James Rankin (pilot)
James Rankin (born May 7, 1913 in Portobello , Edinburgh , † 1975 ) was a British fighter pilot of World War II .
He joined the Royal Air Force in 1935 . After several stations, he joined the No.64 Squadron in early 1941, which was equipped with Spitfires Mk. II . In February 1941 he took over the No. 92 Squadron . From September 1941 he headed the Biggin Hill Wing. From September 1941 to April 1942 he was on the staff of the Fighter Command, but then returned to Biggin Hill. In 1943 he headed the No. 15 fighter wing. After its dissolution, he took over the No. 125 Wing, with which he participated in the Normandy invasion. By the end of the war he had 17 confirmed kills. There were also five more kills in which he was involved. Although he held the rank of Air Commodore at the end of the war , he was demoted to Group Captain. He held this rank until he retired in 1958.
literature
- Dr. Alfred Price: Spitfire Mark V Aces 1941-1945 , Osprey Publishing, ISBN 1-85532-635-3
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Rankin, James |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | British pilot |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 7, 1913 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Portobello , Edinburgh |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1975 |