Difficult Question. I would think ground crew too or a at least a non operational loss , but I could be wrong. The only casualty I can find for a fighter pilot on this day is a Typhoon from 197 Squadron, but that was in belgium. In fact I have no 242 Squadron combat casualties for the August July period at all. Besides Leading Aircfaftsmen were ranks used in 1939-1940 I doubt that that a Spitfire Pilot would still have this rank in 1943. They were usually F/O, F/L or P/O or at least a Sergeant.

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