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

by Nick Thomas

  (signed) W.J. Johnson F/Lt.’

  Meanwhile, Pilot Officer W.L. Thompson destroyed an Mc 202.

  1. Pilot Officer (121463) John Hurst, DFC, RAFVR, was the son of James and Annie Hurst; husband of Winifred Maud Hurst, of Stroud, Kent. Hurst was 24-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1.

  Hurst’s commission appeared in the London Gazette, 2 July 1942. Five days later, on the 7th, the pages of the London Gazette announced his award of the DFC, the first to his Squadron for the Malta campaign; there was no citation, although research reveals that he destroyed four enemy aircraft, with one shared, seven probably destroyed, four damaged, and one shared damaged.

  2. Flying Officer (108639) Harry Kelly, RAFVR, is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1. He was probably shot down by Oberleutnant Gerhard Michalski.

  3. Flight Sergeant (R/67913) Edwin Moye De Witt, RCAF (flying BP979). Moye was the son of Marvin E. and Juanita E. Moye, of Mobile, Alabama, USA. He was 25-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.

  4. Flight Sergeant (1282139) Haydn Haggas, RAFVR, was the son of Harold and Ivy Haggas, of Holloway, London. Haggas was 21-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1.

  5. Flight Sergeant (1257673) Peter Clifford Terry, RAF (flying BR317). He was the son of George and Lillian Maud Louise Terry, of Brighton, Sussex. He was 20-years-old and was buried in Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Protestant Section (Men’s), Plot F, Collective Grave 7.

  6. Warrant Officer R.G. Middlemiss was discharged and posted to the UK on 31 July, while Pilot Officer C.S.G De Nancrede’s wounds were more severe and he remained in hospital until 11 August, being posted back to the UK on 20 September.

  7. Flight Lieutenant L.V. Sanders was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 1 December 1942:

  ‘Distinguished Flying Cross

  ‘Acting Flight Lieutenant Lester Vincent SANDERS (61226), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 603 Squadron (since deceased).’

  8. Flying Officer (112178) Neville Stuart King, RAFVR, was the son of Joseph Lowry King and Charlotte Mary King, husband of Brenda King, of Leeds, Yorkshire. King was 29-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1.

  9. Flying Officer (60108) John Smith, RAFVR, was the son of Sidney and Helena Maud Smith, of Torquay, Devon. Smith was 26-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1.

  10. Pilot Officer (127785) John Carlton Gilbert, RAFVR, son of Dorine Marie Gilbert, of West Kensington, London. Gilbert was 20-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1. Gilbert’s promotion had not reached Malta at the time of his death and the ORB still referred to him by his non commission rank.

  11. Flying Officer Carlett’s real name was Guy Andre Levy-Despas. He was the son of Andre and Jaqueline Levy-Despas and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 4, Column 4. He was 20-years-old. Like many European airmen, Levy-Despas had adopted an assumed named to prevent reprisals against his family in enemy-occupied Europe.

  12. Pilot Officer (119185) John Longton Hicks, RAFVR, was the son of John Longton Hicks and Anne Hicks, of Wavertree, Liverpool. Hicks, who was 27-years-old, is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1.

  13. Pilot Officer Michael Adrian Graves was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 3 July 1942:

  ‘Pilot Officer Michael Adrian GRAVES (69475), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 126 Squadron.

  ‘Pilot Officer Graves is a skilful pilot and a fine leader. In May, 1942, he led the Squadron in an attack on an enemy bombing force. Although the bombers were heavily escorted by fighters, Pilot Officer Graves’ Squadron destroyed five Italian bombers. This officer has personally destroyed at least three hostile aircraft.’

  14. Flight Sergeant (R/85596) Bernard Walter Reynolds, RCAF, was the son of Martin and Catherine Reynolds, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Reynolds was 23-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.

  15. Sergeant (1365571) William John Aitken, RAFVR, is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 2.

  Sergeant (1182663) John Harvey, RAFVR, is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 4, Column 1.

  16. Warrant Officer (J/15606) Charles Benn Ramsey, RCAF, is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 4, Column 2. Ramsey was commissioned with effect from 22 June, but still held his previous rank on the island at the time of his death.

  17. Pilot Officer (66583) Owen William Hugh Berkeley-Hill, RAFVR, was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel O.A.R. Berkeley-Hill (formerly of the Indian Medical Service) and Kay Berkeley-Hill. He was 22-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 2, Column 2.

  18. This graphic account was totally out of character with the young George Beurling who had left Canada two years earlier. It was, perhaps, an indication of the on set of what today would be recognised as post traumatic stress disorder.

  19. Wing Commander Lucas was awarded the DSO, London Gazette, 11 January, 1944:

  ‘Distinguished Service Order.

  ‘Acting Wing Commander Percy Belgrave LUCAS, DFC (100626), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. ‘Within the past few months this officer has led his fighter Squadron on a large number of varied sorties including escorts to bomber formations which have attacked enemy shipping with much success. In all these operations, 13 enemy air-craft [sic] have been destroyed and several others damaged. Much of the success can be attributed to this officer’s great skill and gallant leadership. He has rendered most valuable service.’

  He was awarded a bar to his DSO, London Gazette, 28 September 1945, for making numerous attacks on enemy communications, often in appalling weather conditions.

  20. Flight Lieutenant W.A. Douglas was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 4 December 1942:

  ‘Distinguished Flying Cross

  ‘Acting Squadron Leader William Anderson DOUGLAS (90896), Auxiliary Air Force, No. 229 Squadron.’

  21. Flight Sergeant (R/82872) Joseph Edward Otis, RCAF, was buried in Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Protestant Section (Men’s), Plot F, Collective Grave 7.

  22. Sergeant (1212800) Lewis Evans, RAFVR, was the son of Rowland and Magdalen Evans, of Brithdir, Merionethshire. Evans was 23-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.

  23. Pilot Officer (J/15262) Joseph Hubert Roger Paradis, RCAF, was the son of Joseph and Denise Lambert Paradis, of Shawinigan Falls, Province of Quebec, Canada. Paradis was 25-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 4, Column 2.

  24. Pilot Officer (J/15968) Donald George Reid, DFM, RCAF, was the son of William Morris Reid and Maude Geraldine Reid. He was 20-years-old and is remembered on the Alamein Memorial, Column 263.

  25. Sergeant Virgil Paul Brennan was awarded the DFM, London Gazette, 19 May 1942:

  ‘Distinguished Flying Medal.

  ‘Aus. 404692 Sergeant Virgil Paul BRENNAN, Royal Australian Air Force, No. 249 Squadron.

  ‘This airman is a most determined and courageous pilot. An exceptional shot, he always presses home his attacks with vigour.

  In two combats, he has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft and damaged others.’

  Pilot Officer V.P. Brennan, DFM, was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 2 October 1942.

  ‘Distinguished Flying Cross.

  ‘Pilot Officer Virgil Paul BRENNAN, DFM (Aus.404692), Royal Australian Air Force, No. 249 Squadron.’

  Sergeant Raymond Brown Hesselyn was awarded the DFM, London Gazette, 19 May 1942:

  ‘Distinguished Flying Medal.

  ‘N.Z. 404362 Sergeant Raymond Brown HESSELYN, Royal New Zealand Air Force, No. 249 Squadron.

  ‘Sergeant Hesselyn is a skilful and gallant pilot. Undeterred by odds, he presses home his attacks with outstanding determination.

  ‘He has destroyed five enemy aircraft, two of which he shot down in one engagement.’

  26. Flying Officer (101026) David William Kent, RAFVR, was the son of Ernest William and Gl
adys Kent, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Kent was 20-years-old and was buried in Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Protestant Section (Men’s) Plot E., Collective Grave 2. Kent died while on a test-flight, the Squadron ORB revealing that the Hurricane’s engine stalled on take-off.

  27. Sergeant (1197623) Donald Frank Hubbard, RAFVR, was the son of Frank and Lilian E. Hubbard, of Loughborough, Leicestershire. Hubbard, who was 20-years-old, was buried in Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Protestant Section (Men’s), Plot F, Collective Grave 8.

  28. ‘785018 Flight Sergeant Patrick Alfred SCHADE, No. 126 Squadron.

  ‘This airman has always shown the greatest keenness to engage the enemy. He has destroyed at least eleven hostile aircraft. On three occasions he destroyed two aircraft in one sortie. By his zeal and courage he has set a magnificent example to the Squadron.’

  29. Sergeant (412780) Colin Lethbridge Wood, RNZAF, was the son of Audley Cowper Wood and Dorothy May Wood, of Lottin Point, Auckland, New Zealand. Wood was 24-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.

