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

by Nick Thomas

  Meanwhile, the squadron’s fortunes turned when Brothers received the news that everyone had been waiting for, ‘We were to transfer into No. 11 Group and moved to Redhill, just south of London, to take over No. 452 Squadron’s frontline duties.’ The move began on 19 March. Fighter Command had recently received authorization to launch a full-scale offensive campaign deep into enemy occupied territory and the squadron became part of this effort.

  The former civilian airfield at Redhill, Surrey, had, until the outbreak of hostilities, belonged to British Air Transport Ltd. and was home to No. 15 E & RFTS and the Redhill Flying Club. From August 1940, the grassed landing strip was used by the Kenley Wing, and after the onset of the London Blitz, by the night-fighters of No. 600 (City of London) Squadron and later by No. 219 Squadron.

  In 1941 the airfield was upgraded with a laid perimeter track and army mesh runways. Meanwhile, dispersal pens were constructed, along with blister hangars. A larger hangar housed civilian workers from Vickers, repairing Spitfire wings.

  From early 1941 the newly renamed RAF Redhill became home to No. 1 Squadron, later Nos. 258, 41 and 485 (RNZAF) Squadrons all operated out of the airfield at one time or another; in February 1942, No. 602 Squadron was added to the list. The station also became a refuelling ground for No. 12 Group.

  On 24 March, the Station Commander, Group Captain Beamish, DSO, DFC, AFC, (AFC, London Gazette, 1 January 1938; MiD, London Gazette, 20 February 1940; DSO, London Gazette, 23 July 1940; DFC, London Gazette, 8 November 1940; Bar to DSO, 2 September 1941) whom Brothers had first met while with No. 257 Squadron at North Weald, where Beamish had been Station Commander, addressed the pilots at Readiness – the missions that lay ahead of them were designed to take the fight to the enemy. Brothers summed up his own feelings, which were no doubt shared by the majority of his pilots, ‘After a year of defensive fighting, wearily waiting for the frantic “scramble” at the enemy’s beck and call, I found it exhilarating to take to the offensive.’

  The RAF’s new fighter offensive included a number of different types of air operations made over enemy occupied Europe, each with a different codename:

  Circus

  Bombers or fighter-bombers heavily escorted by fighters. The purpose of these sweeps being to draw the enemy fighters into combat.

  Ramrod

  Heavily escorted bomber formations targeting specific locations.

  Rodeo

  A mass fighter sweep, sometimes at squadron, Wing and even multi-Wing strength.

  Sweep

  An offensive flight by fighters designed to draw up and clear the enemy from the sky.

  At 1535 hours on 26 March 1942, the squadron took off for its first taste of action, taking part in Circus 116A, an escort to twenty-two Douglas Boston bombers attacking vessels in Le Havre harbour. As the squadron slid into formation behind their leader, Brothers headed towards their rendezvous with Nos. 485 (New Zealand) and 602 Squadrons before flying low over the Channel to avoid radar. As they approached enemy occupied Europe they climbed to avoid the coastal flak batteries. The squadron cruised well below their normal 350 mph, allowing the lumbering bombers to keep pace. Meanwhile, their progress was being closely monitored by enemy radar. As the bombers swung in towards their target, twelve Bf 109s and Fw 190s came into sight, making individual attacks.

  During the ensuing combat Brothers (flying BM143 BP – A) destroyed a Bf 109E of JG 26:

  ‘At 1602 hours I was leading 457 Squadron in a Circus operation five miles off Le Havre when E/A were reported above and at three o’clock (Up sun). I turned right, through 360 degrees and E/A were reported at six o’clock. I turned left and as I turned saw a Spitfire (BP-R) going down smoking. Ahead, an Me 109E was diving down sun. He saw me and pulled up into a steep climb. I pulled up after him and gave him a six second burst at 200 yards from quarter astern. Pieces flew off, and then half the starboard wing broke off. The E/A turned over on its back and dived down into the sea, pieces still coming off. The pilot did not leave the a/c.’

  (signed) S/Ldr P.M. Brothers.

  The aircraft Brothers had seen in trouble a few miles off the French coast was AB495 flown by Pilot Officer B.J. Halse. Pilot Officer (402236) Brian Joseph Halse, RAAF, was the son of Neville and Margaret Ann Halse, of Bondi, New South Wales, Australia. Halse, who was 29-years-old, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel, 110. He had been one of the squadron’s first sergeant pilots and received his commission in mid-November, serving as ‘B’ Flight’s second-in-command. The Squadron ORB noted:

  ‘Our Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader P.M. Brothers, bagged the squadron’s first Hun (an Me 109). The elation of everyone was forestalled by the loss of Pilot Officer B.J. Halse (RAAF). Should he be safe, and in German hands – Good luck to him, and we shall all be glad to hear of his safety.’

  As a further note, a message had been received from No. 11 Group: ‘In the opinion of Wing Commander (Flying), Wing Commander Boyd, DFC, they [457 Squadron] acquitted themselves very well.’

  Of the remainder of the Wing, No. 485 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant Crawford-Compton claimed a Bf 109E destroyed near Le Havre, Pilot Officer Mackie damaging a second, while No. 602 Squadron’s CO, Squadron Leader Hodson, destroyed one Bf 109 and Pilot Officer Charlesworth (Yellow 3) damaged another. Their victories were tempered by the loss of Flight Sergeant (402194) William Max Krebs, RNZAF. He was the son of William Ernest and Ruby Krebs, of Gisborne, Auckland, New Zealand. Krebs, who was 24-years-old, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 117.

  Brothers led an uneventful Fighter Sweep over France before lunch on 28 March, while the squadron took part in a Wing Rodeo over Le Touquet – Dieppe at 1655 hours. Shortly after making landfall south of Cap Griz Nez, between forty to fifty Fw 190s and Bf 109s were sighted flying in pairs and fours. Group Captain Beamish turned the Wing sharply to port to make the interception as the Fw 190s dived towards the outgoing Biggin Hill Wing. A ‘terrific dogfight’ ensued, timed at 1745 hours, during which they were engaged by Fw 190s of JG 26, claiming one ‘probable’ and two shared, with several more damaged. One of those who damaged an Fw 190 was Flight Lieutenant North:

  ‘I saw an Fw 190 diving on a Spitfire. I turned onto the tail of the Fw 190 and he pulled up steeply, and a barrel roll. I gave the other Fw a short burst of cannon and machine-gun fire and something fell off the under side of the E/A.

  It turned over slowly and went into a vertical dive.’

  (signed) F/Lt North.

  Yellow 2, Sergeant W. ‘Bill’ Wright (flying AA928), was wounded but damaged another:

  ‘Saw twelve Fw 190s and was able to get on the tail of one of them, I gave a four second burst and saw thick whitish smoke come from the engine.

  ‘The E/A then went down in a very steep dive with dense smoke still coming from it. I did not trouble to follow it as I was convinced my burst had destroyed the E/A.

  ‘I became aware I was being attacked and found I had been shot through the right knee.’

  (signed) Sgt Wright.

  Yellow 3, Pilot Officer K.E. James (flying AA857 BP ‘D’), destroyed an Fw 190 which he shared with Squadron Leader Finucane:

  ‘I saw two Fw 190s about 2,000ft below me and slightly to starboard. I dived on the rear aircraft and fired a three second burst with machine guns at about 200 yds range. (I understand that Squadron Leader Finucane followed me in and finally destroyed this aircraft and claimed half.)’

  (signed) P/O K. E. James.

  Yellow 4, Pilot Officer G. Russell (flying AB994), claimed an Fw 190 probably destroyed:

  ‘Saw an Fw 190 diving for the circle, I closed in to 400 yards, firing until within 200 yards, the E/A went slowly on his back fish-tailing and apparently out of control.’

  (signed) P/O G. Russell.

  Meanwhile, Blue 1, Flight Lieutenant R.H. Sly (flying AB260), posted on 24 March to command ‘B’ Flight, destroyed an Fw 190:

  ‘I saw two Fw 190s passing about 500ft above me. I pulled up and followed and
the first Fw 190 half rolled and dived away. The second kept climbing and I followed, firing a one second burst from below and astern without result. The E/A half rolled, I followed him down and closed in to 150 yds and gave a four second burst of cannon and machine gun, seeing De Wilde strike on the port wing and a big orange flash appeared in the cockpit, and pieces flew off. The E/A went on his side and spiraled slowly down with flames coming from the cockpit.’

  (signed) A/F/Lt R.H. Sly.

  Sergeant William ‘Bill’ Wright’s Spitfire was damaged but managed to get back to base. Sergeant Reilly, however, was forced to take to his parachute eight miles south of Dungeness and was pulled out of the water by the crew of an Air Sea Rescue Launch and taken to Dover. Sadly, Sergeants Bloomfield (flying AB187) and Edwards (flying BL774) were both reported as missing. Flight Sergeant (402721) David l’Anson Bloomfield, RAAF, was the son of Archie l’Anson and Ethel Bloomfield, of Dee Way, New South Wales, Australia. Bloomfield, who was 25-years-old, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 111. Sergeant (403043) James George Edwards, RAAF, was the son of Dr James George and Margaret Stewart Edwards, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Edwards, who was 26-years-old, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 112.

  Sergeant Bloomfield, one of the squadron’s original pilots, had been recommended for a commission by Brothers. He had only recently been appointed second-incommand of ‘B’ Flight, following the death of Pilot Officer Halse.

  Also flying on the same Wing operation, No. 485 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenants Grant and Compton, along with Pilot Officer E.D. Mackie, each claimed an Fw 190 destroyed, while Flight Sergeant Liken damaged an Fw 190, and Pilot Officer Palmer claimed an Fw 190 probably destroyed.

  For No. 602 Squadron, Squadron Leader Hodson ‘got a couple of Fw 190s’ and Maxwell an Fw 190, while Flight Sergeants J. Garden and Catarall claimed one Fw 190 each, Catrall also claiming another damaged, while Schofield got one damaged. Warrant Officer Rudolph Ptacek (787434), RAFVR, who had previously been shot down twice, was killed-in-action. Ptacek, who was born in Czechoslovakia, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 73.

  The Wing had suffered a further grievous loss with the death of Group Captain Victor Beamish, No. 485 Squadron’s ORB taking up the narrative:

  ‘An Fw 190 came in to attack the Group Captain. Flight Lieutenant Grant gave the Fw 190 a two second burst in the belly from about 50 yards range just as the Hun opened fire on the Group Captain. Strikes were seen in the port wing and under the fuselage of the Fw 190, and it dived away vertically, pouring greyish blue smoke from its engine and a large piece, which seemed to be the left aileron, blew off, and the cannon hole in the port wing appeared to be widening as it went down. Another Fw 190 came in to attack, but Flight Lieutenant Grant attacked it with cannon from 150 yds range from port quarter astern, and the Fw 190 shuddered, continued on its course for a brief period and suddenly blew up. The Group Captain was heard by Squadron Leader Finucane asking for a fix and someone advised him to steer 310.’

  Group Captain (16089) Francis Victor Beamish, DSO and Bar, DFC, AFC, RAF, was the son of Francis George and Mary Elizabeth Beamish of Castlerock, Co. Derry. Beamish is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 64.

  Beamish was awarded a Bar to the DSO, London Gazette, 25 September 1941:

  ‘Group Captain Beamish commanded an RAF Station from October [sic] 1940 to March 1941 and during that period carried out seventy-one operational sorties in which he destroyed an enemy fighter, probably destroyed three other hostile aircraft and damaged others. Since his appointment to Group Captain he has probably destroyed two more enemy aircraft. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Group Captain Beamish are of the highest order and he has set a magnificent example.’

  Brothers recalled, ‘He was a fearless, tough and dedicated officer, a born leader, revered and respected by us all, whose loss had a serious impact on the morale of the Wing. “If he can be killed,” ran the thoughts of my pilots, “what chance have I?”’

  The man who assumed command of the Wing was another giant of the pre-war aviation world, Wing Commander Richard ‘Batchy’ Atcherley (later Air Marshal Sir Richard Atcherley, KBE, CB, AFC and Bar), an ex-member of the Schnieder Trophy Team. ‘And so,’ related Pete, ‘started a long association with this most memorable of characters.’

  Meanwhile, before breakfast on 29 March the squadron flew on an uneventful convoy patrol off the French Coast and on their return were ordered to stand down. Brothers took the opportunity to invite Wing Commander (Flying) Boyd, DSO, DFC and Bar, over to celebrate his award of the DSO. Boyd’s award was promulgated in the London Gazette of 7 April 1942. The citation read:

  ‘Since December 1941, this officer has led a Wing on many occasions. Much of the outstanding success which has been obtained can be attributed to the leadership, skill and fighting spirit of this officer. Since being awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Wing Commander Boyd has destroyed a further twelve enemy aircraft, bringing his total to twenty-two.’

  The squadron ORB for 31 March acknowledged the very mixed fortunes of the squadron’s blooding:

  ‘During our first week of action, the squadron has already three Huns to its credit and also a few ‘possibles’. We have unfortunately lost one pilot by flying accident, and three are missing on active service, and one severely wounded. The squadron went straight into action on arrival, and has now found it’s feet – let us hope from now on we shall give far more than we take.’

  That evening Brothers and his pilots attended a Wing party held in their honour at the Tudor Rose, near Kenley. No. 602 Squadron’s ORB noted: ‘Squadron Leader Brothers was chaired around the lounge by his enthusiastic pilots towards the end of the evening.’

  At 0945 hours on Easter Sunday, 4 April 1942, Flight Lieutenant North commanded the squadron on Kenley Wing’s Circus 119, making their rendezvous with the rest of the Wing under Squadron Leader Wells, DFC and Bar. Their role was as escort to twelve Bostons and four Wellingtons raiding St Omer railway yard. After turning at Aire, the bombers were attacked by forty-plus Fw 190s. Two of the Bostons were damaged and flew back on one engine, closely escorted by the fighters.

  Flight Lieutenant North (Red 1) claimed one Fw 190 damaged over St Omer:

  ‘I saw two Fw 190s coming down to attack the bombers from four o’clock and above. I pulled up and made a head-on attack on the E/A closing to about 100ft. I saw two jets of black smoke coming from E/A as my ammunition hit it.’

  (signed) F/Lt North.

  The overall tally was fourteen enemy aircraft claimed, for the loss of four aircraft. No. 457 Squadron’s ‘A’ Flight lost Pilot Officer C.G. Russell (flying BP859). He had been one of the squadron’s original pilots and second in command of the flight. Russell had broken formation and turned to go after an enemy aircraft. He bailed out and became a PoW. Meanwhile, Sergeant (402726) Arthur Bolwell Burgess, RAAF (flying AB994), was killed-in-action. He was the son of Arthur and Ruby Stuart Burgess, of Kelso, New South Wales, Australia. Bolwell, who was 24-years-old, is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 112.

  Meanwhile No. 485 Squadron lost Pilot Officers T.T. Fox (flying P8724) and E.F. Chandler (flying BM231), both last seen in the target area and going down in a gradual dive, trailing smoke. Pilot Officer (411392) Thomas Tristan Fox, RNZAF, was the son of Thomas and Marion Agnes Fox; husband of Doreen Fox, of Minnedosa, Mannatoba, Canada. Fox was 21-years-old and was buried at Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Special Memorial, Plot 9, Row A, Grave 1.

  Pilot Officer (402543) Edward Fred Chandler, RNZAF, was the son of Edward Fred Chandler and Evelyn Marguette Chandler of Tapu Auckland, New Zealand. He was 24-years-old and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 115.

  In retaliation, Pilot Officer Ian McNeil claimed a probable Fw 190, while Flight Lieutenant W. Crawford-Compton and Sergeant Doug Brown each damaged an Fw 190.

  Between 8 and 10 April the squadron flew on an uneventful Wing patrol and a Rode
o. Another Wing patrol over France (Circus 122) was made on 12 April, when Wing Commander Boyd damaged two Fw 190s, while Pilot Officer J.B. Niven of No. 602 Squadron damaged another.

  On 13 April, the squadron flew as a part of a Group operation over France, while on the following day they made up a bomber escort as a part of the Kenley Wing (485, 457, 602 Squadrons), under Squadron Leader Wells. Twelve miles east of Calais No. 602 Squadron dived to attack about fifteen enemy fighters, but sighted thirty-plus Fw 190s looking to attack them and formed a defensive circle. One by one they dived for the Channel, which they crossed at 50ft. The squadron claimed several successes. Pilot Officer Niven destroyed an Fw 190, Pilot Officer De La Poype damaged a second, and Flight Sergeant Willis another.

  Back in the air at 1740 hours the squadron took off as part of the Kenley Wing, carrying out a Fighter Patrol over the French Coast. Pilot Officer D.H. McLean (flying BL636 ‘P’) claimed an Fw 190 probably destroyed between Desvres and St Inglevert:

  ‘I was flying as Blue 2, 457 Squadron on fighter sweep. I saw a number of Fw 190s diving from up sun towards us, and over me. We turned 180 degrees, and shortly after, one Fw 190 dived past me firing at another Spitfire.

  ‘I fired a long burst of cannon and machine guns from quarter to astern closing in to 70 yards.

  ‘I saw pieces fly off the aircraft but could not identify what they were. Smoke poured from the E/A, which went spinning down and obviously out of control.’

  (signed) P/O MacLean.

  Flying an uneventful Rodeo on 15 April, the squadron was in action again on the following day, taking off at 0635 hours on Kenley Wing’s Circus 126, an escort to Hurri-bombers targeting the area between Dunkirk and Mardyck. No. 485 Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant Ian Grant hit an Fw 190 which was seen to go down vertically ‘belching smoke’ and ‘out of control’, while Squadron Leader Finucane (Coiner Leader) probably got another south of Mardyke: