…... His brother, Mr George Fortune, attended the Squadron’s 85th Anniversary Dinner at RAF Valley. After the meal, Mr Fortune read notes on his brother’s career.
See the account of the 85th Anniversary
Dinner in the Hawk Chapter at this Link:
It was on 27th January that Pilot Officer J. Moss, flying a photographic Hurricane earned himself the following recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross:
“On the 27th January 1942 Pilot Officer J. Moss was detailed to carry out a photographic reconnaissance of the Msus-Antelat area for the Army Commander. When flying at 20,000 feet, having just started his run, he noticed 3 Me 109s 5000 feet below him and about three miles away. He continued his run for approximately eight minutes and on completion of the last exposure realised that the enemy aircraft had intercepted him and were bearing to attack. He immediately put his aircraft into a violent turn and spiralled down to 4000 feet during which time his windscreen and hood iced up and his visibility was restricted almost to a minimum.
When below 4000 feet the icing cleared and he found the enemy aircraft still in pursuit. One remained on his tail while the others carried out quarter attacks. Pilot Officer Moss cleverly evaded them by turning towards the attackers and continued to do this the whole way to Mechili. He realised that his petrol was getting very low and he made for a sandstorm in the direction of Mechili. He lost the enemy aircraft in the sandstorm but their attacks were not immediately broken off as he could see their shots passing to the right and left of him.
He passed over the satellite landing ground but was unable to land owing to sand. It was now obvious that he would have to force-land owing to lack of petrol so he flew west until clear of tents and motor transport and force-landed with his undercarriage up and without damage to the cameras. He removed the magazines, commandeered a vehicle and returned to the Squadron detachment at Mechili with the photographs.
