F/Lt D. G. Gribble was a short-service entrant with 54 Squadron.
while on patrols over France, he downed Bf 109's on the 23rd and 24th May 1940. The next day (25th) he was shot down and force-landed on a beach near Dunkirk. He returned to England by ship.
On 24th July, 1940, Gribble shot down two Bf 109's.
George added to his tally in August, starting on 15th.
George's combat report for 15th August, 1940:
'I dived to the attack, using 12 boost and fired a long burst at one from astern. It seemed to "shudder" in mid air and then dived away steeply with black smoke coming from it.'
On 18th August, George shot down another Bf109, then another on 24th, two on 28th and one on 31st.
On Sunday 24th November 1940, Gribble's Spitfire (X4031) crashed when it ran out of fuel. He escaped unharmed.
Following a dogfight with some Bf 109's over the Channel his engine failed, and he crashed into the sea and drowned on 4th June, 1941. He was aged 21.
