Sniper of the Skies: The Story of George Frederick 'Screwball' Beurling, DSO, DFC, DFM

by Nick Thomas

  Beurling had experienced his first taste of combat over Malta, even if he was only credited with a Bf 109 damaged. But for Beurling, the successful attack held far greater significance:

  ‘In those brief moments of combat I had proved, to myself, that I had the stuff to match flying and shooting with the gentlemen from Sicily.’

  Later, as the pilots walked away from their Spitfires, Beurling recalled that Daddo-Langlois turned to him and said, ‘Good show, Beurling!’ His actions had made up for the tomfoolery of the previous day. For Beurling, there would be no looking back.

  No. 249 Squadron flew two more patrols during the afternoon and early evening, but without sighting the enemy.

  Four Spitfires were scrambled at 0610 hours on 15th, providing cover for a brace of Beauforts and four Fairey Albacores flying air-strikes against two enemy cruisers laying in wait for the Malta convoy. It was later reported that one cruiser was damaged, while the second cruiser or, possibly a submarine, was seen on its side some 45 miles south of Pantellania.

  While on a section strength convoy patrol 160 miles east of Malta, No. 126 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant J.P. Winfield destroyed an Sm 84, with Pilot Officer A.P. Goldsmith (flying MK-J) destroying an Rs 14 floatplane. Meanwhile, Goldsmith shared in the destruction of an Sm 84 with Flight Sergeant K.W.S. Evans (flying BR496). During the return flight, Pilot Officer Goldsmith sighted an Mc 200 which he engaged. The enemy aircraft was heavily damaged and left trailing oil, and was considered unlikely to make base:

  ‘Flying as Jumbo Harry 3 on convoy patrol I sighted an Italian floatplane at sea level, which turned towards Pantellania. Making a diving quarter attack from starboard, I fired a three-second burst from about 200 yards, closing. Several strikes were seen along starboard side of fuselage and on wing. The floatplane pulled sharply to [the] left, went over on [its] back and dived into the sea, leaving pieces, including the tail unit, floating.

  ‘The convoy then opened fire on three Br 20s. I pursued one catching it at 6,000ft. I then attacked from below and slightly to starboard, opened fire with cannon at 100 yards, closing to nil. Saw starboard engine smoke, fuselage catch alight and lots of pieces fall off. I broke to left and the Br 20 spun down into the sea, blazing furiously. Two of the crew bailed out.

  ‘At about 1110 hours when leaving convoy at 5,000ft, I saw an aircraft a few miles to port. Broke off to investigate and found it to be a radial Macchi 200. I got onto its tail and fired three short bursts at it when ammunition expired. During the last burst, it started to stream oil and straightened out, went gently down to sea level, heading for Pantellania.

  (signed) A.P. Goldsmith P/O.’

  No. 249 Squadron made a section strength scramble at 1800 hours, intercepting a raid that composed of three Cant Z 1007s and their escort of Bf 109s. The enemy bombers were targeting a convoy 30 miles south-west of Gozo, a part of Operation Harpoon. The fighters were joined by Spitfires from No. 185 Squadron, based at Hal Far. During the melee, Flight Sergeant J.W. Williams (flying BR107 C-22) damaged a Bf 109, while Flying Officer J. Smith (flying BR251 C-26) damaged a Cant Z 1007.

  Two flight strength convoy patrols were made during the evening, but without making contact with the enemy. Meanwhile, at 2105 hours, Flight Lieutenant P.B. Lucas (flying BR377) led a scramble to intercept a formation of ten-plus Ju 88s of KG 806. The bombers were reported to be 12-15 miles to the west of Gozo, heading for the convoy. Flying without close escort, the enemy bombers had adopted a tight box of four formation. Lucas approached the bombers from below and to the rear, positioning his Spitfires in the enemy rear-gunners’ blind spot. He ordered Pilot Officers O.R. Linton and L.W. Watts (flying BR254) to attack the starboard formation, while he and Pilot Officer F.E. Jones went for the one to port. If the opportunity arose, the Spitfires were then to try and split up the middle formation. During the attack, Flight Lieutenant Lucas (flying BR377 C-41) and Watts (flying BR254 X-G) shared in the destruction of a Ju 88, with Lucas damaging a second. Jones (flying BR119 C-1) destroyed a Ju 88, which went down in flames and was confirmed by Lucas. A further Ju 88 was damaged by Pilot Officer O.M. Linton (flying BR111 C-18).

  Luftwaffe records show that two of the Ju 88s were lost; M7+HL flown by Unteroffizier Heinz Kaufmann and M7+FK flown by Oberleutnant Kurt Kehrer.

  During the morning, while flying in defence of the east-bound convoy, No. 601 Squadron’s Sergeant G. Allen-Rowlandson (flying BR360), shared a Ju 87 with Pilot Officer M.R.B. Ingram (flying UF-M). Meanwhile, Pilot Officer C.R. Scolland, RCAF, claimed a Ju 87 probably destroyed. Warrant Officer Fred Belcher damaged one of the escorting Bf 109s. Meanwhile, Allen-Rowlandson was rescued by the crew of High Speed Launch 128, when he ditched his Spitfire, having run out of fuel following extended combat.

  During the return flight, and while running low on fuel, 2nd Lieutenant A. Bartleman, SAAF (flying UF-G), sighted a number of Ju 87s. Undetected, he closed in to 100 yards from the rear of the enemy formation, until a Stuka filled his sights – Bartleman pressed the gun-button:

  ‘and saw strikes – it burst into flames and spun down. No chutes were seen. [I] saw [a] second Ju 87 and opened fire, seeing pieces fly off.’

  Bartleman was forced to break off the engagement when he came under attack from Bf 109s.

  No. 601 Squadron’s Pilot Officer J.A. Smith, RCAF (flying BR175), had been scrambled against the same attack and claimed a Ju 87 damaged, leaving a Bf 109 streaming oil. Pilot Officer Clyde Scolland probably destroyed another Ju 87. The Squadron, however, lost Sergeant (405293) Jack Nock McConnell6, RNZAF (flying BR306).

  The next raid arrived over the convoy at around 1430 hours, when a number of Bf 109s were engaged by No. 126 Squadron. Flight Sergeant P.A. Schade made a head-on attack, claiming one Messerschmitt which, ‘spun down. There was a big splash in the sea. Confident Messerschmitt went in.’

  During the same patrol, Flight Lieutenants J. Bailey, A.C. Rowe, RNZAF, and Pilot Officers Freddie D. Thomas and E.W. ‘Wally’ Wallace, RCAF, shared in the destruction of a Z506B floatplane.

  A further attack on the convoy was launched at about 1800 hours. In its defence, nine Ju 88 of KüFlGr 606 were engaged by No. 601 Squadron. Pilot Officer J.A. Smith (flying BR381) destroyed one Ju 88 and damaged a second, while also registering hits on one of the Bf 109 escort. Flying Officer C.M. Hone (flying BR122 2-O) damaged a Ju 88.

  One section from each of Nos. 185 and 249 Squadrons were scrambled at 1800 hours to maintain the convoy’s air cover. Forty minutes later No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires engaged three Cant Z 1007s and their escort of Bf 109s. Flying Officer John Smith (flying C-26) damaged a Cant Z 1007, while Flight Sergeant J.W. Williams (flying BR107 C-22) claimed a Bf 109 damaged.

  Meanwhile, the pilots of No. 185 Squadron, led by Flight Lieutenant R. West, intercepted a formation of Ju 88s making their bombing approach. West probably destroyed a Ju 88 before engaging and destroying one of the Bf 109 escort. Flight Sergeant R.J. Sims (flying BR126 GL-O) also broke through the fighter cover to send one of the Ju 88s into the sea, while Pilot Officer C.E. Broad7 (flying BR380) claimed a Bf 109 destroyed. Pilot Officer G. Stenborg, RNZAF (flying BR375), destroyed two Ju 88s and damaged a Bf 109. Sim’s aircraft crash-landed at Luqa as a result of losing glycol through combat. Meanwhile, Pilot Officer J.W.P. Baril was shot down over the convoy but was picked up by the Blankney.

  In a separate engagement, No. 601 Squadron’s Pilot Officer M.R.B. Ingram, RNZAF (flying UF-G), destroyed a Ju 88.

  As usual, No. 249 Squadron was at Readiness before dawn the following morning (16 June). At 0645 hours, Nos. 126, 185 and 249 Squadrons scrambled eight Spitfires to provide cover for the remnants of the eastward-bound Operation Harpoon, which was by then close to reaching the island. A formation of four Ju 88s and twelve Bf 109s was intercepted, and No. 126 Squadron’s Pilot Officer A.B. Goldsmith, RAAF (flying I-D), destroyed a Bf 109.

  A second attack on the convoy was made by twelve Bf 109s, which were engaged by the Spitfires of No. 185 Squadron, with
Flight Sergeant J.W. Yarra, RAAF (flying GL-J), destroying a Bf 109. Flight Sergeants M.W. ‘Tex’ Vineyard (flying BR163) and J.E. ‘Jim’ MacNamara (flying BR230) were shot down, claimed by Feldwebel Erich Paczia and Leutnant Hans-Jürgen von Möller of VI./JG 53.

  The convoy had been heavily attacked throughout its progress, with only two merchant vessels getting through to deliver 15,000 tons of supplies.

  The second relief convoy, Operation Vigorous, had sailed from Port Said and had been quickly targeted with heavy losses amongst the merchant vessels and their escort. The cruisers HMS Newcastle, HMS Birmingham, HMS Arethusa and HMS Hermione were sunk, along with the destroyers HMS Airedate and HMS Nestor, which meant the remnants of the convoy were ordered back to Alexandria.

  Referring to the failure of Operation Vigorous and limited success of Operation Harpoon, Lord Gort made a broadcast that evening (16 June):

  ‘Some days ago two convoys set out, one from the west and one from the east, to bring us the supplies which we need to restore our situation. The western convoy had to endure severe and prolonged attacks, and only two merchant ships survived the ordeal.

  ‘The eastern convoy, after suffering from prolonged and intense attacks by the Luftwaffe, was ordered to turn back. I must break to you what the arrival of only two ships means to us. For some time past we have been short of supplies and further privations lie ahead of us. Every effort will be made to replenish our stocks when a favourable opportunity presents itself. Meanwhile, we must stand on our own resources and every one of us must do everything in his or her power to conserve our stocks and to ensure the best use is made of all the available resources that remain to us.

  ‘Here on the island there stands on Mount Sceberras the image of Christ the King, surrounded on all sides by bomb craters and demolished buildings. It remains, untouched and unscathed after the most intense and prolonged air bombardment in the history of the world. Trusting in Him, and guided by Him, we shall surely pass out of the darkness and into the light.’

  For the moment at least, the enemy had won the battle of the convoys, but the air battle raged on. During the day, Flight Sergeants J.E McNamara and M.W. Vineyard were shot down and had to be rescued by High Speed Launch 128.

  Seven of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled at 0800 hours on 17 June, but were too late to intercept a Ju 88 and five Bf 109s, which flew over the island at 20,000ft. The day saw two further scrambles, but no interceptions.

  Pilot Officers A.P. Goldsmith and W.L. ‘Dusty’ Miller of No. 126 Squadron shared a Bf 109 damaged. The interception took place at about 1600 hours, when half-a-dozen Messerschmitts crossed the coastline. The rest of the raid turned back.

  No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled twice during the afternoon of 19 June, but they were unable to make contact with the enemy and were ordered to pancake.

