The wreckage of MJ789, hanging inverted from a crane, coming up the beach near Ouistreham on November 6.

The amazingly complete wreckage of Supermarine Spitfire IX MJ789 was recovered from the Orne estuary near Caen in Normandy on November 6. Two days earlier, the remains of the Australian pilot who ditched the fighter on June 11, 1944, Flt Lt Henry Lacey Smith of 453 Sqn, were recovered from the wreckage. The destination of MJ789 is currently unknown, but it is thought to now be in local storage. Alain Toullet the local harbourmaster says ‘‘At low tide, you could see the wheels of the aircraft sticking up. Only the residents living near the beach knew the story”

This Spitfire was delivered to 403 Sqn RAAF at Sumburgh in December 1943. On June 11, 1944, during a night patrol over the Normandy invasion beaches, MJ789 was hit by flak above the town of Troarn. After ditching, Henry Lacey Smith died when the aircraft turned over.

Coincidentally, Spitfire Tr.9 MJ772, which was reported in the December 2010 Aeroplane to be leaving America for a new owner in Germany, was at No 33 MU at Lyneham with MJ789 during December 1943 before being
allocated to 453 Sqn.