John Bisdee, (20 November 1915 – 21 October 2000) was a British flying ace who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least ten aircraft.
Born in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, Bisdee was working for Unilever when he was called up for service in the RAF on the outbreak of the Second World War. Posted to No. 609 Squadron, he flew in the Battle of Britain and achieved a number of aerial victories during this time. He later was involved in the RAF's Circus offensive and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross just before being assigned to instructing duties. He appeared in the 1942 film The First of the Few before being sent to Malta as commander of No. 601 Squadron. After a period of service on the island, the squadron went to North Africa where it was involved in the campaign in the Western Desert. In 1943 he was appointed the Military Governor of Lampedusa. The majority of the remainder of his war service was spent in training and as commander of No. 323 Wing in Italy. Made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in June 1945, he was released from the RAF later that year as a group captain. In the postwar period he resumed working for Unilever and later became chairman of one of its subsidiaries. Retiring in 1976, he died in 21 October 2000, aged 84.
Early life
John Derek Bisdee was born on 20 November 1915 in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, England. His father, T. E. Bisdee, was a senior officer of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He went to Marlborough College before going on to the University of Cambridge, studying at the Corpus Christi College. Bisdee subsequently went to Spain to learn the language but returned to England after the outbreak of civil war there. He commenced a management internship at Unilever and while working there, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Second World War
On the outbreak of the Second World War, Bisdee was called up for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). Once his training was completed in December 1939, he was commissioned as a pilot officer and posted to No. 609 Squadron at the end of the month. His new squadron had only just become operational with Supermarine Spitfire fighters and, stationed at Kinloss, was flying convoy patrols. In May 1940, the squadron shifted south to Northolt from where it helped provide aerial cover for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.
Battle of Britain
During the early phase of the Battle of Britain, No. 609 Squadron was tasked with protecting Southampton and Portland, as well as the convoys plying the southern coastline. Bisdee made his first claim on 18 July, for a half share in a damaged Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber. On 11 August, by which time the squadron was stationed at Middle Wallop, he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter some to the southeast of Swanage. Two weeks later he damaged a Bf 110 to the west of Swanage. When the Luftwaffe began to focus its attacks on London, No. 609 Squadron was called upon to assist and on 7 September, Bisdee destroyed one Bf 110 and damaged a second to the southwest of the city.
Bisdee probably destroyed a Heinkel He 111 medium bomber over Bournemouth on 26 September and the following day, shared in the destruction of a Bf 110 in the Swanage vicinity. He claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter as probably destroyed near The Needles on 30 September. His final aerial victory of the battle was on 7 October, when he destroyed a Bf 110 to the north of Portland. The following month, the squadron shifted to west to Warmwell where it saw out the winter months. At the end of the year, Bisdee was promoted to flying officer.
Circus offensive
In February 1941, No. 609 Squadron moved back east, to Biggin Hill, from where it began offensive operations to France with its new Spitfire Mk IIa fighters. Bisdee, who had been mentioned in despatches on 17 March, shared in the destruction of a Bf 109 near Dunkirk on 21 May. The following month, on 17 June, he shot down a Bf 109 near Le Touquet. This was followed five days later with another Bf 109 destroyed, this time over Dunkirk. On 24 June, also near Dunkirk, he claimed a Bf 109 as probably destroyed. He shot down a Bf 109 over Le Touquet on 9 July, while flying in an escort role for Short Stirling heavy bombers attacking a power station at Béthune. Shortly afterwards, Bisdee was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in recognition of his successes; the citation, published in The London Gazette, read: