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From the National Archives AIR/27/2072
21st November 1944 (PT606)
At 12.05 hours, 12 Spitfires took off, led by the Wing Commanding Officer, G/Capt. H.S.L. DUNDAS D.S.O., D.F.C., on an operation to attack troops who were concentrated in an area South of FAENZA – map reference M.347243, M.289217, M327234 and M.377200 (Sheet 99, FAENZA, Italy 1:100,000) – the formation arrived over the area at approximately 12.40 hours and was split up into 2 sixes for the attack. When the first six were clear of the area, the second six, with F/Sgt CLEMENTS, R.L. (1808217) flying Spitfire IX.E. P.T. 606, in the No. 6 position went in to attack positions at M.366226. As the leader pulled out of his bombing dive, the No.6 was seen to start his pull out, then roll over on his back and crash into a house at M. 365223, where the aircraft exploded and burst into flames. This was at approx. 12.45 hours. No visible ack-ack was seen in the area. F/Sgt CLEMENTS was not seen to leave the aircraft and it is considered that this pilot was still in the aircraft when it hit the ground. Under these circumstances it is not thought possible that the pilot could have escaped or is likely to be alive and he was reported as MISSING BELIEVED KILLED. The aircraft was completely destroyed.
