Pat Pattle
Marmaduke Pattle | |
---|---|
Second World War
| |
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Marmaduke Thomas St John Pattle,
Pattle applied to join the
After the
Pattle is sometimes noted as being the highest-scoring
Early years
Childhood and education
Pattle was born in
As a child, Marmaduke was academically gifted and also a keen boxer and long-distance swimmer. He also took a keen interest in mechanical things, particularly combustion engines, and was building Meccano models of aircraft and other vehicles by the age of 12. In his early teens, he became an avid amateur mechanic, fixing the family motor car and learning to drive. Marmaduke was never a hard worker and did not embark upon an academic career, but was considered to possess above average intelligence. In 1929, he passed the Junior Certificate Exam with first class honours. The certificate qualified him for Victoria Boy's High School from which he graduated in 1931.[7]
Although he had considered a career as a mining engineer, Pattle sent in an application to join the South African Air Force in 1932 and was employed in menial jobs while waiting for a response. For several months, he worked at a petrol station owned by an uncle.[7]
Military service
On 22 March 1933 he was invited for an interview for a commission in the Air Force in
Pattle worked toward this goal for some time until, in late 1935, by chance, he picked up a copy of the
RAF career
Pattle was assigned to a civil flying school at RAF Prestwick which was run by Scottish Aviation Limited. He formally began his training on 29 June 1936. He progressed well in his theory examinations, gaining 99 percent for gunnery and 91 percent for airmanship. He flew a single-engined De Havilland Tiger Moth training biplane and gained his A Licence at the end of July, partly because he was a capable pilot and also because the Air Ministry was anxious to produce trained pilots. He completed his training within two months and was classified as above average after passing his examination with ease.[9] Pattle was give the service number 39029.[10]
Pattle was sent to No. 10 Elementary Flying School at
Pattle joined No. 80 Squadron RAF. The squadron was in the midst of re-forming at RAF Kenley and he was able to fly the Gloster Gladiator fighter for the first time in May 1937. In June, the unit moved to RAF Debden. Here, they practised aerial combat against RAF Bomber Command squadrons which staged mock raids against London. During these exercises, he mastered deflection shooting. Pattle developed his own air tactics. He preferred attacking at higher altitudes than his quarry, meeting head-on, then waiting for the enemy to fly by before rolling over and diving to attack from the side and rear of the enemy. He usually held his fire until very close to the target to make sure of hitting his opponent. His qualities as an officer led to him being promoted to squadron adjutant.[15] A gifted flyer and natural marksman, he took pains to improve both talents, doing exercises to improve his distance vision and sharpen his reflexes.[16] He progressed in rank with the squadron and was duly promoted to pilot officer on 27 July 1937.[17]
On 29 April 1938, Pattle accompanied the unit to Egypt having been tasked with the defence of the Suez Canal.[18] While in Egypt, Pattle carried out ground attack duties against Arab rebels. He fired on the enemy several times as local rebellions against British rule took shape and then died away.[19]
Second World War
North African campaign
Following the outbreak of war, the unit, flying the Gloster Gladiator, moved up to the
He was shot down most probably by Italian Spanish Civil War ace Tenente (Lieutenant) Franco Lucchini of 90a Squadriglia, 10° Gruppo ("group"), 4° Stormo ("wing"). He landed, winded, and played dead to avoid being strafed. He started to walk towards the Allied lines and crossed the border at around midday the following day. After two days, he was rescued by a detachment from the 11th Hussars, who returned him to Sidi Barrani.[20][21] Pattle was annoyed. He considered being shot down by the Italians as an embarrassment and regarded the episode as a slur on his reputation. After his forced march to friendly lines, he was also determined not to get lost in the desert again so he flew to Alexandria and bought a compass which he never flew without.[22]
On 8 August, Pattle claimed two more victories (nos 3–4). While leading 14 Gladiators of 80 Squadron in a surprise attack against 16 Fiat CR.42s from 9° and 10° Gruppi of 4° Stormo, over Gabr Saleh inside the Italian territory. Sergente (Sergeant) Rosa, Dallari and Valla bailed out and Sotto Tenente Querci, Sergente Gino and Poli force landed. One pilot, Norino Renzi, a Regia Aeronautica pilot since 25 December 1930 and a pre-war member of 4° Stormo's aerobatics group, was killed.[23] "Shorty" Graham, Pattle's wingman that day, confirmed he saw two fall to Pattle.[24] On 3 September 1940, Pattle was promoted to flight lieutenant.[25]
Three days later, the
Greco-Italian War
In November, the squadron was transferred to the
Here Pattle was to enjoy significant success. On 19 November 1940, Pattle with eight other pilots from 80 Squadron, attacked Fiat CR.42s and Fiat G.50bis near the Italian airfield at Korçë. In this combat, the RAF claimed nine and two probably destroyed while 160o Gruppo Autonomo (Independent Group) lost three Fiat CR.42s and one damaged while 355a Squadriglia, 24o Gruppo Autonomo, lost one G.50. Four Italian pilots were killed, while the RAF lost a Gladiator.[30] Pattle claimed two CR.42s in the battle — his wingman Heimar Stucky (himself wounded in action later on) witnessed both catch fire and crash in the vicinity of Korçë with the pilots killed. Pattle's guns jammed during the battle and he was forced to break off combat. Pattle also noted the inferior speed of the Gladiator against the Fiat G.50 Freccia. The Italian pilots could easily outrun the Gladiators if outnumbered. His combat reports also noted the ineffective fire of the Italians who fired and broke away from too far away.[31] Having regained pressure in his guns, he encountered a lone G.50. Though respectful of its advantages, he was convinced of his own flying ability. He placed the Gladiator below and in front of the Italian fighter to tempt the enemy pilot, but could not persuade it to accept battle.[32] Between 27 and 29 November, Pattle made four claims. Flying as escort for Bristol Blenheims, Pattle engaged three SM.79s and shared two destroyed with 11 other pilots. On 29 November, he shared with William Vale with both claiming two shared damaged.[33]
On 2 December, he claimed two victories (nos 7–8). In the Gjirokastër area, Pattle shot down an IMAM Ro.37bis from 42a Squadriglia, 72o Gruppo, and Sergente Luigi Del Manno and his observer, Tenente Michele Milano, were both killed. In the afternoon, Pattle shot down another Ro.37bis from 72oGruppo near Përmet, killing Capitano Fuchs and Sergente Vescia.[34][35] On 4 December 1940, the RAF claimed nine Fiat CR.42s destroyed and two probables. Pattle — whose own aircraft was hit in the main fuel tank and a wing strut — claimed three CR.42s plus another and a Fiat CR.42 as probable victories — he had seen two of his victims bail out.[36] According to Italian combat records, 150° Gruppo, involved in that combat, lost just two CR.42s. Tenente Alberto Triolo and Sottotenente Paolo Penna were killed in action.[37]
Pattle achieved further success on 20 December 1940. On this day he achieved 12 or 13 air victories. Covering the withdrawal of Blenheims from
No. 80 Squadron was re-equipped with newer model Hawker Hurricane Mk Is on 20 February 1941.[26] That day, Pattle, flying Hurricane Mk I V7724, was leading a group of six Hurricanes escorting 16 Blenheim light bombers — eight from No. 84 Squadron RAF, six from No. 211 Squadron and three from No. 30 Squadron RAF—to Berat. Fiat G.50bis from the 361a and 395a Squadriglia, 154° Autonomo Gruppo were scrambled from Berat airfield, but they were attacked by the higher altitude Hurricanes. Pattle led his section straight towards four Fiat G.50s and selected the leading aircraft as his own target. It was the first time he had fired the eight guns of the Hurricane, and the G.50 exploded. The Fiat G.50 was from 154° Gruppo and it was the first Hurricane victory that Pattle claimed.[43] Tenente Livio Bassi was killed in this battle.[44] Another CR.42 fell to Pattle on 27 February 1941 — his 17th victory. His Hurricane sustained a bullet hole in the fuel tank.[45]
On 28 February,[46] British pilots in Greece celebrated their biggest success in combat.[47] No. 80 Squadron claimed 27 Italian aircraft without loss in 90 minutes of air combat.[46] Pattle himself claimed three Fiat CR.42s shot down in less than three minutes.[48] The Regia Aeronautica claimed that day it lost just one CR.42 (as confirmed by Italian pilot Corrado Ricci, a participant in those battles),[46] plus four Fiat BR.20s and two G.50bis. The Italians claimed six Gladiators and one Supermarine Spitfire — none would be in the Mediterranean Theatre until March 1942 — while in fact only one Gladiator of No. 112 Squadron was lost, while two Blenheims, attacked by CR.42s had to crash-land returning to base. In a previous fight south of Vlorë, Pattle had to return to base with the windscreen covered by oil from a shot down enemy bomber. His tally was now 21 air victories.[49][50] Later sources suggested two of Pattle's claim were from the 37° Stormo.[43]
On 4 March 1941, Pattle claimed three enemy Fiat G.50bis fighters (nos 22–24) belonging to 24oGruppo. He claimed the first, while
Squadron leader
On 12 March 1941, Pattle was promoted to
Pattle arrived in Athens and was immediately unimpressed by No. 33 Squadron. The group was already indignant and many of the veterans believed one of their number should have been promoted instead. He gathered the pilots together and made a statement of his intent:
This is my first command. I intend to make it a successful one. You have done well in the desert, but you are not a good Squadron. A good Squadron looks smart. You are a scruffy looking lot! Your flying, by my standards, is ragged. Flying discipline starts when you start to taxi and doesn't end until you switch off your engine. In future you will taxi in formation, take off in formation, and land in formation at all times unless your aircraft has been damaged, or in an emergency.[54]
After the lecture, Pattle took another pilot, Pilot Officer Ping Newton, up for dogfight practice. The squadron watched. They climbed to 10,000 feet, separated and then began a head-on attack so neither would have an advantage. Soon, Pattle had moved onto his tail and Ping could not shake his leader off. He criticised the pilot for being too smooth on the controls and urged his men to be rough with them in combat. Within a week, constant practice had moulded the squadron into an effective team. He impressed on his pilots one critical point about his own approach to combat:
You must be aggressive in the air but not to the extent of recklessness. Always be ready to take the initiative, but only when you have the enemy aircraft at a disadvantage. You must be ready to react instinctively in any situation and you can only do this if you are alert both physically and mentally. Good eyes and perfect co-ordination of hands and feet are essential. Flying an aeroplane in combat should be automatic. The mind must be free to think what to do; it must never be clouded with any thought on how it should be done.[55]
On 23 March, Pattle flew his first missions with No. 33 Squadron, now based at
Battle for Greece
On 6 April 1941,
No. 33 Squadron was immediately put on alert. At noon, Pattle was ordered to fly a fighter patrol over the Rupel Pass, Bulgaria, another Axis partner. Here he had his first encounter with the Luftwaffe. No. 33 Squadron attacked 20 Bf 109s and claimed five without loss. Pattle claimed two victories over Bf 109Es over the Rupel Pass —Oberleutnant Arno Becker was killed and Leutnant Klaus Faber was captured. These successes represented his 26th and 27th aerial victories.[58][59][60][61][62] Thereafter, details vary as to his score as all records were destroyed.[N 1]
The following day, he acted as escort for No. 11 Squadron RAF. Only one enemy aircraft was sighted by Pattle, though none of the squadron could see it. He left them in order to deal with the intruder. Thirty seconds later, they witnessed an explosion and a CR.42 fall to the ground while Pattle rejoined them. It is believed he attacked a reconnaissance Dornier Do 17 from Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 ("dive bomber wing 2") which he claimed destroyed, though it appears it made it back to German lines damaged. On 8 April, despite bad weather, Pattle led an attack on Petrich in Bulgaria and left a number of enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground.[63][64]
The air war intensified after a period of bad weather and the Luftwaffe began exerting severe pressure on communications and Allied ground forces. On 9 April, Pattle claimed a
Pattle's success in the air was overshadowed by events on the ground. The Allied forces were routed at
Pattle claimed four victories during five sorties on 14 April. One Bf 109, one Ju 88 and a Bf 110 were claimed as destroyed. His final victory was an Italian SM.79 in the afternoon. The day took his tally to 40 enemy aircraft. As the wreckage of some old Greek aircraft and a captured SM.79 was being cleared up after the attack on 13 April, John D'Albiac, Air Officer Commanding British Forces in Greece, arrived to warn him of the Allied collapse in the north. After seeing the AOC off in a Lysander aircraft escorted by five squadron Hurricanes, Pattle evacuated his squadron to Eleusis.[67]
During the journey, Pattle developed a fever and high temperature. Nevertheless, on 19 April he took to the skies in several missions. By this date, Pattle's fever had metamorphosed into
Death over Piraeus Harbour
By dawn on 20 April 1941, the Germans were well aware that British and Allied forces had begun preliminary withdrawal operations from ports in southern Greece. The Luftwaffe made substantial attacks against these departure points in a bid to prevent or forestall an evacuation. On Sunday 20 April, the Luftwaffe mounted mass attacks against Allied shipping in Piraeus Harbour. On this very morning, at roughly 05:00, large formations appeared over the capital, Athens. The remaining Allied fighter units in the area committed themselves to defending the Allied ships in what became known as "the Battle of Athens". Barely 15 Hawker Hurricanes, the entire Allied air presence in Greece at the time, participated in a series of defensive missions over Athens.[71]
Pattle had flown several patrols that morning and was suffering from a high temperature and fever. He had downed a Ju 88 and two Bf 109s on a morning interception to interdict German air operations. One of his victims, a Bf 109 from III./JG 77 crash-landed at Larissa. His success took Pattle's total from 47 to 49.
At this time, other Hurricanes were already in action with Bf 110s from Zerstörergeschwader 26 (ZG 26). The Irish ace Timber Woods attacked a formation of Bf 110s positioned above him. One of the Bf 110s detached itself and dived on the RAF pilot. Pattle, instinctively knowing that the German had the advantage and the Hurricane pilot had acted foolishly, dived toward the Bf 110. He engaged the Bf 110, knowing he too would likely be followed and attacked from behind. He succeeded in shooting it down in flames, but not before it had fired at point-blank range into the Hurricane, with the same effect. Woods died when his fighter crashed into the harbour.[74] Pattle avoided a German counter-attack and climbed instead of attempting a dive, since the Bf 110s could out-dive the Hurricane. He fired into another Bf 110 and avoided a collision with a third. No RAF pilot saw Pattle die for certain. Jimmy 'Kettle' Kettlewell, one of Pattle's unit, arrived on the scene moments after Pattle had scored his victory. He saw a lone Hurricane diving towards the sea, its pilot slumped forward over the controls and flames engulfing the engine compartment. Two Bf 110s were still firing at it. Seizing the opportunity, he engaged and shot one of them down watching it and the Hurricane hit the sea simultaneously. Kettle did not specify the fate of the German crew — the victory was his fifth, making him an ace.[74][75] It is possible Kettlewell's victim was one of two 5./ZG 26 Bf 110s that were lost: Bf 110E (Werknummer 4272—factory number), Oberfeldwebel Georg Leinfelder and Unteroffizier Franz Beckel who were killed in action or Bf 110E (Werknummer 4299), Oberleutnant Kurt Specka and Günther Frank. A third Bf 110 crash-landed with severe damage. Kettlewell was shot down and wounded in the same battle.[76]
Surviving records show that the German claimants included
List of victories
While most of Pattle's victories were claimed while flying Hurricanes, at least 15 were downed in Gladiators.[3] His claims included 26 Italian aircraft.[3]
