RAF 112 Squadron Claims

I encourage anyone that has more information (Flight Log Book entries) or photos on 112 Squadron please send an e-mail to raf_112_sqdn@yahoo.com before the history is lost.

RAF 112 Squadron Bases & Claims 1940-1945

1940

The Me 109R was a specially designed aircraft that raised the world speed record in 1939. Me 109R itself was a spurious designation for publicity purposes. It was actually the Me 209Vl. The only thing it had in common with the standard fighter, the Bf 109, was that it was designed by the same team. The Nazi propagandists gained world acclaim for the standard Bf 109 by confusing the two aircraft (as have many since). Although Willy Messerschmitt joined the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke more than ten years before the war and headed the team that designed the Me 109R, the factory’s name was not changed to Messerschmitt AG until after the first Bf 109s and Bf 110s had been produced. Only subsequently were the products of the factory known as Me 163, Me 210, Me 262, and so on. There were 33 000 Bf 109s but only one Me 109. Please forgive my errors where I have mis-labeled them.

Rob

Date

Pilot/Plane

Destroyed

Damaged

Probable

Notes

13 May 1940

1(F) Squadron SAAF was equipped with Hurricanes and Furies and was commanded by Major N G Niblock-

Stuart and was organized on a three flight basis, the flights being commanded by Capt S van Schalkwyk, Lt B J

L Boyle and Lt S van Breda Theron On 13 May 1940 the first batch of SAAF personnel were ferried from

Zwartkop Air Station to Abu Sueir in Egypt..

2 June 1940

26 May 1939, Helwan "B" Flt detached to Sudan 2 June 1940, sub - flts at Port Sudan, working with 14 Sqdn, Khartoum, Gedarf, (finally detached from 112 Sqdn 31 August 1940 to form 250 Sqdn)

16 June 1940

Plt Off G A Wolsey

no claim

18:15 hours over Summit engaged 2 SM81's at 2000 feet, heading north to Port Sudan, forcing them to abandon their bombing mission

Sgt E N Woodward

no claim

29 June 1940

Plt Off Jack Hamlyn

Gladiator L7619, "K Flight"

1 SM81

Savoia-Marchetti SM81 shot down over Aden. First victory for 112 Sqdn over Port Sudan

Plt Off Henry W.Harrison, Gladiator N5768 on detachment to 33 Sqdn

1 CR32

Air combat Capuzzo-Sidi Aziez area

Plt Off P R W Wickham

Gladiator K8031 on detachment to 33 Sqdn

1 Ro37,

1 CR42

flown by S. Tenente Weiss of 8 Gruppo

3m W Sidi Aziez, attached to 33 Sqn, Fiat CR42 shot down in the same area flown by S. Tenente Weiss of 8 Gruppo

At 06:00 on 29 June 1940 three CR.32s of the 160^a Squadriglia took off for Ponticelli and from there at 11:15 a couple of them took off to operate in the Sollum-Sidi Omar area.
At 12:15 they were intercepted by an unrecorded number of Gladiators which quickly shot down the plane of Sottotenente Antonino Weiss, Adjutant of the 12^o Gruppo. The pilot, wounded, made a forced landing near the “litoranea” road, west of Bardia.
It seems that the CR.32s had clashed with 33 Squadron. At first light in the morning six Gladiators from 33 Squadron flew to Sidi Barrani for patrols covering Mersa Matruh and during the day several sorties (at least three) were flown. Two of these were described in the squadron's ORB:

"Ro.37 forced to land three miles west of Sidi Aziez after being attacked by one of our aircraft flown by Pilot Officer P. R. W. Wickham. Rear gunner apparently hit. The aircraft apparently landed in enemy territory.
Three CR.32s were encountered by one of our formations of three aircraft in the Ridotta Capuzzo area

30 June 1940

Plt Off Peter R W Wickham,

Gladiator N5783 on detachment to 33 Sqdn

1 CR32

Bardia, in the Libyan province of Cyrenacia

At 08:00 on 30 June three CR.32s of the 160 Squadriglia took off from Ponticelli to escort a reconnaissance Romeo Ro.37. Over Bir Sceferzen the Italian aircraft were attacked by Gladiators, which immediately shot down the Ro.37, killing the crew and the Fiat of Tenente Ivano Vanni, who parachuted from his burning aircraft. Sergente Aldo Santucci force-landed his CR.32 close to the T5 airfield, west of Tobruk (probably due to combat damage). While doing this he hit an Army truck, seriously wounding the Army driver and writing off the aircraft.
According to some sources Vanni was shot at by the British fighters while descending in his parachute but managed to land safely.
It seems that the Italian aircraft had run into a patrol from 33 Squadron, which claimed two fighters during an early morning patrol over Bardia. The Italian aircraft were variously identified as CR.42s or CR.32s, one of them shot down in flames. One of the planes was claimed by Pilot Officer Wickham while the other fell victim of Flying Officer Ernest Dean. One Gladiator was damaged in this combat.
Dean described the combat:

“Peter Wickham and I were patrolling near Bardia, and spotted two CR 42s. We each took one, and within minutes there were two black plumes on the ground. I got involved with another CR 42, a quite aggressive “Eyetie” (most rare), and I unfortunately got into head-on attacks with him, which are not recommended. We had three passes at one another but with no apparent damage, except that when we reached base together I didn’t perform any victory rolls, although Peter was performing perfect flick rolls in formation. Lucky for me, because my riggers reported to me that my centre section was badly damaged, and it was well I had overcome my exuberance.”

4 July 1940

Fg Off H Gray- Worchester

N5768 on temporary attachment to 33 Sqdn, was flying with 2 members of 33 Sqdn during an evening sortie escorting a Lysander the two, 33 Sqdn pilots claiming 2 more shot down

4 CR42 (a)

Monastir Airfield

Fg Off R H Smith Gladiator Mk I K7897 on temporary attachment to 33 Sqdn different sortie from Fg Off H Gray- Worchester engagement

1 CR42

In the evening on the final patrol of that day over, Monastir, Tunsia Airfield, 112 Squadron had flown four planes to Matruh up from Helwan to re enforce 33 Squadron, for the day.

Fg Off R J Bennett

Gladiator Mk II, N5779 on temporary attachment to 33 Sqdn, different sortie from Fg Off H Gray- Worchester engagement

1 CR42

Monastir, Claimed in combat with CR.42s of the 8^o Gruppo, which didn’t claim anything but lost four CR.42s and got a fifth damaged (three pilots killed and two wounded). 33 Squadron claimed nine shot for the loss of one Gladiator (F/O Price-Owen safe).

Fg Off W B Price-Owen, different sortie from Fg Off H Gray- Worchester engagement

no claim

10 July 1940

Flying Officer Edwin Banks on temporary attachment to 33 Sqdn

On 10 July twelve aircraft from the 10^o Stormo, operating in four groups of three planes, attacked enemy concentrations in the Sidi El Barrani area. The first two waves attacked undisturbed and destroyed Westland Lysander from 208 Squadron on the ground. When the third formation arrived the RAF had succeeded in scrambling some fighters and a running battle began during which the S.79 ’56-6’ of the 56^a Squadriglia, 30^o Gruppo was forced to crash-land 60 kilometres east of Tobruk after being heavily damaged by the fire of a reported four Gloster Gladiators. The aircraft was piloted by Sottotenente Vicoli with the crew of Maresciallo Cima Sergente Piero Angelin, Aviere scelto Antonio Camedda, Sergente Maggiore Motorista Cucchi and Primo Aviere Cibrario.
Angelin and Camedda were killed in their battle positions by the fire from the Gladiators while Cibrario was wounded. Five other bombers of the 10^o Stormo returned to Derna with battle damage.
Vicoli’s aircraft was reached by a recovery team on 22 July but found too much damaged to be salvaged and was abandoned. This was the first S.79 shot down by a Gladiator over North Africa but the claimants are unknown because of the incompleteness of RAF records for the period.
A clue, however, is given by the 112 Squadron’s pilots Flying Officer Edwin Banks and Pilot Officer Acworth. This day, while attached to 33 Squadron, they intercepted a group of three S.79s that were attacking Sidi El Barrani. The British reported that the Italian bombers, when attacked, hurriedly jettisoned their bombs and fled out to the sea. They submitted no claims but obviously other planes of 33 Squadron (to which they were attached) were up and were most probably responsible for the shooting down of Sottotenente Vicoli

Pilot Officer Acworth, on temporary attachment to 33 Sqdn, accompanied Flying Officer Edwin Banks

17 July 1940

17 July 1940, Maaten Gerawla, by 25 July the move of "A" and "C" flights was completed

25 July 1940

Fg Off Peter E C Strahan on temporary attachment to 33 Sqdn This involved members of "A" and "C" Flights based at Maaten Gerawla

1 CR42

112 Squadron flew a patrol near Bardia during the day and spotted eight CR.42s. Flying Officer Peter Strahan of ‘A’ Flight claimed one shot down, although he himself was hit and forced to make an emergency landing on the return flight. He was returned to base with an infantry vehicle.
It is highly likely that 33 and 112 Squadrons made a combined operation over Bardia because on the Italian side, the combat of the three 13^o Gruppo pilots is the only recorded combat. Fg Off Peter E C Strahan's aircraft was hit by return fire and damaged.

1 August 1940

Plt Off Percy Oliver Valentine Green

Gladiator I (K7974 RT O) "B" Flight at Khartom which later became "K " Flight which was eventually under 14 Sqdn control then it formed the nucleus of 250 Sudan Sqdn

1 CA133

At 0830hrs Plt Off P O U Green, K7974, was scrambled, after a lone Caproni Ca133 was reported in the area. Green eventually spotted the Caproni and after a 50 mile chase he made several passes causing the bomber to come down in a clearing

3 August 1940

3 August 1940, "A" Flight detached to Sidi Barrani

8 August 1940

Flt Lt Savage

Gladiator

B" Flight at Khartom which later became "K " Flight which was eventually under 14 Sqdn control then it formed the nucleus of 250 Sudan Sqdn

1 S79

Over Port Sudan

17 August 1940

17 August 1940, "A" Flight at "Z" LG Matruh West

"C" Flight at "Y" LG, about 18 kilometers (6 miles) further west.

17 August 1940

Flt Lt L G Schwab

'A' and 'C' Flights now positioned at 'Y' (LG) Landing Ground (Maruth West) about 11 miles further west, this was his first combat as Leader of "A" Flight

1 SM79 and

1/3rd shared

Sea off Bardia SM79s from X, XV, and XXXIII Stormos perhaps 57/7 of Tenente Visenti, S. Pilota Sartore, M.Pilota Pian, P.Aviere Vitolo and A.Sceto Innocenti RAF and FAA claimed six S.79s and 1 probable for one damaged Gladiator. The 10^o Stormo aircraft lost three S.79s and got two more damaged

Plt Off Peter Reginald Whalley Wickham "A" Flight

1 SM79

At 10:40 five S.79s were seen at 12,000 feet, heading in from the north-east. Over the fleet there were, on standing patrol, at least the Gladiators of ‘A’ Flight 112 Squadron (probably six of them), the three Sea Gladiators of HMS Eagle’s Fighter Flight and a single Hurricane from ‘A’ Flight 80 Squadron flown by Flying Officer John Lapsley. They intercepted the Italian bombers and altogether claimed six of them; one by Flight Lieutenant Lloyd Schwab, one by Pilot Officer Peter Wickham, (both from 112 Squadron) and three by Lapsley. Two Sea Gladiators flown by Lieutenant (A) Keith (N5513) and Lieutenant Anthony Young (N5567) attacked several formations. Young attacked one in company with a 112 Squadron Gladiator flown by an unknown pilot. Keith joined the attack and the port wing of the bomber burst into flames, two members of the crew bailing out before the Savoia crashed into the sea. Commander Charles Keighly-Peach (N5517) became separated, and realizing the futility of chasing the fleeing bombers alone, headed back over the Fleet in time to see to more formations attacking (totally 25 S.79s were counted). He made three attacks on one bomber, seeing numerous pieces fall off and it went into a shallow dive. One man baled out, but as the aircraft lost height rapidly, it disappeared into cloud. He attacked another twice but without result.
The Italians lost four bombers and claimed seven Gladiators shot down in return (it seems that all the seven claims were submitted by the gunners aboard the Savoia bombers, two of them by 10^o Stormo gunners). In fact only the Gladiator of Pilot Officer Richard Acworth RAF 112 Sqdn was seriously damaged when he attacked an S.79s, but although wounded himself Acworth was able to fly back to base where he crash-landed and the aircraft was written-off.

Hurricane

‘A’ Flight 80 Squadron flown by Flying Officer John Lapsley, not to be counted as 112 Sqdn claim, but placed it here to help track all the claims made that day, some sources also mention Blenheims getting into the action I will continue to source out what I can

not to be counted as part of 112 Sqdn total claims

3 SM79

No more enemy aircraft were encountered until the 17th, when 'B' and 'C' Flights provided air support for naval vessels bombarding Bardia and Capuzzo. Wykeham-Barnes (80 Sqdn) dived down through the clouds and attacked a Cant Z501 flying boat. The flying boat eventually fell in flames and crashed into the sea after several passes by Wykeham-Barnes and Fly Off Dowding. (80 Sqdn)

Lapsley (80 Sqdn) was flying one of the Hurricanes over the warships when he came across a formation of four SM79s. Attacking from astern he quickly shot down three of the bombers, all the losses being admitted to by the Italians. One of these aircraft was salvaged and put on display at Alexandria

Fg Off H P Cochrane

"A" Flight

There but no claim made by him

Keighly-Peach

HM Eagle's Sea Gladiators of the Eagle Fighter Flight

N5517

not to be counted as part of 112 Sqdn total claims

1 SM79

The unknown claims may have been from other Squadrons

Keighly-Peach

HM Eagle's Sea Gladiators of the Eagle Fighter Flight

N5517

not to be counted as part of 112 Sqdn total claims

1 SM79

.??/07/40 The next month, Eagle's Sea Gladiators were sent ashore to Sidi Barani to provide fleet defense with RAF Gladiators when the fleet bombarded the Libyan port of Bardia.

Lt. Keith N5513

HM Eagle's Sea Gladiators of the Eagle Fighter Flight

not to be counted as part of 112 Sqdn total claims

1 SM79 and 1/3

shared

17/08/40, separated from his flight over the British fleet, Keighly-Peach attacked two separate S.79s, forcing them to break off their attacks though not shooting them down. Lt. Keith bagged another S.79 in company with a Gladiator from 112 Squadron RAF. Schwab?

Lieutenant Anthony Young N5567

not to be counted as part of 112 Sqdn total claims

1/3 shared1 SM79

credited with an SM79 of x Stormo aircraft "57/7"

flown by Tenente Visenti, S. Pilota Sartore, M.Pilota Pian, P. Aviere Vitolo and A. Sceto Innocenti

LIBYA: The Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet lead by Admiral Cunningham bombards Italian positions at Bardia and Fort Capuzzo.
(Mark Horan adds): In an effort to provide air cover for the bombardment operation, HMS Eagle dispatched the three Sea Gladiators of her 813 Fight Flight to Sidi Barrani where they joined RAF Gladiator's of 112 Squadron in flying CAP throughout the day. In the afternoon, the expected attacks by Regia Aeronautica appeared. The patrols of Gladiators broke up several attacks, with 813 Fighter Flight's Cdr. C. L. Keighley-Peach, Lt. L. K. Keith, and Lt. A. N. Young claiming two of 8 claims overall.

Tragically, 11 days later Young would be killed when his 824 Squadron Swordfish crashed at Dekheila. The Mediterranean fleet sustained no damage.

on or about 27 August 1940

1 SAAF

A detachment of 4 Gladiators under Capt Boyle (1 SAAF) were sent to Port Sudan to join K Flight, the former

detachment of 112 Squadron RAF. They were sent there to cover the arrival of the first substantial British troop

reinforcement to the Sudan. Captain B. J. L. Boyle was thereafter dispatched from Khartoum to Azaza on 30

September 1940 with a detachment of 6 Gladiators. The airfield was about 10 miles from Gedaref where the

R.A.F. planned to station a number of Wellesley bombers and Vincent aircraft in support of coming land

operations. Living in grass huts about a mile from the Sudanese village of Azaza, the detachment of six pilots,

six mechanics, a wireless operator and a wireless mechanic were 200 miles from Khartoum and dependent for

the movement of rations and armaments on a battered Ford truck hired from a Sudanese villager. Ammunition

had to be obtained from the Army, the pilots laboriously belting the rounds by hand. They also stripped and

tended the guns themselves. This would sometimes continue until 03h00 with a dawn patrol to be flown a

few hours later. Such problems were unknown to their Italian opponents.

30 August 1940

30 August 1940, "C" Flt at Sidi Barrani ( East and West satellites)

03 September 1940

03 September 1940, Sidi Barrani LG 30

07 September 1940

07 September 1940, Sidi Haneish

09 September

1940

Flt Lt Fraser

Gladiator Mk I

K7608 "C" Flight

1 SM79

Patrol Mersa Matruh. To Sidi Barrani. Patrol Ras-El-Milh. 1 S.79 unconfirmed. To Sidi Heneish (Sidi Haneish)- (4 sorties)

14 September 1940

14 September 1940, "C" Flight at "Z" LG

15 September 1940

Plt Off Edwin Thomas Banks

1SM 79

Sidi Barrani area, Claimed in combat with S.79s from the 46^o Gruppo, which claimed 1 and 1 probable Gladiator, 1 Hurricane and 1 Blenheim while losing 3 S.79s and getting 4 more damaged. RAF claimed 4 destroyed and 4 damaged while losing one Gladiator (Pilot Officer Cholmeley KIA).

The Italian targets of the day were closer to the battlefront and centred in the area of Sidi El Barrani. At around 13:00 (the sixth Italian mission of the day) ten S.79s from the 46^o Gruppo, led by Maggiore Cunteri, was intercepted over Sidi Barrani by Gladiators from 112 Squadron, which were on patrol at 16,000 feet, thirty miles out to sea. The Gladiators were divided into two sub-Flights. In the first flew Flight Lieutenant Charles Fry, Flight Lieutenant R. J. Abrahams and Flying Officer Joseph Fraser. In the second flew Pilot Officer R. H. Clark, Flying Officer Banks and Pilot Officer R. J. Bennett.
When the Italian bombers approached, the No 1 sub-Flight took on the first formation of five aircraft and drove them out to sea before they could release their bombs while No 2 sub-Flight closed on the second five after they had released their bombs. Banks and Clark chased this formation out to sea and managed to get close enough to open fire. Both claimed damaged to one aircraft each. Banks attacked the outside aircraft but the enemy took evasive action causing his aircraft to be hit by cross fire from the bombers and he was forced to break off the action. It seems that Flying Officer Fraser was able to put a good burst into an S.79, which was seen loosing height but remained unconfirmed

Flt Lt Fry, "C" Flight

Leader of one formation, no claims

Plt Off R H Clarke,

"C" Flight

1SM 79

Leader of the second 112 Sqdn formation

Flt Lt Fraser

Gladiator Mk I

K8019

"C" Flight

1 SM 79

Patrol Sidi Barrani - Interception and burst into S.79 losing height - unconfirmed- Claimed in combat with S.79s from the 46^o Gruppo, which claimed 1 and 1 probable Gladiator, 1 Hurricane and 1 Blenheim while losing 3 S.79s and getting 4 more damaged. RAF claimed 3 destroyed, 1 unconfirmed and 4 damaged while losing one Gladiator (Pilot Officer Cholmeley KIA).

17 September 1940

Plt Off H.W."Jerry" Harrison, Gladiator K8031

"A" Flight

1 CR32

13:05 hours Patrol over Sidi Barrani

18 September 1940

Flt Lt Fraser

Gladiator Mk I

K7939

"C" Flight

no claims

Patrol over fleet. Sidi B. - HMS cruiser KENT damaged

19 September 1940

Plt Off H.W.Harrison, Gladiator N5768

"A" Flight

1 CR32, while on detachment to 33 Sqn

Air combat Capuzzo-Sidi Aziez area, not verified with Italian records

P/O G B Smither

"K" Flight

Gladiator Mk I

K6135 RT E

no claim

Chased 2 SM79s. No result - Too fast!!

29 September 1940

The previous "B" Flight having been detached and now formally known as "K" Flight

On 29 September Squadron Leader Harry Lennox Innes Brown took command of 112 Squadron after Squadron Leader A. R. C. Bax.
During the same month ‘C’ Flight of 112 Squadron became ‘B’ Flight of the same squadron

31 October 1940

Flt Lt L G Schwab

2 CR42

Mesa Matruh area, Claimed in combat with approximately 15 bombers from 9^o and 14^o Stormi and 33^o Gruppo and 18 fighters from 13^o and 151^o Gruppi. 112 Squadron and 33 Squadron claimed 4 CR.42s, 3 S.79s, 1 probable S.79 and 1 damaged S.79 while losing 4 Gladiators and 2 Hurricanes. The Italian fighters totally claimed 12 victories while the bombers claimed 7, while losing 1 CR.42 and 2 S.79 (2 more S.79s being damaged beyond repair).

Plt Off R A Acworth

"A" Flight

1 CR42

Collided with 2/Lt E. H. Smith, SAAF, I dived on one of his attackers, and followed the aircraft through a loop, for some unknown reason, a popular Italian ‘dog-fight’ tactic of the early war days. The loop completed, I managed to get my sights on the C.R. 42, and ‘let fly’ with my four Brownings. At once, its engine started smoking badly, and the aircraft fell away on one wing; then….it happened!

Flt Lt Fraser

Gladiator Mk I

K7973

"B" Flight

1 SM79

At 13:03 the 33^o Gruppo, led by Tenente Colonnello Forte destroyed the railway station at Mersa Matruh. As they were aiming the target, they were attacked by several Gladiators and some Hurricanes (both Spitfires and Hurricanes were reported). These were immediately chased by CR.42s.
Gunners of the 14^o Stormo claimed two Hurricanes and a Gladiator destroyed, and another Gladiator probable. Two S.79s were damaged beyond repair when one of them landed at Sidi el Barrani and the second in the desert while four more were damaged; three repairable at the factory and another at the Unit workshop (SRAM). Sottotenenete Federico Tonizzo, 1^o Aviere Montatore Mario Padalino and 1^o Aviere Armiere Guerino Invorti were killed, while Sottotenenete Beltramelli and Tenente Martinelli were wounded.
The CR.42 of the 13^o Gruppo reported that they spotted Gladiators and Spitfires over Mersa Matruh as the enemy fighter were about to attack the bombers. The Italian fighters immediately engaged the enemy and Capitano Bevilacqua claimed two Gladiators in his first pass while Sergente Paolini and Sergente Gori damaged two other enemy aircraft. More enemy fighters arrived (about thirty were counted) and a violent dogfight followed. Sottotenente Gianfranco Perversi chased two Gladiators when he collided with one of them and both crashed to the ground killing Perversi. Sergente Taddia claimed a Gladiator while Sergente Mario Veronesi claimed a Hurricane. Tenente Guglielmo Chiarini and Sergente Francesco Nanin claimed a shared Spitfire while Sergente Maresciallo D’Avico claimed a second as a damaged. It seems that Sergente Teresio Martinoli also claimed a Gladiator in this combat.
Six aircraft of the 366^a Squadriglia, 151^o Gruppo escorted S.79s to bomb Mersa Matruh. Over the target the bombers were attacked by a formation of Hurricanes and Gladiators, which were engaged by the Italian fighters. The 366^a Squadriglia claimed three Hurricanes and two Glosters, thanks to Capitano Bernardino Serafini and Sergente Maggiore Marchi, while Tenente Ferrero returned to base with jammed guns and a damaged aircraft.
The Italian aircraft had been in combat with Gladiators from 112 Squadron and Hurricanes from 33 Squadron. At 13:00 a Flight of 112 Squadron Gladiators flown by Flight Lieutenant R. J. Abrahams, Flying Officer Joseph Fraser, Flying Officer Robert Hugh Clark, Pilot Officer B. B. E. Duff and Second Lieutenant E. R. Smith (SAAF) had taken off to patrol the Mersa Matruh area.
The British fighters intercepted a reported 15 S.79s escorted by 18 CR.42s, which was trying to bomb British forward positions. Pilot Officer Duff gave chase to the bombers but failed to see the escorting fighters; six CR.42s dived on him and shot him down. Fortunately he managed to escape by parachute, suffering only slight burns. The fighters were engaged by Flying Officer Lloyd Schwab, Second Lieutenant Smith and Pilot Officer Acworth (who had just joined the patrol). Schwab claimed two CR.42s shot down after which his engine failed and he force-landed. Acworth claimed a third CR.42. Acworth and Smith then collided and both had to bale out. Flying Officers Fraser and Clark engaged the bombers and Fraser managed to put one engine of an S.79 out of action. 24-year-old Clark (RAF No. 40513) was posted missing at the end of this engagement, killed by return fire from the three S.79s he was chasing

?? November 1940

Flt Lt Fry

In November 1940 he took a flight over to Greece to fly with 80 Squadron, but the following month returned to Egypt for Wavell's offensive there.

12 November 1940

Flt Lt Fraser

Gladiator Mk I

K7621

"B" Flight

1 SM 79

Interception 1 S.79 - fired 1 burst, quarter attack, strikes, no claim, Mersa Matruh area

15 November 1940

Plt Off Wolsey

"K" Flight"

2 SM 79

Two, Savoia-Marchetti SM79 Damaged over Port Sudan, In the early hours of the morning on the 15th, two S79s raided Port Sudan. Plt Off Wolsey from "K" Flight took off in pursuit. He was able to get in close enough to hit both bombers but could not achieve any positive results due to a lack of speed on the Gladiators part

17 November 1940

Flt Lt Fraser

Gladiator Mk I

K7621

"B" Flight

no claim

Interception 1.S79 - fired 2 bursts, long range, too slow, no claim, Mersa Matruh area

P/O G B Smither

"K" Flight

Gladiator Mk I

L7619

no claim

Bumped into 3 79s initially and then later 4 more

18 November 1940

Flt Lt L G Schwab

1 SM79

Mersa Matruh area

20 November 1940

Flt LT R J Abrahams

1.5 CR42

While the Hurricanes and Fiats were circling each other six Gladiators of 112 Squadron joined the fight over Sidi Barrani and shot down eight of the Fiats without losses. All of the six pilots made claims and Flight Lieutenant R. J. Abrahams claimed 1 and 1 shared with Pilot Officer Acworth, who also claimed 1 additional. Flying Officer R. J. Bennett claimed 1, Pilot Officer A. R. Costello claimed 1, Pilot Officer Len Bartley claimed 2 and Sergeant 'Paddy' Donaldson finally claimed 1.

Fg Off R J Bennett

1 CR42

Claimed in combat with CR.42s from the 9^o Gruppo, which claimed seven victories and two probables while losing three CR.42s, getting four more damaged and losing two pilots KIA. 112 Squadron claimed eight victories for no losses, 274 Squadron possibly suffered one damaged Hurricane while 33 Squadron possibly claimed a CR.42 without losses.

Plt Off R A Acworth

1.5 CR42

Richard Acworth remembered this combat in a short story written in the 1960’s but never published.

“The Lysanders were to be ‘covered’ against enemy air attacks by six Gladiators from my squadron… three flying at 12,000 feet, and three, led by myself, at 15,000 feet. ‘Top cover’ was to be provided by six Hurricanes, flying at 20,000 feet. The Hurricanes had strict orders to beat a hasty retreat if they met with enemy aircraft in large numbers, as it was thought at that time that they would be ‘easy meat’ for the move maneuverable C.R. 42’s, the single-seater Italian opposite number of the Gladiator.
We had been patrolling for about 10 minutes, when I reported forty CR 42s, in eight sections of five, flying from the direction of Libya, at approximately 25,000 feet, 5,000 feet higher that the Hurricane ‘top-cover’. To my dismay, the Hurricanes were soon speeding home, with a CR 42 sitting neatly on each tail. Our six Gladiators were left to finish the fight, for the Lysanders, their task completed, were heading for home, too.
There was not a friendly cloud in the sky, and the powerful desert sun made the enemy aircraft very difficult to see. Forthwith, they carried out the German tactics of remaining aloft, and sending down their more experienced men to finish us off one by one….but it was not to be!
With the first attacks, we broke formation, and it was every man for himself. I soon found myself very much alone, until unfriendly tracer bullets from behind, passed through the space between my right wings. I immediately steep-turned to the left, and caught sight of my attacker as he completed his dive and prepared to re-join his pals up higher, by means of a roll off the top of a loop.
Seizing my chance, I opened full throttle and followed him to the top of his loop, half rolled in formation with him, and was just about to open fire, when my aircraft stalled and flicked into a spin….not enough speed! I decided my best means of survival was to continue the spin, in the hope that he would think I had been badly hit. This was a fighter tactic from World War I, and it worked! Whilst I was spinning, I looked upwards and caught a glimpse of my adversary circling at his original height, waiting for me to crash into the desert. I came out of the spin at about 8,000 feet, no doubt much to his surprise, and didn’t have to wait long for him to dive down to finish me off.
So started a long tail-chasing session. At first, my mouth became rather dry, but after a second or two, my mind became crystal clear, and I was determined to turn the tables on him. Slowly I began to gain ground, and soon part of his tail was in my sights, but I realized it would not have been great enough. When his engine came into my sights, I pressed the firing button, and was immediately cheered to see pieces of fabric or metal ripping off his fuselage, just behind the cockpit.
The Italian pilot turned so quickly in his mad effort to escape, that he pulled his aircraft into a spin, following a ‘high-speed stall’. I followed him down, and fired at him as he tried to recover, and he promptly went into another one. On recovering from his second spin, he must have pulled an emergency boost control to give him extra speed, for he left my Gladiator ‘standing’.
However, my opponent was not easily scared, and turned about a mile away to come back at me like a bull at a gate. We both opened fire, and when it seemed that a head-on collision was inevitable, he pulled out to my left in a climbing turn. For a second, I was able to fire at his exposed fuselage, and then, with throttle fully open, I climbed into the sun, into an advantageous position. To my horror, my engine stalled near the top of the climb, and I had to carry out the usual drill of closing the throttle and opening it again, slowly. Full power came back, and looking down, I could see my opponent looking for me. This time, I had the advantage of height, and I was nicely lining him up in my sights when he saw me, and tried to turn in underneath me.
Slowly twisting, and with the right deflection, I raked him with bullets from nose to tail, at almost point-blank range. I pulled out of my dive, to regain height, and saw him commence another spin from which he did not recover. I felt immensely relieved, somewhat shaken, and eventually joined up with two stray Gladiators, and returned to Mersa Matruh. I was pleased to learn later that seven aircraft had been shot down in the engagement, and that all the Gladiator pilots had survived the fight, although two had made forced landings.
I shall never forget that day. It was my first one-against-one air battle, and the longest time I had engaged a single enemy aircraft...”

Plt Off A R Costello

1 CR42

1200 hours 18 "Falcos" encountered 6 Gladiators east of Sidi Barrani

Plt Off L L Bartley

2 CR42

Sgt G M Donaldson

1 CR42

21 November 1940

Plt Off P O V Green

. 1/2 shared SM 79

Damaged over Port Sudan, In the early afternoon of the 21st two S79s attacked Port Sudan. The aircraft were fired upon by the cruiser HMS Carlisle and two "K" Flight Gladiators flown by Plt Off Green and Fly Off G. B.Smither (Gladiator K7948). Both Savoias were damaged, one of them badly with three wounded on board. One Gladiator was also hit by return fire, (Greens) although the Italians claimed both shot down.

Plt Off G. B. Smither

Gladiator K7948

1/2 shared SM 79

1 claimed (later found out it made it back to base, claim remained) over Port Sudan

04 December 1940

Flt Lt Fry

On 4 December he led four Gladiators from Egypt to Greece, to join 80 Squadron on detachment

09 December

1940

Plt Off G. B. Smither

Gladiator Mk I

K6135 RT E arrival 10/12/40, Abu Sueir, good possibility he was accompanied by Hamlyn who flew his first sortie on the 13th.

On 9 December, ‘K’ Flight at Port Sudan dispatched six Gladiators Mk.IIs and one Mk.I, accompanied by a Wellesley carrying a fitter and a rigger, to Heliopolis to reinforce 112 Squadron during the upcoming Operation Compass. Flying Officer Green and Flying Officer R. B. Whittington of this Flight arrived at Sidi Hanaish from Heliopolis on 12 December while Flight Lieutenant John Scoular and Sergeant E. N. Woodward arrived on 16 December. At this later date, Flying Officer Jack Hamlyn had already been detached to 112 Squadron, flying his first known sortie on 13 December

14 December

1940

Unknown pilots

2 SM 79

On 30 December, 112 Squadron carried out the last patrol in the Western Desert before moving in Greece, while the relieving 73 Squadron started to arrive.
112 Squadron’s last patrol were flown by Flying Officer Banks, Flying Officer Jack Hamlyn (newly promoted ?), Flying Officer R. J. Bennett, Second Lieutenant H. H. Geraty and Pilot Officer Alfred Costello. Flying Officer Banks force-landed in severe dust storm but eventually arrived home safely. The ORB of the Squadron didn’t record claims or even combats for the month, but this is probably due only to the extreme incompleteness of this document. In fact it is known from 3 RAAF Squadron’s ORB that 112 Squadron’s Gladiators claimed at least 2 S.79s on 14 December over Sollum

17 December

1940

Unknown

1 SM 79

On 17 December, five S.79 of the 15^o Stormo under Tenente Medun took off from Z1 at 09:15 and attacked enemy ships that were bombarding Bardia, with 45 100kg bombs. Gladiators intercepted the Savoias and one of them was reputed shot down. They landed at 11:10.
Their assailants were without doubt Gladiators from 112 Squadron, the unit’s ORB reported an offensive morning patrol by Squadron Leader Harry Brown, Flight Lieutenant R. J. Abrahams, Flight Lieutenant John Scoular, Flying Officer R. J. Bennett, Flying Officer Oliver Green, Flying Officer R. B. Whittington and Sergeant E. N. Woodward. The sketchy reconstructed ORB, however, lacks details of the engagement.

Squadron Total 1940

1941

X. Fliegerkorps

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Twin-engined Fighters (Zerstörer)

22.03.41 nil X. Fl. Kps. III. / ZG 26 North Africa 33 25 Bf 110 D-3 Less 9. Staf

05.04.41 nil X. Fl. Kps. III. / ZG 26 Sicily & North Africa 48 40 Bf 110 D-3

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

22.03.41 nil X. Fl. Kps. I. / St.G 1 North Africa 30 22 Ju 87 B-1 -

22.03.41 nil X. Fl. Kps. I. / St.G 2 North Africa 38 33 Ju 87 B-1 -

05.04.41 nil X. Fl. Kps. Stab / St.G 1 North Africa 12 10 Ju 87 B-1 With He 111

05.04.41 nil X. Fl. Kps. III. / St.G 1 North Africa 39 29 Ju 87 B-1 -

05.04.41 nil X. Fl. Kps. II. / St.G 2 North Africa 33 23 Ju 87 B-1 -

Fliegerführer Afrika

Libya & Cyrenaica

21. June 1941

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

21.02.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 2. (H) / 14 Libya 18 13 Bf 110 C-4 With Hs 126

Long-range Reconnaissance

21.06.41 X. Fl.Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 2. (F) / 123 Libya 7 2 Ju 88 D-1 -

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

21.06.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 7. / JG 26 Ain-el-Gazalla 17 13 Bf 109 E-7 -

21.06.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 Ain-el-Gazalla 34 25 Bf 109 E-7/Trop -

Twin-engined Fighters (Zerstörer)

21.05.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / ZG 26 Derna 25 22 Bf 110 D-3 -

Long-range Bombers

21.06.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / LG 1 Derna 27 11 Ju 88 A-4/Trop -

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

21.06.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 1 Derna 25 21 Ju 87 B-1 -

21.06.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / St.G 2 Tmimi 27 27 Ju 87 B-1 -

Fliegerführer Afrika

Libya & Cyrenaica

12. July 1941

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

12.07.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 2. (H) / 14 Libya 20 12 Bf 110 C-4 With Hs 126

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

12.07.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 7. / JG 26 Ain-el-Gazalla 14 8 Bf 109 E-7 -

12.07.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 Ain-el-Gazalla 34 23 Bf 109 E-7/Trop -

Twin-engined Fighters (Zerstörer)

12.07.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 8. / ZG 26 Derna 25 22 Bf 110 D-3 7. & 9/ZG 26 to Russia

Long-range Bombers

12.07.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / LG 1 Derna 29 13 Ju 88 A-4/Trop -

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

12.07.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 3. / St.G 1 Derna 8 4 Ju 87 B-1 Gruppe refitting

12.07.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / St.G 2 Tmimi 27 21 Ju 87 B-1

Fliegerführer Afrika

Libya & Cyrenaica

16. August 1941

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

16.08.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 2. (H) / 14 Libya 19 12 Bf 110 C-4 With Hs 126

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

16.08.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 7. / JG 26 Ain-el-Gazalla 11 6 Bf 109 E-7 -

16.08.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 Ain-el-Gazalla 31 22 Bf 109 E-7/Trop -

T.E. Night Fighters (Nachtjagd.)

16.08.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 1. / NJG 3 Libya 13 6 Bf 110 E-3 From Sicily 5.8.41

Twin-engined Fighters (Zerstörer)

16.08.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 8. / ZG 26 Derna 11 6 Bf 110 D-3 -

Long-range Bombers

16.08.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / LG 1 Derna 29 19 Ju 88 A-4/Trop -

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

16.08.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 1 Derna 28 19 Ju 87 B-1 -

16.08.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / St.G 2 Tmini 31 26 Ju 87 B-1 -

Fliegerführer Afrika

Libya & Cyrenaica

11. October 1941

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

11.10.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 2. (H) / 14 Libya 21 6 Bf 110 C-4 With Hs 126

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

11.10.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 North Africa 31 17 Bf 109 E-7/Trop -

11.10.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / JG 27 North Africa 28 13 Bf 109 F-4/Trop Less 6./JG 27

Twin-engined Fighters (Zerstörer)

11.10.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 8. / ZG 26 North Africa 12 8 Bf 110 D-3 -

Long-range Bombers

11.10.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / LG 1 Libya 31 15 Ju 88 A-4/Trop -

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

11.10.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 1 Libya 39 26 Ju 87 B-1 -

11.10.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / St.G 2 Libya 31 26 Ju 87 B-1 -

11.10.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / St.G 3 Libya 7 2 Ju 87 B-1 With He 111

Fliegerführer Afrika

Libya & Cyrenaica

27. December 1941

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

27.12.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika 2. (H) / 14 Libya 20 12 Bf 110 C-4 With Hs 126

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

27.12.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / JG 27 Magrun ® Arco 3 3 Bf 109 F-4/Trop -

27.12.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 Magrun ® Arco 24 10 Bf 109 F-4/Trop -

27.12.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / JG 27 Magrun ® Arco 24 10 Bf 109 F-4/Trop -

27.12.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / JG 27 Magrun ® Arco 20 10 Bf 109 F-4/Trop -

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

27.12.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 1 Libya 32 17 Ju 87 B-1 -

27.12.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / St.G 3 Libya 9 5 Ju 87 B-1 With He 111

27.12.41 X. Fl. Kps Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 3 Libya 30 18 Ju 87 B-1 -

1941 112 Sqdn Claims

Date	Pilot/Plane	Destroyed	Damaged	Probable	Notes
01 January 1941	.	.	.	.	01 January 1941, Amiriya
23 January 1941	.	.	.	.	23 January 1941, Eleusis, Greece
01 February 1941	.	.	.	.	01 February 1941, Yannina, Greece
13 February 1941	.	.	.	.	On the 13th the "K" Flight Gladiators returned from Egypt, where they had been attached to 112 Squadron. They brought with them a new commander, Flt Lt J E Scouler, DFC. Scouler was a veteran of the Battle of France with some 12 victories and two shares to his credit. Later in the day two Gladiators and three pilots, Scouler being one of them, moved to Mersa Taclai to begin general reconnaissance operations over the area.
20 February 1941	Flt Lt L G Schwab	1 G50	.	.	Berat area, 80 and 112 Squadrons claimed six destroyed and two probables in this combat while 154^o Autonomo Gruppo C.T. lost two G.50s (Tenente Alfredo Fusco of 361^a Squadriglia was killed and Tenente Livio Bassi of 395^a Squadriglia was later to die from wounds sustained) and got one damaged (Sergente Gambetta). 154^o Gruppo claimed one bomber and one fighter but RAF only got one fighter and one bomber damaged. (No Italian reports have been found about this combat)
.	Flt Lt R J Abrahams	.	1 G50	.
.	Fg Off Edwin Thomas Banks	.	1 G50	.	.
.	Plt Off Jack Lawson Groves	.	1 G50	.	.
.	Plt Off Henry Willoughby Harrison	.	1 G50	.	Air combat Berat area
22 February 1941	F/Lt J. Scoular Gladiator II (N5828) K Flight	1 Sm79	.	.	In February 1941, he led ‘K’ Flight to East Africa, moving up to the front on 13 February. There is no Italian record of this loss and it may in fact have been a transport Savoia
24 February 1941	Flt Lt J E Scouler, Gladiator II N5878, K Flight	1 Sm 79	.	.	Scoular on an early patrol over Mersa Taclai in Gladiator N5828 saw some Blenheims passing and escorted these to Massawa. There he spotted a lone S.79 in flight, and shot it down. Savoia-Marchetti SM79 Shot down over Mersa Taklai
26 February 1941	PO Stanley Anton Wells 89781 Gladiator II N5815 K Flight	1 CR 32	.	.	On the 26th Plt Off Wells, a "K" Flight pilot of the detachment at Mersa Taclai, had been patrolling over Kub-Kub in N5815, when his attention was drawn to two CR32s which were flying above him and oblivious to his attention. Climbing up below them, he attacked one and shot it down over Keren in full view of the troops on the ground.
27 February 1941	Fg Off R A Acworth Hurricane Mk I V7288 from 80 Sqn he had up on a test flight 4 March 1941 Cullen (Hurricane V7288 of 80 Sqdn was shot down in this plane	1 CR42	.	.	Claimed in combat with CR.42 of 150^o Gruppo. 80 and 33 Squadrons claimed seven Fiats shot down and two more were reported to have collided with each other and crashed. 150^o Gruppo lost only two CR.42s when Sottotenente Egidio Faltoni and Sergente Osvaldo Bartolaccini were shot down, both pilots baling out. The Italian aircraft didn’t claim anything and the British aircraft didn’t suffer any losses
28 February 1941	Fg Off R A Acworth Hurricane Mk I V7288 from 80 Sqdn	1 CR42	.	.	some source have this as a BR 20 of 37^o Stormo B.T. Acworth thought his victim may have been a Z.1007bis.During this large engagements RAF made claims for 5 and 2 damaged BR.20s, 3 and 2 damaged S.79s, 13 destroyed, 3 probable and 1 damaged CR.42s and 6 and 3 probable G.50bis. In fact 4 BR.20s of 37^o Stormo B.T. were lost with several damaged, 1 S.79 of 104^o Gruppo was damaged, 2 CR.42s of 160^o Gruppo and 2 G.50bis of 24^o Gruppo were lost. Regia Aeronautica claimed 6 and 2 probable Gladiators and 1 ‘Spitfire’ while in fact only 1 Gladiator of 112 Squadron was lost, Flt Lt Richard James Abrahams RAF no. 37663 parachuted to safety
.	Sqn Ldr H L I Brown Gladiator	1 G50bis	.	.	Tepelene-coast, During this large engagements RAF made claims for 5 and 2 damaged BR.20s, 3 and 2 damaged S.79s, 13 destroyed, 3 probable and 1 damaged CR.42s and 6 and 3 probable G.50bis. In fact 4 BR.20s of 37^o Stormo B.T. were lost with several damaged, 1 S.79 of 104^o Gruppo was damaged, 2 CR.42s of 160^o Gruppo and 2 G.50bis of 24^o Gruppo were lost. Regia Aeronautica claimed 6 and 2 probable Gladiators and 1 ‘Spitfire’ while in fact only 1 Gladiator of 112 Squadron was lost.
.	Flt Lt Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5910	1 G50bis, 1 CR42	.	.	Tepelene-coast, During this large engagements RAF made claims for 5 and 2 damaged BR.20s, 3 and 2 damaged S.79s, 13 destroyed, 3 probable and 1 damaged CR.42s and 6 and 3 probable G.50bis. In fact 4 BR.20s of 37^o Stormo B.T. were lost with several damaged, 1 S.79 of 104^o Gruppo was damaged, 2 CR.42s of 160^o Gruppo and 2 G.50bis of 24^o Gruppo were lost. Regia Aeronautica claimed 6 and 2 probable Gladiators and 1 ‘Spitfire’ while in fact only 1 Gladiator of 112 Squadron was lost.
.	Flt Lt C H Fry Gladiator Mk I K7914	1 G50bis. 1CR42	.	.	Saranda
.	Flt Lt R J Abrahams	1 G50bis	.	.	On the Italian side, the CR.42s of 160o Gruppo had been escorting four S.79s of 104o Gruppo in the Kuc area, between Tepelene and Himare, when British fighters identified as Spitfires, Hurricanes and Gladiators, were encountered. Two Gladiators were claimed shot down and one as a probable, a ‘Spitfire’ also being claimed. Sottotenente Raoul Francinetti of 394a Squadriglia was wounded in the leg, and Sottotenente Italo Traini of 394a Squadriglia was shot down and killed. Gunners in the S.79s also claimed two Gladiators shot down, as did the G.50bis pilots of the 24o Gruppo, the latter also claiming two more as probables. Tenente Bellagambi, following his combat with Flight Lieutenant Abrahams, was then shot down and wounded in one arm: he force-landed near Tirana airfield. Capitano Ettore Foschini's aircraft was also hit and he was wounded, also coming down at Tirana http://www.pilotfriend.com/century-of-flight/Aviation %20history/WW2/aces/William%20Vale.htm
.	Fg Off D H V Smith	.	1 CR42	.	.
.	Fg Off H P Cochrane Gladiator II N5782	1 CR42	.	.	Tepelene-coast
.	Fg Off Harrison Gladiator N5895	.	.	.	was part of the battle but made no claims, having to turn back with engine trouble
.	Fg Off Edwin Thomas Banks Gladiator	1 CR42	1 CR42, 1 BR20	.	.
.	Fg Off J L Groves Gladiator	1 CR42	.	.	.
.	Pilot Officer R. H. McDonald Gladiator	.	1 BR20	.	.
.	Sgt G M Donaldson Gladiator	2 G50bis possibly 24^o Gruppo	.	.	.
3 March 1941	Fg Off R A Ackworth 80 Sqdn Hurricane	1 Cant Z 1007	.	.	Cant Z. 1007 "Halcyon", 230 Squadron, 95° Group, 35° Flock in Greece. Beginning 1941 On 3 March two Hurricanes from 80 Squadron were ordered up on patrol at 1025, flown by Flying Officer Nigel Cullen and Pilot Officer Vale, while a third, flown by the attached 112 Squadron pilot Flying Officer Richard Acworth, was sent up on an air test. As these got into the air ten Cant Z.1007bis bombers of 50o Gruppo Autonomo B.T. from Brindisi approached the area in two formations of five each, while other such aircraft from 47o Stormo B.T. were also over Greece at this time. The 50o Gruppo aircraft bombed the earthquake-shattered town of Larissa, and were on their way home by the time the Hurricanes were vectored onto them. Flying Officer Acworth was first on the scene, soon joined by the other pair, and he reported: “Took off to test aircraft - before leaving heard that ten enemy aircraft heading towards Preveza. I flew in that direction and saw bombing in progress, and although I had not enough speed to catch the first section of bombers, I finally got near enough to second section - attacked No 5 and shot it down in flames - witnessed by Flying Officer Cullen, who shot down No 4. I saw one crew member leaving No 5 but afterwards, apart from an empty chute floating down, no trace of him was found. Both mine and Flying Officer Cullen’s first bomber crashed into the sea five miles south-west of Corfu.”
3 March 1941	Flt LT Lloyd Gilbert "Algy" Schwab, 37831 DFC, (Canadian)	1 C.200	.	.	Early in the afternoon of 26 March the 153^o Gruppo C.T. Macchi MC.200s were out to strafe Paramythia. As they approached in four sections they were met by four 112 Squadron Gladiators from ‘A’ Flight,lt Lt Schwab, Plt Offs McDonald, Brunton and Bowker (Gladiator N5917) which they identified as 12 in numbers. One Gladiator was badly damaged, but the pilot managed to land safely, while Flight Lieutenant Schwab pursued the MC.200s to the coast, believing that he had possibly managed to shoot one down into the sea off Perdika. He also shot at a Hurricane in error, not realising they were in the area. Pilot Officer Brunton claimed a damaged MC.200 in this combat. During the dogfight two Macchis broke away and strafed the airfield, claiming two Gladiators and a Wellington destroyed. In fact they managed to destroy one Gladiator, and hit the wreckage of the Wellington, which they had already destroyed four days earlier.
.	Fg Off Peter C. L Brunton	.	1 C.200	.	Same engagement as above
4 March 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator MkII N5627 RT-D	1 G50 , 1 G50 shared destroyed	.	.	Tepelene-coast , his log book notes Offensive Patrol. Italian Cruisers - 1G.50 confirmed, 1 G.50 unconfirmed (26 Enemy A/C confirmed destroyed by 80 & 112 Sqdns in this encounter for the loss of one Hurricane 6H & 15G v 60 +)
.	Sqn Ldr H L I Brown	1 G50, 1/4 shared destroyed	1 G50	.	Valona-Himare area, Claimed in combat with G.50bis and CR42s of the 24^o Gruppo C.T. RAF claimed seven G.50bis destroyed, four probable and four damaged, three CR.42s and one probable, while losing two Hurricanes. 24^o Gruppo C.T. lost two CR.42s and got one damaged while claiming four Gladiators, one Spitfire and one Fairey Battle. No losses to G.50bis have been found
.	Plt Off D G H MacDonald	shared 1 G50 with Brown	.	.	The Gladiators, led by Squadron Leader H. L. I. Brown, tangled with a reported ten G.50bis and five CR.42s. Flight Lieutenant Fraser led the third section after some G.50bis which entered clouds, but he claimed one shot down and a second shared with Brown, Pilot Officer Jack Groves and Pilot Officer D. G. H. MacDonald. Flying Officer Richard Acworth was about to attack another when he came under fire himself and was driven down to 2000 feet. He got in a few deflection shots, saw smoke issue from his opponent’s engine before being attacked by another, and thus only claimed a probable. Flying Officer Edwin Banks attacked a G.50bis which went into a spin; as he saw a parachute in the vicinity he also claimed a probable, and two more such claims were made by Flight Lieutenant Charles Fry and Sergeant 'Paddy' Donaldson, while four more aircraft damaged were claimed by Groves, Brown, MacDonald and Flying Officer Homer Cochrane. In return the 24^o Gruppo pilots claimed four Gladiators, one ‘Spitfire’ and one ‘Battle’ shot down. Sottotenente Nicolo Cobolli Gigli of 355^a Squadriglia, who was flying a CR.42 on this occasion, and Sergente Marcello De Salvia of 354^a Squadriglia were both shot down and killed, while Tenente Francesco Rocca of the latter unit was wounded. No losses by other CR.42 equipped units have been discovered. Cobolli Gigli and De Salvia were both awarded posthumous Medaglia d’Oro al Valor Militare.
.	Flt Lt C H Fry	.	.	1 G50	.
.	Fg Off R A Acwotrh	.	.	1 G50	.
.	Fg Off Edwin Thomas Banks	.	.	1 G50	.
.	Fg Off H P Cockrane Gladiator N5917	.	1 G50	.	RAF counted it as damaged but he wrote "destroyed - unconfirmed" in his logbook
.	Fg Off Harrison Gladiator N5895	.	.	.	Was part of the battle but made no claims
.	Plt Off J L Groves	.	1 G50	.	,
.	Plt Off D G H MacDonald	.	1 G50	.	.
.	Sgt G M Donaldson	1 G50	.	.	.
07 March 1941	.	.	.	.	07 March 1941, "A" Flightt to Paramythia Greece (Paramythia means "the valley of the fairy tales" and if your read about the conditions they found there you would find this amusing and aptly named.)
9 March 1941	Sqn Ldr H L I Brown	1 G50	.	.	Kelcyre-Tepelene - 25 MC.200s from the newly arrived 22^o Gruppo, attacked and became involved in a dogfight with Fry’s flight. Fry claimed one shot down, which dived vertically and crashed. Squadron Leader Brown attacked two enemy fighters diving from 14,000 feet and getting on their tails. The Italian fighters displayed poor evasive tactics and it was easy to keep behind them and he gave one aircraft a long burst and saw it crash into a hillside. The second enemy managed to escape.
.	Flt Lt C H Fry	1 G50	.	.	Took off 13:50 hours the formation was actually BR 20s of 37 Stormo BT and SM 79s of 105 Gruppo escorted by 25 Macchi 200s from the newly formed 22 Gruppo CT, On 9 March a new Italian offensive begun in Greece. During the afternoon on this day Squadron Leader Brown led 15 Gladiators in five vees of three from 1l2 Squadron on an offensive patrol over Kelcyre and Tepelene, where at 14.00 an estimated 30 G.50bis were reported, escorting BR.20s which were bombing forward troops. Additional CR.42s were spotted flying high cover but these never intervened. The Italian aircraft were flying in tight vees of five aircraft each. Flight Lieutenant Joseph Fraser led his section in an diving attack on the bombers, claiming one shot down, which he reported fell near Garneo. Flying Officer Edwin Banks attacked another with long bursts without obvious results, but was then engaged by one of the escorts, chasing it down from 16,000 feet to 8,000 feet before being forced to withdraw to Yannina when his engine blew a sparking plug. Flight Lieutenant Charles Fry’s section also went after the low-flying bombers, one of which was seen to jettison its bombs, and one of these aircraft was claimed probably destroyed by Pilot Officer Jack Groves.
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5757	1 BR20	.	.	Near Garneo, Offensive Patrol 1 B.R. 20 confirmed (10 v 50+)
.	Fg Off R A Acworth	1 G50	.	.	Six more were claimed by Sergeant George Millar 'Paddy' Donaldson (two), Flight Lieutenant Fraser, Flying Officer Richard Acworth, Flying Officer Homer Cochrane and Pilot Officer Groves, while Flying Officer R. J. Bennett claimed a probable.
.	Fg Off Harrison Gladiator N5895	.	.	.	Took part made no claims
.	Fg Off H P Cochrane Gladiator II N5829 RT Z	.	1 G50	.	Kelcyre-Tepelene area, although the claim is recorded in the Sqn ORB Cockrane does not make this claim in his log book as he had flown off to assist Gladiator MK II / N5823 flown by Pilot Officer Robert Haldane "Mac"McDonald (RAF no. 42316) "A" Flight shot down, parachuted badly burned died of his wounds.
.	P/Of Robert Haldane "Mac" McDonald Gladiator MK II N5823	.	.	.	Pilot Officer Robert Haldane "Mac"McDonald (RAF no. 42316) "A" Flight shot down, parachuted badly burned died of his wounds.
.	Fg Off R J Bennett	.	.	1 G50	Kelcyre-Tepelene area, Claimed in combat with BR.20s of 37^o Stormo and S.79s of 105^o Gruppo escorted by MC.200s of 22^o Gruppo. 112 Squadron claimed 8 and 1 probable G.50s and 1 and 1 probable BR.20 while losing 1 Gladiator. It seems that only 1 MC.200 was lost when Sergente Maggiore Marino Vannini of 369^a Squadriglia failed to return and 2 or 3 bombers being damaged for the claim of 4 Gladiators by the bombers gunners
.	Plt Off J L Groves	1 G50	.	.	.
.	.	1 BR20	.	.
.	Sgt G M "Paddy" Donaldson	2 G50	.	.	.
11 March 1941	Sqn Ldr H L I Brown	.	1 G50	.	Claimed in combat with G.50bis from 24^o Gruppo. 112 Squadron claimed seven shot down, one probable and seven damaged without loss. 24^o Gruppo lost four aircraft (Maggiore Cesare Valente and Sergente Luigi Spallacci were killed and Sergente Bruno Fava and Sergente Maggiore Ermes Lucchetta were wounded) while claiming a Blenheim and one Gladiator shot down.
.	Flt Lt C H Fry	.	.	1 G50	.
.	.	.	1 G50	.	.
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	1 G50	.	.	Bousi area, Claimed in combat with G.50bis from 24^o Gruppo. 112 Squadron claimed six shot down, one probable and seven damaged without loss. 24^o Gruppo lost four aircraft (Maggiore Cesare Valente and Sergente Luigi Spallacci were killed and Sergente Bruno Fava and Sergente Maggiore Ermes Lucchetta were wounded) while claiming a Blenheim and one Gladiator shot down ( from his log book Escort 211 S Busi Area 1 G.50 unconfirmed - later confirmed)
.	Fg Off N Bowker Gladiator Mk II N5817 "B" Flight ex "C" Flight	1 G50	.	.	Bomber Escort (in his log book he has drawn a wavy line with xx under it so perhaps he got 2 ? ) - Claimed in combat with G.50bis from 24^o Gruppo. 112 Squadron claimed seven shot down, one probable and seven damaged without loss. 24^o Gruppo lost four aircraft (Maggiore Cesare Valente and Sergente Luigi Spallacci were killed and Sergente Bruno Fava and Sergente Maggiore Ermes Lucchetta were wounded) while claiming a Blenheim and one Gladiator shot down.
.	Fg Off D F Westenra Gladiator Mk II N5825	1 G50	.	.	.
.	Fg Off H P Cochrane Gladiator Mk II N5917, "A" Flight	1 G50	.	.	Bousi area
.	Fg Off Edwin Thomas Banks	1 G50	2 G50	.	.
.	Fg Off R A Acworth	1 G50	.	.	His seventh and final
.	Fg Off E H Brown	.	1 G50	.	.
.	Fg Off Dennis Herbert Vincent Smith	.	1 G50	.	Claimed in combat with G.50bis from 24^o Gruppo. 112 Squadron claimed six shot down, one probable and seven damaged without loss. 24^o Gruppo lost four aircraft (Maggiore Cesare Valente and Sergente Luigi Spallacci were killed and Sergente Bruno Fava and Sergente Maggiore Ermes Lucchetta were wounded) while claiming a Blenheim and one Gladiator shot down. no finds of a 112 Sqn loss
.	Plt Off H.W. Harrison Gladiator N5895. "A" Flight	.	1 G50	.	Air combat Bousi area
13 - Groves has this as 14th in his log book March1941	Sqn Ldr H L I Brown Gladiator Mk II	1 G50	1 G50	.	Claimed in combat with MC.200s from 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s from 160^o Gruppo. 112 Squadron claimed 10 CR.42s destroyed, 2 probables and 1 damaged and 1 ‘G.50bis’ and 1 damaged without losses. The Italian pilots claimed four Gladiators and one Hurricane shot down, losing two CR.42s flown by Tenente Gualtiero Bacchi and Sottotenente Enzo Torroni (both from 375^a Squadriglia), but no MC.200s.
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	3 CR42	.	.	Claimed in combat with MC.200s from 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s from 160^o Gruppo. 112 Squadron claimed 10 CR.42s destroyed, 2 probables and 1 damaged and 1 ‘G.50bis’ and 1 damaged without losses. The Italian pilots claimed four Gladiators and one Hurricane shot down, losing two CR.42s flown by Tenente Gualtiero Bacchi and Sottotenente Enzo Torroni (both from 375^a Squadriglia), but no MC.200s (his log book entry -Offensive Patrol 3 CR.42s confirmed (12 v 74))
.	Fg Off H P Cochrane Gladiator MK N5916	3 CR42	.	.	Kelcyre area
.	Fg Off Harrison Gladiator Mk II N5895	.	.	.	Took part no claims made, forced to get away with a burst oil pipe
.	Fg Off N Bowker Gladiator Mk II N 5817	.	.	1 CR42	Claimed in combat with MC.200s from 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s from 160^o Gruppo. 112 Squadron claimed 10 CR.42s destroyed, 2 probables and 1 damaged and 1 ‘G.50bis’ and 1 damaged without losses. The Italian pilots claimed four Gladiators and one Hurricane shot down, losing two CR.42s flown by Tenente Gualtiero Bacchi and Sottotenente Enzo Torroni (both from 375^a Squadriglia), but no MC.200s.
.	Fg Off E H Brown	1 G50	.	.	.
.	Plt Off J L Groves	2 CR42	1 CR42	.	His log book has this as the 14th March 1941
.	Plt Off D G H MacDonald	.	.	1 CR42	.
.	Plt Off P C L Brunton	1 CR42	.	.	.
14- Groves has this as the 15th in his log book March 1941	Flt Lt C H Fry	1 BR20	.	.	Near Kelcyre
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	1 G50	.	.	His log book Offensive Patrol 1 G.50 confirmed
.	Fg Off R J Bennett	1 G50	.	.	Claimed in combat with Z.1007bis and BR.20s from 47^o and 38^o Stormo and MC.200s from the 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s of the 160^o Gruppo, which claimed 2 Hurricanes and 3 Gladiators while losing 2 MC.200s and getting 1 MC.200 and 1 Z.1007bis damaged. 112 Squadron claimed 5 destroyed, 2 probable and 1 damaged G.50s and 1 destroyed and 1 damaged BR.20 while losing 1 Gladiator. 33 Squadron claimed 2 'monoplanes' and 2 probable while losing 1 Hurricane
.	Fg Off N Bowker Gladiator Mk II N 5817	.	.	1 G50	A/C damaged in combat over Kelcyre, Albania pilot safe, in combat with 22 Gruppo based at that time in Tirana. ( his log book- offensive patrol flying after this he drew a circle with a dot in the middle of it, air craft reported badly damaged in combat) 13/03/40
.	Fg Off H P Cochrane Gladiator Mk II N5917	1 G50	.	.	Kelcyre area Previously listed as a probable, his logbook shows this as "confirmed destroyed". Claimed in combat with Z.1007bis and BR.20s from 47^o and 38^o Stormo and MC.200s from the 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s of the 160^o Gruppo, which claimed 2 Hurricanes and 3 Gladiators while losing 2 MC.200s and getting 1 MC.200 and 1 Z.1007bis damaged. 112 Squadron claimed 5 destroyed, 2 probables and 1 damaged G.50s and 1 destroyed and 1 damaged BR.20 while losing 1 Gladiator. 33 Squadron claimed 2 ‘monoplanes’ and 2 probables while losing 1 Hurricane
.	Fg Off D H V Smith	.	1 BR20	1 G50	Claimed in combat with Z.1007bis and BR.20s from 47^o and 38^o Stormo and MC.200s from the 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s of the 160^o Gruppo,
.	Plt Off P C L Brunton	.	1 G50	.	Claimed in combat with Z.1007bis and BR.20s from 47^o and 38^o Stormo and MC.200s from the 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s of the 160^o Gruppo,
.	Sgt G M Donaldson	.2 G50	.	1 G50	Claimed in combat with Z.1007bis and BR.20s from 47^o and 38^o Stormo and MC.200s from the 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s of the 160^o Gruppo
18 March 1941 Groves log book mentions 7 Claims for this day 112 and 33 Sqn	Fg Off Harrison Gladiator II N5910	.	.	.	Scrambled to intercept a Cant Z.100bis but speed Gladiator was to slow to catch it
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	.	.	.	His log book Interception Cant 1007 Corfu Long bursts from lengthening range... E.A. too fast
.	Fg Off N Bowker Gladiator Mk II N5817	.	.	.	From his logbook, interception then he drew a stroke .45 hours
22 March 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	.	.	.	From his logbook, Interception G.50s over base 15 G.50s v 2 Glads 20 minute aerial combat. No casualties either side (1 G.50 unconfirmed)
26 March 1941	Flt Lt L G Schwab	.	.	1 G50	Sea off Perdika, these where actually Macchis 200s of 153 Gruppo and all of them returned safely to their base, Claimed in combat against MC.200s of 153^o Gruppo CT. (e) Claimed as a G.50 but in fact MC.200s from 153^o Gruppo C.T., which didn’t suffer any losses. 112 Squadron claimed 1 probable and 1 damaged in this combat
.	Plt Off P C L Brunton	.	1 G50	.	Claimed as a G.50 but in fact MC.200s from 153^o Gruppo C.T., which didn’t suffer any losses. 112 Squadron claimed 1 probable and 1 damaged in this combat
.	Plt Off Bowker Gladiator II N5917	.	.	.	No claims
.	Plt Off MacDonald	.	.	.	No claims
03 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Hurricane P3969	.	.	.	29th March 1941 Blenheim P/O Hooper & 5 pass.. to Tminidi Bombay L5828 flown by F/O Coles with 17 passengers to El Adem, Abu Sueir, Heliopolis, 3rd April 1941, Local Flying Ismailia
04 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Hurricane V7765	.	.	.	Abu Sueir to Menidi F/Lt Vicki Boehm killed
05 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Hurricane V7765	.	.	.	Menidi to Larissa
6 April 1941	F/O Cochrane Gladiator II N5829 RT-Z	.	.	.	Escort no claims
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	.	.	.	No claims
7 April 1941	F/O Cochrane Gladiator II N5829 RT-Z	.	.	.	Escort no claims
9 April 1941	F/O Cochrane Gladiator II N5829 RT-Z	.	.	.	2 Scrambles no claims
10 April 1941	F/O Cochrane Gladiator II N5829	.	.	.	2 defensive patrols over Koritza, no claims
11 April 1941	F/O Cochrane Gladiator II N5829 RT-Z	.	.	.	4 Scrambles no claims
12 April 1941	F/O Cochrane Gladiator II N5829 RT-Z	.	.	.	4 Scrambles no claims
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	.	.	.	No claims
13 April 1941	Sqn Ldr L G Schwab, possibly Gladiator II coded RT Y	1 G50	.	.	Koritza area,
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	.	.	.	No claims
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5753	.	.	.	Scramble no claims
.	Fg Off N Bowker Gladiator Mk II N5858	1 S.79	.	.	Claimed in combat with Z.1007bis and BR.20s from 47^o and 38^o Stormo and MC.200s from the 22^o Gruppo and CR.42s of the 160^o Gruppo, which claimed 2 Hurricanes and 3 Gladiators while losing 2 MC.200s and getting 1 MC.200 and 1 Z.1007bis damaged. 112 Squadron claimed 5 destroyed, 2 probable and 1 damaged G.50s and 1 destroyed and 1 damaged BR.20 while losing 1 Gladiator. 33 Squadron claimed 2 ‘monoplanes’ and 2 probable while losing 1 Hurricane
.	Fg Off Harrison Gladiator II N5859	.	.	.	15:00 hours his 3rd sortie that day "Attacked 4 ME 109s but guns jammed! Had to do some fast thinking to get out of it" They where probably 6/JG-27, no claim made
14 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5627 RT-D	.	.	.	No claims
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5753	.	.	.	Scramble no claims
15 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5768	.	.	.	No claims
					On 15 April it was decided that 33 Squadron’s remaining Hurricanes would join 30 and 80 Squadrons at Eleusis, while 112 Squadron’s Gladiators would share Hassani with 208 Squadron
16 April 1941	.	.	.	.	16 April 1941, Sqdn was in retreat from German advances, arrived at Agrinion
16 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5768	.	.	.	No claims
17 April 1941	.	.	.	.	17 April 1941, Hassani (Athens)
17 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk I K8021	.	.	.	No claims
19 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5853	.	.	.	No claims
22 April 1941	.	.	.	.	22 April 1941, Aircraft left for Heraklion, Crete
22 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk I K8021	.	.	.	No claims, flew to Crete
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5832	.	.	.	No claims
23 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5918	.	.	.	No claims
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5776	.	.	.	No claims
24 April 1941	.	.	.	.	24 April 1941, Ground personnel moved to Naphlion
24 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5776	.	.	.	Scramble no claims
.	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5629	.	.	.	Scramble no claims
25 April 1941	.	.	.	.	25 April 1941, Ground personnel arrived Suda Bay, Crete
25 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5753	.	.	..	Scramble no claims
27 April 1941	Flt Lt J F Fraser Gladiator Mk II N5859	.	.	.	Scramble no claims
29 April 1941	.	.	.	.	29 April 1941, "A" Flight to Aboukir, then Lydda, Palestine
5 May 1941	Plt Off D F Westenra Gladiator Mk II N5825	.	Ju88	.	On 5 May Ju88s were intercepted over the Heraklion sector by two 112 Squadron Gladiators flown by Pilot Officer Len Bartley and Pilot Officer Westenra. Each pilot claiming a bomber damaged
.	Len Bartley	.	Ju88	.	.
11 May 1941	Plt Off N Bowker Gladiator II N5858	1 BF 110	Newspaper clipping of the time from Colleen Bowker and Family, Information came from Cpl A Griffin a member of the Black Watch and a fellow Rhodesian	.	Crete During the evening on 11 May five Bf110s of II/ZG 76, which had arrived at Argos from North Germany four days earlier, swept in over Heraklion airfield to strafe. Insufficient warning allowed only a single 112 Squadron Gladiator to get into the air, but Bofors and Lewis gunners opened fire as the Bf110s swept round the airfield. As they completed their circuit, Pilot Officer Bowker attacked one and a low level dogfight commenced, during which the lone Gladiator pilot attempted to lead his opponents over the gun positions. After a few minutes the Bf110s made off to the north-west, Bowker landing to claim one probably shot down. This claim was definitely confirmed destroyed in the Command Intelligence Summaries
12 May 1941	Sgt Weir	1 SM 79	.	.	Heraklion, Crete
13 May 1941	Plt Off J Westenra Gladiator MK II N5825	1 Bf 110	1 Bf 110	.	ZG 26, Heraklion, CreteOn 13 May a number of aircraft, identified as Bf110s, attacked Heraklion airfield in a desultory fashion, which caused little damage and a few minor casualties to army personnel. Five Gladiators got off, two flown by 1430 Flight pilots, but only Pilot Officer Westenra was able to attack, fighting with six of the intruders and getting in several good bursts, though his own fighter was badly shot about, landing with four mainspars shot through, large areas of fabric missing and numerous bullet holes. This action, witnessed by many of the defenders on the ground, proved to be quite a tonic to morale.
14 May 1941	Plt Off N Bowker Gladiator II N5858 He has 35 Hours logged in his Flight Log Book for Crete, see Colleens letter on Log Book Extracts Page	1 Bf 110	1 Bf 110	.	Bf110 of III/ZG 26, crashed offshore in the sea; Oberleutnant Sophus Baagoe, 8/ZG-26, a 14-victory ‘Experte’ from 5 Staffel, and gunner, Oberfeldwebel Daniel Becker, killed. Also fired on and claimed by Bofors gunners. On 14 May 1941, Oberleutnant Baagoe was strafing the airfield at Heraklion when his Bf 110 D-3 (W. Nr. 4290) was shot down into the sea off Crete’s north coast. Confusion over records and dates cause some sources to give the Baagoe claim to Jerry Westenra
15 May 1941	Plt Off D F Westenra Gladiator Mk II N5825 and Fg Off Reeves ( possibly Roy Reeve, 42648, not known yet if he was the one in 1430 Flight, promoted to Flying Officer 31 March 1941, London Gazette, Roy Reeve survived the war) Gladiator unknown (some sources say Westenra was in a hurricane)	1 Bf 110	.	.	On 15 May about a dozen II/ZG 26 Bf110s appeared over Heraklion. Two Gladiators were off, Flying Officer Stan Reeves of 1430 Flight and Pilot Officer Westenra getting airborne. Westenra N5825 bounced one of the low-flying Bf110s, this aircraft was also claimed by the Bofors gunners whose accurate fire brought down a second Bf110, ‘3U+EM’ of 4 Staffel. The latter crash-landed half a mile from the airfield with the port propeller, fin and rudder all shot away. Gefreiter Adolf Ketterer and his gunner, Gefreiter Hans Bromba, were both captured. Returning Bf110 pilots claimed four victories; Flying Officer Reeves’ Gladiator was badly damaged and force-landed. Two more Gladiators were damaged on the ground. Several of the Bf110s had carried bombs, whilst others were seen to jettison long-range tanks over the coastline. Little serious damage resulted from the attack.
16 May 1941 ? or 14th ?	Flt Lt CH Fry Hurricane V7857 from 33 Sqdn	1 Bf 110	.	.	Flying a Hurricane with four others, intercepted eight Bf110 of ZG26 at 6000 feet near Heraklion. He attacked a Bf110 piloted by Uffz Witze and it fell but the rear gunner forced him to abandon his aircraft. he badly damaged his ribs striking the tail plane was hospitalized and captured
20 May 1941	Flt Ft Fraser Hurricane Z4178	1 JU52, 1 ME110	Pilots of "A" Flight had evacuated Crete, 28 April 1941 "B" Flight pilots had stayed back in Crete	.	On 19 May 1941 Flight Lieutenant L. G. Burnard, Flying Officer Stephenson and Pilot Officer B. A. B. Attwood, all from 208 Squadron at Gaza, were sent to Amman on attachment to 112 Squadron for a few days. On arrival they were sent with Flight Lieutenant Fraser and Flying Officer Homer Cochrane to Lydda to collect five Hurricanes on loan from 80 Squadron (112 Squadron had no aircraft of its own at this point, having just returned from Crete. Flying back to Amman, the five pilots took off early next morning (20th) to attack the French airfield at Mezze, just outside Damascus. On the run-in they missed the target, but on the return flight they found it, and at once attacked a Ju52/3m and a Bf110, which had just landed. Flight Lieutenant Fraser claimed the former badly damaged. Six French aircraft and 50 vehicles were also claimed strafed, as was the Bf110. Two of the Hurricanes were struck by small arms fire. The French reported that both German aircraft were damaged, the Ju52/3m subsequently being burnt out while two French aircraft were also damaged. ( From his logbook - Ground Straff Damascus and Lydda to Ammaan One JU52, One ME110 destroyed on aerodrome CONFIRMED )
.	Homer Cockrane Hurricane Z4106	.	Ju52 burnt out after strafe	.	As above
20 May 1941	Flt Ft Fraser Hurricane Z4178	.	1 Do215	.	Haifa, indecisive
29 May 1941	Sgt Weir probably in a Hurricane by this time ( reason for this statement, By the 18 May 1941 according to Flt Lt Fraser only three 112 Sqdn Gladiators where serviceable, I think these where K6138, N5825, which are known to have been flown out on 19th May 1941 and N5829 RT-Z, which survived Crete but date and pilot that flew it out are as yet unknown)	.	.	1 Ju52	North East of Heraklion, Crete claimed as a SM79 it was more likely a Ju52
31 May 1941	.	.	.	.	31 May 1941, Fayid
8 June 1941	Plt Off Jack Hamlyn Tomahawk IIB This is about 250 Squadron and Jack's first victories for 112 and 250 Sqdns.( not to be counted with 112 Sqdn claims)	1 Cant Z.1007	.	.	Interesting to note, this relates to RAF 112 Squadron, "B" Flight which became "K" Flight which in turn became 250 Squadron ,On 8 June Flying Officer Hamlyn and Sergeant Paxton found a Cant Z.1007 over Alexandria. The Italian bomber was attacked and shot down by Hamlyn. According to the squadron’s record book Hamlyn “engaged and damaged the airplane, which appeared to be about to make a forced landing when it was downed by shore batteries from a height of 600 ft”. Hamlyn was nevertheless credited with the first victory claimed by a P-40 Tomahawk and also 112 Squadron’s first, Gladiator victory.
11 August 1941	.	.	.	.	11 August 1941, sub Flight to Haifa detachment from "A" Flt to Mariyut (Flt Lt Fraser et all)
12 September 1941	.	.	.	.	12 September 1941, Sidi Haneish, LG 102, inland from Maaten Bagush at Sidi Haneish (via LG 92, south of Alexandria)
14 September 1941	Plt Off N Bowker Tomahawk IIb AN218	1 SM79	.	.	W Sofafi
.	F/L Harrison AM444	.	.	.	Witnessed the victory
3 October 1941	Plt Off J L Groves Tomahawk IIb AK451	.	1 Bf 109	.	W Sofafi
.	Fg Off H P Cochrane Tomahawk AN220	1 Bf109	.	.	.
.	F/L Harrison AM444	.	1 Bf109	.	Escort for Tactical reconnaissance Aircraft- Escorted Hurricanes over Bardia-Capuzzo-Sidi Omar. on the way home jumped by 5 ME109,s Sgt Stirrat shot down in flames, Sgt Carson force landed, claims made by Oberleutenant Rodel and Leutenant Schlacht of 4/JG-27 ORB does not make mention of the 112 Sqdn claims but they are recorded in pilots log books
12 October 1941	Plt Off J L Groves Tomahawk IIb AM 444	1 Bf 109E,1 G50	.	.	Sheferzen
.	Sgt R M Leu	shared 1 Bf 110	.	.	.
.	Sgt R M Christie	.	.	.	.
.	Sgt K F Carson	shared 1 Bf 110	.	.	.
14 November 1941	.	.	.	.	14 November 1941, Sidi Bahraini LG 110
19 November 1941	.	.	.	.	19 November 1941, Fort Maddelena, LG 122
20 November 1941	Plt Off N Bowker Tomahawk AN 415	1/3 shared BF 110., 1 BF110	.	.	El Adem-Acroma for shared El Adem for destroyed
.	Sgt Ron Christie	1/3 shared with Bowker BF 110	.	.	III/ZG-26, FW Ludwig and Ogfr Graf wounded when their aircraft crashed and Ogfr Schone in the other BF 110 was also wounded
.	Sgt R. M. Leu	1/3 shared with Bowker BF 110	.	.	There was only 2 BF 110 in the incident on this combat and 112 and 3 Sqdn RAAF where flying together on this occasion..
.	Sgt Carson Tomahawk AN303	BF 110 III/ZG26	.	.	.
.	Plt Off Jeffries Tomahawk AN413	.	1 Bf 110 all blue in color	.	.
.	Fg Off J F Soden	.	1 Bf 110	.	.
21 November 1941	Plt Off R J D Jeffries Tomahawk AK541	.	.	.	.
.	Plt Off N Duke Tomahawk AK402 GA F	shared 1 CR42	.	.	Tobruk shared with Jeffries and Carson
.	Sgt K F Carson Tomahawk AK436	.	.	.	.
.	Sgt R M Leu Tomahawk AK509	shared 1 CR42	.	.	Possibly 376a Squadrigla Autonomo
22 November 1941	Plt Off N Duke Tomahawk AK402 GA F	1 Bf 109 I/JG27	.	.	Oberfahurich Waskott of I/JG27 POW
.	Plt Off J P Bartle Tomahawk AK 533 ?	1 Bf 109 I/JG27	.	.	Feldwebel Hillet POW from 1 an II Jg27
.	unknown	.	1 BF 110	.	.
25 November 1941	Flt Lt D F Westerna Tomahawk IIb AN303	.	.	1 GR50	.
.	Fg Off P H Humphreys Tomahawk AK405 GAA	1 CR 42	1 Bf 109F	.	.
.	Plt Off N Bowker Tomahawk AK503	1 Bf 110	.	.	1-2m off Tobruk
30 November 1941	Plt Off N Bowker Tomahawk IIb AN338	1 MC 200	.	.	El Gobi
.	Plt Off N Duke Tomahawk AK402 GA F	1 G50	1 Bf 109F	.	20 Gruppo then shot down by Otto Shultz
.	Sgt R M Leu Tomahawk AK509	1 G50	.	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	1 G50	.	.
4 December 1941	Ft Lt D F Westerna Tomahawk Mk IIb AN303	2 G50	.	.	.
.	Fg Off P H Humphreys	.	1 BF 109	.	.
.	Plt Off N Bowker Tomahawk IIb AN372	1 G50, 1 Ju87	.	.	El Adem-Sidi Rezegh
.	Plt Off N Duke Tomahawk IIb AN337 GA F	1 MC 200, 1 Ju87	1 Ju87	.	EL Adem - Tobruk area
.	Sgt R H Christie	1 Bf 109	.	1 BF 109	.
5 December 1941	Flt Lt C F Ambrose Tomahawk IIb AK475 GA J	.	.	1 MC 200,1 G50	.
.	Fg Off J F Soden Tomahawk IIb AK377 GA V	1 Ju 87	1 Bf 109	.	.
.	Plt Off N Bowker Tomahawk IIb AK509 GA N	3 Ju 87	1 G50	.	G.50 from 352^a Squadriglia, 20^o Gruppo, 51^o Stormo CT. Tenente Aldo Vitali baled out and became a POW.
.	Plt Off J P Sabrourin Tomahawk IIb AK457	1 Bf 109E, 1 G50, 1 Ju 87	1 G50, 1 BF 109E and 1 Bf 109F	.	Near El Adem, I/JG27 serial number 8429
.	Plt Off J P Bartle Tomahawk IIb AN372 GA Q	1 G50, 1 Ju 87	.	.	.
.	Sgt R M Leu Tomahawk IIb AK354	1 MC 200	.	1 BF 109	.
12 December 1941	Plt Off J P Bartle Tomahawk IIb AN372 GA Q	1 Bf 109	1 MC 202	.	12 Dec 41 - At 1530 hrs 112 Sqdn RAF and 3 Sqdn took to the air, 18 Tomahawks on a sweep of the Derna area, over Tmimi they spotted a large formation of Axis aircraft and attacked, F/O Barr (3 Sqdn) got a Bf 110 and F/O Gibbes (3 Sqdn) damaged a Ju 87 for the Australians, but two of their Tomahawks collided, P/O Eggleston (3 Sqdn) crashing. 112 Sqdn RAF lost P/O Jefferies, Sgt Alves and Sgt Houston, while F/L Humphrey's aircraft was damaged. P/O Bartle claimed a Bf 109 and damaged a MC 202, while two other pilots damaged fighters.
.	Sgt Ken (Kit) F Carson, 404233, RAAF	.	1 unknown	.	.
.	Sgt William (Bill) Edward Carson,404168.RAAF	.	1 unknown	.	.
.	Plt Off E Dickson Tomahawk IIb AM459	.	1 MC 202	1 MC 202 shared with Humphrys	.
.	Sgt William Earl Houston, Tomahawk IIb AK457	.	1 BF 109F	.	Tmimi 1600 hours, pilot Houston was shot down shortly after this
.	Plt Off Peter "Hunk“ Harry Humphreys GA F serial unknown at this time but its numbers added up to 13	.	.	1 MC 202 shared with Dickenson	Plane and Pilot where both shot up in this engagement.
.	Sgt D N McQueen Tomahawk IIb AK303	.	1 BF 109F	.	Tmimi 1600 hours
14 December 1941	Sgt S C Johnson	.	1 BF 109	.	.
19 December 1941	RAF E l Adem	.	Location Libya 15 miles S of Tobruk	.	Originally known as Landing Ground 144 112 Sqdn (19 - 21 Dec 1941, 2 - 3 Feb 1942, 15 - 17 Feb 1942)
20 December 1941	Plt Off R K Sands Tomahawk IIb AN372	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
second mission that day	Sgt H G Burney Tomahawk IIb AN289	1 Ju 88, 0f II/KLG1, fell near Giovani	.	.	.
21 December 1941	.	.	.	.	21 December 1941, Msus
22 December 1941	Ft Lt D F Westerna Tomahawk IIb AN303	shared 1 Ju 87	1 Ju 87	.	Magrun airfield
.	Plt Off J P Bartle	1 Ju 87	.	.	.
.	Plt Off N Duke Tomahawk IIb AK354, GA L	1 Bf 109F	1 JU 52 ,1 Ju 87 shared with Carson	.	Over Magrun airfield shared with Sgt Carson, III/ Jg 27 Feldwebel Eric Wassermann or 7/JG27
.	Sgt Ken (Kit) F Carson	1 Bf 109F	1 Ju 52	.	.
24 December	Sgt D N McQueen	.	.	.	1 Ju 52 left burning
.	.	.32+99=131	.	.	.

