by Nick Thomas
‘All fighter formation leaders are warned that the enemy will probably reintroduce bomber formations whenever there is an important operation in the Malta area. Because our Spitfires, using the forward plan of interception, have recently stopped daylight raids, does not mean that only fighter sweeps are likely to be encountered over or near Malta in the near future. Any signs of defensive tactics by our fighters will encourage the enemy to reintroduce formations of bombers or fighter-bombers. Therefore, the more aggressively our fighters are employed, the better will Malta be defended against daylight bombing.’
Park’s plan involved Squadrons working together; one keeping the enemy’s high cover occupied, one engaging the bombers, while the third Squadron made head-on attacks on the bombers some 10 miles out. If a fourth Squadron was available, then its role was to deal with any bombers that got beyond the initial attacks. Meanwhile Wellingtons, Marylands, Baltimores, Beaufighters and Beauforts went onto the offensive bombing campaign.
To meet Keith Park’s goals, the island needed more pilots and Spitfires, and fuel too. While further reinforcements would soon be on their way, the island would remain starved of 100 octane fuel.
At 0500 hours on 15 July, HMS Eagle embarked from Gibraltar with much needed reinforcements, in the form of thirty-two Spitfires as a part of Operation Pinpoint. Six Sea Hurricanes provided air cover for the convoy, which included HMS Charybdis, HMS Cairo, HMS Westcott, HMS Wrestler, HMS Ithuriel, HMS Antelope and HMS Vansittart.
Enemy reconnaissance aircraft spotted elements of the convoy at about 0830 hours. Despite this, all four flights of Spitfire took off from the deck of HMS Eagle as planned (with one Spitfire Vc lost on take off; the pilot safe). The carrier arrived back at Gibraltar on the morning of 16 July.
Between 0940 and 1030 hours, four of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires and eight drawn from No. 603 Squadron were airborne, acting as fighter cover for the approaching reinforcements. The first fifteen Spitfires landed at around 1000 hours. One flight was guided by No. 249 Squadron’s Flying Officer ‘Les’ Watts.
Among the new arrivals were a number of pilots who were posted to No. 249 Squadron. These included:
Pilot Officer K.C.M ‘Giddy’ Giddings
Pilot Officer J.L. ‘Smoky Joe’ Lowry, RCAF (USA)
Pilot Officer V.K. ‘Junior’ Moody, RCAF
Pilot Officer R.P. ‘Reg’ Round, RNZAF
Flight Sergeant G.A. ‘Hogy’ Hogarth, RCAF
Sergeant H.G. ‘Red’ Brydon, RCAF
Sergeant V.H. ‘Georgia’ Wynn, RCAF (USA)
Sergeant D.F. Ritchie, RCAF Sergeant M. Irving Gass
Meanwhile, Sergeant W.S. ‘Stan’ or ‘Scarlet’ Shewell, RCAF, was posted across to No. 249 Squadron from No. 126 Squadron.
Those pilots posted to other Squadrons included:
Flight Lieutenant L.W. Watts (flight leader)
No. 603 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant J.F. Lambert (flight leader)
No. 185 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant W.J. Johnson (flight leader)
No. 126 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant P.W. Lovell (flight leader)
No. 603 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant A.H.B. Friendship, DFM
No. 126 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant G.W. Swannick
No. 229 Squadron
Pilot Officer J.W. Guthrie
No. 185 Squadron
Pilot Officer R.I.A. Smith, RCAF
No. 126 Squadron
Flight Sergeant H.G. Reynolds, RCAF
No. 229 Squadron
Flight Sergeant I.R. MacLennan, RCAF
No. 1435 Squadron
Sergeant J.L. Sidey
No. 229 Squadron
Sergeant T.J. Gunstone
No. 185 Squadron
Sergeant D.F. Ritchie, RCAF
No. 126 Squadron
Sergeant J.G. Livingstone, RCAF
No. 185 Squadron
Sergeant C. Weaver, RCAF
No. 185 Squadron
Sergeant D.J. Hartney, RCAF (USA)
No. 185 Squadron
Sergeant J.E. Otis, RCAF (USA)
No. 126 Squadron
Sergeant H. Roberts, RNZAF
No. 126 Squadron
Sergeant J.H. Tanner, RNZAF
No. 126 Squadron
Sergeant N.M. Park, RNZAF
No. 126 Squadron
Sergeant C.L. Kelly, RNZAF
No. 1435 Squadron
Sergeant G. Philip, RNZAF
No. 1435 Squadron
Sergeant M.L. McLeod, RNZAF
No. 185 Squadron
Sergeant N.L. Pashen, RAAF
No. 603 Squadron
At about 1510 hours, sixteen Spitfires drawn equally from Nos. 249 Spitfires and No. 603 Squadrons were scrambled on an interception. A fighter sweep of twenty Bf 109s, Re 2001s and Mc 202s was plotted approaching the island. Malta’s fighters damaged one Bf 109, the remaining combats proving inconclusive. Beurling (flying EN976 T-C) missed the action due to his radio malfunctioning. Unable to communicate with the rest of his Squadron, he returned to base after only ten minutes.