  Chapter Seven

  More Scrambles

  Squadron scrambles were flown on 1 and 2 August 1942, on each occasion the Bf 109s were located but refused to engage. Meanwhile, Beurling made a fifteen minute air test (flying EN976 T-C) during the morning of 2 August, the day that saw the loss of two of No. 185 Squadron’s pilots, with Sergeant C. Weaver, RCAF (flying EP139), only able to claim a Bf 109 probably destroyed in reply1:

  ‘I was Green 2 patrolling at 27,000ft, when I noticed an Me 109 on the tail of Green 3. I gave the break and turned towards the enemy aircraft. Green 3 broke down and to the right. The enemy aircraft turned slightly my way and I got in a two-second burst from 200 yards, head-on. I noticed pieces flying off the starboard wing root and hits on the engine cowling, and about the cockpit.’

  Between 3 and 7 August, Beurling was struck down with a type of dysentery nick-named Malta Dog. The illness, which could come on suddenly, was very debilitating. Its exact cause wasn’t known, but it was probably brought on a by combination of poor diet (the pilots were eating corned beef canned in 1919), contaminated water, heat and humidity, combined with the unsanitary living conditions.

  During the period of Beurling’s incapacity, the Squadron flew a number of uneventful scrambles while, as he put it, ‘the ghost of George Beurling hung around the pilot’s quarters.’ The only event of real note occurred at about 1100 hours on 3 August, when Nos. 185, 229 and 1435 Squadrons intercepted a sweep made by twenty-seven Bf 109s. During the air battle, Sergeant W.B. Knox-Williams was shot down and was rescued by the crew of High Speed Launch 107. No. 229 Squadron’s 2nd Lieutenant C.J.O. Swales probably destroyed a Bf 109, while Sergeant A. Richardson was forced to take to his parachute, his Spitfire streaming glycol. During the following day (5th), No. 1435 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant J.A.H. Pinney destroyed a Bf 109, one of four engaged by his Squadron’s Blue Section. Later, at 1745 hours, No. 229 Squadron was scrambled to intercept a formation of Ju 88s, and their escort of Re 2001s and Bf 109s. Flight Sergeant W.R. Irwin mixed it up with three Bf 109s, one of which he left streaming glycol and black smoke. Irwin was forced to break off the attack when he was bounced by an Re 2001 and went into a spin, only able to pull out at sea-level.

  Meanwhile, No 249 Squadron’s Pilot Officer A.S. Yates was admitted to 90 General Hospital during the day (later discharged on 10 August along with Pilot Officer R.P. Round), with Flight Sergeant J.D. Rae admitted to 45 General Hospital on the following day.

  Beurling was back on operations by 8 August, when, at 0930 hours, No. 249 Squadron scrambled seven Spitfires with orders to intercept a formation of twenty Bf 109s of II./JG 53 and I. and II./JG 77. Blue Section’s Pilot Officer F.E. Jones (Blue 1), Sergeant Budd (Blue 2) and Pilot Officer Beurling (Blue 3) were spotted by a formation of six Bf 109s. The enemy fighters made a diving turn towards them. Meanwhile, two more Bf 109s, unseen by Blue Section, came in from astern, with a second formation of eight Bf 109s also diving to engage. Turning defence into attack, Blue Section spiralled down to 10,000ft.

  During the dogfight, Sergeant Budd (flying BR131 T-O) damaged a Bf 109, before being wounded in the shoulder. Budd broke in front of Pilot Officer Jones (flying BP973 T-T), followed by a Bf 109 which he latched on to and destroyed. Despite his wounds, Budd made it back to base and performed a perfect landing. Beurling (flying EN373 T-T) hit a Bf 109 which, along with Budd’s victim, was seen diving towards the sea, streaming glycol. Beurling later explained how he hit the Messerschmitt as it pulled up sharply in front of him. Damaged by Beurling’s rounds, but not fatally, it, ‘dived, and headed off towards Sicily.’ Suddenly, Beurling the hunter became the hunted, as three Bf 109s came down out of the sun: ‘I turned quickly to get under one of them and gave him a two-and-a-half second burst.’

  Pilot Officer F.E. Jones, Beurling’s section leader, acknowledged that Beurling’s extraordinary skill as a pilot, combined with a perfect shooting eye, were enough to leave anyone open-mouthed. He was able to confirm that the Bf 109 was hit in the glycol tank and engine with a full deflection shot. The enemy fighter plunged straight into the sea.

  Beurling adding that: ‘Almost the same instant Jonesy got a Jerry too, which I confirmed. Georgia shot another full of holes and scored a Damaged.’

  But Beurling’s Spitfire had sustained combat damage:

  ‘I got mine – a couple of bullets right in the engine. The throttle wouldn’t grab hold and after a minute or so, the engine decided it would like to call it a day and seized up.’

