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

by Nick Thomas

‘I saw 229 Squadron taking off in a hurry. I joined in. We sighted three Ju 88s escorted by twenty to thirty fighters. We attacked head-on and I was lucky enough to destroy one bomber.’

  This was a prelude to the Luftwaffe’s stepping-up of its air campaign against Malta between 11th and 19th October. As Wing Commander A.H. Donaldson said: ‘It was the beginning of the last big blitz on the island, though we were not to know it at the time.’ The new phase would allow Beurling to add more enemy aircraft to his score, but also saw his last sortie over the island.

  Earlier, at 0715 hours (11 October), fifteen of No. 126 and 1435 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled from Luqa and vectored onto nine Ju 88s of I./KG 54 with a large fighter escort of Mc 202s and Bf 109s approaching Malta from the north. A general dogfight ensued, with a number of pilots making claims. No. 126 Squadron’s Pilot Officer J.D. Stevenson (flying EP209) destroyed an Mc 202 of 151a Squadriglia, while Flying Officer R.I.A. Smith (flying EP330) destroyed the Ju 88 flown by Unteroffizier Hermann Müller. Flight Sergeant A.W. Varey probably destroyed one Bf 109 and damaged another. Meanwhile, Sergeant J.F. Yeatman damaged a Bf 109, Sergeant N. Marshall a Ju 88 and Sergeant A.J. Tiddy an Mc 202. During the same combat, No.1435 Squadron’s Pilot Officer W.C. Walton (flying 714 V-T) damaged a Ju 88 and Sergeant D. Hamilton (flying EP259 V-L) a Bf 109, in return for one of their Spitfires being damaged. Four Spitfires from Takali’s No. 229 Squadron were also scrambled, but were jumped by the Ju 88’s escort.

  Between them, the engaged Squadrons claimed seven Ju 88s, five Bf 109s, three Mc 202s and two Re 2001s, for the loss of one Spitfire destroyed and its pilot killed. A further seven Spitfires were damaged, while three crash-landed.

  Meanwhile, a second raid comprising of six Ju 88s and their escort of thirty fighters approached from the south east of Malta, dropping their bombs on Benghaisa Point and Hal Far. No. 249 Squadron continued to be held in reserve, missing two further raids during the afternoon.

  No. 1435 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant I.R. MacLennan reflected on the pilot’s frustration while waiting at Immediate Readiness during such raids:

  ‘Sometimes you’re sitting there waiting to take off in your aircraft. They’re coming over but they’re still not letting you off. You think you’re going to get hit by bombs or strafed by 109s.’

  The next raid came in at around 0945 hours, when six Ju 88s escorted by sixty-five fighters were reported approaching the island. No. 229 Squadron made a flight strength scramble with instructions to attack the top cover from up sun (i.e. with the sun behind them). Flight Lieutenant A.F. Roscoe destroyed a Bf 109, while Sergeant R. Miller damaged another.

  Further Spitfires were scrambled from Hal Far, with four Spitfires from No. 1435 Squadron and two from No. 126 Squadron making an interception. The former’s CO, Squadron Leader A.D.J. Lovell, and Pilot Officer W.C. Walton (flying EP717 V-D) each damaged a Bf 109. The six Ju 88s with their fighter escort continued on their path, although the close attention of the Spitfires put them off their aim and the Ju 88’s bombs missed the airfield.

  A further raid, composed of eight Ju 88s, escorted by twenty-five fighters, approached Malta at 1230 hours. Eight of No. 229 Squadron’s Spitfires took off, breaking through the fighter cover to make a head-on attack against the Ju 88s. Wing Commander A.H. Donaldson (flying BR254) destroyed one Ju 88 and damaged a Bf 109, while Flight Sergeant J.H. Ballantyne destroyed a Bf 109, Pilot Officer P.A. Nash damaging an Mc 202.