Meanwhile, at around 0600 hours, HMS Welshman had entered Grand Harbour, bringing essential supplies. No. 249 Squadron was stood down for forty-eight hours, while No. 603 Squadron made four uneventful scrambles during the day, the enemy missing out on the opportunity to damage HMS Welshman as she unloaded her precious cargo. That evening the enemy returned as usual; both Luqa and Takali were bombed.
During the day the Malta Spitfires accounted for a single enemy aircraft, when No. 126 Squadron’s Sergeant A. Richardson destroyed a Bf 109.
Beurling (flying EN973 T-T) made a ten-minute cannon test at 1910 hours. It might have seemed an inauspicious day for the fighter ace, but it was not yet over.
During the evening Wing Commander E.J. Gracie visited Sergeant Beurling in the sergeant’s mess where he was enjoying a non-alcoholic drink. It was unusual for Gracie to venture into the mess; but it was good news. Wing Commander Gracie delivered a brief monologue, the upshot of which was that Beurling’s gallantry and his successes in the air had been recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. The recommendation for the award had been made by Lucas following Beurling’s exploits on 6 July.
Later, when asked about his awards, Beurling confessed that the DFM was the one that mattered to him the most: ‘That is the one gong that means something. I figure I won that one the hard way. The others came along in due course.’
Beurling would later be asked to give his fellow pilots a lecture on his theories on deflection firing, following an hour-long interview on the subject with Grant, who was then Wing Commander (Flying) Takali. As Douglas-Hamilton put it, Beurling’s combat record: ‘clearly demonstrating that he had much more than any of the rest of us.’
At 1420 hours on 17 July, No. 603 Squadron scrambled eight Spitfires, intercepting a formation of four Ju 88s with their escort of twenty fighters targeting Luqa and Safi. The Spitfires were unable to get to the bombers, but No. 603 Squadron’s Pilot Officer H.W. ‘Wally’ McLeod, RCAF, destroyed one Bf 109, whose pilot, Feldwebel Heinz Sauer, parachuted to safety. He was picked up by High Speed Launch 128, suffering from a cannon-shell wound to the chest. In a selfless act, McLeod had dropped his own dinghy for the enemy pilot, but to no avail, as Sauer died shortly after being rescued. Meanwhile, following combat, during which he claimed a Bf 109, Flight Sergeant C.H. Parkinson crash-landed, unhurt.
Four of No. 185 Squadron’s Spitfires engaged the enemy off Gozo, with Flight Lieutenant J.R.S. Halford (flying BR321 GL-J) destroying a Bf 109:
‘I was leading Blue Section and was going north over St Paul’s Bay when I saw six – eight 109s in front, 2,000ft below going across. Our height was 26,000ft and the rest of the Section seemed to have seen them too. I picked out a couple of stragglers, which broke away to the west of Gozo, diving. The others (109s) continued south over the island, and I followed the straggling 109 down and out off Gozo
to 10,000ft, firing two bursts of three seconds each, closing from 400 to 250 yards. I noticed an explosion in the fuselage and a lump fell off.
‘When last seen the 109 was going out north-west in a turn to the right about ten miles out with black and white smoke coming from the tail.
(signed) R.J.S. Halford F/Lt.’
Other Spitfire Squadrons were also engaged with Flight Sergeants D.G. Reid, RCAF (flying BR380), and C. Weaver, RCAF (flying BR292), each claiming a Bf 109, with an unknown pilot destroying a third, with three more damaged. The Ju 88s had damaged two Beauforts on the ground.
No. 126 Squadron’s Spitfires were also engaged, with Flight Sergeant K.W.S. Evans and Sergeant A. Richardson each claiming a Bf 109 damaged.
At 2200 hours, three Ju 88s which had approached the island were turned back before they made landfall. One enemy bomber was destroyed by Malta’s fighters.
Although news of further awards had already reached the Squadron a few days earlier, the following were announced in that day’s London Gazette:
‘A Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
‘Flying Officer Ronald WEST, DFC (89405), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 249 Squadron.
‘In April, 1942, this officer displayed great courage and determination as leader of a section which intercepted eight Junkers 88s escorted by fighters. In the ensuing engagement, Flying Officer West destroyed one and probably destroyed another of the enemy’s bombers. When returning to base he sighted a Junkers 88 and, although he had expended his ammunition, he attacked this aircraft head-on and forced it to jettison its bombs. In June, 1942, Flying Officer West shot down a Junkers 88; he was immediately attacked by a fighter but, skilfully evading it, he flew to the assistance of one of his fellow pilots who was being attacked by another fighter. Flying Officer West destroyed this attacker. Whilst returning to base, he observed one of our pilots afloat in his dinghy whereupon he passed information as to the position. Flying Officer West then flew on and made a safe landing at base. This officer has destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft.’
‘The Distinguished Flying Cross.
‘Acting Squadron Leader Percy Belgrave, LUCAS (100626), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 249 Squadron.
‘In July 1942, Squadron Leader Lucas19 displayed great courage in an engagement against three bombers escorted by fourteen fighters. He unhesitatingly led his Squadron through the enemy’s fighter escort and, diving down, they destroyed all three bombers, two of them falling in flames. Squadron Leader Lucas has destroyed three hostile aircraft and damaged seven others.’
No. 249 Squadron flew two uneventful patrols during the morning of 18 July.
At 1405 hours, the Squadron scrambled eight Spitfires, followed by eight more of No. 126 Squadron, fifteen minutes later. Once airborne Beurling (flying EP135 T-Z) and the other pilots were vectored onto an enemy formation, which they briefly pursued, before being forced to turn back. The pilots later located a low-flying Ju 88 which was on a reconnaissance mission, and which was escorted by fifteen Bf 109s.
Flying with No. 126 Squadron, Pilot Officers J.A. Smith, (flying BR176) and R.I.A. Smith (flying BP952), who were brothers, shared in the probable destruction of a Ju 88, which they left, ‘with an engine pouring white smoke, going very slowly, with tail down at sea level.’ Meanwhile, Flight Lieutenant W.J. Johnson (flying BR311) probably destroyed a Bf 109. Pilot Officer Charles B. ‘Chuck’ MacLean (flying BR323 T-S) was bounced by one of the Bf 109s and shot up. His Spitfire caught on fire and it took MacLean nearly a minute to extricate himself, during which he sustained severe burns. MacLean’s parachute was damaged and he had a heavy landing 4 miles off Gozo, but was too weak to inflate his dinghy. Sergeant Brydon circled MacLean for fifteen minutes until High Speed Launch 107 arrived on the scene and picked him up. Two of No. 603 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled to take over and escort the rescue launch back to the shore. Pilot Officer MacLean was admitted to No. 90 General Hospital where he was placed on the ‘seriously ill’ list.
Another casualty of the combat was Pilot Officer C.H. Lattimer (flying BR170 T-B), who was wounded when his Spitfire was shot up. He crash-landed at Takali without further injury.
Luftwaffe pilots from II./JG 53 and I./JG 77 claimed three victories. One Spitfire was claimed north of Valetta by Leutnant Heinz-Edgar Berres of I./JG 77, while Leutnant Franz Schiess of Stab/JG 53 shot down another. During the combat, Oberleutnant Freytag, a Staffelkaptain, claimed his 60th kill.
Beurling (flying EP135 T-Z) took off on a Squadron scramble at 1830 hours, but the raid turned back.
Meanwhile, there were major changes for the Squadron; with No. 603 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant R.A. Mitchell being posted across as acting Squadron Leader on the departure of Squadron Leader Lucas. Mitchell had already been credited with four ‘kills’, two shared and eight damaged since arriving on Malta. He had also been shot down once, bailing out into the sea. No. 603 Squadron’s CO, Squadron Leader Lord D. Douglas-Hamilton, on promotion to acting Wing Commander, was made assistant station commander at Takali, while Flight Lieutenant W.A. Douglas20 took over command of his former Squadron.
Also completing their tours on Malta were Flight Lieutenants W.R. Daddo-Langlois and H.W Lee, who were replaced by Pilot Officers E.L. Hetherington and L.W. Watts, both of whom were made up to acting flight lieutenant.
