by Nick Thomas
Also scrambled were the pilots of No. 185 Squadron, with Flight Sergeant M.W. Vineyard (flying GL-Z) claiming a Bf 109 damaged.
Pilot Officer Brennan had been promoted in the field, having earlier been awarded the DFM. His citation was promulgated earlier in the London Gazette of 19 May 1942:
‘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 Officers Paul Brennan and Ray Hesselyn completed their operational tours at the end of the month, returning to the UK where they wrote Spitfire Over Malta (1943).
No. 249 Squadron received a shake-up on 24 June, when Squadron Leader Grant was promoted to Wing Commander (Flying) Takali, with Flight Lieutenant Lucas being promoted to command. Flying Officer W.R. Daddo-Langlois was made acting Flight Lieutenant and given command of Lucas’ flight.
Meanwhile, in front of the Castille in Valletta, the Governor of Malta, Lord Gort, VC, DSO, arranged for an investiture for decorating a number of airmen.
During the day No. 249 Squadron was involved in four scrambles, but the enemy evaded them.
This was, however, a momentous day in the Mediterranean and North African campaigns, when, due to the resilience of Malta, Hitler made the fatal decision not to invade the island. Instead, Rommel was to take Cairo.
Field-Marshal Kesselring acknowledged that it was the Fuhrer’s abandonment of the invasion of Malta that marked the beginning of the end for the Afrika Korps’ campaign in North Africa, conceding: ‘when this happened, the subsequent course of events [in North Africa] was almost inevitable.’
Between 1050 and 1735 hours on 25 June, No. 249 Squadron flew on five scrambles and patrols, but without sighting the enemy. A Squadron scramble was made at 2010 hours, leading to the interception of a formation of Bf 109s over Gozo. Pilot Officer O.W.H. Berkeley-Hill (flying EP117 T-A) reported seeing five Bf 109s. Singling out one, he delivered a front-quarter attack at four hundred to fifty yards. Berkeley-Hill saw bursts of grey smoke from the fuselage, before the enemy aircraft turned over and went down from 25,000ft, streaming glycol. The combat was witnessed by Sergeant C.G.S. De Namcrede, but only awarded as a ‘probable’. Meanwhile, Pilot Officer C.H. Lattimer (flying BR108 T-W) attacked two Bf 109s, the first from quarter astern at one hundred yards. The Bf 109 poured black smoke and went down, obviously out of control. Again, without an independent witness, it could only be allowed as probably destroyed. He attacked a second Bf 109 (probably of IV./JG 53) from half a line astern and slightly below, firing two bursts. The Messerschmitt, ‘blew up in the air.’ The wreckage crashed into the sea and its pilot was picked up by an Axis rescue vessel.
Sergeant G.F. Beurling (flying BR377 T-K) was in ‘Mac’ MacLean’s section, which was detailed as top cover and was therefore unable to engage the enemy.
The victories came at a price, the Squadron losing Flight Sergeant M.E. Tomkins (flying BR382 T-T), who was jumped and shot down over Gozo. Beurling, who was flying high above and unable to reach the scene, recalled the incident:
‘he was hit in the engine and radiator. He pulled out of the mix-up and tried to make Takali.’
Tomkins stayed at the controls of his damaged Spitfire which was streaming glycol. When his engine seized, he tried to extend his glide as far as Takali, before making a circuit and came in to land, but lost speed and, turning in, stalled at about 60ft and span in. His Spitfire burst into flames. Tomkins was terribly burned as the fire crews were forced back by the flames and exploding ammunition. The full grisly horrors of his burning alive were witnessed by Flight Sergeant Parkinson, his room-mate:
‘the kite had nearly burnt itself out before they went near it. I went over to the wreckage and saw the pilot caught in amongst the wreckage. I could smell his clothes burning.’
Pulled from the burnt-out wreckage, Tomkins8 moved his lips in order to say his final words, but died a few seconds later.
The following day began quietly for the Malta-based Squadrons. At 1800 hours however, the Controller scrambled Nos. 126 and 601 Squadrons. No. 603 Squadron received the call a few minutes later, closely followed by No. 185 Squadron. The raid consisted of five Cant Z 1007s of 33° Gruppo and their escort of nearly twenty Re 2001s of 2° Gruppo Aut, CT, and thirty Mc 2020s of 155° Gruppo; fifty-five aircraft in total. During the ensuing combat, No. 601 Squadron’s Pilot Officer John Curry (flying BR301 UF-S) destroyed an Mc 202, while Sergeant P. Calvin Taylor received a leg wound and made a forced landing with his engine dead. No. 126 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant P.A. Schade (flying MK-B) claimed a second, firing at a brace of Mc 202, hitting one at only 20 yards.
Once No. 603 Squadron entered the battle, Pilot Officer G. W. Northcott and Flight Sergeant J.A.H. Pinney singled out a Cant Z 1007 which they destroyed (shared). Flight Sergeant Bill Irwin claimed an Mc 202 destroyed. Meanwhile, No. 185 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant R. West (flying GL-J) destroyed an Re 2001.
At 0945 hours on 27 June, four Spitfires, led by Flight Lieutenant W.R. Daddo-Langois (flying 565 TU), were scrambled in search of a Do 24 seaplane, which turned out to be a Red Cross Z506b escorted by twelve Mc 202s of 51° Stormo. The Squadron sighted a formation of eight Mc 202s and positioned themselves well, successfully bouncing the enemy. Flight Sergeant J.D. Rae (flying BR377 T-K), Pilot Officer L.A. Verrall (flying BR295 T-H) and Flight Sergeant R.G. Middlemiss (flying BR184 T-C) each destroyed an Re 2001 (Verrall’s third and last ‘kill’), Rae probably destroying another. The wreckage of three enemy fighters were seen in the water all within 200 yards of each other.
Beurling (flying BR327 T-A) flew on the Squadron’s second operation on the 28th, a Squadron scramble against six Bf 109s. The enemy escaped without entering into combat:
‘We made no attempt to follow. Gas was at a premium right then and would be until the next convoy came through.’
In the early hours of 29 June, two Spitfires made an offensive patrol as far north as the Sicilian coast. The aim was to stir enemy fighters into a reaction, but they could not be encouraged up. Meanwhile, at 0515 hours, two Spitfires were scrambled against twelve Ju 88s. A Ju 88 was observed under attack from a Beaufighter. The German bomber was later seen burning on the water, one of two claimed as destroyed. Meanwhile, a dinghy was located 10 miles south of Cape Passero and an escort operation was flown, providing cover for a rescue launch (possibly for High Speed Launch 128), which picked up No. 603 Squadron’s Pilot Officer C.A. McC. Barbour, who had been shot down by two Bf 109s at about 0900 hours, while engaging a formation of eight Messerschmitts. The destruction of his Spitfire was awarded to Oberleutnant Gerhard Michalski of IV./JG 53, as his 35th ‘Kill’.
At 0910 hours on 30 June, eight of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires were scrambled. Once airborne, they were vectored onto a formation of seven Bf 109s flying over St Paul’s Bay at 22,000ft. This was one of many frustrating sorties for Beurling (flying BR379 T-V), as the enemy dived away and the Squadron was ordered to pancake in order to conserve fuel. Two Bf 109s suddenly dived down on Pilot Officers Berkley-Hill and Lattimer, damaging both Spitfires and disappearing almost immediately, unprepared to stick around and fight it out. Noon saw four Spitfires patrolling 20 miles out towards Sicily, but the enemy would not come up to meet them.
The end of the month saw No. 601 Squadron being withdrawn in order to fight in the Middle East.
A young George Beurling. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling at 16-years-old displaying just some of the model aircraft which he used to make in order to sell-on to local children. The money Beurling raised went towards flying lessons. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling with his mentor, Ted Hogan, late 1942. (Gustav Beurling archive)
‘Laddie’ Lucas, No. 249 Squadron’s ‘A’ Flight Commander, and later Squadron CO. (via M.M. Stephens)
Beurling’s ground-crew at Takali, 1942. (Gustav Beurling archive)
No. 249 Squadron Spitfire BR301 UF-S, flown by Beurling. (via M.M. Stephens)
No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires line up at Takali airfield, 1942. (via M.M. Stephens)
No. 249 Squadron Spitfire at Takali, 1942. (Gustav Beurling archive)
No. 249 Squadron’s ‘B’ Flight at Takali, 1942. Beurling is third from right. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Malta operations room known as the ‘Ditch’. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive)
Bofors gunners protecting Grand Harbour. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive)
Portable radar listening equipment at Quara Tower. The importance of locating enemy formations cannot be over-stated, as 100-Octane supplies were severely limited and standing patrols were not an option. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive)
An oil tanker hit while docked at Grand Harbour, 1942. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive)
A Malta-bound convoy under dive-bomber attack, 1942. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive)
Lord Gort presenting the Malta George Cross to the Chief Justice of Malta, Sir George Borg, 13 September 1942. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive)
An air raid on Grand Harbour, 1942. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive)
Re-supply convoy under dive-bomber attack, 1942. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive)
Gunner and radar operator, Sergeant William J. Lazell, Royal Artillery. (Sgt William J. Lazell archive via Paul Lazell)
Flight Lieutenant R. Daddo-Langlois. (via M.M. Stephens)
Sergeant F.E. Jones, 249 Squadron. (via M.M. Stephens)
Flight Lieutenant J.A. Plagis, DFC. (via M.M. Stephens)
Pilot Officer John Williams, DFC (aka ‘Willie-the-kid’). (via M.M. Stephens)
‘Rip’ Mutch, No. 249 Squadron. (via MM Stephens)
No. 249 Squadron’s Shewell, Moody and Beurling at Takali. (via M.M. Stephens)
No. 249 Squadron line-up, 1942 (left to right) ‘Scarlet Shewell, ‘Junior’ Moody, ‘Buzz’ Beurling, George Swannick, Arthur Donaldson, Frank Johnson and ‘Bill’ Douglas. (via Arthur Donaldson)
Beurling with souvenirs removed from the wreckage of Sergente Magg Falerio Gell’s Mc 202, shot down over Gozo on 27 July 1942. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Group Captain M.M. Stephens as Wing Commander (Flying) Takali, 1942. (via M.M. Stephens)
No. 1435 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant Ian Mclennan, DFC. (Author’s collection)
No. 126 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant Ryckman (Ryckman had earlier served alongside Beurling at No. 403 Squadron). (via M.M. Stephens)
Captain Furio Doglio Niclot, one of Beurling’s victims. Killed 27.7.42. (Author’s collection)
Beurling in hospital, recovering from his wounds. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Press cutting 10 October 1942, celebrating Beurling’s most recent victories. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling and family with Canadian Prime Minister, 1943. (L to R) Frank Beurling (father); David (brother, aged five) Beurling; Mrs Gladys Hall (sister); Mr Frank Hall (brother-in-law); Mr Mackenzie King (Prime Minister); unknown; Mrs Beurling (mother); Richard (brother, aged ten) (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling at a reception held in his honour at Verdun High School, 1943. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling at the welcome home ceremony held at the Verdun Auditorium. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling pictured at the Verdun Auditorium (Gustav Beurling archive)
Press advert celebrating George Beurling’s triumphal return home. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Press advert celebrating George Beurling’s triumphal return – Beurling would die at the controls of a Noorduyn Norseman five years later. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling hospitalised following wounds received in combat and further injuries from the subsequent air crash on Gibraltar on 3 November 1942. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling and family greeted by Air Marshal Breader, Ottawa, 1943. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling with his younger brothers (David on the left and Richard on the right). (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling signing autographs during a factory visit as part of the War Bonds tour in early 1943. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling with his uncle, Gustav, circa 1943. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling with Roy Brown, the Canadian pilot said to have shot down the ‘Red Baron’ (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling greeted by Air Vice-Marshal McKean during his fund-raising tour of Canada. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling wearing his medal ribbons. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling DSO, DFC, DFM and Bar (third from the left), in the line-up of RAF heroes about to receive their gallantry awards from the hand of King George VI at Buckingham Palace. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling after receiving his four gallantry awards at Buckingham Palace (a unique occurrence), in the company of American Red Cross Nurse, Jean Johnson. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Studio portrait of Beurling in RCAF uniform, circa 1943/4. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Bob Middlemiss and George Beurling (right), 1943. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling in the cockpit of his Spitfire (note the Balkan Crosses indicating his ‘kills’). (Gustav Beurling archive)
De Nancrede far right. (Author’s collection)
Beurling’s personalised Spitfire, complete with swastikas indicating his combat victories, 1943. (Gustav Beurling archive)
A publicity shot of Beurling emblazoning his Spitfire with Balkan Crosses – possibly marking one of his last two ‘kills’. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling in full flying gear while at the Central Gunnery School, Sutton Bridge (May–June 1943). (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling at the Central Gunnery School, Sutton Bridge (May–June, 1943). (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling’s ‘ship’ with No. 412 (RCAF) Squadron (Spitfire VZ-B MH883), December 1943–February 1944. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Press cutting relating to Beurling’s combat of 19 September 1943, while flying with No. 403 Squadron. (Gustav Beurling archive)
George Beurling being sworn into the RCAF, 1 September 1943. (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling (far right) serving with the RCAF 1943–4. (Gustav Beurling archive)
‘Erks’ with Beurling’s Spitfire, No. 403 or 412 Squadron 1943, including Sergeants Tilley (front) and Stiles (centre). (Gustav Beurling archive)
Beurling’s fitters and rigger (No. 403 or 412 Squadron, 1943–4). (Gustav Beurling archive)
1. The casualties and where they are remembered:
Flying Officer (62689) James Howard Menary, RAFVR (flying BR322), is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1.
Pilot Officer (J/15348) David Francis Rouleau, RCAF (flying BR358), was the son of Honore G. and Gertrude H. Rouleau, of Ottowa, Ontario, Canada. Rouleau was 24-years-old and held a BA (Toronto) Trinity College. He is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 4, Column 2.
Flight Sergeant (R/76677) Hugh Douglas MacPherson, RCAF (flying BR308), was the son of Norman W. MacPherson and Estella Robertson MacPherson, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. MacPherson was 22-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.
Flight Sergeant (516439) Thomas Francis Beaumont, RAF (flying EP313), was the son of Thomas Beaumont and C.M. Beaumont, of Soham, Cambridgeshire. Beaumont was 27-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1.
2. Pilot Officer Robert Wendell McNair was awarded the DFC, London Gazette 22 May 1942:
‘Pilot Officer Robert Wendell McNair (Can/J.4745), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 249 Squadron.
‘This officer is a skilful and courageous pilot. He invariably presses home his attacks with the greatest determination irrespective of the odds. He has destroyed at least five, and damaged seven enemy aircraft; four of these he damaged in one combat.’
3. Pilot Offic
er Oscar Mahafft Linton was later awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 11 August 1944.
4. Flight Lieutenant Robert Wendell McNair, DFC, had eight enemy aircraft destroyed, with a further four probably destroyed and seven damaged. McNair then served with No. 411 Squadron and was awarded a Bar to the DFC, London Gazette 7 October 1942. He later served with No. 421 Squadron and led No. 126 (RCAF) Wing, and was awarded the DSO London Gazette 14 April 1943. He ended the war with sixteen confirmed kills, five probables and fourteen damaged.
5. Rae was commissioned as a pilot officer at the end of the month although, as was often the case on Malta, the official notification did not arrive immediately and the Squadron ORB continue to refer to his NCO rank.