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

by Nick Thomas

  6. McConnell was the son of Thomas and Irene McConnell, of Gisborne, Auckland, New Zealand. He was 21-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.

  7. Pilot Officer C.E. Broad was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 6 October 1942:

  ‘Pilot Officer Charles Ernest BROAD (121529), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 185 Squadron.’ He was awarded a Bar to the DFC, London Gazette, 29 December 1944:

  ‘Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

  ‘Flight Lieutenants Charles Ernest BROAD, DFC (121529), Royal Air

  Force Volunteer Reserve’, No. 222 Squadron.’

  8. Flight Sergeant (1169709) Maurice Ernest Tomkins, RAFVR, was the son of Samuel John Tomkins and Lillian Jane Josephine Tomkins, of Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset. Tomkins was 22-years-old and is buried in Malta (Capuccini Naval Cemetery) Protestant Section (Men’s), Plot F, Collective Grave 5.

  Chapter Six

  The July Blitz

  By the beginning of July 1942 the enemy were preparing for a renewal of the campaign against Malta, in what would become known as the July Blitz. Fliegerkorps II was reinforced with the arrival of two bomber Gruppen, while additional air cover would be provided by the Bf 109Gs of Fighter Gruppe I./JG 77, led by Hauptmann Heinz Bär (113 ‘kills’). Meanwhile, three of his staffeln could boast a number of top scoring aces including Oberleutnant Fritz Geisshardt (82 ‘Kills’), Oberleutnant Siegfried Freytag (49 ‘kills’) and Leutnant Günther Hannak (41 ‘kills’).

  During the afternoon of 1 July, a Ju 88, escorted by ten Mc 202s of 20° Gruppo approached the island, only to be met by a fight strength formation of No.185 Squadron’s Spitfires. During the ensuing combat, ‘B’ Flight’s pilots recorded a number of victories:

  Flight Lieutenant J.R.S. Halford (flying BR 387) destroyed one Bf 109 and damaged a second.

  Flying Officer K.L. Charney (flying BR380 GL-R) damaged one Bf 109 and an Mc 202.

  Pilot Officer J.R. Sherlock, RCAF (flying BP876), damaged one Bf 109.

  Flight Sergeant E.L. ‘Tubby’ Mahar (flying BR292), damaged one Mc 202.

  Flight Sergeant D.G. Reid, RCAF (flying BR 294), destroyed one Bf 109, whilst damaging a second.

  Flying Officer Charney and Pilot Officer David W. Kent both made crash-landings at Hal Far with battle-damage.

  No. 603 Squadron flew five scrambles. During one, made at 1840 hours, Pilot Officer J. Hurst engaged an Sm 84, closing from 300 to 50 yards. Hurst reported seeing strikes on the aircraft before being forced to disengage due to return fire, which hit his glycol system. Meanwhile, Flight Sergeant C.H. Parkinson (flying BR184 X-C) destroyed a Bf 109 and damaged a second. Parkinson was then bounced by another Bf 109 and was wounded, and forced to take to his parachute. The log of High Speed Launch 107 indicated that No. 603 Squadron’s Sergeant J.H. Ballatyne, RCAF (BR367 X-O), was shot down over the sea and had to be rescued by its crew. Flight Sergeant Ballatyne had, in the meantime, destroyed a Bf 109, and reported seeing hits on a second, with Pilot Officer Eddie H. Glazebrooke, RCAF, damaging an Mc 202. Flying Officer R.A. Mitchell probably destroyed a Bf 109.

  As No. 603 Squadron withdrew, No. 126 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled off, engaging half-a-dozen Bf 109s. Pilot Officer Mike A. Graves (flying MK-P) claimed one Messerschmitt.

  At 0830 hours, No. 603 Squadron was again in action when its Spitfires were scrambled to intercept a formation of six Bf 109s. Flying Officer R.A. Mitchell damaged a Bf 109, while Flight Sergeant D.G. ‘Shorty’ Reid (flying BR294 GL-E) destroyed another. Pilot Officer Hurst1 (flying BR184 X-C) was reported missing, probably shot down by Leutnant Fritz Dinger of IV./JG 53 and, although search missions were flown, no trace could be found.

