 The unit was formed by Winston Churchill and Dowding to operate in the specialised role of making visual observation and reporting on the approach of high-flying fighter sweeps, and acquired the nickname of the Jim Crow Flight.On 23 November he damaged a Bf 110.On 27 November, whilst flying alone on an early morning weather recce over Ramsgate he unsuccessfully attacked 3 Bf 109s from II./JG 26, but was 'bounced' and shot down by the fourth.