On May 18, 1940, Hurricanes of 145 Sqn landed at the French base Merville, arriving from Manston. That same afternoon, a flight was dispatched to intercept a formation He 111's of Kampfgeschwader 4, flying west of Brussels. At least one Heinkel was shot down, but because of combat damage, F/O Michael Newling was forced to leave his formation and to fly towards his base. Over the village of Pamel-Roosdaal (province of Flemish Brabant), Newling was forced to abandon his Hurricane. He landed safely by parachute and was led trough the German lines… by a 13-year old boy ! The pilot succeeded in crossing the Dender river. With tears in his eyes he waved good-bye towards his young helpers and was picked up by a British vehicle.
Michael Newling fought during the Battle of Britain, shot down and damaged several Luftwaffe aircraft, and survived four crashes. Unfortunately, he went missing over the North Sea on July 18, 1941, flying a Spitfire.
In the early morning of Saturday 22, 1997, the BAHA-team decided to try to attempt to uncover the remains of Newlings Hurricane N2600, which had crashed in the garden of the Valckeniers-family. The owner pointed out that the aircraft must be situated under a trunk of rhubarb. He proved to be right. Soon after the first layer of soil was scraped off, small fragments of Hurricane N2600 were found. The team had to dig deeper. A first nice item was a canvas wallet with the first aid kit nearly complete. Soon afterwards the tangled remains of the cockpit-section were discovered. These were put on the surface after which an extensive research was started. In the middle of the tube frame structure, the control column was retracted, as well as the pedals, control levers, armor plating, radio, Austria(!)-made gun-sight, and about 60 % of the cockpit panel. The clock pointed out 17.38, the time the N2600 disappeared in the ground. Another nice finding was the cockpit tarpaulin, with the aircraft's call sign 'G'.
At a depth of five metres, the Rolls-Royce engine was discovered. Although
it was badly damaged on the front, with the propeller hub and one prop
blade, it still is a very nice and presentable object.
A short biography on F/Lt Newling, provided by his cousin Adrian Williams
Flight Lieutenant Michael Alan Newling 1920 - 1941 Born in Barnes, Surrey, on 28/2/1920 to Dorothy (nee Cranston) and George Arthur Newling.
Eldest of six with 4 sisters and 1 brother. Attended Oakham School, Rutland, until 17 when family sailed to start a new life in New Zealand, but then returned home 9 months later (Autumn 1938) due to prospect of war. Father joined Royal Marines (Newling.G.A. T2/Lt.RMLI see Gavrelle Windmill, France, Worl War 1) and Michael the RAF - one of 20 selected from over 300 applicants when he applied. He was fully trained (at Uxbridge and Kenley) day / night pilot by the time war was declared.
Stationed with 145 Squadron and based at Tangmere, near Chichester, Sussex he was recalled from holiday in Cornwall in June 1940 to fight in the Battle of Britain. He destroyed three aircraft (two over Dunkirk) and shared in several others during June and July. On 19th July he joined with R.G. Dutton and A. Ostowicz in bringing down a He111P over Southampton (?). On one occasion during an attack against a large number of enemy bombers, he was shot down in enemy territory, but managed to gain his own lines. [see recovery report above]. Broad shouldered and tall (6’ 2" / 1.88m) he ejected his aircraft by turning it upside down - a technique taught to other pilots.
He was mentioned in despatches on 1 January 1941. He was awarded the DFC on 4th February 1941. At this time he was one of the surviving original members of 145 Squadron.
He shared a Ju88 on 1st March 1941 and in the early summer was posted as a flight commander to 111 Squadron. On 27 June he probably destroyed a BF109 and on 6 July 1941 was reported missing in action. [Killed in action in a Spitfire Va (W3366) near Lille, France?]
One of 646 Aces of the 798 pilots who saw action and credited with 5 enemy aircraft.
His name is remembered in the family through Mike Newling (son of his surviving brother John) and Adrian Michael Alan Williams (son of his surviving sister Elizabeth).