Pattle was provisionally credited with 50 air victories (and two shared), seven (and one shared) probable victories, and four (and two shared) damaged.[79][80] It is likely that his total was at least 40 enemy aircraft destroyed a figure which biographer Edgar Baker has compiled through a list of semi-official records and log-books. Baker asserts that the true figure could be higher, owing to the inability of post-war researchers to identify an exact figure, due to the loss or destruction of British records in the retreat from Greece or during the subsequent occupation.[45][81] Recent research into Pattle's claims has shown that 23 claims can be directly linked to records by March 1941. The Air Historical Branch contains information collated through memory. Baker's work suggests another 17 were claimed in April 1941.[82] Other research dedicated to the history of German bomber units, some of which took part in the air battles against Pattle's unit, have drawn attention to the fact that 97–98 percent of all German primary records belonging to the Luftwaffe have been lost either through Allied bombing or through Hermann Göring's order to destroy all records in the first week of May 1945. This makes any research into German bomber losses difficult.[83]
Claim No. | Date | Flying | Kills | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1–2. | 4 August 1940 | Gladiator | 1 x Fiat CR.42
|
Against six Ba 65s of 159a Squadriglia, 50° Stormo and six CR.42s and CR.32s of 160a Squadriglia, 50° Stormo. The Italians suffered four damaged Ba.65s while 80 Squadron as a whole claimed two Ba.65s, one CR.32 and one CR.42.[23][85][86][87] |
3–4. | 8 August 1940 | Gladiator | 2 x Fiat CR.42 | 9° and 10° Gruppo lost 4 CR.42s and another four fighters damaged or force-landed. 80 Squadron claimed nine and six probably destroyed.[88][89][90] |
15 September 1940 | Gladiator | 1 x SM.79 damaged
|
[84] | |
5–6. | 19 November 1940 | Gladiator | 2 x Fiat CR.42s | Versus CR.42s of 160° Gruppo and G.50bis of 24° Gruppo, who lost three CR.42s and a G.50bis. 80 Squadron claimed nine destroyed and two probable.[30][91] Sergente Tenente Maggiore Viola was killed and possibly fell in battle with Pattle.[92] |
27 November 1940 | Gladiator | Two SM.79s (or CR.42s) shared | Claimed with 11 other pilots.[84] | |
29 November 1940 | Gladiator | 2 shared SM.79s damaged | Both Z.1007bis of 47° Stormo (with William Vale).[93][94] | |
7–8. | 2 December 1940 | Gladiator | 2 x Ro 37s | 72° Gruppo lost three;. Sergente Luigi Del Mancino and observer Tenente Michele Milano, Capitano Gardella & Capitano Fuchs and Sergente Leoni & Sergente Vescia were all killed.[34] |
9–11. | 4 December 1940 | Gladiator | 3 x Fiat CR.42 2 x Fiat CR.42 probable 1 x CR.42 damaged |
150° Gruppo lost two, Tenente Alberto Triolo and Sottotenente Paolo Penna killed, against RAF claims of seven downed.[95] |
12–13. | 20 December 1940 | Gladiator | 1 x SM.79 1 x SM.81
|
SM.79 of 253a Squadriglia, 104° Gruppo BT shot down, Tenente Andrea Berlingieri and his crew killed, and a SM.81 of 38° Stormo was also lost. Pattle's victim was certainly Berlingieri.[39] |
14. | 21 December 1940 | Gladiator | 1 x Fiat CR.42 1 x BR.20 probable |
80 Squadron claimed eight destroyed.[96] 160° Gruppo claimed to have lost two aircraft and one force-landed. A BR.20 of 47° Stormo was damaged.[97] |
28 January 1941 | Gladiator | Third share x Cant Z.1007 destroyedhalf share x BR.20 probable |
80 Squadron claimed two destroyed, one probable and one damaged.[41] | |
15. | 9 February 1941 | Gladiator | 1 x Fiat CR.42 | versus 16 CR.42s of 150 Gruppo. 364a Squadriglia lost two aircraft and two crash-landed. 80 Squadron. claimed four destroyed, three probables for one loss.[98][99] |
10 February 1941 | Gladiator | 1 x Z.1007 damaged 1 x BR.20 damaged |
[84] | |
16. | 20 February 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Fiat G.50 Freccia | Engaged eight of 154° Autonomo Gruppo; who lost two Fiat G.50s- Tenente Alfredo Fusco of 361a Squadriglia killed (probably Pattle's victim) and Tenente Livio Bassi (a 7–claim ace) of 395a Squadriglia and one G.50 damaged.[100] |
17. | 27 February 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Fiat CR.42 | Engaged 13 CR 42s of 150° Gruppo. 150° Gruppo lost two 80 and 33 Squadrons claimed seven Fiats shot down.[47][101] |
18–21. | 28 February 1941 | Hurricane | 2 x Fiat CR.42 2 x Fiat BR.20 1 x Fiat CR.42 probable |
37° Stormo lost three BR.20s (and one force landed) against RAF claims of five. 160° Gruppo lost two CR.42 against RAF claims of 13. RAF claimed 27 in total.[47][102] |
22–24. | 4 March 1941 | Hurricane | 3 x Fiat G.50s 1 x Fiat CR.42 probable. |
Against the G.50bis and CR.42s of 24° Gruppo. RAF claimed seven G.50bis destroyed, four probables and four damaged, three CR.42s and one probable, losing two Hurricanes and two pilots killed. No G.50bis losses have been recorded, while 24° Gruppo CT. lost two CR.42s and one damaged.[103] |
25. | 23 March 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Fiat G 50 1 x Fiat G.50 probable 3 x Fiat G.50s on ground. |
33 Squadron claimed three G.50bis shot down, one probable and two damaged. Italian records can't verify these air claims. Italian records have one Fiat G.50bis was destroyed (caught fire) on the ground.[104][105] |
26–27. | 6 April 1941 | Hurricane | 2 x Bf 109s. | Versus eight Bf 109Es of 8./Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27— "Fighter wing 27"). 33 Squadron claimed five without loss, 8./JG 27 lost four aircraft and a fifth crash-landed. Staffelkapitän Oberleutnant Arno Becker (Black 2) killed, Leutnant Klaus Faber baled out and captured (both by Pattle) and Oberfeldwebel. G Fromming (Black 8) shot down and wounded. One other Bf 109 was lost, the unnamed pilot baling out and returning to Axis lines.[58][59][60] |
28–29. | 7 April 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Dornier Do 17 1 x CR 42 |
Possibly Do 17 of Stab./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2, reported attacked & 15% damaged.[106] |
30. | 9 April 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Dornier Do 17 | Initially claimed as a Ju 88 damaged, it was a Do 17Z of 9./Kampfgeschwader 2 flown by Unteroffizier Ulrich Sonnemann. Pattle inspected the wreckage.[63][107] |
31–32. | 10 April 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Bf 110 1 x Bf 109. |
Two Bf 110s of 7./Lehrgeschwader 2 (("Learning Wing 2")) were lost during the day, as was a Bf 109E of Stab./JG 27(Oberleunant Mardaas killed), but all apparently recorded as accidents.[108] |
33–34. | 11 April 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Junkers Ju 88 1 x Heinkel He 111 |
Both were single low-flying Ju 88s of III/Kampfgeschwader 30 (KG 30); 4D+JR of 7 staffel(Oberleutnant Hans Schaible and crew killed) and 4D+FS of 8./KG 30 (Leutnant ? Wimmer and crew killed).[109] |
35–36. | 12 April 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Dornier Do 17 1 x S-79 1 x Bf 109 damaged |
VIII. Fliegerkorps (8th air corps) reported a loss of a Ju 88—possibly of I./Lehrgeschwader 1. Two SM.79s were claimed two destroyed. The Bf 109 Pattle claimed was part of their escort.[110][111] |
37–40. | 14 April 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Junkers Ju 88 1 x SM.79 1 x Bf 109 1 x Bf 110 |
German records show/claim the sole Bf 109 loss was Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Gerlach of 6./JG 27, taken POW when his aircraft was hit during a strafing attack. One Ju 88 claimed, probably of II/Kampfgeschwader 51 (KG 51—Bomber Wing 51), which lost two (one crew baled out, other crashed at base) or could be L1+UH of I./LG piloted by Leutnant Gert Blanke.[112] |
41–46. | 19 April 1941 | Hurricane | 3 x Junkers Ju 88 1 x Junkers Ju 88 probable third share Hs 126 1 x SM.79 2 x Bf 109. |
One of the Ju 88 claims can be corroborated. Pattle shot down Fieseler Fi 156 to rescue them.[70]
|
47–50. | 20 April 1941 | Hurricane | 1 x Junkers Ju 88 2 x Bf 109 1 x Bf 110 |
Both Bf 109Es of III./JG 77; Unteroffzier Fritz Borchert was reported missing and one other Bf 109 crash-landed at Larissa badly damaged. 15 Hurricanes of 33 and 80 Squadrons. intercepted Ju 88s and entered combat against the Bf 110 escort of 5./ZG 26. Two Bf 110s were lost—3U+EN (Oberleutnant Kurt Specka) and 3U+FN (Feldwebel Georg Leinfelder), and a third crash-landed severely damaged and written off. The RAF claimed seven Bf 110s in total.[76] |
Memorials
Pattle is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial at El Alamein together with 3,000 other Commonwealth airmen who lost their lives in the Middle Eastern Theatre during the Second World War, and who have no known grave.[114]
Pattle is mentioned in Roald Dahl's second autobiography, Going Solo. He flew with Pattle in Greece and called him "the Second World War's greatest flying ace."[116]
The novel
Notes
References
Citations
- ^ a b Shores 1983, p. 82.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 147.
- ^ a b c Spick 1999, p. 106.
- ^ Thomas 2002, p. 91.
- ^ Shores & Williams 1994, p. 20.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 11–12.
- ^ a b Baker 1965, pp. 12–18.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 15–24.
- ^ a b Baker 1965, pp. 25–26.
- ^ Shores & Williams 1994, p. 488.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 26.
- ^ Gazette & 34323.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 27.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 28, 30, 31.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 35–37.
- ^ Spick 1997, p. 131.
- ^ Gazette & 34421.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 39.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 43–45.
- ^ a b Baker 1965, pp. 68–73.
- ^ Gustavsson & Caruana 2009, p. 30.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 74.
- ^ a b Ring 1969, p. 18.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 76–78.
- ^ Gazette & 34989.
- ^ a b Spick 1997, p. 132.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 81–83.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 84.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 87–88.
- ^ a b Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 39.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 88–89.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 90.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 92–94.
- ^ a b Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 46.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 101–103.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 105–107.
- ^ Mattioli 2010, p. 18.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 113–115.
- ^ a b Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 53.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 118–123.
- ^ a b Baker 1965, p. 130.
- ^ Gazette & 35073.
- ^ a b Thomas 2003, p. 34.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 88.
- ^ a b Baker 1965, p. 148.
- ^ a b c Boyne 1997, p. 81.
- ^ a b c Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 92.
- ^ Jackson 1989, p. 81.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, pp. 92–93.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 149–152.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 153–154.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 156–157.
- ^ Gazette & 35110.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 159–160.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 161.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 162–164.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 166.
- ^ a b Mehtidis 2008, p. 70.
- ^ a b Weal 2003, p. 44.
- ^ a b Thomas 2003, p. 35.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 166–167.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, pp. 230, 231.
- ^ a b Mehtidis 2008, p. 74.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 168–169.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 169.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 170–173.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 173–174.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 176.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 178–182.
- ^ a b c Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 263.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 183–184.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 267.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 184–185.
- ^ a b Baker 1965, pp. 186–187.
- ^ Thomas 2003, p. 37.
- ^ a b c Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 271.
- ^ Weal 1999, p. 64.
- ^ Dahl 1986, p. 149.
- ^ Shores & Williams 1994, p. 487.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 272.
- ^ Shores 1975, p. 74.
- ^ Carr 2013, p. 240.
- ^ de Zeng, Stanket & Creek 2007, p. 6.
- ^ a b c d Baker 1965, pp. 188–189.
- ^ Gustavsson & Slongo 2009, p. 18.
- ^ Gustavsson & Slongo 2012, pp. 48–49.
- ^ Thomas 2002, pp. 37–40.
- ^ Gustavsson & Slongo 2012, p. 49.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 78.
- ^ Jackson 2007, pp. 94–95.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 91.
- ^ Gustavsson & Slongo 2012, p. 63.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 45.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 98–99.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 49.
- ^ Baker 1965, pp. 107–108.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, pp. 54–55.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 76.
- ^ Mattioli 2010, pp. 19–20.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, pp. 88, 126.
- ^ Mattioli 2010, p. 20.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 151.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 101.
- ^ Baker 1965, p. 164.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 120.
- ^ Mehtidis 2008, p. 73.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 236.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 238.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 239.
- ^ Mehtidis 2008, p. 77.
- ^ Thomas 2003, p. 36.
- ^ Shores, Cull & Malizia 1987, p. 242.
- ^ Hooton 1999, p. 82–83.
- ^ "Alamein Memorial." Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
- ^ Lucas 1983, p. 130.
- ^ Dahl 1986, pp. 149, 153.
- ^ Aldridge 1942, p. iv.
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