  Eight of No. 185 Squadron’s Spitfires had been scrambled, locating one Ju 88 along with its fighter escort, which they engaged; Pilot Officer R.B. Park damaged an Re 2001.

  At about 1330 hours, another alert came through. Nos. 1435 and 126 Squadrons each scrambled four Spitfires. One of No. 126 Squadron’s Spitfires was damaged as a result of combat and made a crash-landing, although the pilot was unhurt. No. 1435 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant H.W. McLeod (flying BR236 V-E) and Flight Sergeant I.R. MacLennan (flying EP203 V-G) each damaged two Bf 109s, while Sergeants W.B. Knox-Williams (flying EN978 V-O) and J.S. Jarrett (flying EP727 V-N) both damaged another. Sergeant Jarrett was slightly injured in combat, while Sergeant T.R.D Kebbell (flying EP138 V-K) was hit by return fire:

  ‘six Ju 88s and numerous fighters were seen below us going south. I led my section into attack, going after the fighters and leaving the bombers open for Blue Section, who came down after me. I jumped four to six 109s and fired at one from point-blank range, firing a two to three-second burst. strikes were observed.’

  Forced to break off due to passing attacks by pairs of Bf 109s, he positioned himself on the tail of a Messerschmitt:

  ‘I closed to 300 yards on one from astern and fired a short burst. Glycol was observed coming from the 109 which dived down. I claim two 109s damaged pending further evidence.’

  Half-an-hour later, eight Ju 88s which had penetrated the Spitfire cover dropped their bombs on Takali airfield, hitting the dispersal areas, and on neighbouring Rabat. One Spitfire was destroyed on the ground, with three more slightly damaged.

  Forty German and Italian fighters approached the island at about 1630 hours, in response to which the Controller scrambled No. 126 Squadron. Wing Commander P.P. Hanks (flying BR498), who was leading, damaged a Bf 109, with Squadron Leader B.J. Wicks getting an Mc 202. Meanwhile, Flying Officer E.W. Wallace hit an Mc 202, which he claimed as damaged. Flight Lieutenant W.T.E. Rolls (flying MK-O) probably destroyed one Re 2001 and damaged another:

  ‘I came up under one fighter and delivered one two-second burst, observing pieces fall away from the enemy aircraft. The Reggiane then went over on its back and went down. After being in a dogfight with several aircraft, I picked out one for attack and dived from 24,000ft to 4,000ft. I gave it a burst of two seconds and saw glycol stream from it.’

  Attacked by two Bf 109s, Rolls’ Spitfire suffered engine damage and had to be nursed back to Malta. Meanwhile, Sergeant N.M. Park (flying MK-M) was hit by a number of Bf 109s, but managed to avoid further damage and landed at Takali.

  The Squadron lost Flight Sergeant MacLean5, who was reported missing (flying BR183), while one other Spitfire was damaged.

  Next, the Controller scrambled eight of No. 229 Squadron’s Spitfires. An interception was made north of St Paul’s Bay, with Flight Lieutenant E.H. Glazebrook and Flight Sergeant J.H. Ballantyne each destroying an Mc 202. Meanwhile, Spitfires were scrambled from Hal Far and Sergeant L.R. Gore (flying BR375) and Pilot Officer L.S. Reid (flying EP186) each destroyed a Bf 109. Seeing further assistance was needed, No. 185 Squadron was scrambled, with Wing Commander J.M. Thompson (flying EP122 JM-T) leading. Thompson destroyed a Bf 109, as did Pilot Officer Reid; another fell to Sergeant L.R. Gore (flying BR375 GL-A).

  At 1735 hours, a raid of thirty unescorted Ju 88s was reported approaching the island. Five of No. 229 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled, along with four Spitfires from Luqa’s No. 1435 Squadron, with Flight Lieutenant H.W. McLeod (flying BS161) and Flight Sergeant I.R. MacLennan (flying EP717 V-D) each destroying two Ju 88s, and Sergeant T.R.D Kebble (flying AB264) another, while Sergeant J.D. Rae damaged two Ju 88s:

  ‘I climbed and delivered a stern attack, diving down and opening fire from about 100 yards. Return crossfire was inaccurate. Strikes were observed on the fuselage, also white sheets of flame and pieces flew off, [it] then caught fire. As I broke off, I observed three parachutes come out. I then attacked another Ju 88 over the island from very close range and saw strikes, on wing, also on fuselage. I broke upwards and lost him.’

  Rae attacked another Ju 88, this time approaching from above and astern, but was hit by return fire and by flak:

  ‘I got strikes all over the fuselage and [the] port engine cowling flew off. I broke away, attacked again but was out of ammunition. The Ju 88’s port engine caught fire and it spread rapidly, and the Ju 88 went down into the sea, flaming.’

  As the raid progressed, at about 1815 hours, No. 229 Squadron’s Spitfires engaged fifteen Ju 88s. Pilot Officer H.T. Nash and Flight Sergeant J.H. Bal
lantyne each destroyed a Ju 88, with Wing Commander A.H. Donaldson and Pilot Officer C.H. Parkinson (flying EP691 X-A) each probably destroying one.

  Flight Lieutenant Parkinson’s combat report read:

  ‘Dived in to attack; was fired at by rear gunner who I put out of action with my first burst. Made about two more attacks and finally the Ju 88 caught fire. [I] followed it down to about 1,000ft. It probably dived into the sea.’

  Meanwhile, two of No. 1435 Squadron’s Spitfires were damaged, the pilots unhurt.

  A small number of Ju 88s did get through and bombed Hal Far, Luqa, Tarxien and Qormi. One Beaufighter was hit and burned out on Luqa aerodrome. Takali had also been hit and the returning pilots experienced great difficulty due to a cratered runway.

  It was later reported that the enemy sent fifty-eight bombers with massed fighter escorts over the island. Malta’s Spitfires had a field-day and destroyed eight of the enemy bombers and seven of their fighters, with a further three Mc 202s claimed as probably destroyed; a number of enemy aircraft were also damaged.

  A communiqué from Allied HQ Cairo stated:

  ‘There was an increase in air activity over Malta yesterday; heavily-escorted bombers carried out five attacks during the day. Our fighters engaged them on every occasion. They destroyed at least fifteen enemy aircraft, and a great many more were damaged. We lost one fighter.’

  That night nine He 111s were reported over Malta, dropping flares and delayed action bombs on Luqa runway at about 0045 hours. A Beaufighter of No. 89 Squadron, flown by Flying Officer Shipard and Flight Sergeant Oxley, fired bursts of cannon and machine gun fire, destroying the enemy aircraft.

  At 0540 hours on 12 October, eight of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires were joined on an interception made by the same number drawn from No. 185 Squadron, along with four from No. 229 Squadron. The fighters were vectored onto fifteen Ju 88s approaching the island in two waves, each with an escort of twenty-five fighters.

  The Spitfires of No. 229 Squadron attacked the first wave of seven Ju 88s, forcing one to jettison its bombs in the sea. Flight Lieutenant E.H. Glazebrook probably destroyed a Ju 88 and Flight Sergeant J.H. Ballantyne damaged another. Meanwhile, No. 185 Squadron intercepted five Ju 88s and their escort with Captain K.C. Kuhlmann, SAAF (flying EP187), probably destroying a Bf 109, Sergeant J.D. Vinall damaging a Ju 88.

  No. 249 Squadron sighted seven Ju 88s and their fighter escort. The first wave bombed Takali and Luqa, No. 249 engaging the enemy only as the bombers retired.

  Squadron Leader E.N. Woods (flying AR466 T-R) claimed a Ju 88 probably destroyed over the Sicilian coast, before engaging a Bf 109 which he damaged. Meanwhile, Squadron Leader M.M. Stephens (flying AB377 T-E) and Sergeant A.B. Stead (flying EP199 T-K) shared in the destruction of a Bf 109. Squadron Leader Stephens then destroyed a second Bf 109. Now alone, he saw a Spitfire in the distance and was about to form-up when he was bounced by a Bf 109. With his engine seized, Stephens was forced to bail out over the sea. He recalled:

  ‘After my engine cut out, I had plenty of time to transmit for a fix before bailing out.’

  Like so many other pilots who ditched, Stephens struggled to inflate his dinghy because the CO2 gas bottle was empty. He eventually inflated it by hand, using the emergency bellows, before scrambling onboard. He was now only a spectator as in the sky above him, the air battle raged on:

  ‘I had a grandstand view of quite a number of combats during which I saw four aircraft shot down. I was quite confident throughout that I should be picked up by our Air-Sea Rescue service.’

  However, the Air-Sea Rescue launches were already out on searches and Stephens was eventually picked up by the seaplane tender ST 280:

  ‘There was quite a swell and I was as sick as a dog after I had been picked up.’

  Four Spitfires of No. 1435 Squadron and six from No.126 Squadron were scrambled from Luqa to join the attack as the bombers drew closer. No. 126 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant W.T.E. Rolls claiming a Ju 88, his combat report revealing there was no doubt of its destruction:

  ‘I saw one of the Ju 88s I had fired at diving down and put a final burst in, and it almost fell to pieces.’

  Two of the crew bailed out before the stricken bomber finally disappeared from view. Meanwhile, Rolls’ attention was drawn by a Spitfire which was in trouble. It was his CO’s:

  ‘he was injured by the looks of it. I watched him bail out and saw his chute open. After what seemed ages he hit the water and his Mae West was supporting him, but there was no sign of life.’

  Rolls circled the apparently lifeless figure, repeating a Mayday message giving his location for the High Speed Launch, until he was bounced by Re 1002s.

  During the same combat, both Flight Sergeant C.A. Long and Sergeant N.M. Park (flying BR311 MK-L) claimed two Ju 88s. As reported by Flight Lieutenant Rolls, his Squadron lost their CO, Squadron Leader B.J. Wicks6, DFC. A search was made but without finding a trace of either Wicks or his Spitfire (BR377), despite Rolls’ best efforts.

  Meanwhile, No. 1435 Squadron’s Sergeant W.B. Knox-Williams (flying EN978 V-O), Pilot Officers A.R. Stewart and C.H. Lattimer each damaged a Ju 88, while Pilot Officer A.D. Owen (flying BP873 V-TY) damaged a Bf 109. During the melee, two of No. 1435 Squadron’s Spitfires were damaged but the pilots, including Knox-Williams, were unhurt.

  At about 0630 hours, the second wave bombed Hal Far, destroying one Spitfire in its pen and damaging another.

  It was reported that between 0705 and 0810 hours, two of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires circled over a downed pilot until he was picked up by a seaplane tender. This was most likely Squadron Leader Stephens, the Squadron’s ORB simply noting: ‘Bf 109 damaged Squadron Leader Stephens (EP706 T-L).’

  At 0845 hours, No. 249 Squadron scrambled nine Spitfires. Over a dozen Ju 88s were located flying in two waves, with their escort of forty-plus Bf 109s and Mc 202s. No. 229 Squadron scrambled nine Spitfires, which made a successful interception, and caused five of the bombers to jettison their bombs into the sea and turn back. Wing Commander A.H. Donaldson (flying BR529) and Pilot Officer H.G. Reynolds destroyed a Ju 88 (shared). Pilot Officer H.T. Nash damaged two Ju 88s, while Flight Lieutenant E.H. Glazebrook damaged another. Pilot Officer Parkinson (flying X-O) damaged one Ju 88 and Flight Sergeant J.H. Ballantyne probably destroyed an Mc 202.

  Meanwhile, nine of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires tackled the escort of Bf 109s of II./JG 53, stepping up from 21,000 to 30,000ft.

  Flight Sergeants E.T. Hiskens (flying EP135 T-X) and L.G.C. de l’Ara (flying EP338 T-A) probably destroyed a Ju 88 (shared). Flight Sergeant Hiskens probably destroyed a Bf 109. Meanwhile, Sergeant A.B. Stead (flying EP199 T-K) and Pilot Officer J.G. Sanderson (flying BP869 T-K) each damaged a Bf 109. Flying Officer J.F. McElroy (flying AR488 T-S) destroyed a Bf 109, and damaged a second, but his own aircraft was hit by return fire:

  ‘I got my sights on one and let him have it fair and square, and then engaged another. But the Jerries had had enough, and they broke off and headed for home.’

  No. 126 Squadron’s pilots meanwhile engaged the enemy, with Pilot Officer Bazalgette and Flight Sergeant Bush each destroying a Bf 109. Flying Officer I.G. Wallace destroyed a Ju 88 from a formation of six enemy bombers. His combat report read:

  ‘I picked out the leading Ju 88 and gave him a two to three-second burst of cannon and machine gun fire on the nose, and then I had to break away. One minute later, Red Section also intercepted the enemy, but found only five Ju 88s, owing to this confirmation and the vulnerability of the nose of the Ju 88 (containing the pilot and observer). I claim one Ju 88 destroyed.’

  Further claims were made by No. 1435 Squadron’s Pilot Officer A.B. Bazelgette and No. 126 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant C.F. Bush, who each damaged a bomber.

  Eight of No. 185 Squadron’s Spitfires intercepted five Ju 88s with their fighter escort as they turned away from bombing Takali. Wing Commander J.M. Thompson (flying EP122 JM-T) and Pilot Officer L.S. Reid (flying EP186) each damage
d a Bf 109. Sergeant Vinall7 (flying EP139) failed to return, shot down by Bf 109s. His body later washed up along the west coast of the island.

  Six of No. 126 Squadron’s Spitfires and eight from No. 1435 Squadron were scrambled and engaged the enemy. No. 126 Squadron’s Sergeant N.M. Park (flying BR311 MK-L) and Flying Officer E.W. Wallace each destroyed a Ju 88, while Flight Lieutenant W.T.E. Rolls8 (flying BR498 PP-H) destroyed an Mc 202 and probably destroyed another. Both Flight Sergeant C.F. Bush and Pilot Officer Bazalgette damaged a Ju 88. Meanwhile, Sergeant R.T.D. Kebbell (flying BR368 V-I) was shot down whilst in combat with a Bf 109.

  No. 1435 Squadron had some success, with Flight Sergeant I.R. MacLennan (flying EP203 V-G) destroying a Bf 109. In reply, Sergeant W.B. Knox-Williams’ Spitfire was shot down, but he was picked up by High Speed Launch 100, unhurt.

  MacLennan’s overriding memory of combat left him cold: ‘You’re trying to outsmart the son-of-a-bitch and get inside him. It’s instinctive, you can’t be trained not to be scared. The most frightening thing that happened – someone screaming at me.’ Hesitant in his speech, MacLennan9 continued, ‘I think when I’ve been flying, the worst I’ve had is when I’ve been flying along and someone shouted BREAK! And you knew that someone was trying to kill you and right away you went into a dive, a spiralling dive, not trying to find out who he was or what he was. [Just to] do a really remarkable escape job.’

  Meanwhile, bombs were reported falling on Luqa, damaging aircraft in their pens.

  At 1130 hours, Nos. 249 and 229 Squadrons were scrambled. Once airborne the Spitfires were vectored onto eight Ju 88s escorted by ten Mc 202s of 51° Stormo, along with twenty Bf 109s drawn from I./JG 77 and II./JG 53. The enemy bombers were engaged head-on a few miles south of Sicily by a total of fifteen Spitfires, which between them took a terrific toll.