Wreck of a Spitfire, near Dunkirk, France, 1940

Photograph, World War Two, North West Europe (1939-1943), 1940.

The burned out Supermarine Spitfire of the New Zealand fighter ace, Alan Christopher Deere (1917-1995), after being abandoned on a French beach.

In late May and early June 1940 outflanked Anglo-French forces retreated towards the beaches at Dunkirk. 'Al' Deere gained ace status (and a Distinguished Flying Cross) in 1940, flying with 54 Squadron, Royal Air Force, during the campaign. During Operation DYNAMO Deere and his squadron were attacking German aircraft bombing and strafing evacuating Allied troops. His Spitfire was hit and Deere had to make a forced landing on a French beach. He made his way to Dunkirk and was evacuated successfully back to his squadron base in Essex. Deere went on to fight in the Battle of Britain and later, as a squadron leader, led fighters in support of the bombing campaign against Germany. He rose to the rank of air commodore and died in 1995, his ashes scattered from a Spitfire over the River Thames.