31 August 1940: "At 1740 hours the squadron took off and engaged a large formation of bombers protected by 30 to 50 Me 109s over Maidstone. There was a general dogfight, in which F/O Bird-Wilson got 1 Me 109 destroyed and Me 109 probable...". (17 Squadron Operations Record). The remarkable Harold 'Birdy' Bird-Wilson on his way to his DFC.