 Johnson 's wing was the first to be stationed on French soil following the invasion . With their radius of action now far extended compared to the squadrons still in Britain , the wing scored heavily through the summer . On 21 August 1944 , Johnson was leading No. 443 Squadron on a patrol over the Seine , near Paris . Johnson bounced a formation of Focke @-@ Wulf Fw 190s , shooting down two , which were recorded on the cine camera . Climbing back to his starting point at 8 @,@ 000 ft , Johnson attempted to join a formation of six aircraft , he thought were Spitfires . The fighters were actually Messerschmitt Bf 109s . Johnson escaped by doing a series of steep climbs , during which he nearly stalled and blacked out . He eventually evaded the Messerschmitts , which had been trying to flank him on either side , while two more stuck to his tail . Johnson 's Spitfire IX was hit by enemy aircraft fire for the only time , taking cannon shells in the rudder and elevators . Johnson had now equalled and surpassed Sailor Malan 's record score of 32 , shooting down two Fw 190s for his 32 — 33 air victories . However Johnson considered Malan 's exploits to be better . Johnson points out , when Malan fought ( during 1940 — 41 ) , he did so outnumbered , and had matched the enemy even then . Johnson said : 
