Combat record of Oblt Josef Haibick JG 26

[Greg Williams]

Greetings to all.

I am researching the latest discovery of a Spitfire in N France near Hardifort. I have read on another forum that Oblt Josef Haibock of JG 26 shot down a Spitfire 2-3 km N of Cassel at 1340 on 9 May 1942. Whilst I have no reason to doubt this, I am looking for any official record or extract of his log book to confirm that this is historically correct. I believe JG 26 was operating from Saint Omer at the time. The spitfire was in all probability V.B. BM180 from RAAF 457 Squadron. It was one of 12 Spitfires acting in a diversion wing for a bomber attack on Bruges. It was intercepted on the homeward journey and was last seen by the No 2 in a dogfight in the general area. The pilot of the Spitfire was SGT William Smith who is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial to the missing.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Greg