Hurricane Squadron Ace: The Story of Battle of Britain Ace, Air Commodore Peter Brothers, CBE, DSO, DFC and Bar

by Nick Thomas

  At around 1730 hours, fifteen Hurricanes of Nos. 32 and 501 Squadrons were scrambled to intercept the Hornchurch raid, which they encountered fifteen minutes later at 12,000ft coming in from the Thames estuary north of Herne Bay. Squadron Leader Crossley led No. 32 Squadron into the attack, but the Hurricanes were bounced by the escorting Bf 109s of II./JG 51.

  Pilot Officer De Grunne (flying V6535) was shot down in flames over Gillingham and bailed out with burns and slight wounds, being admitted to Willesborough Hospital. He did not return to the squadron and, after a spying mission over Brussels, was shot down and killed on 25 May 1942, over the Channel while on a bomber escort mission. Sergeant Pearce (flying R4106), was forced to bail out near Canterbury, his Hurricane crashing at Rose Garden Cottage, Chartham Hatch. Pearce was posted to No. 249 Squadron on 18 September 1940, on recovering from his wounds.

  But the combat was not all one-sided. The squadron claimed six Bf 109s destroyed and a Bf 110 probably destroyed.

  ‘A’ Flight’s Crossley (flying N2461 ‘F’) claimed one Bf 109 destroyed, firing a five second burst:

  ‘While climbing to intercept about fifty bombers away to our left, we ran into a dozen 109s. One flew across in front of me so I joined in behind and opened fire at 100 yds. He swerved, turned on his back and went straight down in flames. I watched him crash. The pilot did not get out.’

  (signed) M. Crossley.

  Crossley later claimed one Bf 110 destroyed and another as probably destroyed. On his way back to base he tackled eight Bf 110s in line astern, but got shot up. Undoing his straps he rolled over and bailed out uninjured, landing in an allotment at Gillingham at 1730 hours. He was picked up by members of the Home Guard who took him to the Queen’s Arms, ‘where they got me plastered’. His Hurricane crashed near Wigmore.

  The Bf 109 of II./JG 51 flown by Oberleutnant Walter Blume was shot down by a combination of attacks by Crossley, Eckford and Pniak, the badly wounded pilot being made a PoW.

  Crossley shot at a Do 17, seeing it rear up. Meanwhile, Pilot Officer Eckford (flying P3936) claimed a Do 215: ‘The bombers were stepped up in close formation. I remember thinking, as I was approaching the formation, that if I opened fire at the first one and then gradually lifted my nose and kept the button pressed, several would have to pass through my fire.’

  Due to their closing speeds, Eckford only hit the lead aircraft before he had to push hard on the stick to avoid a collision. Looking back he saw the Do 215, piloted by Oberleutnant Werner Stoldt, spin down near Canterbury.

  Blue 2, Pilot Officer Pniak (flying N2524), claimed two Bf 110s destroyed north of Canterbury, firing 2,000 rounds:

  ‘I saw on the same height two Me 109s. I attacked the one which was nearer me, from a distance of 250 yards, I gave him first short burst [one to two seconds]. He was quite surprised. I drew nearer and gave him two, two second bursts.

  ‘Just after I saw an Me 109 in black smoke and flames. He was diving in a SE direction. I saw two Hurricanes which were fighting with five Me 109s. I attacked one which was near from back of Hurricanes. He saw me because I attacked three-quarters from above. At once he turned in my direction and began to dive. I gave first burst from 300 yards [one to two seconds]. After next several bursts he was burning. I left him on the 7,000ft height.’

  (signed) P/O Pniak.

  ‘B’ Flight’s Flight Lieutenant Brothers (flying N2921) claimed one Bf 109 destroyed near Canterbury, firing 640 rounds in two bursts of two seconds at 100 yards:

  ‘At 1745 hours on 18 August 1940, I was leading Blue Section when I observed about 100 enemy a/c about five miles north of Herne Bay flying west. They were stepped up with fighters behind and were too far away to distinguish their type. The fighters, about twenty Me 109s, broke away and attacked us.

  ‘I saw one behind me and on my right, so I turned sharply onto his tail and put two short bursts into him. He caught fire and dived steeply, so I followed him down and he crashed in a field near Chatham. I circled round low down and observed another a/c about half a mile east of the 109 wreck, also burning on the ground. This a/c I took to be a Hurricane.

  ‘As I was circling, P/O Wlasnowalski appeared and joined me in formation. I looked around for more enemy a/c, but was recalled by wireless ten minutes later.’

  (signed) Peter M. Brothers F/Lt.

  Brothers’ victim was Leutnant Gerhard Muller-Duhe, whose aircraft was also claimed by Pilot Officer Boleslaw Wlasnowolski. The 22-year-old was killed as a result of the engagement.

  Flight Lieutenant Brothers later recalled: ‘We broke formation as they came in and opened fire, and I turned sharply right, onto the tail of an Me 109 as he overtook me, I gave a quick glance behind to ensure that there was not another on my tail, laid my sight on him and fired a short burst. I hit him with another short burst and he caught fire, and his dive steepened. I followed him down, he went into a field at a steep angle and a cloud of flame and black smoke erupted, and I flew over it, thinking, “Jolly good, that’s one. Now, where are the rest?”’

  Alongside the entry are the words ‘the 109 shot down at 1745 hours near Chatham was that of Leutnant Gerhard Muller-Duhe of 7 Staffel of JG 26. His score was five. Curiously, he was my fifth,’ Pete adding, ‘he should have known better!’

  Brothers also recorded that he took off and landed between craters, the sortie being one hour and thirty minutes duration.

  ‘B’ Flight’s Pilot Officer Wlasnowolski (flying P3205) claimed one Bf 109 destroyed at 8,000ft, firing 600 rounds in three or four, two second bursts at 300–200 yards:

  ‘I was flying next to Flight Lieutenant Brothers when I saw an Me 109 behind and at the same height. I turned and attacked him, he turned away diving towards the ground and went up in flames. I circled round and saw two aircraft on fire on the ground, the ME 109 had yellow wingtips. The place was near Chatham.’

  P/O Wlasnowolski.

  Landing back at Biggin Hill, Pilot Officer Wlasnowolski taxied into a bomb crater.

  During the attack No. 501 Squadron lost Flight Lieutenant George Stoney, killed in combat with Hauptmann Josef Fözo of II./JG 51, while leading his squadron towards the bombers. It had been a particularly bad day for the squadron, having lost four Hurricanes a little after noon. However, No. 501 Squadron quickly counterattacked, destroying two Bf 109s. One of them was flown by Horst Tietzen, an ace with twenty victories, making him at that time the Luftwaffe’s fourth highest claimant. The other fatality was Hans-Otto Lessing. The fighter’s real targets, the Dorniers, escaped unscathed.

  Some of the broken formation did hit Kenley, also bombing the nearby railway to the north and the east of the airfield, others hit Croydon, three miles to the northeast of their initial dropping point.

  RAF fighter pilots claimed 126 enemy aircraft shot down during the day, although the actual figure was closer to seventy-one. The Germans countered these figures with their own, with 147 RAF fighters claimed destroyed for the actual loss of only thirty-six. The actual RAF losses were between twenty-seven and thirty-four fighters destroyed, with a further thirty-nine damaged. Ten pilots were killed and a further nineteen wounded, eight only lightly so.

  Between 17 and 22 August, No. 266 Squadron operated out of Biggin Hill. On 18 August, Pilot Officer R.J.B. Roach shared in the destruction of an He 115 off Dunkirk. Pilot Officer Roach would add to his total in the following weeks, shooting down a Do 17 on 7 September, but was shot down by defensive fire from an He 111 four days later, bailing out from his Spitfire (P7313) at 1620 hours over Billericay unhurt.

  Chapter 9

  No. 32 Squadron Keeping the Upper Hand

  Brothers was rested on 20 August. On what otherwise proved to be a quiet day for the squadron, the pilots were scrambled at 1515 hours and intercepted an enemy raid over the Thames estuary. Pilot Officer Smythe (flying V6567) damaged a Do 215, firing several bursts.

  Although the news had already reached the squadron from No. 11 Group, regarding Acting Squadron Leader Michael Crossley being mad
e a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, the award was officially promulgated in that day’s London Gazette. The same issue also announced the awards of the DFC to Flying Officers John Humpherson, Rupert Frederick Smythe and to Pilot Officer Peter Melville Gardner:

  ‘Appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order

  ‘Acting Squadron Leader Michael Nicholson CROSSLEY, DFC (37554).

  ‘This officer has led his section, flight and squadron, with skill and courage and has flown almost continuously since the commencement of hostilities. Since May, he has participated in engagements against the enemy over Holland, Belgium and France, including patrols over Dunkirk and St. Valery during the evacuation operation. In August he destroyed two Junkers 88s over Portsmouth and assisted in the destruction of another over Croydon. During the latter engagement he encountered another Junkers 88 and, having expended all his ammunition, acted as above guard until two of his section finally destroyed it. Squadron Leader Crossley has now destroyed a total of eighteen enemy aircraft and possibly five others. He has displayed rare qualities as a leader; his example of courage and tenacity of purpose have proved an inspiration to other members of his squadron.’

  ‘Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

  ‘Flying Officer John Bernard William HUMPHERSON (39317).

  ‘This officer has led his section, and on occasions his flight, with great skill. During operations in France he destroyed two enemy aircraft and probably another three. Since returning to England he has destroyed a further four enemy aircraft. He has displayed courage and initiative and has proved an excellent leader.’

  ‘Flying Officer Rupert Frederick SMYTHE (40436).

  ‘In July 1940, this officer, whilst leading his section, broke up a formation of six Messerschmitt 109s near Folkestone, and succeeded in destroying one. Flying Officer Smythe has destroyed six enemy aircraft. He has displayed courage and set an excellent example to all.’

  ‘Pilot Officer Peter Melville GARDNER (40527).

  ‘During a short time in France this officer succeeded in destroying four enemy aircraft. Since returning to this country he has destroyed a further five enemy aircraft and possibly several others. He has displayed great keenness and courage.’

  Meanwhile, Winston Churchill spoke in the House of Commons, extracts from the speech appearing in the following day’s press:

  ‘The great air battle which has been in progress over this Island for the last few weeks has recently attained a high intensity.

  ‘It must also be remembered that all the enemy machines and pilots which are shot down over our Island, or over the seas which surround it, are either destroyed or captured; whereas a considerable proportion of our machines, and also of our pilots, are saved, and soon again in many cases come into action.’

  Concerning his earlier prediction that over British soil, Fighter Command would improve their ‘kill’ ratio to greater than 4:1, Churchill was able to report that: ‘this has certainly come true’. Despite their successes the RAF would, if the rate of attrition continued to increase, soon run out of trained fighter pilots. Meanwhile, the stepping up of production meant that Fighter Command’s aircraft pool had never been stronger.

  Churchill continued, coining the phrase which was to become synonymous with the Battle of Britain:

  ‘The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World War by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’

  Following an uneventful Dover patrol on 21 August, Brothers and the squadron had better luck the following day, one on which Pete made four operational sorties.

  During a patrol of the Dover area, Brothers and Wlasnowolski latched onto a Bf 109 which they destroyed over Folkestone. Both combat reports are missing, while Brothers’ logbook entries throughout the battle are brief, with only occasional additional detail, most of which was penned in the post-war era. As Brothers said, ‘You didn’t have time to sit down and write out what was happening.’

  Landing to rearm and refuel, Brothers was back in the air when the squadron was scrambled to defend a convoy under attack from bombers. Nothing was seen, however, as the vessels were actually being shelled by German shore batteries.

  At 1755 hours, in a reciprocal action, the squadron flew a mid-Channel patrol escorting an Anson on spotting duties for an artillery bombardment of German positions. Over thirty minutes into the patrol, the Hurricanes were vectored onto twenty bombers escorted by Bf 110s and 109s. Making their interception at 3,000ft between Manston and Deal, Flight Lieutenant Brothers (flying N2921), along with Sergeant Aslin (flying V6572) and Pilot Officer Pniak (flying P6546), damaged a Do 215, which was last seen diving away into cloud with smoke trailing from both engines.

  Meanwhile, Sergeant Henson was admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, suffering from wounds received in combat.

  During the afternoon No. 610 Squadron had flown on a patrol of Folkestone at 15,000ft, when they were attacked from out of the sun by twenty-plus Bf 109s. Four Spitfires were rendered unserviceable, including that of Sergeant D.F. Corfe (R6695 ‘O’), which was lost when he was shot down by cannon fire and crashed near Hawkinge. Corfe bailed out safely.

  Brothers flew on a thirty minute scramble from Hawkinge on 23 August. Meanwhile, Pilot Officer Pfeiffer engaged the enemy but was unable to make a claim. His own Hurricane (P2795) was shot up and he was forced to make a crash-landing back at Hawkinge. Pfeiffer was admitted to Kent and Canterbury Hospital slightly injured.