  During the engagement, No. 185 Squadron’s Pilot Officer N.J. Ogilvie (flying BR387 GL-X) was hit by fire from Bf 109s and made a forced-landing at Takali.

  No. 249 Squadron was scrambled at 0920 hours, with Squadron Leader P.B. Lucas (flying BR324 T-R) leading an interception of five Cant Z 1007s of 33° Gruppo BT and their escort of two dozen Mc 202s of 51° Stormo, and fifteen Re 2001s of 2° Gruppo CT. Some of the bombers did get through and went on to hit Safi and Kalafrana.

  Flight Sergeant T. Parks, RCAF (flying BR379 T-V), who had only recently transferred from No. 126 Squadron, destroyed the Mc 202 piloted by Sottoten Giuseppe Riccardi of 351a Squadriglia, which plunged into the sea about eighteen miles south-east of Valetta. Squadron Leader P.B. Lucas (flying BR324 T-R) reported combat with a Cant Z 1007, his opening burst disabling its starboard engine. Lucas also saw pieces flying off its port wing. Pilot Officer J.F. McElroy (flying BR254 T-G) damaged an Mc 202. Meanwhile, Flight Sergeant C.S.G. De Nancrede (flying BR246 T-J) scored hits on the leading bomber, also damaging the port bomber which he shared with three pilots of No. 603 Squadron. De Nancrede was engaged by one of the defending Mc 202s, which he damaged. Warrant Officer C.B. Ramsay (flying BR251 T-E) damaged the starboard engine of a Cant Z 1007 and saw pieces fly off the port wing. This was allowed as probably destroyed, while he also claimed an Mc 202 damaged.

  Eight of No. 603 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled and vectored on to a formation of Cant Z 1007 bombers with their twenty-strong fighter escort. Pilot Officers N.S. King and E.H. Glazebrook made a combined attack and probably destroyed an Mc 202, before their own aircraft were damaged in head-on attacks. Both crash-landed back at Takali. Pilot Officer Ray G. Smith damaged one Cant and destroyed an Mc 202. During the same combat, Flying Officer R.A. Mitchell and Pilot Officer Dudley G. Newman both attacked a bomber, leaving its engine smoking. Meanwhile, Sergeant C.H. Parkinson (flying X-S) and Pilot Officer F.R. Johnson each damaged an Re 2001.

  No. 249 Squadron was in the air again at 1330 hours when, along with No. 185 Squadron, they were vectored onto three Ju 88s of III./KG 77, closely escorted by four Bf 109s. Pilot Officer O.M. Linton (flying BR347 T-Z) damaged two Ju 88s shared with Sergeant Sims (BR321 GL-J) of No. 185 Squadron and No. 249 Squadron’s Pilot Officer B.W. Spradley (BR111 TM), who also damaged the centre bomber of the vic. Pilot Officer W.R. Daddo-Langlois (flying BR170 T-B) attacked the port Ju 88, captained by Feldwebel Herbert Leiwelt of 3Z+JT. He caused sufficient damage so that the crew bailed out 40 miles north of the island.

  No. 185 Squadron’s ORB read:

  ‘Eight aircraft were scrambled with F/Sgt Yarra leading and they intercepted the bombers over the island. F/Sgt Sim sat behind a Ju 88 and squirted all his ammo into the black bastard, but the 88 failed to come down. Bob had to be content with a damaged. P/O Stenborg also got into a good position behind an Me 109 but his cannons jammed, much to the relief of the 109 pilot.’

  Flying Officer Charney was wounded when his Spitfire (BR376) was hit by a Bf 109. Meanwhile, No. 249 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant R.G. Middlemiss (flying BR295 T-H) saw a Bf 109 on the tail of Pilot Officer Harry Kelly (flying BR184 C-T). He called out a warning, but, as Beurling explained: ‘the call came too late and one short burst got him.’ The Bf 109’s fire was fatally accurate, bringing Kelly’s Spitfire down. Middlemiss had fired on the attacking Bf 109, initially observing no results, but the enemy fighter went into a steep dive and hit the sea.

  Beurling later commented on the loss of Kelly2, who had been suffering from a bout of Malta Dog, but refused to report ‘sick’:

  ‘he had lagged out of formation for a moment, and some watchful Hun had spotted him and dived.’

  A search was made, but no sign of Kelly or his Spitfire was ever found.

  Despite the fighter pilot’s valiant efforts, some of the bombers did get through, attacking Luqa from 23,000ft and slightly damaging one Beaufighter.

  At 1930 hours, Nos. 185 and 249 Squadrons were scrambled against a formation of eight Cant Z 1007s and ten Mc 202s of 151a Squadriglia, acting as fighter escort. No. 249 Squadron engaged the enemy but mis-identified the Mc 202s as Bf 109s. Squadron Leader P.B. Lucas (flying BR324 T-R) damaged an Mc 202, while Flight Sergeant T. Parks (flying BR379 T-V) damaged a second, which was last seen diving away. Flight Sergea
nt C.S.G. De Nancrede (flying BR377 T-K) was hit in the engine during a head-on attack but made it back to base where he crash-landed, unhurt. The destruction of his Spitfire was claimed by Capitano Doglio Niclot, commander of 151a Squadriglia.

  No. 185 Squadron was also scrambled, with Flying Officer J.R. Stoop (flying BP979) claiming an Mc 202 and Sergeant H. Haggas (flying BR387) getting another during a head-on attack.

  Two Cant Z 1007s got through and dropped their 100kg bombs on Luqa, Safi and Hal Far.

  The enemy bombed Malta most nights and in the early hours of 3 July they targeted Luqa. Flying a Beaufighter, Pilot Officer Fumerton fired a one-second burst at a Ju 88, causing an explosion. A second burst set the bomber on fire and it plummeted into the sea. Four of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires flew a search pattern over the crash area, locating the enemy bomber’s pilot before leading a rescue launch to the scene. Later that morning, three Cant Z 1007s and their escort of thirty-six Mc 202s were met by eight Spitfires of No. 126 Squadron as they approached Safi and Kalafrana airfields. Pilot Officer Freddie D. Thomas (flying BR564) suffered propeller issues and had to take to his parachute. He was rescued by High Speed Launch 107. No. 185 Squadron were also airborne, and engaged the enemy, Sergeant D.K. ‘Ginger’ Parker (flying BP979) shooting down a Bf 109.

  Meanwhile, in the late afternoon, No. 249 Squadron flew as cover to Beauforts, bombing a convoy heading to re-supply the Afrika Korps.

  At 0810 hours on 4 July the Controller scrambled No. 249 Squadron. Once airborne, Squadron Leader P.B. Lucas received a vector onto a formation of three Sm 84s of 4° Gruppo BT and their escort of twenty-two Mc 202s of 51° Stormo. A further seventeen Mc 202s were seen at higher altitude.

  Laddie Lucas gave orders to his section leaders to go for different targets. Lucas’ Red Section took on the bombers on the port side, while Flight Lieutenant W.R. Daddo-Langlois’ Blue Section went for the ones to starboard. Meanwhile, Jack Rae’s Yellow Section provided cover and, if they were able to, would go for the leading bomber. The Squadron passed through the fighter screen unscathed, closing in on their targets.

  Squadron Leader Lucas (flying BR324 T-R) made an attack on one Sm 84, which he destroyed. Flight Lieutenant Daddo-Langlois (flying BR176 T-N), and Flight Sergeant R.G. Middlemiss RCAF (flying BR295 T-H), shared in the destruction of another, although their aircraft received battle damage. Flight Sergeant J.D. Rae, RNZAF (flying BR233 T-Q), got the third. Lucas later recalled the immediate aftermath, seeing, ‘three streaming balls of smoke and flames falling slowly from the sky to the south of the island told the story.’

  Another raid soon followed. No. 603 Squadron was scrambled to take it on, losing Flying Officer Neville S. King, who was shot down by Mc 202s, while Pilot Officer R.G. Smith (flying BP990) evened the score by shooting down a Bf 109.

  Lucas, Daddo-Langlois and Middlemiss later visited the survivors from the Sm 84 who had been pulled out of the Mediterranean and were in hospital. Lucas was distressed by the plight of air-gunner Perneschi, whose hand had been blown off by a cannon shell. As a direct result he banned pilots from visiting any badly wounded enemy pilots, feeling that this would damage morale.

  At 1935 hours, Squadron Leader P.B. Lucas led eight Spitfires to intercept five Cant Z 1007s, which were escorted by twenty Mc 202s of 20° Gruppo and ten Re 2001s of 2° Gruppo. The Controller scrambled No. 126 Squadron to assist.

  The enemy fighters did their job and prevented the Spitfire pilots claiming any of the bombers. In the process they lost a number of Re 2001s. Flight Sergeant L.G.C. de l’Ara (BR254 T-S) damaged an Re 2001, and Pilot Officer J.F. McElroy (flying TM111) probably destroyed another, seeing two more spinning down. Meanwhile, Squadron Leader Lucas was jumped and his machine damaged by Oberleutnant Michalski of II./JG 53, who earlier that day had claimed a No. 603 Squadron Spitfire. Lucas annotated in his log book:

  ‘Shot up by a 109 and bounced by Reggianes while attacking five Cants!’

  No. 126 Squadron was also scrambled, taking on the Cant Z 1007s. Squadron Leader J.P. Winfield registered hits on one, while Pilot Officer M.A. Graves (flying MK-P) badly damaged another, which was considered unlikely to make base. Meanwhile, during the same combat, he damaged an Mc 202.

  Takali’s Spitfires were airborne to meet the enemy when the Luftwaffe arrived over the airfield at 0715 hours on 5 July, but were forced to land at Luqa due to bomb damage. During a hectic air battle several of the defending Spitfires were damaged in combat; No. 185 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant J.R.S. Halford retaliating by damaging a Ju 88.

  A little after 1500 hours, a formation of three Ju 88s and their escort of twenty Bf 109s approached the island. Nos. 185 and 603 Squadrons were scrambled to intercept. Flight Sergeant J.W. Yarra, RAAF (flying BR387 GL-W), claimed a Ju 88, also probably destroying one of the bomber’s Bf 109 escort. His own aircraft was hit by return fire (probably hit by Feldwebel Otto Pohl of II./JG 77). Flight Sergeant Haggas’ Spitfire was also damaged. Meanwhile, tangling with the Messerschmitts, Pilot Officer G. Stenborg, RNZAF (BR380 GL-R), destroyed two Bf 109s and Flying Officer Wally McLeod damaged another.

  Nos.126 and 603 Squadrons were scrambled to take on the third raid of the day, when a brace of Ju 88s and their escort of ten Bf 109s targeted Takali. No. 603 Squadron’s Pilot Officer E.S. Dick-Sherwood damaged a Bf 109. Meanwhile, No. 126 Squadron scored several ‘kills’:

  Flight Lieutenant J.E. Peck, RCAF, probably destroyed one Bf 109

  Flying Officer E.W. Wallace damaged one Bf 109

  Pilot Officer J.G. Mejor (flying BR244) probably destroyed one Bf 109

  Flight Sergeant P.A. Schade (flying MK-H) destroyed one Bf 109

  Flight Sergeant K.W.S. Evans destroyed one Bf 109, probably damaging a second.

  Sergeant N. Wally Shepherd damaged one Bf 109

  At 1705 hours, No. 603 Squadron was scrambled, targeting three Ju 88s which were being closely escorted by seventeen Bf 109s. Flying Officer J.F. McLeod damaged one Bf 109. The bombers, however, evaded the defending fighters and damaged a Spitfire in its blast pen at Takali. A further scramble was made at 1940 hours against three Ju 88s and their escort of twenty-five fighters. Pilot Officer Sherwood damaged a Bf 109. Despite their best efforts, the airfield was bombed for the third time that day.

  On 6 July, the Luftwaffe resumed its attacks in strength. Fifteen-plus Ju 87s and Italian bombers raided Takali and Har Far during the night. At 0840 hours, twelve of No. 603 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled to intercept a formation of Ju 88s protected by their escort of Bf 109s. One Messerschmitt was damaged by Flight Sergeant C. Parkinson, but the Ju 88s heavily cratered the dispersal areas at Takali, damaging a Spitfire in its blast pen.

  No. 603 Squadron’s Spitfires were quickly turned around on landing, the pilots waiting in their cockpits. As soon as they were refuelled, they were scrambled in ordered to avoid being bombed on the ground. The first wave was composed of Mc 202s of No. 151a Squadriglia, which swooped in to free the path for three Cant Z 1007s of 9° Stormo heading for Luqa. The bombers were closely escorted by fourteen Re 2001s of 2° Gruppo, with a further two dozen Mc 202s of 20° Gruppo providing support. Bombs were reported as falling in the area of Safi.

  At 0900 hours No. 249 Squadron, temporarily operating out of Luqa, scrambled eleven aircraft. Once airborne, the Spitfires climbed to 22,000ft and were vectored onto the incoming raid. Flight Lieutenant N.W. Lee (flying BR379 T-V) led the Squadron through the Cant’s fighter shield, making a head-on attack against the bombers before they crossed the coast. The concerted attack forced the enemy to jettison their bombs harmlessly.

  Beurling saw Flying Officer Smith’s cannon shells arc towards the enemy and reported that he ‘knocked one full of holes.’ The bomber limped back towards Sicily, but was claimed as damaged during a combined attack by Flying Officer J. Smith (BR295 T-H) and Pilot Officer C.B. MacLean (flying BR111 T-M). Meanwhile, Flight Lieutenant N.W. Lee damaged a Cant Z 1007 and destroyed an Mc 202. Beurling (flying BR323 T-S) was in the thick of t
he action and claimed two Mc 202s (confirmed by Flight Lieutenant Lee), also destroying a Bf 109 of I./JG 77, with a Cant Z 1007 damaged.

  Beurling’s first Mc 202, flown by Sergente Francesco Pecchiari of 353a Squadriglia, was lining-up Smith’s Spitfire when he intervened. Beurling made a climbing turn which put him in a position to deliver: ‘A one-second burst [which] smacked him in the engine and glycol tank. He burst into flames and went down like a plummet.’ Meanwhile, a second Mc 202 was about to fire on Smith. Beurling tried to repeat the manoeuvre, but this time the Mc 202’s pilot saw him and dived away with Beurling in pursuit:

  ‘We went down vertically together from 20,000 to about 5,000ft and [I] let him have it [with a two-second burst] just as he pulled out, from about 300 yards and slightly to starboard.’

  The Mc 202 exploded in a fireball; the pilot had no chance.

  Pilot Officer Al Yates followed Beurling’s dive, thinking he had been damaged and was therefore able to confirm his second Mc 202, while Lee had seen both of them. Beurling’s combat report was supported: ‘So there was my confirmation for two destroyed.’ Yates was caught out later in the melee and his Spitfire was badly shot-up. He made a ‘dead-stick landing, but escaped unscathed.’

  Beurling then attacked a Cant Z 1007:

  ‘I got a two-second angle shot in on another and could see cannon shells and machine gun bullets pepper his fuselage.’ Beurling explained that intelligence later reported how, ‘the observer had flown the wounded crew home to a crash-landing.’

  Beurling was economical with his ammunition and only fired when he had a clear shot, as Douglas-Hamilton explained: ‘[He] aimed at one particular vital part of the Hun,’ firing a short burst at a distance of around 250 yards or less. In this way his rounds, ‘generally brought it down.’ By conserving his ammunition in this way, Beurling was often able to bring one, two or even three enemy aircraft down in a dogfight, or certainly badly damage those which were not fatally hit.