Spitfire Mk Vs of No. 91 Squadron at Hawkinge, May 1942

On a clear spring day in May 1942, the airfield at RAF Hawkinge, perched above the white cliffs of Dover, presented one of the most iconic sights of the Second World War: a row of Supermarine Spitfires, engines silent, wings gleaming in the sunlight, poised for action. These were the Spitfire Mk Vs of No. 91 Squadron, a frontline fighter unit tasked with defending Britain’s southeast corner and carrying the air war across the Channel into occupied Europe.

Nearest the camera in that historic image stood the squadron’s commanding officer, Squadron Leader Roland “Bob” Oxspring, leaning against his personal Spitfire Mk VC, serial AB216, coded DL-Z. To his side was Flight-Lieutenant Frederick Henry “Freddie” Silk, commander of ‘B’ Flight, resting before another Mk VC. Around them stretched their squadron: a mix of Spitfire Mk VBs, each aircraft representing Britain’s unyielding fight for survival and eventual victory in the skies.

RAF Hawkinge: The Gateway to Europe

Located just a few miles from the English coast, RAF Hawkinge was one of the most strategically important fighter airfields of the Second World War. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, it had endured heavy bombing by the Luftwaffe. By 1942, however, Hawkinge had been rebuilt and re-strengthened, becoming a launchpad for offensive operations — “Rhubarbs” (low-level fighter sweeps), “Circuses” (escorted bomber raids), and “Roadsteads” (attacks on shipping).

From here, squadrons like No. 91 flew across the Channel almost daily, engaging German fighters, strafing targets of opportunity, and escorting RAF bombers into the deadly airspace of northern France.

No. 91 Squadron: From Defence to Attack

No. 91 Squadron had been reformed at Hawkinge in January 1941, initially flying Spitfire Mk IIs. By the spring of 1942, it had been re-equipped with the more advanced Spitfire Mk V, the latest in the evolving lineage of Britain’s most famous fighter.

Mk VB: Featured the Merlin 45 engine and the classic armament of two 20 mm Hispano cannons and four .303 Browning machine guns.

Mk VC: Introduced the “universal wing,” which could be fitted with varying armament configurations and strengthened for high-G maneuvers.

These machines gave the squadron the firepower needed to tackle the Luftwaffe’s formidable Messerschmitt Bf 109F and the new Focke-Wulf Fw 190, which had recently begun to outclass older Spitfires.

Squadron Leader R. W. “Bob” Oxspring

At the center of the photograph — and of his squadron — was Roland W. “Bob” Oxspring, a seasoned fighter leader. Born in 1919, Oxspring had already seen extensive combat. Joining the RAF before the outbreak of war, he flew Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain before transitioning to the Spitfire.

By 1942, as commanding officer of No. 91 Squadron, Oxspring was a respected leader and ace. He would go on to achieve 13 confirmed victories over enemy aircraft during the war, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

His Spitfire Mk VC, AB216 “DL-Z,” was not just his personal mount but a symbol of his leadership. From its cockpit, he directed his men into the thick of combat, embodying the aggressive spirit of the RAF’s offensive operations.

Flight-Lieutenant F. H. Silk

Standing nearby was Freddie Silk, ‘B’ Flight commander. Silk, like many of the young RAF officers of the time, carried immense responsibility at an early age. As a flight commander, he was tasked not only with leading his section into combat but also with mentoring the less experienced pilots under his charge.

The camaraderie between men like Silk and Oxspring defined squadrons like No. 91. Their mix of professionalism, daring, and youthful resilience enabled them to face staggering odds across the Channel.

Life on the Airfield

The Spitfires lined up at Hawkinge in May 1942 may look peaceful in still photographs, but the reality of life on the ground was far from calm. Crews lived in constant readiness.

Scramble Orders: At a moment’s notice, pilots could be ordered into the air to intercept incoming raids or to rendezvous with bombers heading for France.

Maintenance: Ground crews worked tirelessly, refueling, rearming, and patching bullet holes. The Spitfire, though famously elegant, required meticulous attention to remain battle-ready.

Fatigue and Danger: The missions were relentless, and casualties high. A pilot might enjoy tea with his comrades one morning and be missing by nightfall.

The Aircraft: Spitfire Mk V

By mid-1942, the Spitfire Mk V was the backbone of Fighter Command. Fast, agile, and heavily armed, it was a formidable opponent — but it faced stiff competition.

The arrival of the German Fw 190A had tilted the balance in the Luftwaffe’s favor. Faster in level flight and deadlier in a dive, the Fw 190 gave British pilots a shock. Yet the Mk V Spitfire, especially the Mk VC variant, held its own through superior handling and the courage of its pilots.

The Spitfire Mk V would remain in frontline service until late 1943, by which time newer variants like the Mk IX were arriving to restore parity.

The Offensive of 1942

The Spitfires of No. 91 Squadron at Hawkinge in May 1942 were part of a broader RAF strategy: taking the fight back to the enemy. While Bomber Command attacked targets deep in Germany at night, Fighter Command carried out aggressive daylight raids across northern France.

These missions were costly — German fighters operated over home territory, often with radar warning of approaching raids. But they kept pressure on the Luftwaffe and gave RAF pilots invaluable combat experience.

For men like Oxspring and Silk, every sortie was a deadly gamble. Victory meant glory; failure often meant death or captivity in occupied Europe.

Legacy

The photograph of No. 91 Squadron’s Spitfires at Hawkinge captures a moment in time — a pause between missions during one of the war’s most dangerous years. For the pilots who stood proudly by their machines, it was a testament to their courage and resilience.

Oxspring would go on to survive the war, becoming a decorated ace.

Many others in No. 91 Squadron were not so fortunate; losses mounted through 1942 as the air war intensified.

Yet their sacrifice ensured that Britain remained not only defended but on the offensive. The Spitfire — graceful, lethal, and enduring — became the enduring symbol of their struggle.

Conclusion

The sight of Spitfire Mk Vs lined up at Hawkinge in May 1942, with Squadron Leader Bob Oxspring and Flight-Lieutenant Freddie Silk standing proudly before them, tells a story far larger than one photograph. It is the story of a squadron at war, of young men carrying the hopes of a nation, and of an aircraft that became an icon of freedom.

From those fields in Kent, the roar of Merlin engines carried across the Channel — a daily reminder to friend and foe alike that Britain’s pilots would never rest until victory was secured.