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    Gloster Gladiator PDF

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    Alex CrawtOr BAC s PTV a TY] ADIATOR t published in Poland in 2002 by STRATUS Artur Juszezak, Po. Box 123, 27-600 Sandomierz. 1, Poland e-mail: arturj@tarnobrzeg.tpnet.pl for Mushroom Model Publications, 36 Ver Road, Redbourn, AL3 7PE, UK. e-mail: rogerw@ waitrose.com © 2002 Mushroom Model Publications. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission. All enquiries should be addressed to the publisher. ISBN 83-916327-0-9 Roger Wallsgrove Bartlomiej Belcarz Robert Peczkows Artur Juszezak Edited by James Kightly Page design by Artur Juszczak Cover Layout Artur Juszezak DIP Robert Peczkowski Artur Juszezak Proofreading —_Beverley Laing Colour Drawings Artur Juszezak Scale Drawings Dariusz Karnas Printed by Drukarnia Diecezjalna Sandomierz, ul, Zeromskiego 4, 27-600 Sandomierz Printed in Poland Cover Picture: You can almost hear the quiet sleeve-valve Mercury, and the wind in the wires. Gloster Gladiator K8032 (G-AMRK) is owned and flown by the Shuttleworth Col- lection from Old Warden Aerodrome near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. It is seen here in the colours applied in 1990 for the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. For the last forty years it's been the only flying J. Kightly Contents Introduction. Chapter 1: The RAF and Commonwealth, The Beginning f Entry into Service... The Munich Crisis ‘The Phoney War: Norway and France An African Adventure..... s Greece and Crete... East Affica The Iragi Revolt and Syri ‘The Far ai Second line duties... RAF Camouflage & Markings... Squadron Codes table... Chapter 2: The Gladiator goes to sea. Operational service Malta..... RN FAA Camouflage & Markings... Pre-War markings... : Wartime markin; Chapter 3: In Foreign Service. Belgium . China. Latvia Lithuani Norway . Portugal. Soviet Union..... Sweden. Appendices. ‘Appendix 1: The Malta my Appendix 2: Gladiator Survivors. Appendix 3: Claims and losses. Squadron table... Aces, Aces table .. Appendix 4: Techni ‘Technical data Tech Spec Table. Colour Profiles. Bibliography & Sources .. GLOSTER GLADIATOR 3 -uopjanaysuod 20ye1PE|S) 4935015 Jo SIAC 4 GLOSTER GLADIATOR Introduction World War. Obsolete when it entered service, it saw front line combat ‘on most fronts for the first two years of the war Time and again pilots took off in this antiquated machine and sought out the enemy. Often outnumbered and outgunned, but not necessarily outmanocuvred, they held their own against Italian and then German aircraft. Pilots praised it for its manoeuvrability, others despised it for its lack of speed and for its light armament ‘The most famous Gladiators are the Malta defenders; Faith, Hope and Charity, but as we shall see there were more than three Sea Gladiators on Malta, The probable reason for the Gladiator's lack of fame is that it took part in campaigns which were military setbacks. Records were lost and other events overshadowed the preceding desperate battles. It is only now that detailed research has been carried out and a more accurate picture is emerging Many of the foreign and non-Allied nations that bought the Gladiator also used them in combat, The most successful were Finland and China, cach of whom produced two aces on the type. Gladiators bore the colours of «wide range of owners - some of the machines gained by conquest - and in Northern Europe the Gladiator could be found in service with all the major combatants of both sides. Despite this it was to be in the middle east that the only known Gladiator-only combat took place. From the frozen lakes of Norway to the scorching sands of Africa, to the pitching deck of an aircraft carrier, the Gladiators were there, defending the British Empire. This then is my story of the Gladiator. Some of it will be familiar and, hopefully, some of it will be new. T: Gloster Gladiator is one of the unsung fighter heroes of the Second Gloster J8 Gladiator on display at the Swedish Air Museum. This aircraft is preserved in the scheme F19 wore when fighting along side the Finnish Air Force during the Winter War. Ted Burnett. GLOSTER GLADIATOR 5 Chapter 1: ‘The RAF and Commonwealth Side view of Gloster SS.37. The beginning th the success of the Gauntlet, The Gloster Aircraft Company decided to see if they could improve on the design and build a new machine around the Government-issued Specification F.7/30. This specification, issued in 1930, called for a four-gun fighter with a speed increase of 45% over the Bristol Bulldog, then the latest RAF fighter, plus it had to be capable of day and night operations. Various aircraft manufactures submitted plans for this design but none were successful. Although only armed with two machine guns, the Gauntlet was used to replace the ageing Bulldogs until a suitable aircraft could be found. A Gauntlet fuselage was a basis for the new design. Changes to the fuselage were carried out to the forward longeron section and the midship top decking stringers. A large surface oil cooler was added to the forward fuselage on the starboard side. The wings were of full-span single-bay type and cantilever undercarriage legs were fitted, The rear of the fuselage behind the cockpit was raised to incorporate a headrest. The engine used on this prototype, called S.S.37, was the 645 hp Mercury VLS. With Fit Lt PE.G. Sayer at the controls, the Gloster $.$.37 took to the air in September 1934. It reached a speed of 236 miles per hour; the engine fitted at this time was a Mercury IV. With the intended engine fitted the aircraft reached a speed of 242 miles per hour at 11,000 feet, and was armed with two fuselage-mounted Vickers MKIII machine guns and two drum-fed Lewis machine guns under the wings, firing outboard of the propeller are. In the autumn of 1934 the S.S.37 was officially submitted for trials with the Air Ministry. By June 1935 several modifications had been carried out in the form of a 840hp Mercury IX engine, an enclosed cockpit, modified top fuselage, a revised tail and provision for four Vickers machine guns. The S.S.37 had been taken on Air Ministry charge in April 1935 and was designated Gloster F.7/25, this specification having been written around the Gloster S.S.37. It now wore the serial K5200 and bore the name Gladiator. 6 GLOSTER GLADIATOR K5200 underwent extensive trials at Martlesham Heath and Brockworth, after which the decision was made to replace the Mercury VIS with the Mercury IX, using a Watts wooden two-blade propeller ‘Trials were also carried out on the armament, as the Vickers Mk.II was prone to jam. The result of these trials was that the American Colt 303 machine gun far outmatched all others in the trials. This gun was manufactured in the UK by Birmingham Small Arms, but until substantial numbers could be produced the first production Gladiators still retained the under-wing Lewis guns. These would subsequently be replaced. Further trials were carried out with three-blade Fairey Reed propellers. According to Sayer, these trials were not satisfactory as the propeller did not convert enough power on take off, probably due to the decreased pitch of the propeller being unsuited to the Mercury's 0.5 reduction gear ratio. Although the trials showed a marginal increase in speed the decision was made and the Watts two-blade propeller remained. Final modifications were carried out to the fuselage; these involved the removal of the top nine stringers and the incorporation of triangular pylons in the upper longerons above the basic structure. This was then covered by a secondary structure comprised of light alloy stringers, to form a built-up contour behind the cockpit. This basic structure was rigid enough to incorporate rails for a sliding canopy (as proposed for Gloster Gladiator prototype at production aircraft). The canopy was opened and closed by means of RAF aireraft exhibition, a chain and sprocket gear. As most of the aiz-to-air photos will show, Hendon 4 July 1936, most pilots still continued to fly with the canopy open. George Paul GLOSTER GLADIATOR 7 Gladiator pitot Bob Stanford Tack: One of my greatest thrills in a Gladiator was on a dark night on 27 July 1937. At 2135 hours in K7931 [took off from the grass at Horachurch calong the long line of goose- neck flares stretching into the distance. The Bristol engine ‘gave its full power and after rumbling along, gathering speed fast, at about 70 mph tuildown we rose smoothly into the air climbing easily and steadily into the night sky. Lirinmed the aireraft for a steady climb, and then with head down in the cock- pit which, with one’s eyes adjusted to the pitch outside, was well ttuninated tn a dull red glow, quickly scanned around the instruments - all was well levelled offat 3,500 feet, eased back on the throt- te and looked around - R/T call to base could watt for a moment or ve. Entry into service ‘nJuly 1935 the Air Ministry placed an initial order for 23 Gladiator Mls. ue to the planned expansion of the RAB, of six new fighter squadrons in 1936 and eight in 1937, a further contract for 180 Gladiators was signed in September 1935. These aircraft had to be in squadron service by 1937 ‘The first three aircraft, K6129 to K6131, were hurried through production in order to provide aircraft for performance and handling trials. These tests were completed in early January 1937, and on 16 February the RAF officially took the Gladiators on charge. Itis somewhat ironic that when the Gladiators entered service they were already obsolete: the prototype Hurricane and Spitfire had already flown and large orders were being placed for these modern fighters. Until these new aircraft came into service, however, the Gladiators would remain the front line defence of the country, - The first squadron to receive their Gladiators was 72 Squadron based at Tangmere. This squadron was formed on 22 February from personnel belonging to 1 Squadron, Fit Lt E.M. Donaldson and four other pilots collected the first of the Gladiators, K6131-K6134, from Brockworth and flew them to their new base at Church Fenton. (By coincidence, 72 Squadron would be the last home-based unit to retire its Gladiators in April 1939.) The next squadron to be equipped was 3 Squadron, which had returned from the Middle East where it had flown Bulldogs during the Abyssinian crisis. More and more aircraft were coming off the production lines and further squadrons were being re-equipped. The first aircraft to be delivered were supplied with fuselage-mounted Vickers Mk.V machine guns, and Lewis guns with 97 round drums fitted below the wings. The first 37 aircraft of the second production batch, K7892-K7928, had Vickers “K” 8 GLOSTER GLADIATOR Gloster Gladiator Mk I. Gloster Gladiator Mk I. ga8 operated guns, after which the remainder had the new Browning guns. The earlier aircraft had universal mountings that could accommodate the newer Brownings, when they became available, and which were indeed fitted at a later date. In April 1937, 54 Squadron re-equipped with Gladiators, followed shortly afterwards by 74 Squadron. 80 Squadron received their Gladiators in May 1937 (- they would not relinquish them until early 1941 when they finally received Hurricanes - More will be told of their exploits later on.) Other squadrons equipped were 56, 73 and 87 Squadrons. A further batch of 28 Gladiators, 1.8005-1.8032, were ordered, and most of these went straight into storage with 27 Maintenance Unit. Here they remained until March 1939 when most would find their way to the Middle East as replacement equipment. Introduction into the RAF was relatively straightforward. However, although most pilots had previously flown Gauntlets, they were notably Jacking in praise for the newer aircraft. The Gladiator had a higher wing loading, which led to a lack of sensitive control at certain conditions. Spin recovery required more care, and a landing without flaps often resulted in damaged wing tips due to the wing dropping at low speed. It has to be said however, that pilots who