  The following day (20 June) was again quiet for Beurling’s Squadron. When not on duty, Beurling would mix with the other sergeant pilots. One of his particular early friends was Flight Sergeant ‘Willie-the-Kid’ Williams. Beurling and Williams occasionally went to Gozo, where, according to Beurling, they even found a steak to eat – a great rarity on Malta at that time.

  It was at about this time that Beurling sent a second telegram home. He wrote the cliche:

  ‘Am OK having a wonderful time. Wish you were here. Love.’

  The communications, of course, gave no hint of the horrors Beurling had already witnessed; the desperate odds Malta’s fighter pilots were facing, and the slim chance of surviving a tour on the island unscathed.

  As a consequence of the loss of the merchant vessels endeavouring to re-supply the island with aviation fuel, the following operational signal was sent by the AOC to the Chief of Air Staff:

  ‘Until further supplies of 100 octane reach this island, all available 100 must be used for defence.’

  Once again the fighter Squadrons were placed on the back-foot, unable to take the fight to the enemy.

  The air defence of the island rested largely on its Spitfire Squadrons, ably supported by the Royal Artillery’s anti-aircraft gunners. The latter accounted for a good percentage of the enemy aircraft destroyed over Malta and remain the unsung heroes of the campaign. The Spitfires were directed by the island’s Controller, Group Captain Woodhall, who ran the show from the operations room, known as ‘the Ditch’, under Valetta. It was Woodhall who had the unenviable job of scrambling sufficient fighters to maul the enemy before the bombers could reach their objective. He had to get the aircraft up in time to gain combat altitude, while at the same time ensuring he had reserves to take on any further raids which might develop. Group Captain Woodhall’s pilots usually faced overwhelming odds.

  During the evening of June 20th, Lieutenant Governor Sir Edward Jackson made a broadcast in which he outlined the necessary changes in rationing on the island:

  ‘If the enemy failed in his main purpose, he succeeded in part of it. He has delayed part of our much needed supplies. Greater privations than we have known hitherto lie ahead of us here. Fresh supplies will come to us. You need have no fear of that. But we do not know when they will come. We got about 15,000 tons of stores in the two ships that arrived. It is a very small part of what we had hoped for.

  ‘Our security depends, more than on anything else, on the time for which our bread will last it is far enough off to give opportunity for fresh supplies to reach us. England will not forget us and her Navy and Air Force will see us through. The bread ration will remain as it is. Sugar will remain as it is, except that there can be no issue for the first period of July and the second period of August. One issue of rice and coffee will be made in the first period of July. Tea will be issued during the second period of each month. The use of tinned milk is already restricted to young children and women with children. Our intention is that pasteurised milk shall be limited to hospitals and school children; as raw milk disappears from the market, there will be no milk for the adult population. A drastic reduction of our present consumption of petrol will also be necessary.’

  On 21 June, a lone Ju 88 with its escort of Bf 109s approached the coast at 1950 hours, with No. 185 Squadron scrambling one section in response. Flight Sergeant J.W. Yarra, RAAF (flying BR387 GL-W), damaged the reconnaissance Junkers Ju 88 and destroyed two of its Bf 109 escort. Meanwhile Flight Sergeant R.J. Sim (flying GL-D) destroyed a Bf 109, damaging a second. The Squadron didn’t get everything their own way and Flight Sergeant P.C. Terry (flying BR112 GL-X) was shot down, as was Flight Sergeant W.C. ‘Pop’ Conway (flying BR315 GL-T). Conway was badly injured while trying to make a landing.

  A little after 1930 hours, No. 603 Squadron was scrambled against half-a-dozen Bf 109s reported approaching the island. Flight Sergeant ‘Shorty’ Reid (flying BR126 GL-O) destroyed a Bf 109, the remaining combats proving inconclusive.

  The night of the 22nd was an uncomfortable one for the ‘erks’, who were working on the Spitfires in their pens, when they were raided as both incendiary and high explosive bombs were dropped on Takali. Beurling and the other sergeant pilots were billeted close to the airfield, and would have fared little better.

