32 Squadron and No. 242 Squadron. He fought in major battles like the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. Later, he served in North Africa. He even commanded No. 242 Squadron for a time. Alan Eckford passed away in 1990 when he was 71 years old. A photo of him and other pilots inspired a special monument called the Spirit of the Few Monument.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the RAF
Alan Francis Eckford was born in Thame Park, Oxfordshire, England. This was on February 6, 1919. He went to King Edward VI Grammar School. Later, he studied engineering at Loughborough College.
In November 1938, Eckford joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). After finishing his flight training, he became a pilot officer. He was sent to No. 32 Squadron. This squadron was based at Biggin Hill. They flew Hawker Hurricane fighters.
Fighting in World War II
When the Second World War started, No. 32 Squadron often flew missions. They tried to stop German planes. In May 1940, the squadron went to France. They were sent to help other RAF fighter squadrons.
Based at Abbeville, they quickly joined the air battles. Eckford destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter. This happened over Cambrai just one day after arriving. The squadron soon returned to Biggin Hill. They patrolled over Kent for the rest of the month.
Eckford went back to France in June. He joined No. 242 Squadron as a new pilot. This squadron helped protect British soldiers. The soldiers were retreating to the coast. Eckford flew many missions. He shot down another Bf 109 on June 14. This was near the Seine-Rouen area. No. 242 Squadron returned to England on June 18.
The Battle of Britain
No. 242 Squadron was now led by Squadron Leader Douglas Bader. They were based at Coltishall. Eckford damaged a Heinkel He 111 bomber on July 10. Soon after, he moved back to No. 32 Squadron. They flew from Biggin Hill.
The Battle of Britain was in full swing. Eckford and his squadron flew many missions each day. They intercepted German bomber raids. On August 18, he destroyed two bombers. One was a Junkers Ju 88 and the other a Dornier Do 17. The Do 17 was attacking the airfield at Kenley. He also damaged a He 111 on August 26.
In September, Eckford became a flying officer. He then moved to No. 253 Squadron. This squadron also flew Hurricanes from Kenley. They faced heavy attacks from the German air force. On September 27, he destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter. This was over Maidstone. He shot down a Bf 109 over Kent on October 31.
Even though the Battle of Britain was mostly over by November, Eckford kept flying. He shot down a Bf 109 near Dungeness on November 5. He helped destroy a Do 17 on November 22. The next day, he destroyed another Bf 109. This was near Cap Gris-Nez.
In December, Eckford was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. This award is for bravery in air combat. The official announcement praised his courage. It said he had destroyed six enemy aircraft.
Channel Front and North Africa
In 1941, No. 253 Squadron moved north. They patrolled over the North Sea. Eckford, now a flight commander, also flew night missions. In November, he stopped flying combat missions. He became an instructor at No. 55 Operational Training Unit.
Eckford returned to combat in May 1942. He was now a flight lieutenant. He flew Supermarine Spitfire fighters with No. 64 Squadron. Two months later, he joined No. 154 Squadron. This squadron also flew Spitfires. They flew missions over France and patrolled shipping.
No. 154 Squadron took part in the Dieppe Raid on August 19. This was a large attack on a German-held port. During the raid, Eckford damaged two German planes. One was a Dornier Do 217 bomber. The other was a Focke Wulf Fw 190 fighter. On August 27, he probably destroyed another Fw 190. This happened while he was searching for a downed pilot.
A month after the Dieppe Raid, No. 154 Squadron moved to North Africa. They began flying missions from Djidjelli airfield in November. They supported ground troops in Operation Torch. They also protected ships in Algiers harbor. On November 12, Eckford helped shoot down a Ju 88. The next day, he destroyed another Ju 88. His Spitfire was damaged, but he landed safely. He was wounded in December during a German attack.
By early 1943, Eckford was back flying. He mainly patrolled over Allied ships. In March, he took command of his old unit, No. 242 Squadron. They were also in Algeria. They flew escort missions for bombers. After the North African campaign ended, Eckford returned to the United Kingdom. He worked at the Air Ministry. He was promoted to squadron leader in July 1944. He stayed at the Air Ministry for the rest of the war.
Eckford left the RAF in February 1946. He is credited with destroying eight or nine enemy aircraft. He probably destroyed two or three more. He also damaged five enemy planes.
Later Life and Legacy
Not much is known about Eckford's life after the war. He died in Rickinghall, Suffolk, on December 6, 1990.
In 2002, his medals were sold at an auction. They included his Distinguished Flying Cross. The medals were bought by Lord Michael Ashcroft.
Alan Eckford is remembered at the Spirit of the Few Monument. This monument was unveiled on July 29, 2022. It is at Hawkinge airfield. It features seven bronze statues of pilots from No. 32 Squadron. These statues are based on a famous photo taken during the Battle of Britain.
Images for kids
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Eckford and his Spitfire, 1942