1942

Known Luftwaffe in 1942 in 112 Sqn Areas of operation

Staff JG 27 in Turbiya BF 109 F,G
II./JG 27 Quotaifiya BF 109 F,G
III./JG 27 Bir el Abd BF 109 F,G
III./JG 53 to 27,10,42 in Africa BF 109 F,G
Raiding party Crete Kastelli BF 109 F,G
Raiding party Berca in Berca logical-proves also 109 F,G to BF
Raiding party Tobruk Tobruk BF 109 F,G
III./ZG 26 Kastelli and the 8. Stfl. in Derna BF 110 C
10./ZG 26 Kastelli Ju 88
I./SG 2 Bir el Abd BF 109 E
4.(H)/12 Bir el Abd BF 109 E,F
1.(F)/121 Fuka north Ju 88
2.(F)/123 Kastelli Ju 88
Corps chain Xth sequence K. Kastelli He 111, Fi 156
Staff StG 3 Quasaba Ju 87
I./StG 3 Quasaba Ju 87
III.StG 3 Quasaba Ju 87
2./125 Sudabucht (water airport) acre 196

Luftlfotte 2

Mediterranean & North Africa

17. January 1942

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 2. (H) / 14 Libya 16 3 Bf 110 C-4 With Hs 126 & Bf 109

Long-range Reconnaissance

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 1. (F) / 121 Greece ® Libya 8 3 Ju 88 D-1 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps 1. (F) / 122 Sicily 10 7 Ju 88 D-1 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. (F) / 123 Greece & Crete 10 4 Ju 88 D-1 -

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / JG 27 Libya-Egypt 3 2 Bf 109 F-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 Libya-Egypt 23 6 Bf 109 F-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / JG 27 Libya-Egypt 25 7 Bf 109 F-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / JG 27 Libya-Egypt 19 8 Bf 109 F-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps Jagd Sta. Eleusis (Athen) 10 4 Bf 109 F-2 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / JG 53 Sicily 6 6 Bf 109 F-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / JG 53 Sicily 34 21 Bf 109 F-4 Less 1. / JG 53

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / JG 53 Sicily 37 25 Bf 109 F-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 1. / JG 53 Greece & Crete 7 5 Bf 109 F-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Jabosta./JG 53 Libya-Egypt 5 4 Bf 109 E-7/B -

T.E. Night Fighters (Nachtjagd.)

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / NJG 2 Sicily 12 8 Ju 88 C-6 Less 2. / NJG 2

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / NJG 2 Greece 4 2 Ju 88 C-6 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps 4. / NJG 2 Sicily 5 3 Ju 88 C-6 -

Twin-engined Fighters (Zerstörer)

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / ZG 26 Sicily 17 10 Bf 110 D-3 Less 7. / ZG 26

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 7. / ZG 26 Libya-Egypt 8 4 Bf 110 D-3 -

Long-range Bombers

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps I. / LG 1 Greece & Crete 27 13 Ju 88 A-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps II. / LG 1 Greece & Crete 27 11 Ju 88 A-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps III. / LG 1 Greece & Crete 12 3 Ju 88 A-4 To Germany 18.1.42

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü.Fl.Gr. 606 Sicily 20 10 Ju 88 A-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / KG 54 Sicily 1 1 Ju 88 A-4 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / KG 54 Sicily 12 7 Ju 88 A-4 One Staffel only

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / KG 26 Sicily 30 10 He 111 H-6 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps 7. / KG 26 Sicily 6 0 He 111 H-6 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü.Fl.Gr. 806 Sicily 17 6 Ju 88 A-4 One Staffel only

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / KG 77 Sicily 20 12 Ju 88 A-4 Two Staffel only

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / KG 77 Sicily 16 13 Ju 88 A-4 One Staffel only

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / St.G 3 Libya-Eygpt 4 2 Ju 87 D-1 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 3 Libya-Eygpt 24 23 Ju 87 D-1 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / St.G 3 Libya-Eygpt 29 20 Ju 87 D-1 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Erg. / St.G 1 Libya-Eygpt 12 8 Ju 87 D-1 Einsatz-Erg.Staffel

Coastal (See-Aufkl. Gr.)

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 125 Greece & Crete 9 9 Ar 196 A-3 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps Stab / 126 Greece & Crete 4 2 He 114 -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 1. / 126 Greece & Crete 13 3 He 60 C -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 126 Greece & Crete 7 6 He 60 C -

17.01.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 3. / 126 Greece & Crete 10 5 He 60 C -

Transport

17.01.42 Lft. 2 - III./ KG.z.b.V. Mediterranean Theatre 42 25 Ju 52/3m -

17.01.42 Lft. 2 - KG.z.b.V. 400 Mediterranean Theatre 40 26 Ju 52/3m -

17.01.42 Lft. 2 - Tr.Gr. 111 Mediterranean Theatre 24 8 Ju 52/3m -

17.01.42 Lft. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. Korps Tr.Sta. Mediterranean Theatre 16 12 Ju 52/3m -

Luftlfotte 2

Mediterranean & North Africa

4. April 1942

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 2. (H) / 14 Martuba 14 6 Bf 110 C-4 With Bf 109F

Armee Afrika

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 4. (H) / 12 Martuba - - Bf 110 C-4 With Bf 109F

Armee Afrika

Long-range Reconnaissance

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 1. (F) / 121 Derna 7 5 Ju 88 D-1 -

Armee Afrika

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps 1. (F) / 122 Gerbini 14 10 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 109F

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Stab / Lfl. 2 2. (F) / 122 Trapani 12 10 Ju 88 D-1 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. (F) / 123 Tatoi 13 4 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 110 C

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

04.04..42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / JG 3 San Pietro 25 22 Bf 109 F-4 Rotte (4) at Pantellaria

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Jabo / JG 3 Martuba 10 10 Bf 109 F-2/B Fighter-bomber

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / JG 27 Martuba - - Bf 109 F-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 Martuba 26 12 Bf 109 F-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / JG 27 Martuba 30 11 Bf 109 F-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / JG 27 Martuba 27 12 Bf 109 F-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / JG 53 Comiso 4 4 Bf 109 F-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / JG 53 Gela 34 28 Bf 109 F-4 Less 1. / JG 53

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / JG 53 Comiso 34 23 Bf 109 F-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / JG 53 Comiso 32 25 Bf 109 F-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Jabo. / JG 53 Gela 10 7 Bf 109 F-4/B Fighter-bomber

T.E. Night Fighters (Nachtjagd.)

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / NJG 2 Catania 17 11 Ju 88 C-6 -

Twin-engined Fighters (Zerstörer)

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / ZG 26 Trapani 20 12 Bf 110 D-3 Less 7. / ZG 26

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 7. / ZG 26 Derna 9 5 Bf 110 D-3 -

Long-range Bombers

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps I. / LG 1 Iraklion 13 12 Ju 88 A-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / LG 1 Catania 35 20 Ju 88 A-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 12. / LG 1 Berca (Barce) 9 2 Ju 88 A-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü.Fl.Gr. 606 Catania 16 11 Ju 88 A-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 4. / KG 26 Kalamaki 14 5 He 111 H-6 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / KG 54 Catania 1 1 Ju 88 A-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / KG 54 Gerbini 31 20 Ju 88 A-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü.Fl.Gr. 806 Catania 27 16 Ju 88 A-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab. / KG 77 Comiso 1 1 Ju 88 A-4 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / KG 77 Comiso 17 10 Ju 88 A-4 Two Staffel only

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / KG 77 Comiso 25 15 Ju 88 A-4 -

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / St.G 3 Berca (Barce) 5 4 Ju 87 D-1 With Bf 110 & He 111

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 3 Martuba 32 16 Ju 87 D-1 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / St.G 3 Libya-Eygpt 8 0 Ju 87 D-1 Re-fitting Italy 7.4.42

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / St.G 3 San Pietro 35 22 Ju 87 D-1 -

Coastal (See-Aufkl. Gr.)

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 125 Skaramanga 9 8 Ar 196 A-3 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps Stab / 126 Skaramanga 1 0 BV 138 C-1 -

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 1. / 126 Skaramanga 9 6 He 60 C With FT. 8

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 126 Kavalla 10 5 He 60 C With Ar 196 A

04.04.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 3. / 126 Kavalla 8 6 He 60 C With FT. 8

Transport

04.04.42 Lft. 2 II. Fl. Kps III./ KG.z.b.V. Brindisi & Trapani 28 18 Ju 52/3m -

04.04.42 Lft. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. Korps Tr. Sta. Reggio (Calabria) 16 12 Ju 52/3m -

04.04.42 Lft. 2 X. Fl. Kps Trans St. Süd-Ost Athens / Kalamaki 6 4 Ju 52/3m -

Luftlfotte 2

Mediterranean & North Africa

10. May 1942

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 4. (H) / 12 Martuba 17 7 Bf 110 C-4 With Bf 109F, Hs 126

Armee Afrika

Long-range Reconnaissance

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 1. (F) / 121 Derna 10 9 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 109F

Armee Afrika

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps 1. (F) / 122 Catania 14 8 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 109F

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Stab / Lfl. 2 2. (F) / 122 Trapani 12 6 Ju 88 D-1 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. (F) / 123 Kastelli 13 6 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 110 C

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / JG 27 Martuba - - Bf 109 F-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 Martuba 30 21 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / JG 27 Martuba 33 27 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / JG 27 Martuba 29 15 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Jabo. / JG 27 Martuba 8 8 Bf 109 F-4/B Fighter-bomber

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / JG 53 Comiso 5 3 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / JG 53 Comiso 42 27 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / JG 53 Comiso 39 25 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Jabo. / JG 53 Gela 12 6 Bf 109 F-4/B Fighter-bomber

T.E. Night Fighters (Nachtjagd.)

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / NJG 2 Catania 20 12 Ju 88 C-6 Less 2. / NJG 2

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 2. / NJG 2 Derna 9 5 Ju 88 C-6 -

Twin-engined Fighters (Zerstörer)

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / ZG 26 Trapani 16 9 Bf 110 D-3 With 8. / ZG 26

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 7. / ZG 26 Derna 12 5 Bf 110 D-3 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 9. / ZG 26 Maleme ((Kreta) 11 4 Bf 110 D-3 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps 10. / ZG 26 Trapani 8 6 Do 17 Z-10 -

Long-range Bombers

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps Stab / LG 1 Eleusis 1 1 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps I. / LG 1 Iraklion 29 16 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps II. / LG 1 Eleusis 31 15 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 12. / LG 1 Berca (Barce) 11 11 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps II. / KG 100 Kalamaki 25 12 He 111 H-6 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü.Fl.Gr. 606 Catania 23 16 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü.Fl.Gr. 806 Catania 28 10 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / KG 54 Catania 3 3 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / KG 54 Comiso 26 13 Ju 88 A-4 -

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / St.G 3 Derna-Süd 2 0 Ju 87 D-1 With Bf 110 & He 111

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 3 Derna-Süd 41 28 Ju 87 D-1 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / St.G 3 San Pietro 23 10 Ju 87 D-1 -

Coastal (See-Aufkl. Gr.)

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 125 Skaramanga 8 4 Ar 196 A-3 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps Stab / 126 Skaramanga 1 1 BV 138 C-1 -

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 1. / 126 Skaramanga 15 11 He 60 C With FT. 8

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 126 Kavalla 13 4 He 60 C With Ar 196 A

10.05.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 3. / 126 Skaramanga 16 10 Ar 196 A-3 -

Transport (Not included)

Luftlfotte 2

Mediterranean & North Africa

10. June 1942

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Tactical (close) Reconnaissance

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 4. (H) / 12 North Africa 25 17 Bf 110 C-4 With Bf 109F, Hs 126

Armee Afrika

Long-range Reconnaissance

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 1. (F) / 121 North Africa 14 12 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 109F

Armee Afrika

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab.(F) / 122 Trapani 3 3 Ju 88 D-1 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps 1. (F) / 122 Catania 14 6 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 109F

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Stab / Lfl. 2 2. (F) / 122 Trapani 12 6 Ju 88 D-1 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. (F) / 123 Kastelli 13 5 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 110 C

S.E. Day Fighters (Tagjagd.)

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / JG 27 North Africa 1 0 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 North Africa 31 16 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / JG 27 North Africa 24 16 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / JG 27 North Africa 25 13 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Jabo. / JG 27 North Africa 11 3 Bf 109 F-4/B Fighter-bomber

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / JG 53 Comiso 5 3 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / JG 53 Comiso 38 25 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / JG 53 North Africa 34 12 Bf 109 F-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Jabo. St. JG 53 North Africa 8 5 Bf 109 F-4/B Fighter-bomber

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps. Jagd. Kdo./ JG 27 Maleme 5 2 Bf 109 F-4 -

T.E. Night Fighters (Nachtjagd.)

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / NJG 2 Iraklion (Crete) 35 14 Ju 88 C-6 Ops. Libyan Front

Long-range Bombers

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps Stab / LG 1 Iraklion (Crete) 1 1 Ju 88 A-4 Ops. Libyan Front

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps I. / LG 1 Iraklion 28 14 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps II. / LG 1 Iraklion 28 18 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 12. / LG 1 Berca (Barce) 15 7 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / KG 54 Catania 2 2 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps I. / KG 54 Eleusis 28 19 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü. Fl. Gr. 606 Catania 30 20 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü. Fl. Gr. 806 Catania 26 16 Ju 88 A-4 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps II. / KG 100 Kalamaki 20 14 He 111 H-6 -

Dive-Bombers (Stuka.)

