Pilot Officer Al Deere, a New Zealander, and P.O. Johnny Allen, both of No. 54 Squadron, were detailed to escort a small two-seat trainer to an airfield in France to rescue a downed pilot. The pair split up with Deere staying with the trainer and Allen climbing up on top to provide cover. The trainer landed, picked up its passenger, and had just begun a takeoff when Bf 109s attacked Allen. One of them dove to attack the trainer and was shot down by Deere, who then climbed up to help Allen and shot down another German fighter. Allen also shot one down and then both pilots escaped. These were Deere's first kills and Allen's second. Deere would go on to become one of the leading RAF aces of the war.
