by Nick Thomas
‘Distinguished Service Medal.
‘Labern Reginald Henry Holswatt, Act/Bombardier 4th MAA RA 6202472.
‘London Gazette, 22 December 1942:
‘Distinguished Service Cross.
‘Murray Thomas Purvis, Fourth Engineer Officer.
‘McKilligan Hector James, Second Officer.
‘Sless Henry, Seventh Engineer Officer.
‘Stephen Joseph Ross MBE, Third Officer.
‘Distinguished Service Medal.
‘Dolan Peter Fireman.
‘McConalogue John Greaser.
‘McConalogue William Joseph Greaser.
‘McLaughlin William Greaser.
‘Meeks Francis Watson, Chief Steward.
‘Pilling Alexander, Ty/Act/Leading Seaman RN P/JX 185564.
‘Woods Albert Greaser.’
Ungazetted award by Lloyd’s:
Mason Dudley William, Captain, Lloyd’s Bravery Medal.
20. Pilot Officer (111261) Dennis Patrick Pollock, RAFVR, was the son of Major W. Pollock, DSO, and Mary Pollock, of Almondbury, Huddersfield. Pollock was 21-years-old and is remembered on the Alamein Memorial, Column 249.
Chapter Eight
At Readiness
At Readiness since before dawn on 1 September 1942, Beurling (flying 961) flew an uneventful early morning patrol. Meanwhile, at 1200 hours, the Squadron flew on a Rodeo to Sicily, but once again the enemy could not be persuaded into the air.
At 1305 hours the following day, four of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires took off on an offensive reconnaissance over Sicily, crossing the coast just west of Licata. At 1358 hours, they sighted the Mc 202 of 51° Stormo flown by Sottoten Emanuele de Seta. Flight Lieutenant E.L. Hetherington (flying EP338 T-A) made a stern attack, firing a three-second burst from 50 yards. Wing Commander A.H. Donaldson (flying BR529 T-D) fired several bursts from 200 yards. Following on from the initial attacks, Pilot Officer J.G.W. Farmer (flying BR136 T-P) closed in to make a beam attack, finishing from line astern at 10-15 yards. All three pilots’ combat reports recorded strikes on De Seta’s aircraft, which had its tail shot off and went down streaming glycol. The pilot bailed out and was picked up out of the water.
The offensive reconnaissance was repeated on the afternoon of 3 September, when Sergeant M.I. Gass was admitted to 90 General Hospital, possibly wounded in combat, and again at 0650 and 1340 hours on the 4 September.
Meanwhile, Beurling’s reputation as a fighter ace had continued to grow, and he had won over another of the island’s heros, Wing Commander Donaldson, who later acknowledged: There was no doubt that he was an exceptional fighter pilot.’
Beurling had already been informed of the award of a Bar to his DFM. This was officially announced in the London Gazette of 4 September, the citation taking his score up to 8 August:
‘Air Ministry, 4th September 1942.
‘Royal Air Force.
‘The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy:
‘Bar to Distinguished Flying Medal
‘1267053 Sergeant George Frederick BEURLING, DFM, No. 249 Squadron
‘Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in July 1942, Sergeant Beurling has destroyed a further nine enemy aircraft, bringing his victories to seventeen. One of his exploits was the destruction of four enemy fighters in one day; during these brief combats he also damaged a further two hostile aircraft. His courage and determination are a source of inspiration to all.’
At 0735 hours on 5 September, Beurling (flying EP768) flew on a section strength scramble, but the plot turned back. Later, at 0855 hours, No. 249 Squadron scrambled six Spitfires, joining five from No. 185 Squadron. Once airborne, they were vectored onto four Bf 109s seen circling over Hal Far at 25,000ft, before locating six Bf 109s flying at 32,000ft over Grand Harbour, which No. 249 Squadron engaged. Pilot Officer J.W. Williams (flying BP867 T-E) damaged a Bf 109, with Pilot Officer K.C.M. Giddings (flying AR488 T-S) hitting a second. A third Bf 109 was pursued over Kalafrana and shot down into the sea by No. 185 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant K.L. Charney.
At 1155 hours, Wing Commander A.H. Donaldson led the Malta Spitfire Squadrons on a sweep over Sicily, against recent orders banning such offensive operations in order to conserve fuel. Meanwhile, Beurling (flying EP708 T-U) took part in what turned out to be an uneventful patrol. The following day saw only routine sorties, while the Squadron was rested on 7 September. Beurling made the most of his free time, swimming with his pals or spending hours with the erks; he would also sharpen his reflexes, as Group Captain Donaldson recalled:
‘On periods of rest he used to practice his deflection firing by aiming his personal revolver at darting lizards, aiming off if they were travelling at speed. I used to watch him spellbound; his actual hits were almost ten out of ten.’
Between 1500 and 1620 hours on 8 September, Nos. 229 and 249 Squadrons made an offensive patrol, with Beurling (flying TL706) joining the show. The enemy refused to send any fighters up and the Spitfire pilots had to be content with flying over the enemy’s backyard. The Luftwaffe, meanwhile, flew their own incursion, making a high-altitude reconnaissance sortie over Malta, escorted by Bf 109s. No. 126 Squadron was scrambled, but was bounced by the enemy fighters, with the loss of one Spitfire.
During the day No. 249 Squadron’s Sergeant John Roberts1 was rescued from the Mediterranean by the crew of High Speed Launch 128.
Meanwhile, there had been welcome news for the Squadron, with further recognition of their role on the besieged island when the London Gazette announced the award of the DFC to Pilot Officer Williams:
‘Pilot Officer John William WILLIAMS (Can/J. 15604), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 249 Squadron.
‘This officer has fought the enemy with great determination. Within a short period he has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft, two of which he shot down in one day. Later, his aircraft was damaged by enemy fire but he flew it safely to base. His courageous example has been most inspiring.’
At Readiness since before dawn on 9 September, No. 249 Squadron was involved in a number of uneventful scrambles, along with an offensive reconnaissance over Gela airfield. Beurling’s only sortie was an uneventful section patrol (flying EP706 T-L). No doubt the lack of enemy aircraft in the skies over Malta was becoming tiresome to Beurling, who was anxious to add to his tally.
Fighter pilots always describe the worst part of air operations as the time between scrambles. Beurling recalled that the pilots used to have all-day poker games at dispersal. When the Squadron was scrambled: ‘The card tables would go over like ninepins, cards and cash would hit the floor, pilots would jam the doorway,’ Beurling described how in the rush to get to their aircraft, pilots would leap out of the hut windows, ‘to get to those aircraft and up at those Huns.’
During the morning, No. 185 Squadron had made a rare sweep over southern Sicily, Captain K.L. Kuhlmann (flying EP122) claiming an Mc 202 and Sergeant C. Weaver2 a Bf 109. Weaver was then bounced by two Mc 202s and shot down by Tenente Paolo Damiani of 352a Squadriglia.
No. 249 Squadron flew on an escort to Hurri-bombers targeting Gela, between 0725 and 0820 hours on 11 September. Beurling (flying EP706 T-L) took part in the operation which passed off without incident.
Beurling (flying EP706 T-L) took off at 0910 hours on 12 September, as part of a flight-strength reconnaissance patrol, which somehow typified the Squadrons’ recent form. Sergeant Budd was forced to turn back and ran into two Bf 109s, but they dived away into thick cloud and were lost. Meanwhile the rest of the flight sighted three Mc 202s at 14,000ft, with Bf 109s below and flying in the opposite direction, but neither formation hung around to be engaged.
During what was otherwise a quiet day on Malta, on the 13th, Viscount Gort made a presentation of the island’s George Cross to Sir George Borg, Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal, in a ceremony which took place in the Palace Square, in front of the ruin
s of the Palace of the Grandmasters.
Viscount Gort delivered a speech in which he said:
‘On my appointment as Governor of Malta, I was entrusted to carry the George Cross to this Island Fortress. By the command of the King I now present to the people of Malta and her Dependencies the Decoration which His Majesty has awarded to them in recognition of the gallant service which they have already rendered in the fight for freedom. Now it is my proud duty to hand over the George Cross to the people of Malta for safe keeping. I repeat the words of His Majesty, written with his own hand:
“To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history.”’
The Times of Malta reported details of the presentation in the following day’s issue:
‘Yesterday’s ceremony of the presentation of the George Cross to the people of Malta by Viscount Gort on behalf of HM the King was one of austere and fitting simplicity, admirably carried out. Those who were privileged to be present were conscious of the stern chapter in the island’s history through which we are living, and His Majesty’s award of the George Cross marked his kingly appreciation of the importance of Malta’s resistance in the cause of free men.’
Over the following weeks the George Cross would tour the towns and villages where it would be seen by thousands of the islanders, whose bravery and steadfastness had earned the admiration of Great Britain and the Empire.
Meanwhile, on 13 September No. 185 Squadron lost Flight Sergeant L.H. Swain3, RAFVR (flying BR374).
During 14 September, the Squadron took part in two Rodeos over Sicily, also making a flight-strength scramble, but without engaging the enemy.
The Luftwaffe returned to the skies over Malta in numbers on 15 September.
No. 249 Squadron’s first scramble was made at 0825 hours. Thirty minutes into the operation, two Bf 109s dived out of the sun onto Red Section, which turned to engage them. Flight Sergeant Bernard ‘Pedro’ Peters’4 Spitfire (TE (BP867) was seen taking avoiding action, cannon-burst betraying the presence of an enemy fighter. His Spitfire was hit and crashed into the sea about eight miles north of Zonker Point. Peters had fallen victim to Oberleutnant Günther Hess of VI./JG 53. Beurling later recalled:
‘Peters never knew what hit him. He simply fell off the end of the line-abreast formation and dived into the sea from 20,000ft. Another well-liked guy gone home!’
At 0930 hours, two of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires took off to make an intensive search of the water over which they had just fought, but no sign of Flight Sergeant Peters or his Spitfire could be found. Just over an hour into the patrol, three Bf 109s were engaged eight miles off Zonker. One got onto Pilot Officer R. Seed’s tail at a range of 50 yards. He took violent evasive action and momentarily blacked-out, but the enemy broke off. No claims were made by either side. Meanwhile, No. 229 Squadron was also engaged, Flight Lieutenant A.F. Roscoe getting a short burst at a Bf 109 of I./JG 77, which was left trailing smoke.
No. 249 Squadron flew a second search between 1150 and 1215 hours, this time for No. 229 Squadron’s Pilot Officer R.J. Scott5, who was shot down by pilots of I./JG 77 while flying Spitfire BR486. A greyish dinghy was sighted about 25 miles north of St Paul’s Bay, and the patrol descended to 80ft to get a clearer view of a body lying face-up in water and dressed in brown and white. The casualty could not be identified as the missing Peters or Scott.
Meanwhile, the London Gazette announced the award of the DFC to Acting Flight Lieutenant Norman William LEE (88724), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 249 Squadron.
No. 249 Squadron flew two patrols before noon on 16 September. During the second of these, the enemy was sighted but evaded combat.
Beurling (flying EP706 T-L) took part in a scramble at 1745 hours. Nine of the Squadron’s Spitfires climbed to 24,000ft, heading for Comiso where they saw eight Bf 109s. The enemy, however, declined combat. Later, during the same sortie, Blue Section sighted four Bf 109s 1,000ft below while patrolling Grand Harbour and Takali at 20,000ft. The enemy fighters dived away, with the Spitfires following them down to 3,000ft. One Bf 109 broke to starboard, allowing Sergeant V.H. Wynn, who was slightly above, to get in a two-second burst of cannon fire. Meanwhile, Red Section was still climbing to between 15,000 and 30,000ft over St Paul’s Bay, when twenty Bf 109s were sighted. The Spitfires dived to attack but were jumped by four Bf 109s. A series of dogfights developed. Red 3 saw a Bf 109 which was intending to bounce him, and pulled out of line and climbed to deliver a deflection shot at 40 degrees. He fired three bursts of three seconds each at 300 yards, but saw no strikes and continued to chase the Bf 109 towards Sicily.
Three Bf 109s attacked Beurling’s Spitfire at 14,000ft from above and behind. Beurling explained how one: ‘put a burst through my right wing and a bullet through the tail stabiliser.’ Meanwhile, Flight Lieutenant E.L. Hetherington fared better, tangling with five Bf 109s, and damaging one.
Back on the ground, Beurling lamented on how he seemed to be missing all of the ‘good shows’ but found himself, ‘getting shot up on the little puky parties.’
During the morning of 17 September, No. 249 Squadron flew two uneventful scrambles. Meanwhile, Nos. 126 and 229 Squadrons were in the air at 0845 hours, Flight Lieutenant A.F. Roscoe damaging an Mc 202 of 2° Gruppo and Flight Sergeant W.R. Irwin chasing a brace of Bf 109s, catching one and giving it a four-second burst. He was only allowed to claim a ‘damaged’. Elsewhere, No. 129 Squadron sighted fifteen Bf 109s over Zonquo, Pilot Officer W.L. Thompson claiming a Bf 109, while his CO, Squadron Leader B.J. Wicks’ Spitfire, received battle damage.
Meanwhile, at 1115 hours, Nos. 229 and 249 Squadrons were scrambled and vectored onto what turned out to be a formation of about fifteen Mc 202s and Bf 109s. While ten miles north of Comino and flying at 25,000ft, No. 229 Squadron engaged the Mc 202s. The Bf 109s of I./JG 77 caught No. 249 Squadron off guard and Oberleutnant Freytag hit Pilot Officer J.W. Farmer’s Spitfire with a telling burst, shooting his controls away. Farmer went into a steep dive but managed to bail out at 450mph, and was rescued by High Speed Launch 107 and admitted to 90 General Hospital.
Beurling (flying EP706 T-L) flew on an uneventful scramble at 1550 hours, but his bad luck continued and he landed without firing his guns.
It was at about this time that Beurling flew with one of the neighbouring Squadrons in the hope of breaking his duck:
‘and I got one scramble, no action, but might easily have connected with a broken neck. When I was slipping back into Takali, damned if my flaps would go down. I flipped across to Luqa and landed flaps up, like a runaway horse.’ With his flaps repaired he returned to his home base.
Beurling (flying EP706 T-L) made a twenty-minute cannon test on 18 September. Having carried out his orders, Beurling radioed the Controller, but there were no raids on the horizon and he pancaked to conserve fuel. The next few days were no better, although No. 126 Squadron had some joy on the 19th when Flight Lieutenant W.T.E. Rolls destroyed a Do 24, while Sergeant J.E. Mortimer, RAAF, claimed a Do 18 during the same operation. No. 249 Squadron was rested on the 20th.
Meanwhile, the London Gazette of 22 September announced Beurling’s promotion to the rank of pilot officer (serial number 1267053) with seniority of 25 July 1942.
Takali was unserviceable on 23 September, due to the failure of its new drainage system. No. 249 Squadron instead had to operate out of Hal Far. A scramble was made, which the ORB noted as being uneventful. Flight Sergeant N.G. Brydon however, was admitted to 90 General Hospital. Meanwhile, No. 126 Squadron’s Pilot Officer I. F. Preston6 (flying BR383) was killed-in-action.
The Squadron had been scrambled against seven Bf 109s of I./JG 77, Sergeant N.D. Sintetos claiming a Bf 109 damaged.
At 0745 hours on 24 September, No. 249 Squadron mounted an interception patrol. Although the enemy was encountered on two occasions, they could not be successfully engaged.
Beurling (flying EP706 T
-L) took off at 1735 hours as part of a Rodeo to Sicily flown by No. 249 Squadron and led by Wing Commander Donaldson. The Spitfires flew over Pachino airfield, but the enemy could not be drawn into the air.
Between 1110 and 1210 hours on 25 September, ten of No. 249 Squadron’s Spitfires were joined by two Spitfires of No. 1435 Squadron on an interception of eighteen Bf 109s some 30 miles north-east of Zonqor Point. No. 1435 Squadron’s Flight Sergeant I.R. MacLennan later recalled Beurling’s uncanny ability to spot the enemy far in advance of the rest of the formation, thus allowing them to be well placed for an attack:
‘You’re looking for the Germans and the first thing you saw were little specks, and that’s the fighters ahead of the bombers and that’s the enemy [the fighters] that he [Beurling] used to see before anyone else saw.’
In aerial combat, positioning and the element of surprise were everything and on this occasion, thanks to an early scramble and Beurling’s 20:20 vision, the Spitfires at 27,000ft had the advantage of height and were able to attack from up sun.
Beurling (flying EP706 T-L) was flying as Flight Lieutenant E.L. Hetherington’s No. 2 and was first into the attack:
‘Not five seconds after we started the melee, I had the first one, catching him with a deflection from the starboard side. I must have got him in the oxygen bottles, for he blew into a million pieces.’
A second Bf 109 pulled up in a steep climb, but Beurling was already underneath and went in hot pursuit:
‘I got my sights on his engine and let him have a two-second burst. The last I saw of him, his engine was spewing black smoke and he was high-tailing toward Sicily.’
Pilot Officer F.E. Jones, reflecting on Beurling’s unflinching desire to destroy enemy aircraft, described this or a similar combat:
‘I have seen him on the tail of a 109 getting in very close. He’s making sure he is dead on the target before he fires his guns. A second 109 comes in behind Beurling, fires and pulls away over his head. Beurling does not take his eye off the aircraft in front of his until he is certain it’s a gonner. Then, like a flash of lightning, he banks away, pulls up his nose, and gives the second 109 a burst of cannon shells right in the belly. Both Jerries go straight down into the sea. That’s Beurling.’