25 July 1943

As part of Ibsley Wing, No. 11 Group, Fighter Command, 453 Squadron was flying escort for 18 American B26 Maurauders bombing targets at Ghent in Belgium and while over enemy territory several enemy aircrat were seen and engaged in combat. Russ and Flying Officer J.H.Ferguson each damaging an FW-190.

                                    An FW-190

8 October 1943

Operating from Perranporth in Cornwall 453 Squadron CO, Sqn Ldr D.G. Andrews was leading seven spitfires on an offensive sweep near Brest, France when the squadron achieved its greatest single victory. They had almost reached their turning point at 8.30am when eight Me-110's were seen in formation low on the water. As the Spitfires dived to intercept, the enemy scattered but were easily brought to combat and five were shot down, two by Flying Officer P.V. McDade, two by Pilot Officer C.R. Leith and one by Russ. Soon afterward engine trouble forced Russ to bale out over the sea. On the water he inflated his dinghy and climbed in as eight Me-110's flew low over him. They disappeared then about an hour later two Spitfires flew round about five miles to the south. Eight Me-110's pounced on them and Russ watched the battle. He saw an Me-110 shot down by a Spitfire and saw a German  bale out from it while the machine belly landed on the water half a mile away.  Soon after that Russ was picked up by a destroyer and taken to England. (See the pencil sketch in the Gallery of this incident drawn by a member of the squadron)

               An Me-110 of the type shot down by Russ