On 4 July 1941, leading No. 54 Squadron as Red 1, he was involved in a dogfight with Bf 109s, claiming two Me 109Es destroyed at 15.30 over Béthune before he was hit and his aircraft badly damaged by Me 109. Fortunately, he managed to return to base, belly landing his crippled Spitfire, even if with slight splinters in left arm and left thigh. On 7 July 1941 his Spitfire Mk.Vb was severely damaged by JG 26 pilot. In the combat he was Red 1 and claimed 1-1-0 Me 109F at 09.50 over Gravelines area. In May 1942 he became Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), No. 11 Group, although he continued to fly operationally where possible. His final kill claims were made on 19 August 1942, bringing his total to 13 destroyed, seven probables and 10 damaged.