Wigan's Spitfire.

The "Wigan and District Spitfire Appeal" collected donations amounting to £7,886, 5 shillings and 8 pence and Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIB serial number P8244 was given the name "WIGAN AND DISTRICT". Built in the Castle Bromwich factory of Vickers-Armstrong under a contract dated 12 March 1939 for 1000 Spitfire IIs, she was issued to No 24 Maintenance Unit at Ternhill on 30 March 1941. On 25 May 1941, she was taken in charge by No 222 (Natal) Sqn, based in North Weald where she received the fuselage code ZD-G. Spitfire "WIGAN AND DISTRICT" was struck off charge as missing 19 August 1941.

The Pilot...

Rudolf Ptacek was born 19 April 1918 in Kostelec nad Orlici. On 18 August 1941, 222 (Natal) Sqn moved to North Weald. The day after, 12 of the unit's Spitfires took off at 5:40 pm (English time) to take part in CIRCUS 82. At about 6:25 pm (English time) flying aboard Spitfire Mk IIB serial number P8244 "WIGAN AND DISTRICT", Ptacek claimed a Bf-109 destroyed east of St Omer before being shot down by Oberleutnant Johannes Schimd of Stab/JG 26, at 7:55 pm (German time).
Rudolf Ptacek successfully evaded capture, was put in touch with the 'Organisation' and returned to the UK by what later became known as the Pat O'Leary escape line. On 8 January 1942, three days after his return from France, Sgt Ptacek was posted to 602 (City of Glasgow) Sqn, based in Kenley and on 3 February was promoted to Warrant Officer. On 28 March 1942 W/O Rudolf Ptacek was flying a 602 Sqn Spitfire VB on a RODEO fighter sweep over enemy territory when he was reported missing, presumed shot down near Calais. His name is inscribed on Panel 73 of the Runnymede Memorial.

Photograph is of Rudolf Ptacek's "Wigan & District" Spitfire crashed in a field near St Omer courtesy of Joss Leclercq.

I love reading these stories thanks XRH for posting it

Your very welcome Elizabeth.

Great article xrh.

I think so too Dostaf,we forget about these lads and what they did.I just liked the idea of a Polish lad taking down a german plane in a spitfire named "Wigan & District" paid for by the good people of Wigan & District.

The phrase "lads" is very apt. It is easy to assume that the airmen were slightly older than they actally were. ie young (lads) men.

Indeed Dostaf and brave "lads" at that.

XRH did you read the story i put on about Ronnie Walker Pilot that was shot by Gestapo whilst trying to get back to England

Indeed i did Elizabeth! i even looked him up on the CWG site.....


83 Sqn Lancaster III ND551 OL-V Op: Wesseling t/o 2318 Coningsby - F/L RA Walker DFC MID
Intercepted by a nightfighter and exploded, throwing clear F/L Walker who managed to evade capture for several weeks before falling into the hands of the Gestapo. On 9 July, in the area of Tilburg, he was shot and his name is now commemorated on panel 203 of the Runnymede Memorial. The others who died when their Lancaster fell in open countryside 3 km S of Valkenswaard (Noord-Brabant) rest in Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. All DFM recipients had their awards Gazetted on 25 January 1946.

Pilot F/L Ronald Arthur Walker DFC MID RAFVR evd age 21
F/E F/S Harold Edward Houldsworth DFM RAFVR age 20
Nav F/L Norman James Cornell DFC RAFVR
B/A F/L John Hall Wells DFC RAFVR age 21
W/Op F/S Reginald Charles Bailey DFM RAFVR age 22
M/U F/S Charles Robert Taylor DFM RAFVR age 20
R/G F/S David Richard Kelly DFM RAFVR

Take note of the ages of these "Lads" of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,eldest just 22.
How very sad,not had time to enjoy life.

Thanks XRh as you say only LADS out of our small crowd that used to meet in Makinsons Cafe as before mentioned we lost SIX Lads George Gore Royal Navy 20yrs, Dereke Whittiker South African Corps abt 19 , Norman Smith PilotFleet Air Arm 21 Bunny Johnson R Air Force a gunner, Jimmy Knowles Wingates Chindits killed n in Burma
The lads to day dont know they are born , I still cry for my friends even now whilst writing their names .and brings thir faces back to me , Thank you XRH .
Perhaps ALL youngsters who died in the war could be posted up somewhere not on a cenotaph but somewher where the yobbos would see it perhaps when they are arrested they are given the list and age of ALL that were killed in WW 2 and told to read and absorb it , but again I suppose their brains are so addled they wouldnt or couldnt care less

Your welcome Elizabeth.

Nice one xrh, I read a lot about 1st and 2nd world wars and like you say mate we should never forget what our forces did for us, everybody keeps going on about the Polish taking all the jobs (rubbish)
But in my mind if their fathers and forefathers can fly in ww2 against the hun then in my book they can come and live and work over here

Cheers Dave.

And so say I Truckerdave and thanks to XRH we get reminded , not as I need it but others younger might