John Allen (RAF officer)

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John Allen (3 July 1916 – 24 July 1940) was a British Royal Air Force fighter pilot and flying ace during the early years of World War II. He served with No. 54 Squadron in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, flying the Supermarine Spitfire. He is credited with eight enemy aircraft destroyed (one share with others) and a further five victories unconfirmed.

Early life and career
Allen was born in Kijabe, British East Africa (now Kenya). He studied in the United Kingdom at Battersea Polytechnic in London and joined the Royal Air Force on a short service commission in June 1937. He trained at No. 8 Flying Training School in Montrose, but on 18 January 1938 he crashed on a training flight in fog and was trapped in the wreckage for almost a day before being rescued. After recovering, he was posted to No. 54 Squadron at Hornchurch, which later switched from Gladiator fighters to Spitfires in March 1939.

World War II service
When the war began, No. 54 Squadron operated over northern France to protect the British Expeditionary Force. On 21 May 1940 Allen destroyed a Junkers Ju 88 near Calais. He helped rescue a squadron commander on 23 May during a mission to Calais and shot down a Bf 109 the next day. He downed another Bf 109 on 24 May and two Bf 110s on 25 May.

Dunkirk and recognition
During the Dunkirk evacuation, Allen and his squadron provided air cover and shared in several defeats of German bombers. He was wounded in action, bailed out into the English Channel, and was picked up by a Royal Navy destroyer. For his actions in May 1940, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which he received from King George VI on 27 June 1940. He was promoted to Flying Officer on 5 July 1940.

Death
On 24 July 1940, while on a patrol off Dover, Allen’s Spitfire suffered engine trouble and crashed in flames at Cliftonville, Kent. He was killed and is buried at Margate Cemetery, Kent.

Legacy
John Allen remains credited with eight confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed (one shared with other pilots) during his brief wartime service, with a number of additional victories unconfirmed.