21 Squadron War Diary
Tortorella, Italy
A formation took off to attack a road junction at ALFEDENA. After the target area had been hit and covered in fine pattern, the aircraft turned for home and encountered heavy Ack Ack fire. The leader of the formation Lt. Col Britz, and the No. 3 of his second Vic, Capt. Dieu (a Belgian pilot) were seen to collide. In descending, the propeller of the Colonel’s machine cut the tail clean off Capt. Dieu’s plane; both aircraft were seen spinning towards the earth. Only one parachute was seen to open.Sortie Report No. 432