went from Gladiators to Hurricanes and Spitfires suffered fewer accidents than those who went direct from Gauntlets. In May 1937 Gladiators from 3 Squadron took part in a display before a large crowd of Dominion Air Force representatives who were in the country for the Coronation celebrations, Also in 1937, large-scale defence exercises were held and four squadrons of Gladiators took part, They were more 10 GLOSTER GLADIATOR Gloster Gladiator K6137 during test flight. BBSBB coll. than able to catch the slower Harts, Hinds, Battles, Harrows and Heyfords. Ascramble (for the benefit Some of the new Bristol Blenheims also took part but most of them suffered of the press) of 54Squad- from mechanical problems. ron Gladiators during By September, all eight Gladiator squadrons were fully operational. The in 1938. rapid re-organisation of Fighter Command led to the formation of a new BB&RP coll, 12 GLOSTER GLADIATOR Fighter Group, No12, responsible for the defence of the Midlands. One of Gloster Gladiator Mk I the Gladiator squadrons, 73, was sent to this new group. 8, Two 65 Squadron machines collided in February and 3 Squadron lost two Gladiators when Plt Off H.E. Vickery, who later flew with 263 Squadron in Norway, crashed into a hill but amazingly was able to walk away with minor injuries. Sgt E.H. Lomas baled out of his aircraft after getting into a flat spin near Brighton in January 1938. The beginning of 1938 saw the entry into service of the Hawker Hurricane with 111 Squadron. This was the RAF's first monoplane fighter and was equipped with no fewer than eight machine guns. Later models of this aircraft would have twelve machine guns or four 20mm cannon.Despite the introduction of the Hurricane, further squadrons were earmarked for re-equipping with Gladiators, although some of the existing squadrons would give up their Gladiators for Hurricanes. In March, 3 Squadron started to re-equip with the new monoplane, and were followed in April by 56 Squadron, To keep the Gladiator Squadron count up, 25 and 85 Squadrons received the biplane. 85 reformed at Debden out of ‘A’ Flight, 87 Squadron. 25 Squadron surrendered its Hawker Demons and took on 56 Squadron's Gladiators. A further two squadrons were to relinquish their Gladiators for Hurricanes. 87 Squadron had taken part in the Villacoubly Air Show on 10 July, where three of its pilots, Fly Off G.HLI. Feeny, Plt Off R.L. Lorimer and Sgt Dewdney performed tied-together aerobatics. By August, 87 K6131 of 72 Squadron (ors were lost through accidents during the winter of during approval tr Gloster via G. Paul. ER GLADIATOR 13 ‘Two Gladiators Mk Is of 73 Squadron. In the fore- ground, K7965 which was flown by Flying Officer ‘Newell “Fanny” Orton (17 victories in WWII) during the Empire Air Day Show, at Hendon in May 1938. Don Minterne via Many Souffan, 14 GLOSTER GLADIATOR Squadron had re-equipped with Hurricanes. The other squadron to replace its Gladiators with Hurricanes was 73, which was to play a vital role in the Battle of France. An improved version of the Gladiator was now coming through. Pilots had complained of severe vibration during gun firing in a dive, which was caused by the large wooden two blade propeller overspeeding, making it impossible for the pilot to hold the gunsight on the target. A heavier, three blade metal propeller was fitted and this improved the situation, along with a change in the airscrew reduction gear ratio from 0.5 to 0.572. This, improvement, along with a change of engine, to a 840hp Mercury VIILA, and an improved instrument panel, comprised the standard specification of the Gladiator MKII Gloster Gladiator Mk Il. Note the Fairey-Reed type metal propeller. \L fl Gloster Gladiator Mk II. GLOSTER GLADIATOR 15 Gloster Gladiator Mk Tin camouflage introduced during the Munich Crisis, BB&RP coll. The Munich Crisis wr the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, storm clouds were gathering in Europe. As a result, in September 1938, the RAF was put on full alert and aircraft were hastily camouflaged. All fighter squadrons ‘moved to their War Stations. One such unit was 25 Squadron, which moved from its peacetime base at Hawkinge to its War Station at Northolt. Along with camouflage, the squadron received the code letters ZK. Aircraft now flew with full ammunition loads and pilots were at constant readiness. Front line strength of the RAF during the Munich Crisis stood at: Ist line strength? Hurricane squadrons 5 Gladiator squadrons 8 Gauntlet squadrons 3 Fury Ill squadrons 3 Demon squadrons 2nd line strength 2 Hurricane squadrons | Gladiator squadron 1 Gauntlet squadron 4 Demon squadrons Mercifully the crisis passed. It is generally believed that had Britain gone to war with Germany in 1938, the RAF would not have stood a chance against the mighty German Luftwaffe, Most of the Luftwaffe fighter pilots had served with the Condor Legion in Spain and had a wealth of combat experience, ‘Another result of the Munich Crisis was that Fighter Command realised that the monoplanes would not be available in large numbers for another 16 GLOSTER GLADIATOR few years. So it was decided to bring in as many of the Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons as possible to Fighter Command and to equip them with Gladiators. The first to be so equipped was 607 (County of Durham) Squadron, based at Unsworth: by the end of 1938 the squadron had become an integral part of Fighter Command. During 1938, an order for 50 of the improved Mark II's was increased to 300. This large order was necessary after the decision to equip the Auxiliary squadrons was announced. The last few months of peace were put to good use in training and ‘gunnery exercises. In the early months of 1939 the Spitfire started coming into service and some of the early Gladiator squadron were re-equipped ‘with Hurricanes or Spitfires while further Auxiliary squadrons received their Gladiators as originally planned. By the time war was declared on 3 September, Fighter Command had 4 Gladiator squadrons and. | — 1 Gauntlet squadron on front line strength, while a further 4 Gladiator squadrons and 1 Gauntlet squadron represented the entire Middle Bast fighter force. These 10 squadrons totalled 152 Gladiators and 14 Gauntlets, while a further 97 were still to be delivered and almost 100 were held at various Maintenance Units, second line units, training units or Station Flights. | 7 / Gloster Gladiator Mk I. GLOSTER GLADIATOR 17 Acdlassic early wartime propaganda photo, show- ing pilots and Gladiators in France 1940. Note the roundel types and the cam- ouflage demarcation visi ble, SHAA via B. Belearz The Phoney War, Norway and France Squadron gave up its Gladiators for Spitfires. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron flew night patrols with its Gladiators along the coastlines of Southampton and Portsmouth, but by October the squadron started to re-equip with Hurricanes and its Gladiators were passed on to 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, In October, 152 and 263 Squadrons were formed - based at Acklington and Filton respectively. The first of the home-based fighter squadrons to see action was (appropriately enough) a Gladiator unit: 607 (County of Durham) Squadron ‘This action occurred on 17 October 1939, after section of ‘B’ Flight pilots under the command of Flt Lt J, Sample took off from Acklington, leading Fly Off G.D. Craig and Plt Off W.H.R. Whitty, to look for enemy seaplanes off the coast. They came across a Domier Do18 25 miles out to sea. All three pilots attacked from astern and the Dornier finally crashed into the sea. The crew were eventually rescued from the sea by a trawler, Later in the day, another section took off and attacked a flight of four enemy seaplanes, but the results were inconclusive In November, orders came through for 607 and 615 to move to France to join the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force. On 15 November, 32 Gladiators in company with four Armstrong-Whitworth Ensigns, two Short Scyllas, four de Havilland DH 86s, an Avro Ten and a Fokker F-36 D= the first few weeks of the war, 603 (City of Edinburgh) 18 GLOSTER GLADIATOR (ex-KLM) crossed the Channel and landed at Merville, France. The wo fighter squadrons started to carry out patrols almost immediately. On 20 November 607 Squadron Gladiators intercepted a lone Heinkel Hel 1, but the Gladiators were too slow and could not keep up with the bomber. Routine patrols continued and there was little activity over the front, during this period often referred to as the Phoney War, while in the UK patrols continued but little action was seen. On 3 February 152 Squadron engaged and shot down a He1I1 over Druridge Bay. All crew on board the bomber perished. ‘The Phoney War came to an end on 9 April 1940 when Hitler launched his invasion of Denmark and Norway. British and Frencl troops were sent to capture key ports and towns in Norway and a squadron of fighters was sent to support this expedition. This task fell to 263 Squadron - but before ‘we can follow the exploits of 263 Squadron during their stay in Norway, we first have to learn why it was decided to send a Gladiator equipped-unit to face up to a vastly more experienced and better equipped Luftwaffe. To do this we have to go back to March 1940, By March 1940, the Russo-Finnish War had entered its third month with litle sign of itending. Finland had requested military aid for its struggle with Russia, and Britain had already provided a number of ex-RAF Gladiators to the Finnish Air Force, shipping them in small batches on board neutral merchant vessels. These aircraft arrived at Vipuril throughout the month of February. More active aid was being planned, and an expedition, complete with air support, began to assemble in the UK. As Finland already possessed a number of Gloster Gauntlets as well as the Gladiators (in addition to those being flown by the Swedish volunteer unit Flygflottilj F19) it seemed appropriate to send similar RAF aircraft, The reasoning was that the problem of spares and supplies would be easier if aircraft were of the same type The visit of King George V to the ASF Squadrons in France, 1940. SHAA via B. Belcarz. GLOSTER GLADIATOR 19 Gloster Gladiator Mk IL Operational flying training continued into March, when orders were N5641 of 263 Squadron in _ received to increase personnel and make preparations to embark with aireraft the Norwegian Air Foree for Finland. However, the Russo-Finnish War came to an end on the 21st Museum. March, before the British contingent set sail, and 263 Squadron were ordered F. Larsen via B. Belcarz, to revert to normal operating strength. Within hours of the German invasion of Norway, signals were received at Filton for 263 to re-establish field strength and to prepare to move up to Scapa Flow. On the 20th April eighteen Gladiators flew up to Scapa Flow from Filton, by way of Sealand, and on the following day they were taken over by Fleet Air Arm pilots from 802 and 804 Squadrons for landing on the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious, which had been recalled from the Mediterranean for operations off the coast of Norway. ‘As the Gladiators were being landed on board the carrier, one, N5624 suffered engine failure and crashed into the sea astern of the carrier. The body of Pit Off C.D. Gordon-Wilson was recovered and a replacement Sea Gladiator, N5518, was provided by the Hatston Fighter Flight. By the end of the day, all of the following eighteen pilots had embarked (by launch) on board the carrier: Squadron Lr JW. Donaldson, Fit Lt R.S. Mills, Plt Offs P. ‘Wyatt-Smith, $.R, McNamara, L.R. Jacobsen, Craig-Adams, Richards, PR. Purdy, M.A. Bently, Carpenter, Hughes, McKenzie and Hogg, Sets Forrest, Whall, Kitchener, Milligan and Russel In Norway an advance party from the RAF had arrived. Their purpose \as to find a suitable site for 263 Squadron to operate from. The search was undertaken by Sqn Lar Whitney Straight, who decided that the only possible solution was to use a frozen lake - and he chose Lake Lesjaskog, situated to the north of Vangmjosa, Within a few hours Straight had gathered two 20 GLOSTER GLADIATOR hundred locals to clear a runway through the snow, and by the afternoon of the 24th the lake was ready to receive its aircraft, The Gladiators started taking off from Glorious in the aftemoon, with each flight of nine aireraft Jed to the airfield by two Blackburn Skuas. The conditions they found on urival were unbelievable. There were no facilities, no refuelling bowsers, no acid for the starter trolley batteries, and only one armourer for the entire squadron’s guns: seventy-two of them in all By carly morning on the 25th, the ground crew, who had worked throughout the night in the most appalling conditions, had managed to make two Gladiators serviceable for the morning patrol, and these two aircraft {90k off at 0500hrs to reconnoitre the surrounding area. They soon spotted their first enemy aircraft, which turned out to be a Heinkel He115 floatplane which was flying over Dombas, and, according to some reports, was shot . down by the Gladiators. This claim was probably actually made by FAA Skuas, which engaged and shot down a Hel 15 at much the same time. At about the same time as this engagement was happening, a lone Heinkel Hel 11 came in low over the lake and dropped its bombs, destroying four Gladiators and injuring three pilots, including Sqn Lar Donaldson, who suffered severe concussion when a bomb landed close to his aircraft ‘Throughout the day, the Gladiators flew in support of ground forces operating in the area. Aireraft were taking off even when the lake was being bombed by Hel 1s from KG26 and KG30, which were stationed at Stavanger. At 0700hrs Heinkel Hell 1s from IVLGI bombed the lake - an lack which would appear to have destroyed a further four Gladiators ‘At074Shrs Plt Off Purdy was starting up, with the assistance of a fellow pilot, when a bomb burst close by, inflicting severe burns to his face and hands. Despite these wounds, he took off and carried out a defensive patrol over the area, allowing other pilots to be re-fuel and be ready for action (With the primitive facilities available it was taking up to an hour and a half to rearm and refuel the Gladiators.) AL 0900hrs Flt Lt Mills took off and patrolled overhead for half an hour to enable six more Gladiators to take off undisturbed, During this patrol Mills engaged six HeI1 Is from L/LGI near another lake in the area, and ‘The remains of NS379 at the edge of Lake Les- jaskog, August 1940, The black/white undersides are plainly visible. Just visible are the underwing roun- dels at the extreme wing tips. The prop is black with yellow tips. The gen- tleman on the port wing could be one of the local scrap dealers who disman- ted some of the wrecks, Fyvind Ellingsen, GLOSTER GLADIATOR 21 22 GLOSTER GLADIATOR claimed one destroyed. This aircraft, an Hel 1-H of 4 Staffel, actually managed to limp back to Stavanger/Sola, but as it came in to land, both engines failed and it crashed into the sea, though all of the crew were rescued. Sgt Forrest was on patrol at 1100hrs when his engine failed and he had to put down near Lesjaskog. Almost at once a German bomber appeared and destroyed his aircraft, An hour later Fly Off McNamara, in N5579, led a section of Gladiators to intercept a force of twelve Hel IIs from IVLGI and six Ju88s from IIVLGI, McNamara led the section in a deflection pass on one of the Heinkels, This aircraft came down on the edge of the lake in full view of everyone on the base, and the crew were taken prisoner. But by middday nine Gladiators had been destroyed on the ground. In the afternoon the squadron fought back. The first to claim was Plt Off Jacobsen who shot down one Hel 1 and badly damaged another, which flew off trailing black smoke. At 130Shrs the lake was bombed again and four more Gladiators were destroyed, but two managed to take off. - these were flown by Squadron Ldr Donaldson, N5633, and Fit Lt Mills, At 1400brs both pilots attacked a Heinkel of Stab/LGI and brought it down to crash-land south of Vinstra, near Dombas. Both pilots then attacked another Heinkel ‘which they damaged. Late in the afternoon Bf110s from /ZG 76 and Ju88s from Z/KG 30 escorted Ju87s from 2/KG 30 over the Dombas/Andalsnes area. Three Gladiators were spotted in the air but they escaped down a fjord. The BE110s strafed the lake at Lesjaskog and claimed four Gladiators destroyed. Squadron Lar Donaldson was scrambled and near Andalsnes he found a Heinkel, which was attacking a steamer. He claimed this as destroyed, but the bomber actually reached Oslo/Fornebu before the engines gave out and the crew baled out. Mills was involved in yet another combat later on in the afternoon - this time it was with a formation of Junkers Ju88s. After a prolonged dogfight, which had no clear results, Mills had to break off combat due to running low on fuel and running out of ammunition. After landing back at the lake, Mills was inspecting his badly damaged fighter when a HeII1 came roaring over the treetops and destroyed it. As darkness fell, 263 Squadron had virtually ceased to exist. The surface of Lake Lesjaskog looked liked the moon: over one hundred and thirty craters pitted its surface. Thirteen Gladiators lay wrecked, these being: N5588, N5589, N5628, N5632, N5634, N5635, N5639, N5641, N5647, 15680, NS714, NS720 and N5915, the remaining five were flown up to a temporary airstrip at Andalsnes. A further Gladiator was lost on the 26th, when Plt Off Craig-Adams, in N5633, took off to undertake a reconnaissance patrol. He hadn't been airborne for long when his worn out engine seized, forcing him to take to his parachute. He landed safely and made his way back to Andalsnes. At 1000hrs a large number of bombers appeared overhead, in what was to be a six-hour attack on Andalsnes. Two Gladiators managed to take off, but both aircraft lacked oxygen, so they could not reach the bombers, which were flying at 25,000ft. In the afternoon the main targets were the harbour at Andalsnes and the airfield at Lesjaskog, where Gladiator N5909 was destroyed. This was to be 263s last flight during their brief stay in Norway. As fuel stocks were running low, orders were received to abandon Andalsnes and return to the UK. The three remaining aircraft - NSS79, 3, NS725 - were destroyed and all personnel were embarked on board the French freighter Cape Blane, where they joined the pilots, for the return trip home. After surviving many dive-bombing attacks, during which Plt Off Wyatt-Smith received shrapnel wounds, the ship finally reached Scapa Flow on Ist May. When 263 Squadron reached Scotland they were informed that as soon as they were re-equipped with replacement aircraft they were being sent back to Norway. This time they were going further north to Bardufoss near Narvik. Back in Norway work had already begun in the preparation of the airfields at Bardufoss, Elvenes, Banak and Skaanland to make them suitable foroperational use. Within three weeks all was ready. 263 Squadron wouldn't be alone this time, as 46 Squadron, under the command of Squadron Ldr Cross, would be accompanying them, 46 Squadron were equipped with Hawker Hurricanes and were supposed to have accompanied 263 on their first visit to Norway, but their landing ground at Andalsnes was, not ready in time ‘The 263 Squadron advance party reached Harstad on 11th May, moving on to Bardufoss, The rest of the squadron followed on the SS Sodiesti, while on the 12th May the eighteen Gladiators were flown on board HMS Furious by pilots of 804 Squadron FAA, The pilots involved in this second operation were Squadron Lar I.W, Donaldson (since recovered) Flt Lis R.S. Mills, C.B. Hull (ex-43 Squadron) and A ns (ex-222 Squadron) Plt Offs S.R. McNamara, L.R. Jacobsen, Craig-Adams, Richards, PR. Purdy, Falkson (ex-152 Squadron) M.A. Bently, J.L. Wilkie (ex-266 Squadron) Hughes and Parall, Fly Offs HT. Grant-Ede (ex-111 Squadron) W. Riley (ex-610 Squadron) and H.E, Vickery, Sgts Whall, Kitchener, Milligan, and Russel, and Plt Off P. Wyatt-Smith, Wyatt-Smith was replaced by Lt Lydekker, as his wounds were starting to fester. Lydekker, who was the Armaments Officer on board Furious, was a qualified pilot but not on active flying status ‘when he volunteered to join 263 Squadron. On the 21 May two sections of two Gladiators, each with a Swordfish asa guide, took off from HMS Furious in the teeth of a howling gale. With Visibility rapidly deteriorating, one section turned back and somehow managed (o land back on board the carfier. The other section got itself hopelessly lost in the fog and snow, and all three aircraft crashed into the mountains around Soreisa. The crew of the Swordfish lost their lives, as GLOSTER GLADIATOR 23 Another propaganda did Plt Off Richards, N5697. Flt Lt Mills, in the other Gladiator (N5693) photo for the folks back was severely injured. home - taken on the same In the early morning of the 22nd, eight Gladiators managed to reach occasion as the photo- _Bardufoss, where they joined combat with enemy aircraft almost immediately. graph on page 18. One Plt Off Craig-Adams, in N5698, was shot down by the gunners aboard the hopes that the Gladiators Heinkel that he was attacking. (It has often been stated that Craig-Adams weren't lined up so neatly rammed a Heinkel and both aircraft fell near each other. This is now believed and unprotected normally. not to be the case, as no wreckage of any German aircraft has been located IWM_ near Craig-Adams” Gladiator.) By the 23rd the remaining Gladiators had arrived from HMS Furious. arly in the morning of the 24th four Bf110s from 3/ZG76 came in low over the airfield and strafed the dispersal area, but accurate anti-aircraft fire soon drove them off. Fly Off Grant-Ede took off in pursuit and was able to get in a few bursts at one of the Bf110s before they out-paced him. Army personnel informed the squadron that this aircraft did in fact crash on a frozen lake near Thysfjord. In the afternoon, Grant-Ede, in the company of Fly Off Riley, engaged a lone Hel flying over Bardufoss. Grant-Ede dove down and silenced the rear gunner whilst Riley knocked out the starboard engine. They were joined at this point by Flt Lt C.B. Hull, who shot out the port engine. With both of his engines out the bomber pilot had no option but to put his machine down near Salanger, the crew then being taken prisoner. Grant-Ede’s Gladiator was slightly damaged by return fire. During the 25th 24 GLOSTER GLADIATOR Grant-Ede, in N5705, shot down a Fw200 and a Ju90, while another Ju90 was claimed by two other pilots. The 26th saw a day of intense fighting by 263 Squadron. Various pilots putin claims but the most suecessful was Ft Lt C.B. Hull, During the early part of the morning three Gladiators piloted by Hull, Plt Off Falkson and Lt Lydekker, moved down to Bodo, which was much closer to the front lines. Plt Off Falkson’s aircraft, N3705, got bogged down in the mud and had {o be abandoned. Not long afier arriving Flt Lt Hull was up on patrol over Saitefjord when he spotted a Hell 1. He managed to disable both of its engines before losing it in thick cloud, This aircraft eventually crashed south of Me: Lt Meyer and his crew were rescued by German ground troops. Hull then encountered a Junkers Ju52/3m of KGrzbV 108 and disposed of this transport very quickly which fell, blazing, near Saltdalen. He then came across a second Heinkel, which escaped, then attacked two more JuS2/3ms, these from KGzbV 1. One escaped but the other was shot down in flames. Six men baled out but eight paratroopers from I/FIRI were killed in the crash. The other transport had been hard hit also, and the pilot managed to put down his burning aircraft in friendly territory where he and his crew were rescued. By this time Hull had used up all the ammo for his wing guns, Yet another Hel 11 was spotted and Hull closed in on it - he-used up his, remaining ammo on the bomber but could only claim at as damaged. With almost no fuel left Hull broke off combat and headed for home, landing safely back at Bodo, where he claimed two definite and one probable claims In fact he had shot down four aireraft in one combat, Flt Lt Hull claimed Gloster Gladiator Mk I NS5641 of 263 Squadron. Static rebuild from a lakes wreck in Forsvarsmuseet Flysamlingn, (the Norwegian Air Force Museum) F Larsen via B. Belearz GLOSTER GLADIATOR 25 Remains of Gloster Gladi- ator Mk I somewhere in France 1940. T. Kopariski coll. * After being evacuated from Norway; Caeser Barrand Hull rejoined 43 Squadron as com- manding officer Flying Hurri- canes, he claimed one BFIO9E shot down with two BFLIO's and half a Ju88 as probables, He was shot down and killed while lying Hur- ricane V6641 on 6 September. He received a DFC for his actions ‘over Norway, being credited with {ive vietories. 26 GLOSTER GLADIATOR 4 Ju87 on the 27th but was severely wounded in the process. This brought Hull’s score up to five confirmed kills* “The absence of enemy air activity during the next few days allowed both squadrons the opportunity to repair the worst damaged aircraft. Sorties were still undertaken, these being flown in support of the ground forces which ‘were operating in the area, ‘The events of June 2 show what can happen when a pilot shows true determination in the face of overwhelming odds. Plt Offs Jacobsen (in N5681) and Wilkie took off to patrol the area between Narvik and the Swedish border. At about 1445hrs two Bf110s of II/G76 were encountered. Jacobsen made a beam attack on the leader, while Wilkie attacked the other ‘one from aster, As Wilkie closed in, his Gladiator was hit by fire from a third Bf110 flown by Lt Helmut Lent and he spun down to crash in the ‘mountains below. Meanwhile, the Bf110 that Jacobsen was attacking was beginning to outpace his Gladiator: he continued to give chase, firing occasionally from long range. At this point the second Bf110 appeared out of the clouds directly in front of him: he opened fire at point blank range and the Messerschmitt went down in an uncontrolled dive. As it was at an altitude of only 300ft and the terrain below was mountainous it is unlikely that it survived. His pursuit of these aircraft had taken him into Swedish airspace, so he headed back towards Norway and climbed at full throttle to gain some altitude. Not long after this Jacobsen encountered a mixed group of Hel IIs and more Bf110s from 1/7676 flying below him. Diving down, he fired into the cockpit of one Heinkel which reared up, stalled and spun into the ground near Bjornfell. Jacobsen was then attacked head-on by three Hel 11s and a BEI10: he evaded these attacks and turned on one of the Heinkels and fired a brief burst into it before being attacked by another Heinkel. He managed to get on the tail of this one and saw it go down in a spiral dive, apparently out of control. Jacobsen now found himself in amongst a homet’s nest of six Hel 1s and two Bf110s which attacked him from all angles. His Gladiator was becoming damaged - a bracing wire was shot away and the engine was hit, spraying oil onto his windscreen. Peering out of the oiled-up windscreen he saw the vague outline of a Heinkel in front of him, He fired off the last of his ammo and the last he saw of the bomber was it gliding to earth with both engines belching black smoke and flames. Jacobsen managed to evade the rest of fe bombers and limp home to Bardufoss.. ‘The wreckage of three Hell 11s was found just inside the Swedish border Later a report came in stating that two BE110s had also crashed, As Jacobsen was the only pilot to engage Bf110s in this area on this day it is probable that these were his. One of the victims in this hectic battle may have been Ju52/3m of KGzbV 107, Six of these aircraft dropped paratroopers and ‘one was chased by a British fighter and crashed in Sweden. Again Jacobsen was the only pilot in the area, Taking the New Zealander’s previous claim during the squadron’ first visit to Norway this gave him six vietories and made him the RAF's second ace in the Norwegian Campaign With the events in Europe now taking priority, it was decided to evacuate Norway. Plans were made to land the Gladiators of 263 Squadron on HMS Glorious and bring them back to the UK. This was done successfully and Another destroyed Gladia- tor in France, 1940. A He 111 and German look on. ‘T. Kopatiski coll. GLO TER GLADIATOR 27 ‘The sparse remains of a Gladiator Mk Tin France, almost certainly destroyed on the ground, is inspected by German soldiers, after the British had left. T. Kopaiiski coll. 28 GLOSTER GLADIATOR the remaining ten aircraft were flown back on board on 7 June. The next day as the carrier and her escorts were heading back to the UK they were intercepted by the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and sunk along with her escorts. None of the Gladiator pilots survived. The ten pilots who lost their lives were: Squadron Ldr Donaldson, Fit Lt Williams, Fly Offs Vickery and Grant Ede, Plt Offs MeNamara, Jacobsen, Purdy, Falkson and Bently and Sgt Russel. Glorious’ compliment of 6 sea Gladiators and the nine FAA pilots were also lost (see the Sea Gladiator chapter for details). The 10th of May saw the launch of Hitler's Blitzkrieg against France and the Low Countries. Of the two Gladiator squadrons in France, 607 had been re-equipped with Hurricanes during March, and 615 Squadron was in the process of being re-equipped when the invasion occurred. The handful of Gladiators that remained in the squadron carried out a few patrols and damaged several of the enemy. On returning to the UK, 615 Squadron reformed on Hurricanes, but still retained some Gladiators. These aircraft formed an independent flight, called “G” Flight, and operated over Dunkirk from 23-30 May. An African adventure hen Britain entered W.W.II, the defence of Egypt lay in three Wins squadrons: 33, 80 and 112. The squadrons were brought to readiness in the anticipation of an attack by Mussolini's forces in Africa, but when this did not materialise the squadrons reverted to peacetime operations. Apart from now flying camouflaged aircraft, life continued as normal. On the 31 May “B” Flight 