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

by Nick Thomas

  Airborne at 0550 hours they were followed minutes later by No. 222 Squadron and 307th Pursuit Squadron, USAAF. Heading south, the Biggin Hill squadrons picked up Nos. 133 and 401 Squadrons over Lympne. Brothers led the Spitfires towards the coast at Beachy Head seeing the sun rise over France. The first phase of the raid was already in progress. Below were the support ships and a long line of troop barges, which stretched across the open waters, pointing towards their destination. As the formation drew to within twenty miles from Dieppe, they could see the telltale flashes of explosions and gun muzzles, the enemy turning their guns on the landing craft.

  The Biggin Hill squadrons were soon in action. No. 401 Squadron’s combat claims for the Dieppe Raid, 19 August included:

  Squadron Leader L.B. Hodson

  Do 217

  Flight Lieutenant James Whitham

  Fw 190

  Pilot Officer Stanley Cyril Cosburn

  Two Do 217s damaged (awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 15.1.43)

  Pilot Officer Harold Andrew Westhaver

  Fw 190

  Pilot Officer G.B. ‘Scotty’ Murray

  Fw 190

  Flight Sergeant Robert Mehew ‘Zip’ Zobell

  Do 17 (wounded)

  Sergeant Donald Robert ‘Don’ Morrison, DFM

  Fw 190

  During the day’s operations No. 401 Squadron lost three Spitfires: Pilot Officer Donald Robert ‘Don’ Morrison, DFM (London Gazette, 30 June 1942), destroyed an Fw 190, but bailed out of Spitfire BS119 following combat (rescued) and was later awarded the DFC; Sergeant L.J. Armstrong (flying BS107) was shot down by an Fw 190 and made a PoW; Flight Sergeant M.H. Buckley (flying BS157) was killed-in-action, shot down by an Fw 190. Flight Sergeant (R/66343) Morton Haist Buckley, RCAF, was the son of Morton Major Buckley and Gladys Haist Buckley, of Fonthill, Ontario, Canada. He was 22-years-old and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 103. Another of the squadron’s casualties was Sergeant (613110) Henry Morton, RAF, who died of wounds on 14 October. Morton was buried in Cirencester Cemetery, Plot 10 Church of England, Row O, Grave 5.

  Meanwhile, Flight Sergeant Robert M. ‘Zip’ Zobell, RCAF, was wounded in combat, but claimed a Do 17 into which he fired all of his ammunition.

  No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron was one of three American squadrons to take part in Operation Jubilee. Acting Squadron Leader DJ.M. ‘Don’ Blakeslee, DFC (USA) led the squadron on their first offensive at 0720 hours, during which they made the following claims:

  Acting Squadron Leader DJ.M. ‘Don’ Blakeslee, DFC

  Fw 190

  Pilot Officer W.H. Baker

  Fw 190

  Flight Sergeant Dixie Alexander

  Fw 190 probably destroyed

  The raid quickly fell into confusion with the land forces taking terrible casualties. The air offensive fared little better.

  No. 222 Squadron had been detailed to fly its first operation of the day in support of No. 602 Squadron, but in the event their missions soon moved out of synchronization. Reading through the pages of No. 222 Squadron’s ORB indicates that they were over Dieppe between 0620 and 0700 hours, while their second patrol was to provide cover for the embarkation of troops at 1015 hours. Their third operation was made between 1300 and 1430 hours to cover the withdrawal. Finally, between 1700 and 1820 hours they provided cover as the last vessels made their way back, closing on Beachy Head. They patrolled but made no combat claims, although during this latter patrol Sergeant Evans’ aircraft was damaged in combat.

  Meanwhile, patrolling from south to north, No. 602 Squadron operated with one section at 10,000ft, the remaining two stepped down to 8,000ft. Two Fw 190s were sighted at 8,000ft over Dieppe by Flight Lieutenant Niven, who led his wingman, Pilot Officer Sampson, in going for the one on the right, Niven the other. As the enemy pulled away from their strafing, they flew straight through the Spitfire’s gun sights.

  Pilot Officer R.W.F. Sampson (Yellow 2), who had seen the enemy first and called out the warning, claimed one Fw 190 damaged at 0635 hours, firing ninety-six cannon and 120 machine-gun rounds at 400 yards:

  ‘I followed Yellow 1, turning with E/A starboard. I saw Yellow 1 pick out the port aircraft so I took the starboard aircraft and delivered a short burst of one second each of cannon and machine gun. The E/A went into a spiral to starboard, diving down towards Dieppe emitting very thick white smoke.’

  (signed) R.W.F. Sampson PO.

  Meanwhile, Brothers destroyed an Fw 190. Thankfully, No. 602 Squadron escaped casualties during this first operation.

  As the Spitfires of No. 602 Squadron ground to a halt at around 0730 hours, the pilots undid their harness straps and climbed down off the wings, while the riggers, fitters and armourers quickly got to work. Following the usual routine, the aircraft were checked over, refuelled and rearmed, ready for the next operation.

  The pilots were buoyant at debriefing, the squadron’s ORB recording the mission as ‘a walk over’.

  Brothers gave the next briefing while his pilots grabbed a cuppa and bite to eat out of hot-boxes provided at dispersals. The squadron was to be in the air again at 0830 hours, flying at 4–5,000ft to the south of the armada, which was by then stretched out some six miles off the French coast. Their role was to hunt for the expected bomber attacks.

  For operational reasons, however, their take-off was delayed by over one and a half hours before they finally got the order to patrol in the company of No. 133 Squadron.

  Before taking off on their second operation, Brothers gave a final briefing, adding: ‘And remember, the Navy will fire at anything flying under 8,000ft, so be particularly careful when approaching convoys!’

  During their second patrolling sweep, Pilot Officer Sampson reported sighting three Do 217s from KG 2 which appeared to be heading towards the harbour. Brothers gave the ‘Tally-ho!’ One was attacked by Bocock, Niven took on another and Sampson the furthest.

  Flight Lieutenant E.P.W. Bocock (Blue 1) claimed one of two Fw 190s that had got onto his tail as damaged, having out-turned it and put a burst into its tail, Marryshow damaging the other. During a subsequent attack he claimed a Do 217E destroyed just inland of Dieppe at 1,500ft, firing 310 cannon and 1,240 machine-gun rounds:

  ‘I managed to keep my sight on target, and hit the Fw 190 low on port side of fuselage with a cannon shell, seeing a puff of brown smoke and resultant blackish-brown trail; the E/A dived away inland jinking violently.

  ‘Later, I saw several Do 217Es attempting to dive bomb shipping. I headed one off and opened fire with cannons and machine guns from about 30 degrees port quarter at 400 yards, closing to line astern at 250–200 yds. I hit E/A in port engine and fuselage with cannon shells, and dorsal gun turret and pilot’s cockpit with de Wilde machine gun ammunition [short bursts of up to twelve seconds]. A stream of oil came from the port engine; the pilot feathered that airscrew as he flew. The engine was giving off a thick smoke trail, and the E/A lost speed very quickly, eventually crash-landing fifteen miles S.E. of Dieppe.’

  (signed) F/Lt E.P.W. Bocock.

  Sergeant P. Hauser (Blue 2) claimed one Do 217E destroyed five miles inland from Dieppe at 4,000ft, expending 160 cannon, 640 machine-gun rounds:

  ‘I then saw a Do 217E ahead of me and slightly below. I got dead astern of the E/A and fired three bursts totaling about eight seconds with cannon and machine gun, the range being between 300–400 yds. The E/A crashed into a small wooded area.’

  (signed) Sgt P. Hauser.

  Flying Officer Rippon (Blue 3) claimed a Do 217 and a Ju 88 damaged, firing 280 cannon and 1,120 machine-gun rounds:

  ‘Sighted Do 217E [at 2,000ft] flying south-east, west of Dieppe. I reported to Blue 1, F/Lt Bocock, who turned to attack. E/A turned to port and dived below cloud, Blue Section following. Below cloud I saw further Do 217E to port of first, so I left latter to Blue 1 and 2 and attacked the second one from astern as he dived away, opening fire [eight second burst] at 400 yds. Saw strikes on port mainplane from which a large piece flew off. W
as then attacked by two Fw 190s and had to break off engagement.’

  Flight Lieutenant John B. Niven (Yellow 1) damaged a Do 217, firing a six second burst (120 cannon, 600 machine-gun) at 400 yards:

  ‘I attacked from quarter astern, using cannon and machine gun, and broke away when my cannon had finished. All return fire from the Dornier ceased after about three seconds; it was in a gentle dive with brown smoke pouring from its port engine. This is confirmed by P/O Sampson, Yellow 2.’

  (signed) John B. Niven F/Lt.

  Sampson (Yellow 2) was able to claim two Do 217s damaged, having fired 120 cannon and 1,320 machine-gun rounds at 200 yards closing to 50 yards:

  ‘Yellow 1 reported two Do 217s flying in a SW direction about 2,000ft above. The section climbed to attack as they turned to port and I picked out the rear E/A, giving him two long bursts of cannon and machine gun. I observed strikes on the port wing near the port engine and saw petrol flowing out.’

  Sampson had been distracted by return fire and had opened fire too early. Johnny Niven called out a warning that two Fw 190s were on his tail and Sampson broke off the engagement.

  Fifteen minute later, at 1115 hours, Sampson engaged a second Do 217:

  ‘Yellow 1 made an attack from starboard, breaking to port and I went in after him, firing three second burst at 300 yards and then a further four second burst of cannon and machine-gun [with] strikes on the main fuselage and port wing root.’

  (signed) P/O R.W.F. Sampson.

  Sergeant W. Lethbridge damaged one Do 217, firing a five second burst of 105 cannon, 400 machine-gun rounds at 100 yards. [1120 hours]:

  ‘When first seen, Do 217 was 500ft below and flying in the opposite direction to me. I turned and flew into line astern with him. I held my fire until close; I saw bullets strike tail assembly.’

  (signed) Sgt W. Lethbridge.

  Attacking behind Blue Section, Sergeant C.A. Booty (Yellow 2) came in for the attack, probably destroying a Bf 109 off Nieuport at 6,000ft:

  ‘When I saw Me 109E below and turning to port, I half rolled into attack firing cannon and machine gun [two to three second bursts at 200 to 100 yards]. I saw pieces fly off from the wing root: he hung on his turn, slowly turning on to his back. F/Lt Williams, DFC, circled behind this E/A and had his windscreen covered with glycol.’

  [Not signed by Booty]

  Sergeant W.J. Loud (Yellow 3) claimed one Do 217 destroyed (shared with his No. 2, Sergeant Caldecott) and one Do 217 damaged. Total rounds fired 120 cannon and 600 machine-gun rounds [at 1100 hours and two miles north of Dieppe]:

  ‘I climbed to 9,000ft, then turned onto the tail of one of them, opening fire [five second burst] at about 500 yds with cannon. I fired all my cannon shells into it and saw the port side of the tail break off, and the port engine catch fire. I was then about 100 yds from it, so I continued firing with machine gun. The Do 217 then went into a spiral dive towards the sea. My No. 2 then fired a burst at it, and it crashed into the sea. As I broke away one of the crew bailed out [Bocock reporting seeing the aircraft catch fire before rolling onto its back, three crew members bailing out as it dived vertically into the sea].

  ‘A little later I attacked another Do 217 from twenty degrees above and directly behind. I opened fire [eight second burst] at 350 yds with machine gun, gradually closing in. I observed strikes on the fuselage and upper wing root.’

  (signed) W.J. Loud (Sgt).

  Sergeant W.E. Caldecott, flying as Yellow 4, [1100 hours, half a mile off Dieppe at 7,000ft] claimed one Do 217E destroyed (shared with Sgt Loud), firing 140 cannon and 560 machine-gun rounds:

  ‘Yellow 3 (Sgt Loud) made a climbing turn to port to attack the nearest Do 217 and I followed climbing a little higher and dived down on top of my leader, opening fire with cannon at about 500yds with a two second burst. The E/A went into a gentle dive, which I followed and opened fire with cannon and machine gun at about 400yds for three to four seconds. The port engine burst into flames and one of the crew bailed out. F/Lt Bocock observed the plane crash into the sea.’

  (signed) W.E. Caldecott, Sgt.

  Meanwhile, Sergeant Julian Marryshow (Red 4) had shouted out a warning to Bocock (Blue 1), allowing him to avoid the fire of one Fw 190 and momentarily get onto the tail of his second would-be assailant. Marryshow claimed the first Fw 190 as damaged, firing forty cannon and 160 machine-gun rounds in a two second burst at 250–300 yards [1100 hours, five miles N.E. of Dieppe at 8,000ft.]:

  ‘Red 3 and myself broke to attack two Fw 190s. I managed to get in a short deflection shot at one. Bits came off his plane and he peeled away; there were about three more Fw 190s coming down on my tail.’

  (signed) Julian Marryshow.

  As Brothers formed the squadron up, a formation of Fw 190s were seen. The Spitfires turned to engage but the enemy declined battle.

  The patrol had lasted for two hours, and due to the additional fuel expended during combat, the Spitfires were forced to land at Friston. Pilot Officer Goodchap (flying BL932) crash-landed in France and became a PoW. The ORB’s overall take on the mission was recorded thus: ‘Very good show this, for they milled around right in the thick of it.’

  During an engagement timed at 1100 hours, No. 165 Squadron, flying with the Wing recorded the following ‘kills’:

  Squadron Leader Hallowes

  Do 217, Do 217 damaged

  Acting Squadron Leader J.L. Herbert

  Do 217

  Flight Lieutenant Ernest W. Campbell-Colquhoun

  Do 217 (shared)

  Pilot Officer L.R. Disney

  Ju 88 damaged (shared)

  Pilot Officer Headley C. Richardson

  Ju 88 damaged (shared)

  Pilot Officer Penderson B. Warren

  Do 217 (shared)

  Pilot Officer D. Warren

  Do 217 (shared)

  Meanwhile the pilots of No. 133 Squadron had also engaged the enemy at around 1100 hours, making the following claims:

  Squadron Leader Blakeslee, DFC – damaged two Fw 190s and a Do 217

  Flight Lieutenant E.G. Brettell – destroyed an Fw 190

  Pilot Officer R.N. Beaty – Do 217 and Fw 190 damaged

  Pilot Officer Eric Doorly – Do 217 damaged

  Pilot Officer Don S. Gentile – Ju 88 and Fw 190

  Pilot Officer Richard G. Gudmundsen – Do 217

  Pilot Officer George B. Sperry – Fw 190 destroyed

  Pilot Officer G.G. Wright – Fw 190 damaged.

  No. 133 Squadron’s third operation began at 1225 hours, when they made the following claims:

  Acting Squadron Leader Blakeslee, DFC – Fw 190 probably destroyed

  Flight Sergeant Dixie Alexander – Do 217

  Flying Officer James C. Nelson – Do 217 probable

  During their fourth operation No. 133 Squadron made only the one claim:

  Flight Sergeant Alexander – Fw 190 probably destroyed

  The squadron’s pilots distinguished themselves throughout the whole day’s operations, resulting in a number of gallantry awards.

  Acting Flight Lieutenant Brettell was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 29 September 1942:

  ‘Acting Flight Lieutenant Edward Gordon BRETTELL (61053), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron.

  ‘This officer has participated in 111 sorties over enemy occupied territory. He has always displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy. On one occasion he was wounded in combat and, on recovery, he resumed operational flying with renewed zest. He is an excellent flight commander.’

  Brettell was later shot down and taken as a PoW, only to be murdered on 29 May 1944 by the Gestapo following The Great Escape.

  Another of those to earn a gallantry award was Pilot Officer Baker who was awarded the DFC, London Gazette, 2 October 1942:

  ‘Pilot Officer William Henry BAKER (108626), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron.

  ‘Pilot Officer Baker has been engaged in numerous operational sorties over e
nemy territory. Throughout he has displayed the greatest keenness and enthusiasm for operational work and his courage and determination have been an example of a high order. Pilot Officer Baker has destroyed two and probably destroyed two other enemy aircraft.’

  Meanwhile, No. 602 Squadron’s third operation of the day began at 1300 hours, the ORB noting: ‘Squadron went off again almost on empty stomach. Gave them sandwiches and lemonade. Wonder what they’d do on beer and oysters!’

  The squadron’s mission was to cover the evacuation against heavy raids mounted by Bf 110s and bomb carrying Fw 190s. At his briefing Brothers reiterated his earlier cautionary note: ‘Keep clear of the ships because they have been bombed by enemy single-seater aircraft and will fire at anything approaching them, regardless of your altitude.’

  As the Spitfires approached the Royal Navy vessels, it was clear that they were under attack, the ack-ack gunners putting up a fierce fire in what the Squadron’s ORB recorded as a ‘shaky do’.

  While patrolling five miles off Dieppe, Johnny Niven, Yellow 1, spotted two Fw 190s only 100 yards ahead and climbing away from their bombing run. Niven and his No. 2, Pilot Officer Sampson, attacked the fighters which crossed their flight path, both setting their targets on fire.