  Brothers made four operational sorties on 24 August totalling four hours flying time. During the day news of Brothers’ Distinguished Flying Cross reached the squadron, the letters DFC being added after his name in all subsequent ORB entries. The Luftwaffe mounted a series of heavy attacks on Fighter Command’s airfields, concentrating on No. 11 Group’s seven Sector Stations at Tangmere, Debden, Kenley, Biggin Hill, Hornchurch, North Weald and Northolt – it was on these bases that the defence of the whole of the south-east and London depended. Meanwhile, He 111s targeted Hornchurch, No. 32 Squadron scrambling to break up the attacks.

  Brothers made a squadron scramble at 1430 hours. Once in the air the pilots pushed their aircraft into a battle climb to put themselves in a better position to attack a raid approaching Dover. Here they were jumped by a staffel of Bf 109s. The action proved indecisive and no claims were made by either side, the Hurricanes landing after ninety minutes in the air.

  Brothers flew on one of two section patrols made between 1545 and 1645 hours, with orders to patrol Hawkinge, engaging fifteen Bf 109s over Folkestone. Pilot Officer Gillman (flying V6565) and Sergeant Higgins (flying P3879) destroyed a Bf 109 which crashed into the sea. Pilot Officer Barton (flying V6565) damaged another fighter. Sergeant Aslin (flying N2524) attacked a Bf 109 which made off with smoke pouring from it. During the same dogfight Flying Officer Smythe (flying V6568) was shot down and crashed, being taken to the Royal Masonic Hospital, Hammersmith, wounded. Pilot Officer Pniak claimed one Bf 109 probably destroyed, but had to bail out over Folkestone and was admitted into hospital with slight knee and ankle injuries from a heavy landing. Pniak’s Hurricane (V6572) crashed at Rhodes Minnis, near Lyminge.

  Another casualty was Pilot Officer E.G.A. Seghers (flying V6567), who was shot down by a Bf 109 and bailed out, landing in the sea uninjured, his Hurricane crashing in flames on Elham and Lyminge road. Seghers was quickly picked up and was back in the air the following day. Meanwhile, Squadron Leader Crossley (flying P3481) was shot down in combat over Folkestone, making a wheels-up landing, skidding across a field on Valley Farm at 1630 hours.

  ‘A’ Flight’s Sergeant Higgins (flying P3879) claimed one Bf 109 destroyed, firing 2,400 rounds in twelve short bursts closing to 100 yards:

  ‘Th
e squadron intercepted from twelve to twenty Me 109s [at 10,000ft] off Folkestone. Each pilot took on one of the enemy, a dogfight ensuing. I attacked an Me 109 at about 300 yards, remaining on his tail for several minutes. Continually the rounds struck the E/A. then finally a gentle dive resulted, the Me 109 hitting the water about ten miles out to sea off Folkestone.’

  (signed) W.B. Higgins, Sgt.

  Yellow Section’s Pilot Officer Barton (flying V6565) claimed one Bf 109 damaged:

  ‘After engaging [fifteen] Me 109s over Folkestone at 15,000ft for some five minutes, I chased one of them across the Channel. He was taking fairly skillful avoiding action, but I managed to give him four bursts of approximately two seconds each at 300 to 200 yds range during the fight.’

  (Signed) Barton.

  Flight Lieutenant P.M. Brothers (flying N2921), destroyed a Bf 109, firing 1,500 rounds in three second bursts at 150 yards. The engagement began four miles northwest of Dover:

  ‘I was leading Blue Section at 1600 hrs on 24 August 1940, when we were attacked by twelve Me 109s which had been circling above us for some time. As we climbed up to them they climbed away and kept their distance until an opportune moment, when they dived on us. I fired short bursts at two or three and then lost them owing to ‘blacking out’. I climbed up 20,000ft and engaged them again, and managing to get on the tail of one. I gave him two, three second bursts. Part of his starboard wing came away and he dived into the sea about ten miles SE of Dover. I followed him down, then returned to base.’

  (signed) Brothers.

  Brothers later added in pencil ‘Lt. Achleitner of 111./JG 3. Bailed out. PoW.’ against the original entry, which was for a ‘Dover Patrol’ of one hour and fifteen minutes duration. Pilot Officer Pniak (flying V6572), claimed one Bf 109 probably destroyed with four, two second bursts at 150 yards: