The Airmen's Stories - F/O P McD Hartas

Peter McDonnell Hartas joined the RAF on a short service commission in October 1938. P/O Hartas was with 4 Ferry Pilot Pool in early 1940 and was posted to 7 OTU Hawarden on the 3rd September 1940. After converting to Spitfires he was posted to 616 Squadron on the 16th September and then moved to 603 Squadron at Hornchurch on the 24th. He claimed a Me109 destroyed on the 2nd October 1940.

Hartas joined 421 Flight when it formed at RAF Gravesend on 8th October 1940. The Flight moved to West Malling on 31st October 1940 and then to Biggin Hill on 6th November 1940. On 15th November the Flight moved to Hawkinge which offered a better jumping-off point for Channel patrols. Hartas claimed a Me109 destroyed on 1st December 1940 and shared a probable Do17 with Sgt. DH Forrest on 18th December.

On the 11th January 1941 421 Flight was expanded to full Squadron strength and was re-numbered as 91 (Nigeria) Squadron. Hartas was killed on 10th February 1941 when his Spitfire P7888 flew into the ground at Capel-Le-Ferne, near Folkestone in very poor visibility.

He had been married 5 days earlier. He was 21 years old and is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery, Hawkinge.