20 October 1940
Northern Front
As previous days, the Italians continue to attack British ships in the Red Sea (convoy BN 7) by sending Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 and Savoia-Marchetti SM.81. Around noon, a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 of 44bis Gruppo BT was engaged by the Bristol Blenheim Mk IVF T2112 (Flying Officer Heslop M.F. Barnitt [1] and Sergeant Albin J. Finch [2]) of No.203 (RAF) Squadron. Heslop M.F. Barnitt claimed a victory after seeing the aircraft dive to the sea south of Massawa. This is his second victory, although according to Italian documents the bomber returns to his base without damage.[3] Unfortunately, he has have little time to celebrate this victory, as he was killed when his plane crashed during takeoff after a motor failure at 15h.[4] He will receive the DFC, becoming the first New Zealander to be decorated with it during the war in the Middle East.
Le Pilot Officer Heslop Miles Frederick Barnitt at New Plymouth Boys High School (New Zealand) during 1930s. Source : Puke Ariki.
[1] Casualty details : Barnitt, Heslop Miles Frederick : Commonwealth War Graves Commission : http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2208447/BARNITT,%20HESLOP%20MILES%20FREDERICK
[2] Casualty details : Finch, Albin James : Commonwealth War Graves Commission : http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1536632/FINCH,%20ALBIN%20JAMES
[3] « 19 october 1940 », No.203 (RAF) Squadron : Operations Record Book (Form 540 and Form 541). Kiew : TNA, AIR 27 / 1198 ; SHORES, Christopher ; RICCI, Corrado. Dust Clouds in the Middle East – The Air War for East Africa, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Madagascar, 1940 – 1942. London : Grub Street, 2010 (Reprinted). p.68.
[4] « 19 october 1940 », No.203 (RAF) Squadron : Operations Record Book (Form 540 and Form 541). Kiew : TNA, AIR 27 / 1198