  A couple of Bf 109s had been flying above Beurling, but luckily didn’t see his plight: ‘I’d have been cold turkey.’

  With the rest of the Section busy fighting their own air battles, Beurling realised he was on his own; he would have to do his best to escape the dogfight and make landfall:

  ‘The old Merlin wouldn’t give me any more than 160mph and was heating up fast. By the time I reached the Maltese coast I was down to 2,000ft. I prepared to bail.’

  Beurling had undone his Sutton harness and was preparing to jump, when he realised that in his haste to scramble, he had picked up another pilot’s parachute and that his straps were loose. Concerned that if he jumped, he would be brought up with such a jolt that he might rupture himself, he elected to stay with his Spitfire and made a wheels-up landing in a stone-walled ploughed field near Tarxien. Beurling had the presence of mind to stick one wing down to absorb the impact; fortunately it didn’t cartwheel:

  ‘My plane was smashed, but all the damage I got was my arm ripped open and a few scratches.’

  Remarkably, Beurling caught a truck ride back to the airfield, had his arm sewed up, and, in half-an-hour was back in the thick of another raid. ‘We were short of pilots that day.’

  Beurling was shot down either by Oberleutnant Siegfried Freytag or Feldwebel Otto Pohl of II./JG 77, both of whom claimed a Spitfire shot down. Oberfeldwebel Herbert Rollwage’s (of II./JG 53) 30th victim was shot down two miles north of Valetta. Another pilot claiming a Spitfire destroyed was StFw Helmut Godert of I./JG 77, while No. 249 Squadron also lost Sergeant Budd who was shot down, escaping without injury.

  Pilot Officer Frank Jones, flying as Blue Leader, claimed a Bf 109 destroyed. His combat report read:

  ‘Six enemy aircraft passed overhead. We turned towards E/A and saw two more coming down on our tails. I told Blue Section to spiral down to draw E/A down. I saw E/A attacking Blue 2, Sgt Budd, and warned him. He broke in front of me followed by the E/A, which appeared in front of my nose at less than 17 yards, presenting his belly to me at point-blank range. I fired a burst of one second and then was forced to break as I was being fired at myself. E/A disappeared and was seen by my No. 3 [Beurling] to be going down smoking and in obvious distress. I fired a short burst at close range at another Me but saw no results.’

  Meanwhile, Nos. 126 and 1435 Squadrons were scrambled to give assistance. The latter lost Sergeant C.L. Kelly2 in combat (flyin
g EP336), as Flight Lieutenant McLeod recorded in his combat report:

  ‘Wavy Blue (myself) and Blue 2 (Sgt Kelly) observed three Me 109s pass below us at 10,000ft. We were at 15,000ft. We turned into the sun and attacked. I picked out the right hand one, who was flying wide. I closed to 250 yards firing a four-second burst from dead astern. Strikes were observed; continued climbing in a northerly direction after having passed through us. I then informed my No. 2 to come home as this was his first engagement. I looked down and saw a plane hit the water. There was no parachute. I gave a ‘Mayday’, thinking it might have been my No. 2.’

  Following on from an aborted scramble during the late morning of 9 August, No. 229 Squadron’s Pilot Officers E.S. Dick-Sherwood and H.G. Reynolds both damaged Bf 109s, while No. 126 Squadron’s Sergeant N.M. Park engaged a formation of four Bf 109s, shooting one down.

  No. 249 Squadron made a section strength patrol at 1425 hours, covering a minesweeper operating off Kalafrana. Meanwhile, another Section, including Beurling (flying PB867 T-E), flew on an uneventful scramble. Beurling’s Spitfire was damaged when one of the undercarriage legs collapsed on landing, but was quickly repaired. Sergeant D.F. Ritchie was shot down – the second time in less than a fortnight – and rescued by High Speed Launch 107.

  Hetherington and Beurling (flying PB867 T-E) patrolled during the early evening in search of a reported enemy Motor Torpedo Boat flotilla, but could find no trace of the enemy.

  During the night of the 9/10, Operation Pedestal, a convoy composed of thirteen freighters and the oil tanker Ohio, plus their escort, entered the Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibraltar. Laying in wait for the merchant vessels and their escort was a combined force of a dozen enemy cruisers, fifteen destroyers, nineteen German E-boats and sixteen submarines. Meanwhile, 650 enemy aircraft were stationed along the route which the convoy and its precious cargo would sail. The events of the next few days could make or break the Malta Garrison.