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

by Nick Thomas

  Squadron Leader Keefer led the Squadron on Ramrod 383 between 1105 and 1255 hours on 22 December, Beurling acting as second-in-command. The Wing swept the coast in the Calais area during the bombing of installations south of Dieppe. Beurling flew on a similar sweep as a part of Ramrod 386, that afternoon.

  At 1330 hours on 23 December, Beurling flew on Ramrod 391. The Wing swept the Calais-Le Treport area and, although the Controller reported that enemy aircraft were in the vicinity, none was encountered. Beurling missed Ramrod 392, flown on Christmas Eve.

  At 11 am on Christmas Day, Beurling and his fellow officers were entertained in the sergeant’s mess, following which they made their way to the airmen’s mess where they served a turkey dinner to the other ranks. Musical accompaniment was provided by the airfield’s band.

  The officers returned to their own mess for lunch at 1500 hours, while that evening they were guests of Biggin Hill’s main mess for Christmas Dinner. Meanwhile, a dance was held in the station’s Gym in the evening.

  At 1300 hours on 30 December, Squadron Leader Keefer led No. 412 Squadron as a part of Ramrod 396. No. 126 Airfield Wing, led by Wing Commander R.W. McNair, took off from Biggin Hill, operating as first withdrawal support for Fortresses in the Compiègne area. Several enemy aircraft were encountered. Leading a section of four, Flight Lieutenant Beurling attacked an Fw 190 of 5 Staffel, JG 26, scoring many hits and wounding the pilot, Unteroffizier Heinz Wyrich, White 16 (1175), who was forced to bail out. Wyrich’s Fw 190 crashed to the south of Romaine.

  Flying Officer W.H. Bliss (J22835) also engaged an enemy aircraft, causing considerable damage. The Wing Air Intelligence Report read:

  ‘The Wing had just joined the bombers and was flying at about 23,000ft when Control reported that the bombers were being engaged. Shortly afterwards, a gaggle of ten E/A, Fw 190s and Me 109s, were seen, coming in from the West at 8,000ft. 412 Squadron were flying as attacking Squadron in our formation, at about 20,000ft.’

  Blue 4, Flying Officer Bliss, damaged an Fw 190. His combat report read:

  ‘I was flying No. 4, in Blue Section, when Humdrum Leader asked Blue 1 if he could see E/A at 9 o’clock below. Blue Leader could not, but Blue 3 could and was told to lead the attack. We bounced them at 8,000ft and I fired a short burst without seeing any results. They broke gently starboard. I followed the Fw 190 down to about 5,000ft, closing in to about 450 to 500 yards; and fired a 6-second burst from astern, and 10 degrees off. I saw strikes on the wings and fuselage and a large amount of white smoke belching from the starboard side. I took a third burst and continued to follow him down for a few seconds.

  (signed) W.H. Bliss F/O.’

  Meanwhile, Yellow 1, Flight Lieutenant Beurling (flying MH883 VZ-B), saw an Fw 190 cutting in on Blue Section. He rolled in behind the enemy fighter, which he destroyed:

  ‘We were about seven miles west of R/V and about 20,000ft. I was flying No. 1 in Yellow Section when I sighted an Fw 190 cutting in from behind and below Blue Section. I rolled to starboard and cut into the Fw 190, which dived away. I turned to follow and took a long range three-second burst. I closed to 270–280 yards and fired another one-second burst from starboard quarter, and 35 degrees below. The E/A’s speed was about 250 mph. This was at about 8,000ft. The E/A rolled to starboard and I fired another burst from his starboard quarter at 20 degrees angle off. It went straight down in flames and I saw the pilot bail out. I used my cine gun during the combat and also took a sighter burst coming back. I claim this E/A as destroyed.’

  (signed) G.F. Beurling.’

  Yellow 2, Flying Officer R.P. Vatcher, confirmed the ‘kill’:

  ‘I was flying No. 2 in Yellow Section and followed my No. 1 [Beurling] down, when he attacked. I saw him fire at the Fw 190 and saw it going straight down in flames and the pilot bail out. Numbers 3 & 4 of Yellow Section also saw the E/A go down in flames.’

  The Intelligence Officer’s report also noted that:

  ‘Red 4 (F/O Don Laubman, 412 Squadron) fired at an Me 109 which was allowed as damaged.’

  Laubman was flying as Beurling’s No. 2 and recalled that when his leader’s gun-camera film was developed it confirmed the victory, while the armourers confirmed that the Fw 190 was brought down with only fifteen cannon shells. This is, however, at odds with the official combat report:

  Hot on the heels of his debriefing, details of Beurling’s combat victory were released in an official RCAF Communiqué:

  ‘Flt. Lt. Beurling Down’s 31st Plane Over French Area

  ‘London, December 30 1943 – Canada’s top ranking fighter ace, Flight Lieutenant George Beurling of Verdun, Quebec, shot down his 31st enemy plane today, one of four destroyed by RCAF fighters.

  ‘One of Beurling’s Squadron mates, F/O William Bliss of Toronto, shot down another while the other two successful pilots were F/O Hart Finley of Montreal and P/O Claude Weaver of Oklahoma City.

  ‘The combats, from which all the Canadian planes returned, took place southeast of Paris, where enemy fighters attempted to intercept United States heavy bombers returning from an attack on Germany. Beurling and Bliss shot down Focke-Wulf 190s, while Finley and Weaver destroyed Messerschmitt 109s.

  ‘Beurling, who destroyed the Nazi after a 20 mile chase, saw the enemy blow up after one short burst. The pilot bailed out.

  ‘It was the first enemy plane downed by Beurling since he celebrated his return to action on September 24 by getting his 30th. He had been yearning to get back into combat flying ever since he was stationed in Malta, where he ran his score of downed planes from two to 29.’

  For Beurling, the year ended with Ramrod 403, which was flown at 1245 hours on 31 December, when the Wing acted as close escort to seventy-two Marauders bombing V1 rocket sites in the Calais area.

  Beurling missed the Squadron’s Ramrod operations on 1 (Ramrod 408) and 4 (Ramrods 416 and 419) January 1944. Meanwhile, the Squadron travelled to No. 16 Armament Practice Camp, Hutton Cranswick on 7 January, where they undertook a fortnight of Air Firing.

  At the height of his power as a combat pilot and when it came to air-to-air gunnery, Beurling could write the manual (and had compiled one for his own use). No doubt at first he would have relished the opportunity to fire his guns, and to pass on his experience to his comrades. And there is plenty of evidence that, throughout his time with the RAF and RCAF, Beurling was proactive in disseminating on his theories. Many gave testimony to the instant improvement of their aim from following his advice and using the table he had devised to assist in calculating deflection firing. There are stories too of how Beurling would tire of the standard approach, which was child’s play to a pilot of his abilities, making his attacks on the drogue while flying inverted! Having covered the requirements of the refresher course and passed on his knowledge to men under his command, Beurling returned to base a week early, on 13 January.

  At 1150 hours on 21 January, Beurling took part in Ramrod 467. Nos. 411 and 412 Squadrons, led by Squadron Leader G.C. Keefer, acted as cover to fifty-four Marauders bombing V1 targets in the St Omer area. The Spitfires ‘stooged’ around for approximately three-quarters of an hour, but no enemy aircraft were encountered.

  Beurling repeated the operation two days later on Ramrod 472, the Wing forming part of an escort to fifty-four Marauders bombing targets in the Pas de Calais area. At 0925 hours on the 24th Beurling took off on Ramrod 475, the Wing flying as close escort to fifty-four Marauders, bombing V1 targets in the Le Treport-Poix area. No. 401 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant Sheppard (Flying MJ145) was forced to bail out due to engine trouble. He was picked up by an Air-Sea Rescue launch.

  As a flight commander, it was Beurling’s responsibility to monitor the flying hours of each of the pilots under his command. He would ensure that the pilots with fewer operational hours were paired up with men with greater combat experience. Flying Officer L. Berryman recalled that as his flight commander, Beurling used to deselect himself from the less dangerous Wing-strength escorts, chalking up Berryman’s
name in his stead. On these occasions Berryman used to fly Beurling’s swastika emblazoned Spitfire. Consequently, Beurling missed the Squadron’s Ramrods on 26th (Ramrod 487), 28th (Ramrod 489) and 29 January (Ramrod 494), and on 3 February (Ramrod 512).

  On 2 February, Biggin Hill received a VIP visit in the form of the Hon. Vincent Massey, Canadian High Commissioner, accompanied by Air Vice-Marshal N.R. Anderson, Second-in-Command RCAF Overseas HQ The party was shown around by Group Captain McBrien, Commanding Officer No. 17 Wing. The dignitaries visited each Squadron in turn, talking to the pilots. It was reported that the High Commissioner took particular interest of No. 412 Squadron, not least because his son, Flight Lieutenant Hart Massey, was then serving as Squadron Intelligence Officer.

  Beurling commanded the Squadron on an operation for the first time on 4 February, when he led them on Ramrod 510, the Wing operating as withdraw cover for Fortresses returning from the Paris area.

  Once again Beurling ruled himself out of operations on 6th (Ramrod 523) and 8 February (Ramrod 526 and 529). He was back in the air again between 0835 and 1045 hours on 9 February, when he commanded the Squadron on the aborted Ramrod 534.

  On 11 February, Flight Lieutenant McKay led the Squadron on Ramrod 544, Beurling taking off at the head of his flight at 1105 hours. The operation took the form of a Wing fighter sweep, flying in at Gravelines and out east of Calais. To the dismay of all concerned, not least Beurling, the enemy could not be persuaded to defend their airspace.

  Missing Ramrod 550, which was flown on 13 February, Beurling (flying MJ8830) took part in the following day’s operation when Flight Lieutenant McKay led the Squadron on Ramrod 552.

  Meanwhile, a Ranger operation was flown in the afternoon between 1555 and 1605 hours. Beurling led Vatcher, Murray and Zabek on the offensive operation. Shortly after take-off, however, Flying Officer John Z. Zabek (flying MH734) crashed. His aircraft was seen to come down by a farmer who raced to the scene. Zabek died at Sevenoaks Hospital shortly after admission.

  Beurling did not fly on Ramrods 556 and 560 on 15 February, but on the following day was at dispersal before dawn, briefing Flying Officers Vatcher, Ketterson and Dewan on a second Ranger operation. Beurling led the men off at 0750 hours, entering enemy airspace over Ostend, flying to Bethune and from there to Abbeville, where they flew around trying to entice the enemy into the air. Beurling must have felt desperately forlorn, having to return to base and his debriefing. The ORB once more summed up a disappointing operation with the words, ‘Nothing to report.’ In their messes the pilots would joke about a ‘Messerschmitt Fund,’ a mythical fund whereby the RAF raised money to buy the Germans a Bf 109 so at least they would have some opposition. For Beurling the joke must have been wearing thin.

  Between the 20th and 28th, Beurling’s No. 412 Squadron flew on ten uneventful Ramrod operations (on 20th Ramrod 567 am, Ramrod 568 pm, on 21st Ramrod 573, on 22nd Ramrod 576 am and Ramrod 577 pm, 24th Ramrod 583 am and Ramrod 586 pm, 25th Ramrod 591 am and Ramrod 592 pm, on 28th Ramrod 597).

  At 1250 hours on 29 February, Beurling flew on Ramrod 603. No. 412 Squadron’s Spitfires were led off by Squadron Leader G.C. Keefer, with Beurling commanding ‘A’ Flight. The Wing acted as close escort to forty-eight Maruaders bombing V1 targets near Touqueville.

  The Squadron carried out two operations on 2 March. Flight Lieutenant Beurling flew on Ramrod 610, taking off behind Squadron Leader Keefer at 1055 hours. The mission saw the Squadron act as escort for Liberators, bombing targets at Le Treport. Beurling missed Ramrod 612, flown that afternoon.

  On 3 March, Squadron Leader Keefer commanded the Squadron on Ramrod 614, flown between 0830 and 1050 hours. The Squadron’s role was to provide close escort to 108 Marauders bombing Leon/Athies airfield. On landing, Flying Officer Berryman2 collided with a stationary aircraft and his Spitfire burst into flames. Beurling landed close-by and taxied up to Berryman, assisting him out of the wreckage and into an ambulance, reassuring him that his burns were not deep: ‘Don’t worry Lloyd. You’ll be okay.’ He had received second degree burns.

  During the following day, No. 412 Squadron flew on Ramrods 622 and 623, while 6 and 7 March saw their Spitfires taking part in Ramrods 630 and 634. All proved uneventful for the Squadron, while on the latter, No. 401 Squadron recorded a number of successes. Squadron Leader L.M. Cameron and Flying Officer Cummings each claimed a Bf 109F damaged, while Flight Lieutenant Sheppard and Flying Officer Klersy claimed a destroyed each. That evening, a party was held at Hilden Manor, near Tonbridge, where Squadron Leader Keefer presented a silver tankard to Flight Lieutenant D.G. McKay, who had completed his tour of operations. 3

  Beurling missed Ramrod 637 on the following morning, and a Ranger operation later the same day. Ramrod 655 was flown on 15 March. No. 126 Airfield Wing, led by Squadron Leader L.M. Cameron, escorted seventy-two Marauders on a raid to Aulnoys Marshalling Yard. While No. 412 Squadron was unable to make any claims, the pilots of No. 401 Squadron had more luck, their combat summary read:

  ‘One Fw 190 destroyed, another damaged, and a third shared by Flying Officer K.R. Haywood, firing 250 cannon shells and 1,280 machine gun rounds.

  ‘One Fw 190 destroyed and an Me 410 shared by Flying Officer D.D. Ashleigh, firing 70 cannon shells and 240 machine gun rounds.

  ‘One Fw 190 destroyed by Flight Lieutenant A.F. Halcrow, firing 62 cannon shells and 320 machine gun rounds.

  ‘One Fw 190 destroyed, Flight Lieutenant J. Sheppard, firing 90 cannon shells and 400 machine gun rounds.

  Missing Ramrod 661, which was flown on 16 March, Beurling took off at noon on the 18th [March], leading his Squadron on Ramrod 669. The Wing’s role was as close escort to seventy-two Marauders bombing marshalling yards at Criel.

  Ramrod 677, Beurling’s final operational sortie, was flown on 23 March. Squadron Leader G.C. Keefer led them off at 1100 hours, forming up with the rest of No. 126 Airfield Wing under Wing Commander R.W. McNair and acting as escort to seventy-two Marauders bombing the marshalling yards at Criel.

  While flying at 14,000ft, Blue 2, Flying Officer D.C. Laudman4, sighted a Ju 88 flying on the deck below and was given permission to attack. Diving down with his No. 1 Flight Lieutenant W.B. Needham following, both pilots scored hits from 100-350 yards. The Ju 88’s port engine burst into flames and was forced to make a belly-landing; four crewmen were seen to get out. Flying Officer Laubman’s tail unit was damaged by return fire.

  Blue 1, Flight Lieutenant W.B. Needham’s combat report read:

  ‘While diving from 14,000ft to the deck, I passed Blue 2 and closed on the E/A … At about 800 yards from 5 degrees starboard I gave a short burst and the port engine burst into flames. I overshot and throttled back until I was again behind the 88. I gave another short burst [at] 20 degrees port observing strikes on the port engine and wing. The 88 then turned into a large field and landed wheels up.’

  Blue 2, Pilot Officer D.C. Laubman’s combat report read:

  ‘When Flight Lieutenant Needham broke off his attack I closed and opened fire at 350 yards, making a port attack of about 10 degrees. I felt a small jolt which turned out to be a 0.303 slug from the E/A. I continued my attack noticing several strikes around the port engine and one on the starboard wing root. As I expended my ammunition Flight Lieutenant Needham made another attack. Enemy aircraft burning profusely, made a forced landing in a large field and the crew left the E/A when it reached a standstill.’

  The Squadron was non-operational for a week from 25 March 1944.

  Understandably unhappy with flying sweeps, Beurling requested command of a flight of P-51 Mustangs in order to carry out deep penetration, free-roaming raids into Germany. His request was turned down.

  During the morning of 2 April, the Squadron viewed USAAF combat film footage and was given a lecture by Squadron Leader Vale, DFC, and Bar. The Squadron’s ORB noted that: ‘a few good arguments ensued before breaking off for lunch.’ Later the Squadron’s Spitfires took off ‘attacking lorries on the beach; strafing.�
� These low-level raids were repeated on the 4th and 6th, but without Beurling who was effectively grounded.

  Beurling’s combat flying career was over.

  Nominal Roll of No. 412 Squadron Pilots 29 November 1943–8 April 1944

  Wing Commander Keith L.B. Hodson

  Died in air accident 1960

  Squadron Leader Norman Ralph Fowlow, DFC5

  Squadron Commander. KIA 19 May 1944

  Squadron Leader George Clinton Keefer, DFC

  Squadron Commander. Later DSO 20.10.44, and Bar 24.6.45

  Flight Lieutenant G.F. Beurling, DSO, DFC,

  ‘A’ Flight Commander

  DFM and Bar

  Flight Lieutenant M.D. Boyd

  Flight Lieutenant John Allan Cameron Crimmins

  KIA 10.5.44

  Flight Lieutenant R.H. Cull

  Flight Lieutenant Charles William Fox

  DFC 29.10.44 and Bar 27.2.45

  Flight Lieutenant E.C. Likeness

  POW 10.5.44

  Flight Lieutenant D.G. McKay

  ‘B’ Flight Commander

  Flight Lieutenant W.B. Needham

  Flight Lieutenant F.H. Richards

  Flight Lieutenant D.B. Wurtele

  Flying Officer A.J. Alliston

  Flying Officer Lloyd Frederick Berryman

  DFC 21.11.44 with No. 412 Squadron