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / St.G 3 North Africa 3 2 Ju 87 D-1 With Bf 110 & He 111

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 3 North Africa 30 16 Ju 87 D-1 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / St.G 3 North Africa 30 17 Ju 87 D-1 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / St.G 3 North Africa 26 13 Ju 87 D-1 -

Coastal (See-Aufkl. Gr.)

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 125 Skaramanga 9 7 Ar 196 A-3 -

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 1. / 126 Skaramanga 19 2 He 60 C With FT. 8

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 126 Kavalla 10 7 Ar 196 A-3 With Ar 196 A

10.06.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 3. / 126 Skaramanga 11 7 Ar 196 A-3 -

Transport (Not included)

Luftlfotte 2

Mediterranean & North Africa

20. August 1942

Date Command Division Unit Location airfield Est. 'S' Main Type Notes

Fliegerführer Afrika (Libya)

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 4. (H) / 12 Bir el Abd 19 10 Bf 110 C-4 With Bf 109F, Hs 126

Armee Afrika

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Koluft. Panzer- 1. (F) / 121 Fuka I. & Derna 12 4 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 109F

Armee Afrika

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / JG 27 Sanyet Quotaifiya 2 2 Bf 109 F-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / JG 27 Turbiya 23 18 Bf 109 F-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / JG 27 Sanyet Quotaifiya 24 10 Bf 109 F-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / JG 27 Qasaba 24 15 Bf 109 F-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Jabo. St. Afrika Haggag/Qasaba 12 6 Bf 109 F-4/B Fighter-bomber

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / JG 53 Qasaba 24 15 Bf 109 F-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 10. / ZG 26 Berca 7 4 Do 17 Z-10 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika 12. / LG 1 Berca 12 2 Ju 88 A-4/Trop -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika Stab / St.G 3 Qasaba 7 3 Ju 87 D-1 With Bf 110 & He 111

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika I. / St.G 3 Qasaba 28 20 Ju 87 D-1 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika II. / St.G 3 Qasaba 36 21 Ju 87 D-1 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 Fl. Fü. Afrika III. / St.G 3 Qasaba 36 30 Ju 87 D-1 -

II. Fliegerkorps (Sicily)

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps 1. (F) / 122 Catania 16 7 Ju 88 D-1 With Bf 109F

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / JG 53 Comiso 3 2 Bf 109 F-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / JG 53 Comiso 34 25 Bf 109 F-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / JG 77 Comiso 23 10 Bf 109 F-4 From Lfl. 4 Russia

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / KG 54 Catania 2 1 Ju 88 A-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps I. / KG 54 Gerbini 27 8 Ju 88 A-4 From X. Fl. Kps.

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü. Fl. Gr. 606 Catania 22 11 Ju 88 A-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Kü. Fl. Gr. 806 Catania 24 12 Ju 88 A-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps Stab / KG 77 Comiso 2 1 Ju 88 A-4 From Russia

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps II. / KG 77 Comiso 19 13 Ju 88 A-4 From Russia

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 II. Fl. Kps III. / KG 77 Comiso 20 7 Ju 88 A-4 From Russia

X. Fliegerkorps (Greece & Crete)

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. (F) / 123 Skaramanga 19 8 Ju 88 D-1 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps. Jagd. Kdo./ JG 27 Kastelli 5 2 Bf 109 F-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps. III. / ZG 26 Kastelli 46 24 Bf 110 D-3 Post re-fit.

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps. Korpskette X. Fl.Kps Kastelli 5 4 He 111 H-2 With Fi 156

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps Stab / LG 1 Iraklion (Crete) 2 2 Ju 88 A-4 Ops. Libyan Front

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps I. / LG 1 Iraklion 28 11 Ju 88 A-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps II. / LG 1 Iraklion 36 13 Ju 88 A-4 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps II. / KG 100 Kalamaki 28 18 He 111 H-6 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 125 Skaramanga 11 9 Ar 196 A-3 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps Stab / 126 Skaramanga 1 1 BV 138 C-1 -

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 1. / 126 Skaramanga 9 3 He 114 With Ar 196 A-3

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 2. / 126 Skaramanga 9 3 He 114 With Ar 196 A-3

20.08.42 Lfl. 2 X. Fl. Kps 3. / 126 Suda Bay 9 5 He 114 With Ar 196 A-3

At disposal of Oberbefehlshaber Süd

20.08.42 Ob. Süd Lfl. 2 III./ KG.z.b.V 1 - 29 15 Ju 52/3m -

20.08.42 Ob. Süd Lfl. 2 IV./ KG.z.b.V 1 - 39 27 Ju 52/3m -

20.08.42 Ob. Süd Lfl. 2 KG.z.b.V 400 - 24 12 Ju 52/3m -

20.08.42 Ob. Süd Lfl. 2 KG.z.b.V 600 - 38 29 Ju 52/3m -

20.08.42 Ob. Süd Lfl. 2 KG.z.b.V 800 - 40 19 Ju 52/3m -

20.08.42 Ob. Süd Lfl. 2 Trans.St. (See) Phäleron 5 1 BV 222 -

20.08.42 Ob. Süd Lfl. 2 Trans.St. II Korps - 11 7 Ju 52/3m -

20.08.42 Ob. Süd Lfl. 2 Trans.St. Süd-Ost - 11 7 Ju 52/3m -

Date	Pilot/Plane	Destroyed	Damaged	Probable	Notes
13 January 1942	.	.	.	.	13 January 1942, Antelet (satellite)
21 January 1942	.	.	.	.	21 January 1942, Msus
24 January 1942	.	.	.	.	24 January 1942, Mechili
25 January 1942	Sgt R M Leu Kittyhawk Mk. I AK637	1 Bf 109F	.	.	Agedabia, head on attack Leu shot the wing tip off, it was seen to go in by Msus, pilot parachuted to safety
28 January 1942	.	.	.	.	28 January 1942, Gazala
02 February 1942	.	.	.	.	2 February 1942, El Adem
05 February 1942	.	.	.	.	05 February 1942, Gambut main
8 February 1942	Flt Lt P H Humphreys	shared 1 Bf 109	.	.	3 Staffein JG27 shows no losses for this day
.	Sgt HG Burney	shared 1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	.	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	.	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Sgt George Walton Elwell, Kittyhawk Mk. I AK593	1 Bf 109	.	.	Credited to the 112 Sqdn pilot posthumously
14 February 1942	Plt Off E Dickinson Kittyhawk Mk. I AK804	1 MC 200,	.	.	Time 1215 PM
.	Plt Off N Duke Kittyhawk Mk. I AK578 GA V	2 MC 200	.	.	SW of Acoma, confirmed by Sgt Evans, the second he attacked at ground level from dead astern and it flew into the ground and burst into flames. this was shared with Sgt Reid of 3 Sqdn RAAF he was in CV W
.	.	0.5 MC 200 shared with Sgt Reid 3 Sqn RAAF in CV W	.	.	In total there where 10 112 Sqdn and 8 2 Sqdn aircraft every 3 Sqdn pilot but one claimed a victory, the air battle lasted for half an hour. The battle took place over heavy ground fighting the downed aircraft falling into the battle area
.	Plt Off J P Bartle Kittyhawk Mk. I AK700 GA B	1 MC 200	1 BF 109	1 BF 109	All BF 109 where mistakenly identified and where MC200 or 202
.	Sgt R M Leu Kittyhawk Mk. I AK781	2 MC 200	.	.	Could have bee from 8,13 or 150 Gruppi
.	Sgt H G Burney Kittyhawk Mk. I AK702	1 Breda 65	.	1 MC 200	Acroma
.	Sgt R A Drew Kittyhawk Mk. I AK653	2 MC 200	.	.	Also on his first real engagement, one of which he saw hit the ground "It was easy as breakfast in bed" he is quoted as saying
.	Sgt R E Simonsen Kittyhawk Mk. I AK682 GA U	1 MC 200	.	1MC 200	.
.	Sgt R H Christie Kittyhawk Mk. I AK761	2 MC 200	1 MC 200	.	.
.	Sgt W E C Cordwell AK630	1 Bf 109F	.	.	In his first action shot away about three-quarters of the wing of the Bf109, which spun out of control
.	Sgt R B Evans Kittyhawk Mk. I AK637	.	.	1 MC 200	As it was turning and shot about two feet off its starboard wing, it dived steeply and was probably destroyed
16 February 1942	.	.	.	.	16 February 1942, El Adem
17 February 1942	.	.	.	.	17 February 1942, Gambut main
21 February 1942	Sqn Ldr C R Caldwell	1 Bf 109	.	.	Shot down Lt "Fifi" Stahlschmidt who returned to his unit at Martuba
.	Sgt K F Carson	1BF 109	.	.	crashed between Timimi and Gazala
22 February 1942	.	.	.	.	22 February 1942, thru 9 March 1942, 112 ran a satellite air strip at Gambut and Gambut satellite No 2
8 March 1942	Ft Lt D F Westerna Kittyhawk Ia AK762	1 MC.200	.	.	Tobruk area
.	Sgt Evens	1 Ju 87	.	.	Engaged 15 Stukas with P/O Knapik around Gazala.
9 March 1942	.	.	.	.	22 February 1942, thru 9 March 1942, 112 ran a satellite air strip at Gambut and Gambut satellite No 2
13 March 1942	Sgt H G Burney	1 MC 202	.	.	fell into the sea 15 miles North of Tobruk
14 March 1942	Sqn Ldr C R Caldwell Kittyhawk Ia AK772 GA Y	1 MC 202	.	.	N.W. of Tobruk, officially recorded in error as a Bf109
.	Sqn Ldr Clive R Caldwell Kittyhawk Ia AK772 GA Y	shared 1 MC 202	.	.	N.W. of Tobruk
.	Sgt Z`bigniew` Urbanczyk Kittyhawk Ia AK957 GA D	shared 1 MC 202	.	.	N.W. of Tobruk
.	Fg Off Felix Knoll	.	1 MC 202	.	.
7 May 1942	Plt Off Felix Francis Joseph Edwards	1 Bf 109	.	.	1/Jg27 again Lt Stahlschmidt
12 May 1942	Wing Commander Howard Clive Mayers AK890 GAM	1 Ju52/3m	1 Ju52/3m	.	While leading The 'Sharks" they encountered a large formation of transport Junkers escorted by Bf110's, which where flying from Crete to Derna. In the fight which ensued to the north of town, the British sent 9 planes to the ground
6 June 1942	Plt Off Aubrey Ceril Baker	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Plt Off K F Carson	shared with above	.	.	.
.	Sgt E Adye	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	.	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Sqn Ldr Billy Drake AL 161 GA ?	1 Bf 109	.	.	Confirmed by the army, Bir Hacheim
9 June 1942	Fg Off J M S Critchton ET510	.	.	shared 1 Macchi 202	.
.	Fg Off Felix Knoll	.	.	shared 1 Macchi 202	.
.	Plt Off John Garn "Garry" Wright AK583 GA H	.	.	.	No claims witnessed the above action
12 June 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake AL 161 GA ?	1 Bf 109	1 Bf 109	.	On the ground Gazala
17 June 1942	.	.	.	.	17 June 1942, Sidi Azeiz
17 June 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake AL 161 GA ?	3 Bf 109	.	.	Gazala, destroyed on the ground
.	Sqn Ldr B Drake AL 161 GA ?	.	1 Fi Storch damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilots	.	.	.	7 unknown damaged
18 June 1942	.	.	.	.	18 June 1942, Sidi Baranni LG 75
24 June 1942	.	.	.	.	24 June 1942, Sidi Haneish LG 102
26 June 1942	Fg Off William Micheal Whitmore	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
27 June 1942	.	.	.	.	27 June 1942, El Daba LG 106
28 June 1942	.	.	.	.	28 June 1942, Amiriya LG 91
2 July 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake ET 510 GA Q	.	.	1 BF 109	.
4 July 1942	Fg Off W M Whitmore	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	.	1 Ju 87	.	.	.
.	Sgt Desmond Ibbotsen	1 Ju 87	.	.	.
8 July 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake ET 790 GA ?	1 Bf 109E	.	.	LG 106
.	Plt Off Johnson	.	1 BF 109	.	.
19 July 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake	.	1 Ju 88	.	19.07 operation over LG21. It was provoked by a reconnaissance report stating “the clogging of the airfield by large numbers of all sorts of German and Italian planes”. The operation, organized in record time, engaged DAF forces of unprecedented size. Three DAF Wings attacking the airfield (one bomber and two fighter Wings) included fourteen “Kittyhawks” of the 112.Sqn. Upon reaching the target it turned out that reconnaissance had been right. Over 50 transport, bomber and fighter Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica planes were crowded below. After a methodical attack, Major Drake and three Flight “A” pilots were given credit for destroying or seriously damaging two “Stukas” and four Ju88’s on the ground
.	Plt Off A C Baker	.	1 Ju 88	.	.
.	Plt Off Johnson	.	1 Ju 88	.	.
.	Sgt Cedric Don Young Kittyhawk MK 1 AK 788 GAN (6 gun model)	.	1 Ju 88	.	Excerpt from his book "Not such a Perfect Hero" with permission from his son Martin. On one occasion we did a dive bombing and strafing run on Fuqa airfield LG 91, one which we ourselves had been using only a short time before. I was flying as number two to our C.O. There where a number of aircraft on the ground, 109's and some JU 88 bombers. There was little anti-aircraft fire and we made several runs after dropping our bombs. I fired my guns for the first time and saw some strikes on a JU 88, but felt quite disappointed when it did not burst into flames. That evening our raid was mentioned on the BBC news.
20 July 1942	Flt Lt G W Garton	.	1 MC 202	.	(20.07) the commander led eight “Kittyhawks” over Fuka. Four P-40 squadrons participating in the raid saw almost a hundred planes standing on the runways of this German-Italian air base. The 112.Sqn dropped nine bombs on them and then shot their guns at whatever they could. The German anti-aircraft artillery had a more difficult task then usual. They had to spread their fire to cover over forty “Kittybombers” flying in all directions over the enormous area of LG17-18-19 airfields. As a result, five Flight “B” pilots reported “ground” victories over five Ju88’s and one C.200, for which the Squadron paid the price of one P-40 (SGT DeBourke – returned to his unit).
.	Fg Off J M S Critchton	.	1 Ju 88	.	.
.	Fg Off W M Whitmore	.	1 BF 109	.	.
.	Plt Off D A Bruce	.	1 Ju 88	.	.
.	Plt Off J S Barrow	.	2 Ju 88	.	.
.	Sgt D Ibbotson	.	1 Ju 88	.	.
On or about will confirm date when his son can have a look at his log 21 June 1942	Sgt Cedric Don Young	1 BF 109	.	.	Excerpt from his book "Not such a Perfect Hero" with permission from his son Martin Just a few days later our flight of six was returning from a bombing trip just on dusk when suddenly we ran head on into JU 88s and 109s which where returning from a similar raid on our lines. Both sides where taken completely by surprise when I saw a white spinner (the ME 109's spinner was always painted white) coming straight for me I decided it was a case of who shoots first, as there was no time for evasive action. I fired for a second or two before we passed each other, then concentrated with keeping up with my leader., which it was my job to do. I therefore had no chance to observe whether my fire had any effect. When we landed we reported to operations it transpired I was the only one who had fired., but of course I did not make any claim. A couple of days later an army report came in that an ME 109 had come down in that area and at that time. but for some reason no claim was made on my behalf, so I never had the credit for it.
22 July 1942	Fg Off W M Whitmore	.	1 BF 109	.	.
23 July 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake ET 790 GA Q	1 MC 202	.	.	After a day of rest, “Kittyhawks” of the 112-th returned to the northern sector of the front on 23.07. Between dusk and dawn four sweeps were carried out by 8-9 planes each. Every time enemy convoys were treated with bombs and machine gun fire. During the second, noon mission, Flight Lieutenant Garton and Sergeant Young, shot down by anti-aircraft defense, had to return home on foot. In the evening, at the end of the last mission that day, Pilot Officer Barrow (website losses has this listed as the 22 July 1942) was killed in an explosion of a shot down “Kittyhawk” Mk IA ET790. This time the Squadron encountered large enemy numbers. The short, but fierce fight ended with no losses. Two Flight “A” pilots reported one damaged and one destroyed Bf109E.
.	Sgt D Ibbotson	.	.	1 BF 109	.
24 July 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake ET 524 GA X	1 Bf 109E, 1 Bf 110 on the ground and 1 Bf 110 taking off	.	.	P-40’s from the 233-rd and 239.Wing began the 24.07 by taking off for an escort operation. They covered an air raid of thirty bombers on the enemy air bases: LG20 and LG104. A fight with the intervening Luftwaffe could not be avoided. Billy Drake destroyed one Bf109F. Another was sent to the ground by a Canadian pilot, John Wright. His countryman, John Loree meanwhile destroyed a Ju88. Pilot Officer Johnson was lost, shot down by Messerschmitts 25 km to the south-east
.	Plt Off John E Loree	1 Ju 88	.	.	.
.	Plt Off John Garn "Garry" Wright	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
21 August 1942	.	.	.	.	From their holiday, which had begun at the beginning of August, the “Sharks” returned to combat flights only after three weeks. On the morning of 21.08 eleven „Kittyhawks” from the 112.Sqdn, without bombs, supported by four from the 250.Sqn, carried out a sweep over El Daba under the command of Wing Commander Haysom. Ten Bf109’s were encountered over the middle sector of the front and an unresolved skirmish was fought. Next day missions were carried out also with no bombs. On the 22.08 by a road to the north-west of El Alamein a convoy of 50 vehicles was shot, setting some of them on fire and causing an ammunition explosion. Next day seven “Kittyhawks” returned to that location twice. Further enemy convoys were attacked with similar results. At the end of August the Squadron once again undertook combat missions. They were now mainly carried out by Flight “A” under the new command of SAAF Flight Lieutenant Danny Saville. Leaving the position of Flight commander, Flight Lieutenant Walker at this time took command of the 250.Squadron. The 239.Wing returned on the 24.08 to airfield LG175 near Amiriya, known from the beginnings of the 112.Sqn’s career.
25 August 1942	.	.	.		25 August 1942, Amiriya LG 175
25 August 1942	.	.	.	.	On the 25.08 five P-40’s successfully bombed a convoy of 150 trucks headed for El Alamein. The next mission was carried out three days later
28 August 1942	Capt E C Saville Kittyhawk Ia - EV368 GAA	.	.	1 Me 109 Deir el Abyad	It was commanded (28.08) by Flight Lieutenant Saville. The eight “Kittyhawks” he led were the upper cover of the 250.Sqn’s planes, which were armed with bombs. The target was a crossroads near Deir-el-Abyad. After leaving the target area, the fighters were attacked over the Qattara depression by Messerschmitts of the 3.Staffel. Pilot Officer Loree was taken PoW in a “Kittyhawk” number ET1017 GA-V(probably deformed USAAF serial), and Sergeant Barlow, AK746, was taken PoW. Pilot Officer Wright reported a probable damaging of a Bf109
1 September 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake EV 165 GA ?	2 Ju 87	.	.	On the afternoon of September 1st all operational planes of the 239.Wing had an emergency take-off from LG175. Under the command of Major Drake and Flight Lieutenant Saville they flew in the direction of Qaret-el-Abd.To the west of the oasis they encountered 50 “Stuka” bombers escorted by almost as many fighters. The diving bombers immediately got rid of their bombs and turned north-west just above the ground. The disoriented escort was unable to engage the pursuing “Kittyhawks” in a fight. The “Sharks’” chase gave expected results, and what’s more important didn’t result in any losses. Billy Drake’s count was raised by two, and Saville’s and Pilot Officer Phillips’ by one Ju87 each.
.	Lt E C Saville Kittyhawk Ia - EV368 EV368. GA A, 41-36622 to RAF as EV368. SOC Feb 22, 1945	2 Ju 87	.	1 BF 109	El Alamein
.	Plt Off H Phillips	1 Ju 87	.	.	.
.	Plt Off T Livingstone	.	1 Ju 87	.	.
3 Sep 1942	Sgt D Ibbotson	1 Bf 109	.	.	The only loss on the 3.09 was Sergeant Ibbotson’s damaged “Kittyhawk”, whose pilot nonetheless reported shooting down one of the four Messerschmitts which were attacking him. Riddled with bullet holes, the GA-A EV365 managed to get its pilot back to Amiriya.
12 September 1942	Capt. E C Saville Kittyhawk Ia - EV136 EV136 GA Q, 36390 to RAF as EV136. Missing from training flight near Amriya Jan 5, 1943	.	1 Ju 87	1 Ju 87 1 ME109	Operations were resumed on the 12.09, beginning with an interception of a group of around 50 “Stuka” bombers along with escorting fighters to the west of El Alamein. The prolonged battle which ensued over the whole northern sector of the front resulted in the “Sharks’” many probable and two certain victories over Ju87’s. One of them was won by Flight Lieutenant Saville, the other – by Sergeant Pollock. The price wasn’t too high – only Sergeant Hogg’s “Kittyhawk” was damaged.
.	Sgt W E Pollock	1 Ju 87	.	1 Ju 87	.
.	Sgt D F Greaves	.	1 Ju 87	1 Ju 87	.
.	Sgt W Money	.	1 Ju 87	.	.
.	Sgt D Hogg	.	1 Ju 87	.	.
13 September 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake EV 168 GA ?	1 Bf 109F	1 Bf 109F	.	Confirmed by the army
.	Sgt D Ibbotson	.	.	1 BF 109	The next day brought a group operation of the whole 239.Wing (commanded by Wing Commander Haysom) – the first one in a long time. A multi-layer patrol to the south of El Alamein ended in a surprise attack on a flight of Messerschmitts to the south-west of LG100. Both sides won one victory, but did not lose any men. Skirmishes like this would become more rare with time. In the face of crushingly superior RAF numbers, German pilots were visibly afraid of provoking the enemy. Experience showed that the British could, and did, call strong reinforcements at any time
.	unknown pilot	.	1 Bf 109	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	1 Bf 109	.	.
15 Sept 1942	.	.	.		A typical encounter of this sort occurred on the 15.09. To the west of El Alamein 3 Sqn RAAF and 450 Sqn RAAF Australian Squadrons, engaged in a fight, called on the 112-th and 250.Sqn’s “Kittyhawks” for help. The fight was very quickly resolved in favor of DAF, forcing JG27 to retreat. The British used methods which were effective, if slightly radical. One of the oncoming P-40’s rammed into a Messerschmitt, adding a fourth parachute canopy to the three already falling above the desert. Under one of them, for the third time, was Sergeant Young, who was wounded. (badly burned) Four squadrons lost no more than six “Kittyhawks” and four pilots in this fight. These losses are very different from the fifteen victories, including seven of Marseille, reported by the Germans. More .....15 Sep 42 - A Stuka raid was mounted at 1715 hrs, escorted by eighteen Bf 109s from I Gruppe, fifteen from II Gruppe and ten from III Gruppe/JG 27. Ten Kittyhawks of 250 Sqn RAF took off as top cover to ten of 450 Sqn and eight of 3 Sqn, eight of 112 Sqn also scrambling. They attacked the German formation ten miles south west of El Alemien. The two Australian squadrons sighted eight Bf 109s above and seven more 'up sun', a general dogfight beginning. More Bf 109s joined the fight, but 112 and 250 then dived in with a hieght advantage and the Axis fighters were driven off. P/O Clabburn of 3 Sqn probably destroys one Bf 109, P/O Kildey and P/O Alderson each claiming a damaged. P/O Donald and Sgt Scribner failed to return, P/O Kildey and Sgt Bee each had their aircraft badly damaged, and the latter pilot was slightly wounded. The squadron reported seeing a Bf 109 and a Kittyhawk crash, and also saw a Bf 109 collide with another aircraft. F/O Marting of 450 Sqn claimed to have shot down one Bf 109 and damage a second, Sgt Gleeson claiming a probable, Sgt Ewing failed to return. source http://members.tripod.com/mick_quinn/id62.html
16 September 1942	Flt Lt G W Garton AK8?? GA Q	.	.	1 MC 202	.
1 October 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake EV 168 GA ?	1 Ju87 and 1 Ju 87 shared with below	.	1 Ju 87	One of the first meetings of the “Sharks” with JG53 “Ace of spades” fighters took place in a mission carried out by the Squadron on the 1.10 just before sunset. Twenty of that unit’s Bf109F’s and G’s covered 10-20 “Stuka” bombers in an air raid on El Maghara. One of the diving bombers was sent to the ground in flames by the cooperating Drake and Garton. Flying Officer Curphey sent a second one right after it. The 112.Sqn’s list of victories in this fight was the following: “2-4-2”.
.	Flt Lt G W Garton AK8?? GA Q	shared 1 Ju 87R with above	.	1 Ju 87	.
.	Fg Off T Livingstone	.	.	1 Ju 87	.
.	Plt Off L H Curphey EV339 GA A	1 Ju 87	.	.	.
.	Plt Off J G Wright EV318 GA L	.	1 Bf 109	.	.
.	Flt Sgt R C C Smith	.	.	1 Bf 109	.
.	Sgt M H Lamont	.	1 Ju 87	.	.
2 October 1942	Capt. E C Saville Kittyhawk Ia - EV339 EV339 GA A, had Sally V + painted just under and in front of the cockpit, 36593 to RAF as EV339. Missing near Mersa Matruh during delivery flight Apr 4, 1943	2 Bf 109 III/ZG1 Lt Walter Burger killed	.	.	The excitement of 2.10 began right after breakfast. An emergency formation which took off just before nine didn’t find the suspected enemy. They had certainly been Luftwaffe reconnaissance planes. They would cause many more such futile chases before evening. Training flights and test flights of repaired “Kittyhawks” were carried out at the same time. The October of 1942 was the worn MkIA’s closing period as far as their service in the 112.Squadron was concerned. It was a period of expectation for the long-promised MkIII’s. As if to stress this fact, Sergeant Rae died in an afternoon accident. Approximately at the same time, a patrol (the one before last that day) of six P-40’s of the 112-th and ten of the 3.Sqn RAAF engaged in a fight with an enemy flight of half that size. Flying Officer Crichton, who was leading the “Sharks”, noticed the danger in time. He reduced speed, and then shot the fighter which was overtaking him. Two short, but well-aimed bursts deprived it of a large part of the edge of the flow plating at the base of the left wing and riddled the side of the fuselage with bullet holes. Sergeant MacAuley repeated his commander’s maneuver. Three volleys from his six Brownings threw a sandish-spotted fighter into an uncontrolled spinning dive. Its windscreen, and soon afterwards the bent silhouette of the pilot, separated themselves from the vertical spiral. The planes were identified as Messerschmitts, but its more probable tha on this occasion they were C.202’s. The most interesting moment in the last operation on the 2.10 was Flight Lieutenant Saville’s chase after four “Messer-bombers” chased away from Deir-el-Dhib by “Kittyhawks”. Two of the fighter-bomber Bf109F’s, falling in flames to the outskirts of El Maghra, were the last victims (numbers 7 and 8) of the “South African Shark”.
.	Fg Off J M S Critchton EV315 GA P	.	1 Bf 109	.	18 Kittyhawks of 112. and 3 RAAF Sqn. have been attacked south of DEIR EL DIB by 7 enemy planes. Sgt. McAuley shot down one of them who bailed out. Sgt. Neill had a probable victory. FO. Chrichton had hits on an enemy plane. For the same day it is reported, that Cap. Livio Cecotti (4. Stormo) has been shot down but was able to bail out. Ten. Ezio Bevilacque has bailed out as well but managed to "fly away" from the dangerous zone and came down at sea (from where he reached the shore after 6 hours).
.	Fg Off T Livingstone	.	1 Bf 109	.	.
.	Plt Off H Phillips	.	1 Bf 109	.	.
.	Sgt John Mac Auley EV360 GA F	1 Bf109	.	.	Took off at 16:30 hours with six others he recalled "I got on the tail of one and fired a short burst. He never broke either way, so I quickly fired another. His nose went up, then it rolled on its back and the pilot baled out. His chute opened immediately. "In this combat the opponent where not Bf109 but MC202 of 4 Stormo, which lost two of their number in that combat, both pilots baling out. One was Mac Aulay's victim while the other was shot down by Critchton (112 Sqn) or Sgt Neill (3 Sqn)
20 October 1942	Flt Sgt R C C Smith FR263 GA X	.	.	1 Bf 109	On the morning of 20.10. A group of 32 “Kittyhawks” covered British “Bostons” and American “Mitchells” this time. They were intercepted by Messerschmitts from JG53 and Macchis from the 4.Stormo over their own base. The enemy fighters first chased the “Kittyhawks” over the Fuka – El Daba – Qotafiyah triangle, and then during their almost 100 km long return trip. During the chase, Sergeant Greaves and his P-40 were lost without a trace. He landed by a parachute near one of the German numerous anti-aircraft positions. He spent the rest of the war in captivity. II?JG27 lost Unteroffizer Hans Jurgens of 5 Staffel that day
21 October	Sgt J M MacAuley FR245	.	1 MC 202	.	.
22 October 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	.	.	1 Bf 109F	Over axis airfields Daba
.	Capt E C Saville	.	1 Bf 109	.	On the 22.10 over El Daba, among others. The Allies’ group consisted of over thirty fighters, including: 112.Sqn “Kittyhawks”, 145.Sqn “Spitfires”, and 66.Fighter Squadron USAAF “Warhawks”. After shooting random targets on the airfield and suburban roads, the formation returned to the east. They then encountered four Bf109F’s. Without risking a loss of initiative, the leading Major Drake and his “Kittyhawks” attacked first. The enemy courses only crossed once. In effect, one Messerschmitt was certainly destroyed. Flight Lieutenant Smith was given credit. Other four pilots, including the commander of 112.Sqn, reported probable victories.
.	Flt Lt R R Smith FR217 GA C	1 Bf 109	.	.	Shot down Technical Officer of II/JG-27 Lt Erich Bindert Bg 109G-2 serial number 10-583 with a big number 1 in white painted on the side of it, Bindert badly wounded crashed near Bir el Abd aerodrome
.	Sgt Herbie Snelgrove FR262 GA Z	.	.	.	Flew No2 to Smith and confirmed victory
.	Plt Off L H Curphey FR195 GA F	.	1 Bf 109	.	Only one gun fired cutting his chances of sucess
23 Oct 1942 El Amien	.	.	.	.	Beginning on the early morning of 23.10, the Squadron actively participated in the operation. During three main missions targets in the northern and middle sector of the front were bombed, special attention being given to LG104. Human losses were avoided that day. During the preparation of artillery, on the 23.10, the personnel of the 112.Squadron gathered in front of the canteen. The western horizon, bursting with volleys, was looked at with hope.
26 October 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	1 Mc 202	.	.	Northern sector of the line confirmed by the army
.	Plt Off John Garn Wright FR279 GA J	1 Bf 109	.	.	Shot down Lt Helmith Fenzl of 9/JG-27 Bf 109F-4 trop White 7 serial number 13136 pilot PoW , 112 Sqn pilot also crashed due to AA fire.
27 October 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	1 Mc 202	.	.	While escorting bombers to LG 18 at Fuka
.	Plt Off L H Curphey FR 195 GA F	1 MC 202	.	.	Went straight into the ground and blew up, confirmed lost from 9 Gruppo that day where S, Tenente Ettore Caregnato of 73a Squadriglia and Tentente Anselmo Maggini of 96a Squadriglia
.	Plt Off D A Bruce	1 MC 202	.	.	Went straight into the ground and blew up, confirmed
30 October 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	1 Bf 109, 1 HE 111 both on the ground	1 Bf 109	.	LG 21 with US 66th Fighter Sqn, strafing LG 21, left these 2 burning on the ground
31 October 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	2 Ju 87	.	.	Northern sector
.	Flt Lt R R Smith FR217 GAC	1 Ju 87	.	.	.
.	Fg Off J M S Critchton FR216 GA P	1 Bf 109	.	.	Possibly Unteroffizier Fredrich Murmann of I/SG-2
.	Plt Off L H Curphey FR195 GA F	.	.	1 Bf 109	.
.	Plt Off B A F Cuddon FR 263	.	.	1 Bf 109	.
.	Plt Off H Phillips FR 215 GA V	.	.	2 MC 202	.
.	Flt Sgt Wilfred David (Western Desert) Brown FR 211 GA E	2 Ju 87	.	.	Forth mission that day took of at 16:30 hours to bomb and strafe between Daba and Fuka near Daba some 20 Stukas from StG-3 where encountered 12 Kittyhawks Flt Sgt Brown demolished the cockpit of the last "Stuka" with 50 caliber machine gun fire with his first burst, his second burst riddled the fuselage between the engine and the cockpit the spotted colored plane pouring smoke drifted left towards the ground. A second Stuka painted in non camouflage European colors came into his sights in a 45 degree dive, diving after him he quickly closed the gap as the Stuka had to level off at ground level. Two short bursts disabled the rear gunner, the third long burst carried across the stabilizers, top of the fuselage and cockpit. The plane crashed in a cloud of dust without exploding or burning. (over El Alamein)
.	Flt Sgt R H Newton	.	.	1 Ju 87	.
.	Sgt R A Wild	1 Ju 87	.	1 Bf 109	.
.	Sgt W Money	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Sgt M H Lamont	.	.	1 Bf 109	.
.	Sgt David B (Fat) Brown FR 302	.	.	1 Bf 109	.
.	Sgt D S Watson	.	1 Bf 109	.	.
1 November 1942	Flt Lt G W Garton FR 213 GA Q	1 Ju 87R	.	.	Bombing in Daba area time 1230 to 1325
.	Plt Off G F Allison FR 215 GA V	.	.	1 Ju 87	1 and III/St.G3 escorted by Bf 109 of 1 and III/JG27
.	WO J B Agnew FR 919 (not confirmed)	1 Ju 87	1 Ju 87	2 Ju 87	Force landed within allied lines
.	Flt Sgt R C C Smith FR263 GA X	1 Ju 87	1 Ju 87	.	.
.	Sgt R A Wild FR 789	1 Ju 87	1 Ju 87	.	.
.	Sgt R DeBourke Kittyhawk Mk. III FR264 GA W	2 Ju 87	.	1 Ju 87	Wounded made a perfect landing at base
.	Sgt T A Marsden FR 302	.	.	1 Ju 87	.
.	Sgt D S Watson FR279	1 Ju 87	.	.	.
2 November 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	2 Ju 52,1Bf 109 all on the ground	.	.	Set on fire while ground strafing LG 21 at Gazala possibly
4 November 1942	Flt Sgt Wilfred David (Western Desert) Brown FR 279 GA J	Later confirmed shot down	1 Bf 109G 2	.	West of Fuka Bf 109G-2/Trop Black 6 wk.no.10639 in service with 8 /JG 77, Black 6 flown by Hans Ludemann, now in Duxford museum plane was repaired only to be captured by 3 Sqn and used by Bobby Gibes.
5 November 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	1 Bf 109F	1 Bf 109F	.	Patrol over Fuka 0925 hours
.	Plt Off Curphey FR195 GA F	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Flt Lt Smith FR 217 GA C	1 Bf 109	1 Bf 109	.	.
.	Fg Off Tom Livingstone FR 266 GA H	shared 1 Bf 109 below	.	.	.
.	Flt Sgt L C Shaver FR 281 GA D	shared 1 Bf 109 above	.	.	.
06 November 1942	.	.	.	.	06 November 1942, El Daba LG 106
08 November 1942	.	.	.	.	08 November 1942, Sidi Haneish LG 115
09 November 1942	.	.	.	.	09 November 1942, LG 76 (South west of Maaten Bagush)
11 November 1942	Flt Lt G W Garton possibly FR213 GA Q	1 Ju 52/3m	.	.	.
.	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	.	1 Bf 109F	.	.
.	Sgt D S (Butch) Watson FR 281 GA D	1 Ju 52	.	.	He was Bobby Sayles number 2 that day
.	Sgt D S Watson FR 281 GA D	.	.	.	1 Fi Storch probable on the ground at Gambut
.	Sgt R A Wild FR 279 GA J	.	1 Bf 109	.	.
12 November 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	2 Bf 109 on the ground	.	1 Bf 109 on ground	Gambut
15 November 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	1 He 111	.	.	15 November 1942, Gazala No 2
17 November 1942	Flt Lt R R Smith FR 217 GA C	Shared 1Bf 109F	.	.	II/JG 27 Shared with Bobby Gibes of 3 Sqdn
19 November 1942	.	.	.	.	19 November 1942, Martuba
19 November 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	1 Bf 110	1 Bf 110	.	Scrambled during the afternoon Bf 109 was probably from 7/ZG26 and the 110's from III/ZG1
.	Plt Off John Gary Wright FR 264 GA W	.	.	1 Me 210	.III/ZG 1, wrongly recorded the combat as the 18th and Garys victim was most probably ME210A-1 coded 2N+GS serial #036 Ober Lt Heinz Redlich the Kapt of 2 Staffel and Feldwebel Friedrich Hamburger the gunner
06 December 1942	.	.	.	.	06 December 1942, Belandah No 2 (Alam-el-Gzina)
10 December 1942	Flt Lt R R Smith FL 880 GA Z	1 Bf 109G 1 MC 202	.	.	.
.	Flt Lt L C Shaver FR213 GA Q	1 Bf 109G-2	.	.	Shot down Major Muncheburg, Kommodore I/JG77 both pilots attacked his plane, he had to force-land his Bf 109 G-2 (W.Nr. 10725) following aerial combat with RAF Kittyhawk fighters on 10 December 1942.
11 December 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	1 Bf 109F,	.	.	With the 66th Fighter Sqdn bombing panzers Drake had to crash land FR293
.	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 293 GA ?	1 MC202	.	.	.
.	Sgt Arthur (Artie) Shaw FR 264 (not confirmed) GA-W	shared with Drake1Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Fg Off L H Curphey FR238 0r FR195 ? GA F	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Sgt J G R Lecours FR320 GA J	1 Bf 109	1 Bf 109	.	.
.	Sgt R DeBourke FR213 GA Q	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Sgt J M MacAuley	.	1 Bf 109	.	.
.	F/Sgt Wilfred David ("Canada or Western Desert") Brown FR 225 GA J	.	1 Bf 109	1 Bf 109	1510 hours led by Flt Lt R R Smith, possibly Bf 109G-4/Trop 16001 Doht, Uffz. Friedrich 7. JG 53 wei§e 4 + \| DF+FA 12/11/1942 Following from: Canada Gazette dated 4 May 1946 and AFRO 473/46 dated 10 May 1946. (made effective 27 July 1943) This officer (unknown at this time who made the request) requests that consideration be given on the recommendation of Flight Sergeant Wilfred D. Brown, R86267 (Canadian), 112 Squadron (RAF), the award of the Purple Heart, as a result of being wounded by enemy fire in his tour of operational duty in the Western Desert on the 11th of December. Incident: Bottom cover to two Tack-R [sic] Hurricanes with the 66th Fighter Squadron as top cover over Marble Arch area, and ensuing air battle with defending ME.109s between the hours of 15.:10 and 17:10, 11th December 1942. Flight Sergeant Brown piloting one of twelve P-40s on a Tack-R mission noticed four ME.109s following the flight while crossing the Agheila line and continued their way out to sea. It was soon observed that his formation was being attacked from the rear. Although he could have avoided combat, he immediately did a turn-about and found he was looking into the cannon of an ME.109 which was firing directly at him. Due to his courage and airmanship he shot down one of the attackers. Thinking he had completely run [out] of ammunition, he sighted another aircraft of his squadron, but while overtaking it he ran into two ME.109s. The enemy aircraft chased him toward the shore and while doing so the enemy anti-aircraft fire opened to [sic] him causing him to turn away, whereupon the two ME.109s attacked him from above and below. The explosive shell hit him on the head and a piece of his aircraft was blown into his shoulder. After the attack was broken off, Flight Sergeant Brown noticed his petrol was low, and in spite of the injuries he had received he landed the airplane at Nagrum (sic should be Magrum I think, some sources have it as South West of Mersa) and had the shrapnel and piece of aircraft removed from his head and shoulder. (Found unconscious and wounded by the Infantry he was transported to the hospital in Benghazi)
.	Joe Critchton FR216 GA P	1 Bf 109G	.	.	Crashed into the sea confirmed by Bob Smith Lt Horst Marotze of 9 Staffel was also lost that day
.	Flt Lt R R Smith FR325 GAV	.	1Bf109	.	.
.	Plt Off David A Bruce	.	.	1 BF 109	.
13 December 1942	Sqn Ldr B Drake FR 213 GA ?	1 Bf 109F shared with Sgt Artie Shaw	.	.	Bombing attack on Agheila
.	Sgt Artie Shaw FR 264 GA-W	Shared Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Sgt L G Lecours FR 320 GA J	1 BF 109	1 BF 109	.	1600 HOURS
.	Sgt DeBourke FR213 GA Q	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Fg Off Curphey FR195 or FL 195 GA F	1 Bf 109	.	.	.
.	Sgt J M MacAuley FR127	.	1 BF 109	.	.
.	Sgt J M MacAuley FR127	1 BF 109	.	.	Due to "Luftkampf zwischen Sand und Sonne" (German edition of "Fighters over the Desert"), Shores and Ring conclude that it is possible that 4 Stormo's Cap. Livio Ceccotti and Ten. Ezio Bevalique were shot down in a combat with 112 Sqn, whereby Sgt. MacAuley claimed one shot down (the pilot reportedly bailing out) and Sgt. Neill was credited with a probable victory. This seems to have taken place in the late afternoon. No Allied losses are mentioned. Allied losses on 2 Oct 1942 in North Africa due to the source above: 1) The Kittyhawk of 112 Sqn's Sgt. Rae exploded during a training flight after taking off at 1000 hrs. 2) The Spitfire of 601 Sqn's Sgt. Allen-Rowlandson belly-landed due to battle damage, apparently toward the evening. __________________ All the best, Christer Bergström http://www.bergstrombooks.elknet.pl/
.	.	.	.	.	.

