K.W. MacKenzie DFC, AFC, AE, served with 501 Sqn. on Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain. On the 7th of October 1940 the squadron having been scrambled to intercept enemy aircraft, he helped destroy one enemy fighter and engaged a second, damaging it before his ammunition ran out. However, although the 109 slowed somewhat it continued on straight over the channel towards its base. "Mac" describes the incident "I ended up formating on him on his port side, in close formation as it were. My starboard wing tip was positioned over his port tail plane as I put on hard starboard aileron. Bringing the wing sharply down onto the port tail plane the last 3 feet or so of my wing broke off. It went upwards and backwards in the slip stream. His port tail plane broke off, no other damage noticed, and he plunged down to port into the sea."

Although the aircraft was destroyed the pilot was picked up by a German rescue boat. Mac was then attacked by two Me109's from above and though damaged by their fire safely force-landed on the cliffs near Folkestone. He was okay and returned to his squadron. The incident was well documented by air and ground witnesses and in newspaper coverage. It is believed to be one of the few cases of deliberate "ramming" thus confirmed and illustrates the great determination which was felt by many pilots keen to destroy as many enemy aircraft as possible and thus help prevent the dreaded invasion attempt.