  At 0820 hours on 23 June, a flight strength scramble was flown by No. 603 Squadron, which was vectored onto half-a-dozen Bf 109s. Pilot Officers A.A. Glen and J.W. Slade each destroyed a Messerschmitt.

  No. 249 Squadron was scrambled at 1750 hours. Three Cant Z 1007s and their fighter escort of twenty-seven Mc 202s of 155° Gruppo CT and eighteen Re 2001s of 2° Gruppo CT, were picked up on radar. Both Nos. 249 and 603 Squadron engaged the enemy, the latter losing the Spitfire flown by Flying Officer Mitchell, who escaped unhurt and was picked up by the crew of Rescue Launch 128.

  Pilot Officer C.H. Latimer reported firing at the centre bomber of a formation of three Cants and saw strikes. The remaining bombers dropped their payloads on the Takali area.

  During the course of the action Sergeant C.L. Baxter fired at two Re 2001s, damaging one which was, ‘seen to shake.’ Pi
lot Officer V.P. Brennan’s Spitfire was damaged by ‘friendly fire’ when it was hit by flak, but was coaxed back to Takali.

  Pilot Officer Sherwood and Flying Officer C.B. McLeod (flying ‘XB’) met twelve Mc 202s west of Gozo and attacked in a dive from 29,000 to 2,000ft. A dogfight developed, during which Pilot Officer Sherwood saw strikes on the fuselage and starboard wing of an Mc 202, while No. 603 Squadron’s Flying Officer McLeod, RCAF, saw strikes on the fuselage of another Mc 202, after a burst from 100 yards. He then chased another Mc 202, finally firing a burst from 250 yards astern. After a long dogfight, he eventually fired bursts from 250 to 25 yards and the Mc 202 was reported to have dived straight in from 5,000ft. Pilot Officers Newman and R.G. Smith (flying BR 128), alternately attacked an Mc 202, scoring strikes on its fuselage. Glycol was seen streaming from the port wing root and the hood flew off. Flight-Sergeant C.H. Parkinson (flying X-N) then fired two bursts at the same Macchi and the pilot bailed out. Flight-Sergeant C.H. Parkinson and Pilot Officer J. Smith both fired at the Cant Z 1007s without observed results. Parkinson later recalled:

  ‘[I] made one three-quarter head-on attack. The Eyetie flicked and turned away, presenting his tail to me. I was about 200ft behind with the bead dead on and firing.’

  Pieces came way from the fuselage and the pilot, Maresciallo Aldo Buvoli of 360a Squadriglia, bailed out.

  Later, at 1750 hours, Nos. 249 and 603 Squadrons were scrambled. Once airborne, the Controller vectored the fighters onto three Sm 84s of 4° Gruppo BT and their escort of nearly thirty Mc 202s from 115° Gruppo CT, with nearly twenty Re 2001s in support. No. 249 Squadron attacked the bombers, with Pilot Officer C. Lattimer damaging one. Sergeant Colin Baxter damaged an Re 2001.

  No. 603 Squadron positioned themselves for the attack. Flying Officer H.W. McLeod, RCAF (flying X-B), closed to 100 yards, damaging an Mc 202, before firing on another from 250 to 25 yards. The enemy fighter plunged into the sea. Pilot Officers J.W. Slade and A.A. Glen claimed a Bf 109, which they were only allowed as ‘damaged’. Meanwhile, Pilot Officer E.S. Dick-Sherwood saw his cannon shells blast pieces off another. Pilot Officers D.G. Newman and R.G. Smith (flying BR128 3-W) attacked an Sm 84 which they claimed to have destroyed. During the same combat Flight Sergeant C.H. Parkinson’s Spitfire (X-N) was damaged by Mc 202s. Flying Officer R.A. Mitchell (flying BR385) was forced to take to his parachute and was rescued by High Speed Launch 128.