On August 16, 1940 over the Southampton region Flt. Lt. James Nicolson and his Hurricane were part of Red Flight when three Bf-110s were encountered and attacked but they in turn were attacked by three Bf-109s. Nicolson’s aircraft was hit four times setting the fuel ablaze and wounding him. In spite of the fire Nicolson managed to shoot down an enemy aircraft before bailing out. On his descent he was mistakenly shot at by Defense Volunteers but survived. For his bravery he became the sole Fighter Command recipient of the Victoria Cross.