Squadron Leader J. E. Johnson, a veteran pilot and an ace who had flown with Douglas Bader before the latter was shot down in mid-1941, was leading No. 610 Squadron when they got embroiled in a large dogfight over Dieppe. His wingman was hit early and dove away, and as the fighting scattered the combatants, Johnson found himself alone over the port. He met a Focke-Wulf in a similar position and the two immediately went after each other. The German pilot was a master and soon gained the advantage after several turns. Johnson was forced to run for it on the deck and considered himself lucky to get away.