Beurling later recalled:
‘Hetherington was a Yorkshireman, good-looking as stink, with dark, curly hair and a Ronald Colman moustache. What’s more, he was the salt of the bloody earth, a guy who would give you his shirt.’
Beurling often flew as Hetherington’s wingman, who he went on to described as:
‘A swell pilot who flew alongside you as if he were part of yourself. Before we had been side-kicking a week, Hether and I could go upstairs together and hit the ceiling way ahead of any other twosome in Malta.’
Beurling (flying BP955 GL-S) made a section scramble at 0740 hours on 19 July. Three Bf 109s had been reported and, although the enemy fighters were sighted, they could not be engaged. There was relatively little air activity for the remainder of the day, while three Ju 88s crossed the coast at around 2200 hours, when they were intercepted by two Beaufighters, one Ju 88 being shot down. During the day No. 126 Squadron lost Flight Sergeant Otis, RCAF21 (flying BP861), who had fallen victim to III./JG 77’s Leutnant Hans-Joachim Glass.
At 0810 hours on 20 July, eight of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled but were unable to make an interception.
Meanwhile, eight of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled at 1315 hours to reinforce No. 185 Squadron, who had come up against a raid comprising of three Ju 88s, with an escort of a dozen Bf 109s. No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires experienced difficulty in gaining sufficient speed and altitude to catch the bombers, and approached them just as they were lining up to release their bombs over Luqa.
Sergeant V.H. ‘Georgia’ Wynn was shot up by the Bf 109s of I./JG 77 and was slightly wounded in the leg. No claims could be made against the bombers or their escort.
No. 185 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant G.K. ‘Ginger’ Parker (flying BR387 GL-W) destroyed a Bf 109, with Pilot Officer F.J. Sherlock claiming a Ju 88 damaged, which was later seen to plunge into the sea. The Squadron lost Pilot Officer Hugh Robert Russel, RCAF (flying BR117). Another pilot, Flight Lieutenant J.F. Lambert (flying BR460) was also shot down. Lambert was later pulled out of the Mediterranean, still unconscious. He had been thrown from his Spitfire by the blast, which ripped open his parachute pack, the chute catching the air as he plummeted at 120mph and deploying itself; the ripcord was found to be still intact and had not been pulled.
During the late afternoon the Squadron made two scrambles, Beurling (flying 950 T-R) taking part in the second of these. No. 249 Squadron engaged the bombers and their escort, but without getting a clear shot. No 603 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant W.R. Irwin, RAAF, claimed a Bf 109 probably destroyed, damaging a second.
Beurling (flying BR246 T-J) flew o
n an uneventful patrol between 1005 and 1130 hours on 21 July. At 1110 hours, four of the Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled but were bounced by Mc 202s. The Squadron’s ORB notes that Sergeant C.E. Mutch was admitted to 90 General Hospital, possibly wounded in combat or in an air accident.
Meanwhile, HMS Eagle had made the dangerous journey from Gibraltar to within range of Malta where twenty-eight Spitfires were flown off her deck in Operation Insect. One flight was led by No. 249 Squadron’s Pilot Officer Frank Jones. One pilot, Sergeant L. Evans22 (flying EP703) was lost.
The new batch of reinforcements was used to help reform No. 1435 Flight/Squadron, acting as a day fighter Squadron, operating out of Luqa. Its pilots included Sergeant C.J. Baxter who was transferred from No. 249 Squadron. Among the pilots to join No. 249 Squadron were Flying Officer D.G. Newman (who transferred from No. 603 Squadron) and Sergeant R.W. Lamont.
The only combat victory for the Malta Spitfires came during the interception of eight Bf 109s by No. 126 Squadron. Flight Sergeant A.W. Varey was awarded a Bf 109 as probably destroyed, but had to glide back to base with his Merlin engine silenced by cannon shells. Varey later explained that two further shells were pulled out of the seat armour directly behind his head.
Following an early morning shipping patrol on 22 July, No. 249 Squadron made a search for missing pilots a little before noon. Three oil patches were located but there was no sign of life. Pilot Officer Jean R.H. Paradis (flying BR128 3-W) was coming in to land, when the Controller ordered him to stand off until a threatened raid on Takali had passed. Pilot Officer Paradis attempted to attack three Ju 88s, but came up against their Bf 109 escort.
