by Nick Thomas
‘My Squadron [No. 229 Squadron] was to attack Biscara. The flak was intense. I looked at poor old Walter Churchill and at that very moment he was shot down in flames [hit in the engine and spun in], crashing in the middle of the aerodrome. We also lost another pilot who was taken prisoner-of-war [an American pilot from one of the Hal Far Squadrons, who crash-landed after being hit in the engine].’
Donaldson claimed a Do 217 probably destroyed, shared with Jim Ballatyne (who also claimed a Bf 109):
‘a Dornier 217 was about to take off and, by the time he was in my sights, he was airborne and at his most vulnerable. I chased him for about 20 miles, he had smoke pouring out of him and he was losing height. He disappeared below a small hill and I was not able to see him hit the ground, but it was obviously a “dead duck”.’
Donaldson was awarded a bar to his DFC. The official citation, published in the London Gazette of 4 December 1942, referred to this sortie:
‘Since his arrival in Malta, this officer has taken part in many sorties over Sicily. On August 27th he was responsible for the briefing and leading of a successful low-flying attack on three Sicilian aerodromes. Throughout his leadership, careful planning and personal courage were an inspiration to all. At least ten enemy aircraft were destroyed and probably a number of others over Sicily.’
A further recommendation adding:
‘Since his arrival in Malta on August 8th this officer has taken part in six patrols, two convoy patrols, one dusk patrol and five sweeps. On August 27th he was responsible for the briefing and leading of the Ta Kali Wing and 185 Squadron which carried out a highly successful low-flying attack on three Sicilian aerodromes. He personally chased and successfully attacked a Dornier 217 and caused other damage to military objectives by ground strafing. Throughout the preparation and execution of the whole operation, his leadership, careful planning and personal courage were an inspiration to all and greatly contributed to the success of the operation, which resulted in the destruction of at least ten enemy aircraft and the probable destruction of a further nine aircraft over Sicily.’
Later, between 1300 and 1410 hours, eight of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires joined eight Spitfires from No. 229 Squadron on a Rhubarb to Gela airfield. One Mc 202 was destroyed during a ground strafe made by Squadron Leader Woods (flying BP867 T-E), who fired a short burst in a beam attack. The enemy aircraft exploded, killing three fitters and a dozen other ground staff. Meanwhile, Flight Lieutenant E.L. Hetherington (flying BR373 T-N) fired a good burst in a beam ground attack on a Bf 109, which he claimed damaged. One Ju 87 was probably destroyed on the ground by Pilot Officer J.W. Williams (flying EP706 T-L). This was witnessed by Sergeant W.S. Shewell (flying EP338 T-A), who probably destroyed a Bf 109 on the ground, firing a three-second burst at 400-500 yards.
Another Ju 88 was probably destroyed on the ground by Sergeant N.G. Brydon (flying 700 T-Q), who fired a three-second burst in a beam attack, seeing strikes along the fuselage and port wing. Pilot Officer R. Seed (flying EP708 T-U) fired a four-second burst at a Ju 88 from the beam. Pieces blew off the Ju 88, which caught fire.
During the ground strafe, Flight Lieutenant Hetherington (flying BR373 T-N), Sergeant N.G. Brydon (flying EP700 T-Q) and Sergeant W.S. Shewell (flying EP338 T-A) damaged dispersal huts and stores. On leaving the airfield, three large columns of smoke were seen rising to 100ft.
The claims made by Nos. 185 and 229 Squadrons (and the Hal Far and Takali Wing Leaders) during the raid on Comiso and Biscari included:
No. 185 Squadron:
Major C.J.O. Swales, RCAF (flying EP122), one Ju 88
Sergeant C. Weaver, RCAF (flying BR374), one Ju 88, one Bf 109, one Ju 88 probable
Lieutenant K.C. Kuhlmann, SAAF (flying EP187), one Ju 88
Sergeant L.S. Reid, RAAF (flying BR380), one Ju 88
Flight Lieutenant K.L. Charney (flying BR112), one Ju 88
Sergeant K.R. Mitchell, RAAF (flying EP553), one Ju 88 shared
Hal Far Wing Leader:
Wing Commander J.M. Thompson (flying EP685), one Ju 88 shared probable
No. 229 Squadron:
Pilot Officer C.H. Parkinson, RAAF, one Ju 88 probable
Flight Sergeant J.H. Ballatyne, one Ju 88 shared probable
Takali Wing Leader:
Wing Commander A.H. Donaldson (flying BR529), one Ju 88 shared
No. 229 Squadron’s ORB recorded the following signal received from the AOC:
‘GRAND WORK 229 and 249 Squadrons. Your successful low-strafing attack on enemy aerodromes on August 27th has given the enemy a taste of what our aerodromes have received for many months.’
At 1615 hours on 28 August, seven of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires and nine from No. 229 Squadron were scrambled to intercept eight Bf 109s. Pilot Officer A.F. Roscoe and a pilot from No. 229 Squadron collided in mid-air, although both managed to land safely (not long afterwards Roscoe was posted as a flight commander to No. 229 Squadron).
Flight Lieutenant E.P. Magruder18 and Sergeant E.H. Francis attacked four Mc 202s above them, and two more below. Meanwhile, Sergeant Francis attacked two, destroying one, before breaking off due to hydraulic airscrew trouble crash-landing back at base. He was briefly hospitalised as a result. Flight Lieutenant Magruder (flying BP871) was less fortunate, and during the ensuing dogfight was shot down and killed.
Six of No. 185 Squadron’s Spitfires were airborne at 1725 hours, in pursuit of an enemy formation flying over Hal Far, which included three Ju 88s. Pilot Officer J. Basil claimed one Ju 88 destroyed. His combat report read:
‘We sighted the three Ju 88s over Kalafrana going towards Luqa. Our first attack was delivered over Hal Far, as we came in on the port beam from the south. As we closed, I noticed other Spitfires attacking from starboard and astern, hitting the No. 2 of the 88 formation.
‘Because of my position relative to the 88s and my leader, I was unable to press home the attack, and so did a steep climbing turn to the left with the intention of a second attack. As I completed my turn, I noticed that two of the 88s were going down and that a third was diving away back the way he had come (ie east-north-east over Hal Far) at 12,000ft. I then dived on him from 16,000ft closing in on the starboard quarter. I opened fire at 300 yards till within 50 yards. I noticed strikes on the starboard wing, tail and engine, and fuselage near the cockpit. I believe that my victim was the one that crashed off Delimara after three occupants bailed out.
(signed) J. Basil P/O.’
Flying Officer J.W. Guthrie was flying as Green 2 and engaged the same Ju 88, which he claimed as destroyed:
‘by the time we got near them two had already been shot down. I delivered a short head-on attack on the remaining Ju 88, closing to 50 yards, and then pulled left on a climbing turn. When I completed the turn the Ju 88 was going down in pieces. The Ju 88 was already damaged when I attacked it.
(signed) J.W. Guthrie F/O.’
That day, in a broadcast, Lord Gort announced:
‘Recently we have seen four merchant ships and an oiler reach Malta; this represents the largest number of ships which has arrived in the Grand Harbour since September last year. No sight could have been more welcome to all of us than the arrival of the convoy after so many weeks of anxious waiting. August 15 was the last day of the Novena and also the Feast of St Mary the celebration of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven. When the last ship of the convoy, the US tanker Ohio19 entered Grand Harbour as the sun rose on August 15, everyone in Malta was mindful of how the nine days of united prayer had been answered and was thankful. We are also conscious that, when so many have risked so much and when so many lives have been lost to bring supplies to us from Britain, we also have a duty to perform ourselves. These convoys are very hazardous operations, and, were we to be improvident about the supplies which have reached us, we would do a real disservice, not only to those who dared all to succour us, but also to ourselves. It is our bound duty to eke out our available stores to carry us forward as far as possible on the road to victory.
Convoys, such as this last convoy, are magnificent achievements, but they cannot be constantly repeated, and we must now steel ourselves to last out until a new target date. We will play our part, as Malta has consistently played it in the past. Our aim must be to keep our consumption of all foodstuffs and other commodities at the lowest possible level and so put off, for as long as we can, the date when another convoy has reached our shores.’
At 1110 hours on 29 August, eight of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires joined the same number from No. 229 Squadron on a sweep to the Sicilian coast. During the return flight, six Bf 109s shadowed the Spitfires on the starboard side, but did not close to engage.
Meanwhile, No. 1435 Squadron was scrambled at 1120 hours against fifteen Bf 109s of II./JG 53. The Squadron made a number of claims:
Flight Lieutenant H.W. McLeod (flying BR236 V-E), one Bf 109
Flight Sergeant A.H. Scott (flying EP612 V-B), one Bf 109
Pilot Officer F.G. Stewart, one Bf 109 probable
Sergeant W.R. Wilson, one Bf 109 probable
Pilot Officer Pollock20 was killed-in-action (flying BS160).
Two of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires flew on an Air-Sea Rescue operation in the early afternoon, sighting a patch of oil, but finding no sign of life. Later, Beurling took off in EP706 T-L, making an authorised practice flight.
The Squadron was at Readiness throughout the long daylight hours on 30 August. Despite being scrambled off once or twice and following the Controller’s vectors, Beurling was unable to make contact with the enemy. His frustration grew, but never the less, he stuck rigidly to the Controller’s orders, landing to save fuel without having been able to make contact with the enemy.
Beurling (flying EP706 T-L) flew on a section-strength practice flight at 1320 hours on 31 August. Once airborne, the Spitfires were given a vector:
‘We were fooling around, dogfighting each other. Ten Jerry small jobs [fighters] were supposed to be on the way and we were sent to intercept them at the eastern end of the island, over Kalafrana Bay. I guess they must have thought better of it, for we never saw them.’
At 1515 hours, a section from No. 249 Squadron flew on a sweep over the Sicilian Coast. The Section Leader reported seeing what appeared to be dust clouds of aircraft just taking off from Comiso, but no combat reports were filed.
During the month of August, Malta-based fighters accounted for a total of fifty enemy raiders. Beurling, however, only claimed one enemy aircraft, which was during the same operation that he was shot down on, and was credited with a one-third shared in another. Meanwhile he’d suffered from repeated bouts of Malta Fever.
1. Pilot Officer (120153) James William Guthrie, RAFVR (flying BR362), was the son of James and Elizabeth Maud Guthrie, of Thornton Heath, Surrey. He was 22-years-old and was buried at Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Protestant Section (Officers), Plot E, Collective Grave 2.
Sergeant (411916) Matthew Leonard McLeod, RNZAF (flying BR321 GL-J), was the son of Matthew Alexander and Nilsina Catherine Christina McLeod, of Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand. McLeod was 21-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.
2. Sergeant (39559) Clarence Lloyd Kelly, RNZAF, was the son of Clarence John and Katherine Jessie Kelly of Leamington, Auckland, New Zealand. Kelly, who was 21-years-old, is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.
3. Pilot Officer (J/6280) Jerrold Alpine Smith, RCAF, was the Son of Donald Alpine Smith and Blanche Smith, of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Smith was 21-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 4, Column 2.
4. Flight Sergeant (41960) John Harold Tanner, RNZAF, was the son of George Harold and Maria Tanner, of Hataitai, Wellington, New Zealand. Tanner was 22-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 2.
5. Flight Sergeant (403554) Robert Athol Buntine, RAAF, was the son of Athol Dowe and Christine McNab Buntine, of Cookwell, New South Wales, Australia. Buntine was 24-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 1.
6. Sergeant (1118705) William Joseph Alexander Fleming, RAFVR (flying EP194), was the son of William A. and Catherine Fleming, of Londonderry. Fleming was 28-years-old and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 83.
7. Later Air Marshal Sir Kenneth Charles Michael Giddings, KBE (1 January 1975), OBE (30 May 1952), DFC (9 February 1945), AFC (8 June 1950) and Bar (2 January 1956).
8. Squadron Leslie William Watts, DFC, died July 1944 in a Meteor accident, while CO of No. 616 Squadron. He was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 23 July 1943:
‘Acting Flight Lieutenant Leslie William WATTS (117728), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 616 Squadron.
‘This officer has completed a large number of sorties, many of which were undertaken during the intensive air operations over Malta where he fought with great determination. On one occasion he led a formation against a superior number of enemy aircraft which were attacking a convoy. In the ensuing combat, two of the enemy bombers were destroyed, one of them by Flight Lieutenant Watts, while the remainder were driven off after being forced to jettison their bombs. More recently, in May, 1943, during an attack on shipping in the English Channel, Flight Lieutenant Watts flew with great distinction. This officer has invariably displayed courage, skill and tenacity.’
9. ‘Flight Lieutenant Kail Raymond LINTON was awarded the DFC London Gazette, 14 April 1944:
‘Distinguished Flying Cross.
‘Acting Flight Lieutenant Kail Raymond LINTON (Can/J.17417), No. 421 (RCAF) Squadron.’
10. Pilot Officer K.W.S. Evans was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 1 December 1942:
‘Distinguished Flying Cross.
‘Pilot Officer Kenneth William Samuel EVANS (125320), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 126 Squadron.’
11. Flying Officer (41360) Reginald Pearson Round, RNZAF, was the son of Elijah and Agnes Rachel Round, of Riccarton, Canterbury, New Zealand. Round was 28-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 5, Column 1.
12. Pilot Officer (J/15770) Basil Butler, RCAF, was the son of Herbert and Ethel Butler, of Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada. Butler was 21-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 4, Column 2. Official notification of Butler’s commission had not reached the island before his death.
13. Squadron Leader R.A. Mitchell was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 4 December 1942:
‘Distinguished Flying Cross
‘Acting Squadron Leader Richard Angelo MITCHELL (62259), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 249 Squadron.’
14. Flight Lieutenant Robert Seed was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 26 January 1943:
‘Distinguished Flying Cross.
‘Acting Flight Lieutenant Robert SEED (106646), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 249 Squadron.
‘This officer has participated in a large number of sorties, including many fighter-bomber operations.
‘One morning in November, 1942, he destroyed a Messerschmitt 109 off the coast of Sicily. During the afternoon he bombed the airfield at Gela, obtaining hits on a hangar. The next day, despite heavy opposing fire, he successfully attacked Comiso airfield. Flight Lieutenant Seed has made many low flying attacks on airfields and has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft on the ground. He is a skilful and determined pilot, whose courageous example has been worthy of high praise.’
15. Sergeant (1291208) Clifford Harry Cornish, RAFVR, was the son of Harry and Elsie Cornish, of Twickenham, Middlesex. Cornish, who was 21-years-old, is remembered on the El Alamein Memorial, Column 261.
16. Flying Officer (67063) Dudley Gerald Newman, RAFVR, was the son of Gerald and Evelyn Newman of Chippenham, Wiltshire. Newman was 22-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 3, Column 1.
17. Group Captain (90241) Walter Myers Churchill, DSO, DFC, AAF, was the son of William Algernon and Violet Churchill; husband of Joyce Churchill, of Leamington, Warwickshire. B.A. (Cantab.). Churchill was 35-years-old and was buried in Syracuse War Cemetery,
Section V, Row D, Grave 3.
18. Flight Lieutenant (72054) Ernest Pendleton Francis Louis Tarcisius Magruder, RAF, was the son of Dr. Ernest Pendleton Magruder, and of Maryel A. Magruder, of Perth. Bsc. (Lond.). Magruder was 29-years-old and is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 2, Column 1.
19. The following awards were made to the captain and crew of the Ohio:
London Gazette, 8 September 1942:
‘The George Cross.
Mason Dudley William Captain, George Cross.
‘Captain Dudley William Mason, Master, SS Ohio.
‘During the passage to Malta of an important convoy, Captain Mason’s ship suffered the most violent onslaught. She was a focus of attack throughout and was torpedoed early one night. Although gravely damaged, her engines were kept going and the Master made a magnificent passage by hand-steering and without a compass. The ship’s gunners helped to bring down one of the attacking aircraft. The vessel was hit again before morning, but though she did not sink, her engine room was wrecked. She was then towed. The unwieldy condition of the vessel and persistent enemy attacks made progress slow, and it was uncertain whether she would remain afloat. All next day, progress somehow continued and the ship reached Malta after a further night at sea.
‘The violence of the enemy could not deter the Master from his purpose. Throughout he showed skill and courage of the highest order and it was due to his determination that, in spite of the most persistent enemy opposition, the vessel, with her valuable cargo, eventually reached Malta and was safely berthed.’
‘The Distinguished Service Order.
‘Wyld John, Chief Engineer Officer.
‘Distinguished Service Cross.
‘Barton Denys Evelyn, Lieutenant RN.
‘Gray Douglas Hunter, Chief Officer.
‘London Gazette, 8 December 1942: