 After a spell as an instructor in the UK , Plagis returned to action in September 1943 as commander of No. 64 Squadron , flying Spitfire Mk VCs over northern France . He took command of No. 126 ( Persian Gulf ) Squadron in June 1944 , and led many attacks on German positions during the invasion of France and the campaign that followed ; he was shot down over Arnhem during Operation Market Garden , but only lightly wounded . After converting to Mustang IIIs , he commanded a wing based at RAF Bentwaters that supported bombing missions . He finished the war with the rank of squadron leader and remained with the RAF afterwards , operating Gloster Meteors at the head of No. 266 ( Rhodesia ) Squadron . 
