Ronnie Fokes

Ronald Henry Fokes, DFC, DFM (1913 – 12 June 1944) was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War, credited with nine confirmed "kills".[2]

Ronald Henry Fokes
Nickname(s)Ronnie
Born1913
Rotherham, England
Died12 June 1944 (aged 31)
Caen, German-occupied France
Buried
Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery[1]
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1937–1944
RankSquadron Leader
Service number88439
UnitNo. 92 Squadron RAF
Commands heldNo. 257 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Medal

RAF career

Fokes joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937, and eventually joined No. 151 Squadron RAF in April 1939, moving to No. 87 Squadron RAF a few days later. After the outbreak of the Second World War he joined No. 92 Squadron RAF in January 1940. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in November 1940, and commissioned later the same month.

In May 1941 he was posted to No. 53 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Heston as an instructor and then to the Central Flying School, Upavon on an instructor's course. A spell at No. 61 OTU followed. In November 1941 he joined No. 154 Squadron as a flight commander. In March 1942 he joined No. 56 Squadron flying the Hawker Typhoon. In August he became a test pilot on Typhoons at Gloster Aircraft, until February 1943 when he returned to operations with No. 193 Squadron.

Fokes took command of No. 257 Squadron RAF flying the Hawker Typhoon in July 1943. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in March 1944, and was due to end his tour just before D-Day, but elected to remain with the squadron until after the invasion. His aircraft was shot down over Caen, France during a ground attack mission. Fokes bailed out, but was killed when he hit the ground before his parachute opened.

List of air victories

Fokes' combat record reads: nine kills, four shared kills, two unconfirmed kills, three probable kills, one damaged and one shared damaged.

Victory No. Date Squadron Enemy aircraft Notes
1 2 June 1940 No. 92 Squadron 1 Heinkel He 111 (and two probables)
1.5 4 July 1940 No. 92 Squadron Heinkel He 111 (shared)
2 10 September 1940 No. 92 Squadron Dornier Do 17 (shared)
Damaged 15 September 1940 No. 92 Squadron Dornier Do 17
Probable 24 September 1940 No. 92 Squadron Junkers Ju 88
Probable 30 September 1940 No. 92 Squadron Messerschmitt Me 109
3, 4 & 5 15 October 1940 No. 92 Squadron 2 Messerschmitt Me 109 & Heinkel He 111
6 26 October 1940 No. 92 Squadron Messerschmitt Me 109
6.5 9 November 1940 No. 92 Squadron Junkers Ju 88 (shared)
7.5 15 September 1940 No. 92 Squadron Messerschmitt Me 109
Probable 17 November 1940 No. 92 Squadron Messerschmitt Me 109
8.5 5 December 1940 No. 92 Squadron Messerschmitt Me 109
9.5 21 December 1940 No. 92 Squadron Messerschmitt Me 109
Damaged 23 January 1941 No. 92 Squadron Dornier Do 17
10 5 December 1941 No. 92 Squadron Junkers Ju 88 (shared)
11 26 April 1941 No. 92 Squadron Messerschmitt Me 109

Honours and awards

In October, 1940, this airman was on patrol with his squadron at 30,000 feet, when a formation of more than twenty Messerschmitt 109s was sighted. Sergeant Fokes attacked one, and followed it down to the ground where it crashed. He has displayed great courage and tenacity and has personally destroyed at least six enemy aircraft.

— London Gazette[3]

This officer has completed a very large number of sorties during which he has shot down at least 10 enemy aircraft. He is a fine leader and has invariably pressed home his attacks with skill and resolution.

— London Gazette[4]

References

Notes
  1. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2930333/FOKES,%20RONALD%20HENRY
  2. "Fokes, Ronald Henry "Ronnie"". World War Two Awards. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  3. "No. 34993". The London Gazette. 15 November 1940. p. 6570.
  4. "No. 36418". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 March 1944. p. 1166.

Bibliography
  • Price, Dr. Alfred. Spitfire Mark I/II Aces 1939–1941. Botley, Kent, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-85532-627-2.
  • Thomas, Andrew. Griffon Spitfire Aces. Botley, Kent, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84603-298-1.
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