1943

Date	Pilot/Plane	Destroyed	Damaged	Probable	Notes
01 January 1943	.	.	.	.	Tripoli has definitely fallen. The bombers were operating from here again last night. The squadron got their 200^th kite down today.
09 January 1943	.	.	.	.	09 January 1943, Hammraiet
13 January 1943	unknown pilot	1 Bf 109
19 January 1943	.	.	.	.	19 January 1943, Bir Dufan
21 January 1943	unknown pilot				2 MC 202 destroyed
	unknown pilot				1 MC 202 damaged
25 January 1943	.	.	.	.	25 January 1943, Castel Benito
27 January 1943	unknown pilot	1 unidentified seaplane
5 February 1943	unknown pilot	1 Bf 109		1 Bf 109	Bf 109 G-2 of Stab II/JG-27 returned to base badly shot up
15 February 1943	.	.	.	.	15 February 1943, El Assa
27 February 1943	Fg Off Gary Wright			1 Bf 109	Bf109G-2 of 5/JG-27 serial number 13886 force landed at Gabes with 50% damage, pilot was unhurt
08 March 1943	.	.	.	.	08 March 1943, Neffatia (Tunisia)
10 March 1943	Fg Off Tom Livingstone	1 Ju 87
	Plt Off R D Guess	2 Bf 109G-2,			Bf 109G-2 10819 Lüdemann, Ltn. Heinz 5+ 8. JG 77 schwarze 1 + 10-Mar-43 KIA in Luftkampf with P-40. Tunisia Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #9)-Vol.15; Prien, JG 77, III, p.1471 North of Ksar Rhilane (Pl.Qu. 94844) 100% F and possibly Bf 109G-2 10663 Schmitt, Fw. Werner 4.(H) 12 schwarze 2 + 10-Mar-43 MIA, cause unknown. Tunisia Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #9)-Vol.15 100% F
21 March 1943	.	.	.	.	21 March 1943, Medenine
22 March 1943	Fg Off Gary Wright FR276 GA J			1 Bf 109G-2	I/JG-77 of 3 Staffel serial number 10821 which force landed at Fatnassa ,engine damaged, pilot ok. RAF Hurricanes smashed a panzer counter-attack near the Mareth Line. At 12:50 hours a total of 24 Spitfires of RAF No. 145 Sqdn and RAF No. 601 Sqdn took off in two formations. 12 of these Spitfires, from 145 Sqdn, met 7 Bf 109s from JG 51 in the Mareth area. The other formation of 12 Spitfires also reported an engagement with 7 Bf 109s in the same area. Shortly after 13:00 hours 36 Kittyhawks from RAF Nos. 112 and 250 Sqdn took off and were attacked by 6 Bf 109s. One Kittyhawk of 250 Sqdn was shot down by Major Muncheberg of Stab./JG 77. Six more Spitfires dived into the combat, whereby S/L Wade claimed one Bf 109 shot down. This may have been Oblt. Heinrich Osswald of 4./JG 77 who was killed. A little while later 13 Hurricanes of RAF No. 6 Sqdrn took off and was engaged by Bf 109s which shot down one Hurricane. Lt. Franz Hradlicka of 5./JG 77 claimed a Hurricane during the combats as did Lt. Liedtke of 4./JG 77.
03 April 1943	.	.	.	.	03 April 1943, El Hamma
14 April 1943	.	.	.	.	14 April 1943, El Djem
18 April 1943	.	.	.	.	18 April 1943, Kairouan
20 April 1943	unknown pilot	1 Ju 88			II?KLG-! was shot at by WO John MacAuley (FL886 GA-B) Fg Off Gary Wright got off 3 bursts, Herb Snelgrove and others all got shots in so was decided to make it a Sqn claim
22 April 1943	WO John MacAuley FR860 GA D	1Bf 110G-2 Trop			6/ZG-1 , S9+TP, serial number 6189, flown by Oberleutnent Alexander Gibsone and Unteroffizier Otto Weissflog
24 Apr 43	Flt Sgt Reg Drown Kittyhawk III, FR348	Information Only	.	.	BoGara-Wing E/A encountered, Macchi and 109
7 May 1943	Flt Sgt R A Vance		1 Cant Z-506-B damaged
7 May 1943	Flt Sgt Reg Drown FL714 GA C	Information Only			Bombing 2x250 lb Bombed ship in Tunis harbour, Yance Barnes (Fg Off Harold James Martin Barnes, 112407, RAFVR) strafed HE-115 in harbour
21 May 1943	.	.	.	.	21 May 1943, Kairouan
09 July 1943	.	.	.	.	09 July 1943, Advance detachment to Safi (Malta)
18 July 1943	.	.	.	.	18 July 1943, Pachino (Sicily) RAF Servicing Commandos, On the 19th Kittyhawks of No. 239 Wing were looked after as they landed and the same thing was done on the following day for aircraft of the 57th Pursuit Group, United States Air Force. In both cases the aircraft were followed on the same evening by the advanced parties of their own ground crews. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A7713443
02 August 1943	.	.	.	.	02 August 1943, Agnone
19 August 1943	notes of interest	.	.	.	Greece and Aegean: Another day of massive attacks against Luftwaffe held airfields in the Athens area. This time, III/6th Mustang-II assume top-cover in company with RAF 33, 112, 238 and 250 squadron Spitfire-V. Close escort of Beaumont and Boston bombers is assured by a mix of RAF Hurricane-II and Kittyhawk and airfields are also strafed by French NA-73 and NA-92FGA of the 13th Fighter wing based at Mudros and Mytilene-1. This massive operation used 148 fighters and 54 medium bombers, elicited a violent Luftwaffe reaction, but JG-27 Bf-109F and Gs are heavily outnumbered and unable to reach Allied bombers. The Aegean Air force is still to lose 4 Hurricane, 3 Kittyhawk, 2 Spitfire and 3 Mustang (of which 2 by Flak) but 6 Bf-109 are downed and both Tatoi and Eleusis airfields seriously damaged (11 German planes have been destroyed in airfield attacks, including 3 Bf-109, 2 Bf-110, 4 Ju-87 and 2 Ju-88). This large raid took place in the same time than the “Bloody Wednesday”, which was the last day of the Blowlamp operation against Ploesti refineries.
15 September 1943	.	.	.	.	15 September 1943, Grottagilie (Italy) On arrival they where at first totally supplied by Dakota planes only
17 September 1943	unknown pilot	.	.	2 Ju 88 burning	.
.	unknown pilot	.	2 Ju 88 damaged	.	.
20 September 1943	.	.	.	.	20 September 1943, Brindisi
23 September 1943	.	.	.	.	23 September 1943, Bari
03 October 1943	.	.	.	.	03 October 1943, Foggia
26 October 1943	.	.	.	.	26 October 1943, Mileni
		Total 7.5		Total 2	Total 8

1944

Date	Pilot/Plane	Destroyed	Damaged	Probable	Notes
30 January 1944	.	.	.	.	30 January 1944, Cutella, 239 Wing is situated on the beach at Cutella. The squadrons are dispersed in a line along the beach. All squadrons are under canvas.
27 March 1944	unknown pilot, would seem this was a Squadron claim as it was strafed as it came in to land	1 Fiesler Storch	1 MC 202 Strafed by Bert Horden and Ken Stokes	.	Aquila landing ground, 2nd mission that day Incidentally, Bernie Peters' log book does mention the Fi Storch that your page shows was shot down on March 27 44. his log says: March 27: Viaduct at Antradoco;1hr35min;Rlwy bridges. Line Copped;"Aquila" LG;F/Storch flamer & pilot. I recall Dad telling me about that. The Storch was airborne when spotted. The "whole squadron" was trying to shoot it down. They couldn't turn with it, of course, and the P40s kept getting in each other's way. Eventually the Storch ran out of height, and was forced to land. Was then strafed - as was the pilot. I don't think this "kill" was claimed by anyone in particular. Generally left a bit of a bad taste - I suspect. War is cruel. yours Greg Peters
29 March 1944	unknown pilot	.	1 MC 202 smoking	.	3rd mission that day 1455 to 1625 hours Aquila landing ground
7 April 1944	Flt Lt L N Ahern FT854 GA B	.	2 FW 190	.	While approaching RIETI at 8,000 feet, aircraft sighted 12 plus aircraft taking off and 3 plus airborne. The leader told top six to stay up. F/L Ahern attacked aircraft taking off, seeing strikes and noticing that his No. 2, F/Sgt WARBURTON, was with him. Then in a second attack F/Lt AHERN had made 2 strafing attacks on 2 F.W. 190s which were on the ground. He saw strikes but makes no claims. He then chased another F.W. 190 down a valley seeing bits fly off as he fired. F/L AHERN made a head on attack at a second F.W. 190 at 1,000 feet and saw strikes.
.	Flt Sgt B H Peters FR862 GA E	1FW 190 See Below for more details	.	1 FW 190 a probable should be given here see below	This F.W. blew up and went in in flames just North East of L.G. at B.0428 Reiti Possibly Hptm. Heinrich Zwipf Gr. Stab Fw 190 A-6, 470644
.	Lt H J Hanreck FR257 GA H	See Below for more details	1 FW 190	.	LT. HANRECK attacked a FW at zero feet. The FW hit a tree, knocking his wing tip off.
.	Plt Off J O Grey FR309 GA Q	.	1 FW 190	.	F/O GRAY made an attack on a FW, seeing bits fly off.
.	WO R W Drown FR390 GA F	.	1 FW 190	.	The top six aircraft then joined in. W/O DROWN leading shot at at another F.W. 190, seeing strikes along the fuselage and tail From Regs's log book L.T.R. Recce Rieti - Terni, !!! Jumped 10 FW-190 T.O. Rieti L.G. Scrapping 1000feet, 3 Destroyed 6 Damaged Self 1 Damaged (Later confirmed Destroyed)
.	Flt Sgt W E Cocks FR288 GA Z	1 FW 190	.	.	F/Sgt COCKS attacked another F.W. taking off and it was seen to crash in flames at the edge of the L.G. F/Sgt COCKS made a stall turn to attack another F.W. but went into a spin and crashed 1 mile South East of L.G. B.0725, his aircraft and bombs exploding. Possibly Uffz. Kurt Fischer,1./SG 4, Fw 190 G-3, 160825
See Reg Drown entry	unknown pilot	1 FW 190	.	.	A FW 190 was seen to crash in flames at A.9825 before the top six attacked but it is not known who shot it. (See Reg Drown entry)
23 April 1944	unknown pilot	.	1 MC 202 smoking	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	3 Ju 88 damaged	.	1 at Foligno 2 at Perugia landing grounds
.	unknown pilot	.	1 unknown Caproni damaged	.	Foligno landing ground north east side
.	unknown pilot	.	1 Fi Storch damaged	.	Foligno landing ground north east side
.	unknown pilot	.	1 Do 217 damaged	.	Foligno landing ground west side
.	unknown pilot	.	1 Ju 52 damaged	.	Perugia landing ground burning brightly
21 May 1943	.	.	.	.	21 May 1943, LG San Angelo situated in a valley on the banks of the Volturno River, The whole area is surrounded by mountains which in no way interfere with flying, There is a permanent haze in the valley,
13 June 1944	.	.	.	.	13 June 1944, LG Guidonia was a peacetime airdrome situated about 14 miles from Rome. The concrete runway was unserviceable and the buildings uninhabitable.
24 June 1944	.	.	.	.	24 June 1944, LG Falarium is an earth strip located about 2 miles from Fabrica and situated very close to LG Fabrica
09 July 1944	.	.	.	.	09 July 1944, LG Crete by road
12 August 1944	.	.	.	.	24 August 1944, LG Crete to LG Rosignano detached for four days (16 August 1944) to cover the Landing on Southern France
13 august 1944	unknown pilot	.	2 Bf 110 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	3 Do 217 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	1 Me 410 damaged	.	.
16 August 1944	.	.	.	.	16 August 1944, detached for four days (from LG Rosignano) to cover the Landing on Southern France
28 August 1944	.	.	.	.	28 August 1944, From LG Crete to LG Iesi situated about one mile east of the village of Iesi
6 September	unknown pilot	.	8 Ju 87 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	1 FW 190 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	1 Bf 109 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	1 Ju 52 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	18 unidentified aircraft damaged	.	.
9 September 1944	Flt Lt R V Hearn possibly Mustang Mk III FB309	1 Ju 87 thought to be ME 410 F6+EK	.	.	From 250 Sqdn F/L Hearn was later posted to No. 112 Squadron. On 9 September, flying a Mustang III, he shot down an Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 (claimed as a "Ju 88").(Took of at 18.07, shot down by aircraft of 112 Sqdn and crashed on Treviso airfield at 18.30. Ofw. Jackstadt and Uffz Schütze escaped with minor injuries and were flying again within a short period of time. The aircraft was written-off.* Ofw Jackstadt 2(F)/122 was probably shotdown by F/L R.V. Hearn 112 Sqn, flying a Mustang III. Hearn claimed a Ju88 but it was probably Jackstadt's Me410.^{(Andy Fletcher))} On 18 February 1945, while strafing Aviano airfield, he was shot down and killed by light Flak. (See Air War Italy 1944-45, pages 104, 156 and 162).
.	Sgt L W North Mustang MK III	1 He 111 shared straff	.	.	.
.	Sgt T R E Williams Mustang MK III	.	.	1 He 111 possibly destroyed	.
.	unknown pilot	1 Ju 52	.	.	.
.	unknown pilot	3 SM 79	.	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	4 Sm 79 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	2 Re 2001 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	2 Bf 109 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	1 unidentified damaged	.	.
15 September	unknown pilot	.	2 SM 79 damaged	.	.
.	unknown pilot	.	2 Bf 109 damaged	.	.
18 November 1944					Fano
.	.	T	.	.	.

Claim side One, Matt Mathias account, Reiti LG with x marking the FW190 crash location

Dear Rob,

Attached are a couple of scans from an original document (fragments only)

you might like to link these to your "112 Sqdn Claims" page.

For historical reasons, people might be interested in the details of how a "claim" was made - and these fragments concern the claim of an FW190 by my late father, BH (Bernie) Peters [your claims page, for April 7, 44.]

The second scan is the back of the first. it contains a hand-written note from fellow pilot Matt Mathias, who was my Dad's No.2 that day. In his note, Matt says he witnessed the kill. As many willl know, no RAF claim was accepted unless there was a witness.

[Nice also to have something from the hand of Matt on the site. He was a keen photographer and supplied all with a great photographic record. Most of the photos in my Dad's album came from Matt. Tragically, Matt was killed on his second tour. A terrible shock to my father - who didnt hear of his death till 2004 ! Matt was a true gentleman, according to Dad.

As you can see from the first scan, Dad describes hitting two FW190s. At the top of the torn page, he is describing the disintegration of the first one. Then lower down he mentions a second that he hit.

For this second claim, there was no witness - so it was not accepted. Bernie did not have a No.2 by then, as Matt had started back to base with that very big hole behind his cockpit.

I got the impression Dad always regarded April 7 44 as the defining day in his life. During the dogfight, he saw Flt Sgt Cocks (RIP) hit by fire from pursuing FWs, and he saw another 190 lose its wing-tip. Chased by a P40, this one was pulling out of a dive too low - and went through the top of a tree. It lost its wing-tip in the tree, but kept going. (From your site, I gather the pursuing P40 was flown by Lt Hanreck).

I found this fragment inside Bernie Peters' log-book. Pity he didnt keep it all.

The blue writing (ball point pen!) was added by Dad, decades later.

your site is the greatest - keep up the good work.

yours,

Greg Peters

Sydney Australia.

1945

Date	Pilot/Plane	Destroyed	Damaged	Probable	Notes
15 January 1945	unknown pilot	.	.	1 unidentified possible destroyed	.
.	unknown pilot	.	2 unidentified damaged	.	.
25 February 1945	.	.	.	.	Cervia
24 March 1945	unknown pilot	.	1 unidentified damaged	.	.
19 May 1945	.	.	.	.	19 May 1945, Lavariano

1946

01 March 1946	.	.	.		01 March 1946, Tissano
04 May 1946	.	.	.		04 May 1946, Lavariano
23 September 1946	.	.	.	.	23 September 1946, Treviso
11 November 1946	.	.	.	.	detachment to Lavariano 11 November to 18 November 1946
31 December 1946	.	.	.	.	Disbanded at Treviso

Lists are accurate to the information I have on hand any pilot logs that can help fill out the list will be appreciated. I leave it to the reader to come to their own conclusions as I can neither confirm nor deny rumors.

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