Ernest Walter Pollard

Spitfire Vb W3651 shot down in a dogfight by Messerschmitt Bf109 near Gravelines, 15 miles southwest of Dunkirk, while escorting Blenheims to Choques during Circus 21.

The codename Circus was given to operations by RAF bombers heavily escorted by fighters, were sent over continental Europe to bring enemy fighters into combat.

Sgt Pollard joined 609 at Biggin Hill under S/Ldr Robinson on 14th July 1941, having previously flown with 65 Squadron at Kirton in Lindsey.

Form 540 Operations Record Book Extracts

July 14th. Four new Sergeants - Nash, van Schaick, Pollard and Folkard, and 2 new Officers -
Barnham and Cropper have suddenly arrived, all operational. These in addition to P/O Sanders and Sgt Krebs (New Zealand) who have already taken part in operations.

Aug 19th. Yellow Section takes the brunt of the fighting, P/O de Hemptinne and Sgt Pollard both scoring a 'Damaged'. As it turns out later, P/O Ortmans. also scores a Damaged, but in the course of his attack, he is himself attacked by two other 109’s, and his aircraft bursts into flames. About midway between Dunkirk and Dover he bales out from 2,000 feet. Fortunately W/Cdr Robinson, F/Lt Offenberg and P/O Barnham are there to help, and partly as a result of their efforts P/O Ortmans is picked up after 2 hours in his dinghy, from which he has meanwhile twice fallen out.

Aug. 21 Circus 83, target Chocques Chemical Works, Biggin Escort Cover Wing to 6 Blenheims. After a number of 109’s have peeled off from above and behind to attack the bombers, Sgt van Schaick sends a straggler down with lots of black smoke coming from it. Coming out alone near Dunkirk at 3,000 feet, his attention is drawn by an E. or R boat firing at him, so he goes down to 100 feet and returns its fire with cannon. There is a bright flash followed by volumes of smoke, as if a magazine has exploded, and as other pilots returning by the same route failed to see it, it is presumed sunk. The rest of Blue Section and Red Section remain with the bombers. Yellow Section, however, dive on a Me.109 half way to the target, and as usual find themselves alone. Turning back, they are attacked by 12 109’s until over the Channel, and Sgt Pollard is last seen South of Dunkirk. (Appendices M, M1)

Enemy Casualties: 1 Me.109 Probably Destroyed (Sgt van Schaick)
1 E. or R boat Probably Destroyed (Sgt van Schaick)
Our Casualties: 1 Spitfire Cat 3 (Sgt Pollard Missing).

Unknown