Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. On 15 January 1941 Sergeant Pilot J H Lacey was formally discharged from the RAF and re-entered service as what?
2. On 24 July 1941, flying a Spitfire Mk II equipped with 30 gallon long-range tanks under its wings, Ginger Lacey ran out of ammunition and only lived because the two Me109s pursuing him collided. He was over Brest, proving cover for Wellingtons attempting to bomb what?
3. On 18 August 1941 Lacey was posted as an instructor to No.57 Operational Training Unit at Hawarden in Flintshire. Whilst there he had a memorable student, who he described as 'a wonderful pilot, and even better shot'. This Canadian student, whose given first name was George, became known as 'The Falcon of Malta' and was one of the best aces of World War II. What was his best-known nickname?
4. In 1942 Ginger Lacey joined 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, led by Squadron Leader 'Paddy' Finucane, another Battle of Britain ace. On 24 March, which aircraft did Ginger Lacey encounter for the first time, damaging it, but was left with the impression of a fighter 'which could walk away from a Spitfire with no trouble at all'?
5. On 25 April 1942 the Squadron had a visitor. Lacey, always a hospitable type, promptly bought him a pint of beer, which he drank, but Lacey noticed a small frown on C-in-C Fighter Command's face. The visitor had a sherry as his next drink. Who had Lacey bought a pint for without ascertaining his taste?
6. After a spell as 'Tactics Officer' with HQ No. 18 Group and some time at Boscombe Down as a test pilot, followed by instructing again, Lacey was posted overseas. He travelled on the SS Aorangi to an unknown destination. Who did he meet on the ship?
7. Arriving in Bombay, Lacey was having a drink with an Indian Army subaltern from Probyn's Horse, when he was set upon by an American Air Corps Captain. How did Lacey take his revenge?
8. Desperate to command a squadron, the then Squadron Leader Lacey became Squadron Leader Training of Third Tactical Air Force HQ in Komila, sharing an office with the only Fighter Command VC of WWII. Who was this man?
9. Following another course, Lacey was given temporary command of 155 Squadron for three weeks and then, at last, on 23 November 1944 was given his first squadron, No. 17 Squadron at Sapam in Assam. Does this squadron still exist in the RAF?
10. On 14 December 1944, 17 Squadron moved to Takkuyan in Burma. What unconventional order did Lacey issue in order for 17 to become 'the first Gurkha squadron in the RAF'?
11. On 19 February Lacey shot down his only Japanese aircraft of the war, an Oscar. A worried flight-sergeant fitter asked him if he was sure he'd got the Oscar, as he had only used 9 rounds of ammunition. What was Lacey's reply?
12. What did Ginger Lacey do on 8 July 1945?
13. On 16 July, only 8 days after his wedding, Lacey returned to his Squadron to try out the new Spitfire XIV - and promptly nearly killed himself! Trying out what manoeuvre?
14. Although the war ended on 15 August 1945 (VJ Day), the invasion of Malaysia was planned, and although it had changed from 'Operation Zipper' to 'Exercise Zipper', Lacey was on the way to Malaysia. What did he do from HMS Trumpeter?
15. With the war over, it's time to end this quiz. However, Lacey became the first Spitfire to fly over Japan at the end of the war on 20 April 1946. What was his logbook comment?
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DakotaNorth before going online.
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