This aircraft was piloted by Lt. Gordon Benjamin "Lippy" Lipawsky during February 1943. He had joined N°1 sqdn on the 21st January 1943, and three weeks later he had a serious accident in AX-F. On the 8th February 1943, the squadron moved from Wadi Sirru, to their new base at Castel Benito. The landing ground at Castel Benito was some 16 miles to the South of the coastal town of Triploli, and with numerous ships in the harbour and another Allied convoy approaching Tripoli, the squadron was tasked to fly standing patrols in defence of the town and shipping. The Spitfires of N°1 sqdn (SAAF), were to provide top cover to the Hurricanes of N°274 sqdn (RAF). These patrols were flown at 10,000ft, some 10 miles seaward to the North of Tripoli harbour. The harbour and its shipping was thought to be a likely and tempting target for Axis aircraft. This proved true, when during the night of the 9th February, RAF Beaufighters shot down two German Heinkel bombers some 10 miles from the harbour.
On the 11th February, these top cover sorties, comprising two Spitfires, took off in ever deteriorating weather conditions at 08:20, 09:25, 10:30, 11:35, and 12:25. There was 7/10 cloud from 5,000 to 9,000 ft, which at times also obscured the Hurricanes below from being observed. The wind had also gradually increased to almost gale force strength. At 13:35, Lt. Lipawsky and Lt. Fouche were ready to take-off to relieve the pilots from the last two sorties which had taken off at 12:25. During the take-off run, before reaching flying speed, "Lippy" struck one of the many bumps on the landing ground. The strong wind carried the aircraft off to the left of the runway, where he crashed into a stationary Kittyhawk III belonging to N°250 sqdn (RAF). The Spitfire spun around before it went over onto its back, and started to burn. Thankfully the fire died as soon as it started, and some nearby pilots were able to extract "Lippy" from the wrecked aircraft. He had banged his head during the impact, had some teeth knocked out and had also suffered a broken jaw. Both the Kittyhawk III (FR359) and the Spitfire Mk.Vb (EP682), were classified as Cat.III and written off. After a considerable time in hospital, "Lippy" Lipawsky returned to the squadron almost five months later, when he joined them at Luqa in Malta on the 8th July 1943.
Additional info on Lipawsky from "Springbok Fighter Victory Vol.1 by Michael Schoeman:
LIPAWSKY, Major Gordon Benjamin "Lippy" 103347V. DFC 9.6.44 & Bar 31.7.45. Score 1-2-2. Mowbay, CT, & Randfontein. 2 Sqdn 25.10.41 - 1942, rescued Lt B.G.S Enslin 10.12.41. RTU. 10 Sqdn 1942/7.12.42. 3 Sqdn 12.42. 1 Sqdn 21.1.43 - 11.2.43 badly inj FA. 1 Sqdn 8.7.43 - 17.2.44, A Flt cdr from 12.43. OC 7 Wing Trng Flt, Gioia 2.44 - 1944. OC 1 Sqdn 24.10.44 - 3.6.45 & c7/9.45. 2 Sqdn Korea: US DFC. To SAA. Captain of Viscount 818 ZS-CVA Rietbok, which disappeared over the sea off East London on 13.3.67.
On the 11th February, these top cover sorties, comprising two Spitfires, took off in ever deteriorating weather conditions at 08:20, 09:25, 10:30, 11:35, and 12:25. There was 7/10 cloud from 5,000 to 9,000 ft, which at times also obscured the Hurricanes below from being observed. The wind had also gradually increased to almost gale force strength. At 13:35, Lt. Lipawsky and Lt. Fouche were ready to take-off to relieve the pilots from the last two sorties which had taken off at 12:25. During the take-off run, before reaching flying speed, "Lippy" struck one of the many bumps on the landing ground. The strong wind carried the aircraft off to the left of the runway, where he crashed into a stationary Kittyhawk III belonging to N°250 sqdn (RAF). The Spitfire spun around before it went over onto its back, and started to burn. Thankfully the fire died as soon as it started, and some nearby pilots were able to extract "Lippy" from the wrecked aircraft. He had banged his head during the impact, had some teeth knocked out and had also suffered a broken jaw. Both the Kittyhawk III (FR359) and the Spitfire Mk.Vb (EP682), were classified as Cat.III and written off. After a considerable time in hospital, "Lippy" Lipawsky returned to the squadron almost five months later, when he joined them at Luqa in Malta on the 8th July 1943.
Additional info on Lipawsky from "Springbok Fighter Victory Vol.1 by Michael Schoeman:
LIPAWSKY, Major Gordon Benjamin "Lippy" 103347V. DFC 9.6.44 & Bar 31.7.45. Score 1-2-2. Mowbay, CT, & Randfontein. 2 Sqdn 25.10.41 - 1942, rescued Lt B.G.S Enslin 10.12.41. RTU. 10 Sqdn 1942/7.12.42. 3 Sqdn 12.42. 1 Sqdn 21.1.43 - 11.2.43 badly inj FA. 1 Sqdn 8.7.43 - 17.2.44, A Flt cdr from 12.43. OC 7 Wing Trng Flt, Gioia 2.44 - 1944. OC 1 Sqdn 24.10.44 - 3.6.45 & c7/9.45. 2 Sqdn Korea: US DFC. To SAA. Captain of Viscount 818 ZS-CVA Rietbok, which disappeared over the sea off East London on 13.3.67.