112 Squadron was ordered to prepare to move to Summit, an airfield south of Port Sudan on the Red Sea. This flight later became known as “K” Flight (more will be heard from them er on). The remainder of 112 Squadron was kept in Egypt for the defence of Cairo. The Blitz on France and the Low Countries brought another anticipated attack from the Italians On the 10th of June 1940 Mussolini declared war on the British Commonwealth. The Gladiator squadrons immediately started border patrols and were soon engaging enemy aircraft. On June 14, 33 Squadron made their first claims when Fly Off V.C. Woodward, in N5783, claimed a Fiat CR32 shot down and shared in the destruction of a Caproni Ca310 with Sgt Craig, N5768. Fly Off E.H. Bean, L9046, also claimed a CR32 shot down, The Gladiator pilots would make several more claims by the end on the month, In order to give 112 Squadron pilots combat experience, several were attached to 33 Squadron for short periods of time: Plt Off PR.W. Wickham was one, attached to the squadron during June. During a patrol over Capuzzo Je view of K7974, Com- pare the person in the cockpit to the actual size of the aireraft, Note the wheel covers bear the air- vial and are silver in colour to deflect some of the heat from the tyres. Alfred Thorne Plt Off De La Hayde sta- nds in front of Gladiator K7974, RT-D, The aireratt appears to be in standard Dark Earth/Dark Green camouflage with probably White/Black undersides. Alfred Thorne on the 29th three Gladiators from 33 Squadron encountered three CR32s Fly Off Woodward despatched two of them for no loss to the Gladiators, and n a later engagement Pit Off Wickham claimed a CR32 and an Ro37 west of Sidi Aziez. It was to be early July before 80 Squadron made its first claim. Fly Off A.A. Weller and Fly Off G-F. Graham shared in the destruction of an SM79 which was one of ten attacking Alexandria, On July 4 during an escort mission, six Gladiators from 33 Squadron encountered nine CR42s taking off from Monastir airfield. Diving down to attack Fly Off H.C. Worcester, a 112 Squadron pilot on attachment, shot down four of the Italian biplanes. A further three Fiats were shot down, as were another four out of five that attempted to take-off and join the fight. Worcester would lose his life a few weeks later when he crashed into a hill in bad visibility. After suffering such losses the Regia Aeronautica entered into a period of inactivity until replacement aircraft could be brought over from the Italian mainland. By August, 33 Squadron had started to re-equip with Hawker Hurricanes, While operating Gladiators the squadron had claimed an estimated 38 aircraft shot down and numerous others damaged ‘The name of Fit Lt Marmaduke Thomas St John ‘Pat’ Pattle now enters the scene. Pattle would later become the RAF’s top scoring pilot of the war with over 50 kills to his credit. Most of these would occur in Greece, and as all the squadron records were lost it is not known what Pattle’s exact score was. AS a matter of interest he was also the top scoring Hurricane pilot as ‘well, Patte claimed his first victories on August 4 1940, when he shot down, Breda Ba6S and a CR42 while flying Gladiator K7910 during a patrol over Bir Taieb el Evem. During this combat his Gladiator was hit in the controls and he was forced to bale out - he was eventually picked up by armoured cars from the 11th Hussars and returned to base. Of the four Gladiators that took part in the combat, three were shot down with the loss of one pilot, Sgt Rew, K7908, and the fourth returned to base in a badly damaged condition Gladiators over the Suez Canal. SHAA. Armourers at work, some- where at the desert. BB&RP coll. GLOSTER GLADIATOR 31 Another of 112 Squad- ron’s Gladiator’s under- going some outside main- tenance. The oil tank has been removed from the airframe. Alfred Thorne. 32 GLOSTER GLADIATOR with a wounded pilot on board. The other pilot, Fly Off Wykeham-Barnes, was also rescued by the 11th Hussars, ‘On the 8th it was decided to operate 14 Gladiators from 80 Squadron over the El Gobi area where large formations of Italian fighters had been operating, The plan was to lure the Italians into thinking there was only a small formation of Gladiators: to do this, three aircraft were to act as bait. Accordingly, three Gladiators were to fly at 8,000 feet, with three more at 10,000 feet. Four flew at 12,000 feet and the final four at 14,000 feet. All formations flew in a broad vic, which was the standard formation at this stage of the desert war The leader of the highest formation controlled the formation A mixed formation of CR42s and Ro37s were soon spotted at 6,000 feet, Leading the Gladiators into the sun he ordered the lower sub-formation to attack. As this, formation reached the Italian fighters the other sections were ordered down. Itwas a complete surprise and in no time at all 9 Italians were claimed shot down, with 6 more probables. Claims were submitted by Flt Lt Pattle, Fly Off Linnard, Fly Off Stuckey and Squadron Lar Dunn, for two each, one each for Plt Off Wykeham-Bames and Ft Lt Evers-Swindell. Probables were claimed by Plt Off Graham, Fly Off Dowding, Fly Off Flower-Wanklyn, Fly Off Stuckey, Fly Off Sykes and Fly Off Cholmely. Two Gladiators were lost, Flt Sgt Vaughan, K7903, and Flt Lt Evers-Swindel, although the 11th Hussars picked up the latter. One of these aircraft was claimed by Sergg Lido Poli. His Fiat was badly shot up and he suffered severe wounds to his arm. Pilots of 3 Squadrons looking for bits off shot down Fiat Cr42. 29 Novem- ber 1940. Right An ‘erk’ looks on as the pilot climbs in, another fitter probably having just exited from the port after starting the engine., The awkward shape of the seat {ype parachute is evident. both photos BR&RP coll. Sqn Lar Patrick Hunter Dunn of Glasgow, awarded the D.R.C. for operations in the Western Desert. Note the unusual rear view mirror, as well as the worn, _condition of the airframe and the Sqn Lar's pen- IWM neg. no. CM.42 GLOSTER GLADIATOR 33 DBAS He stayed in the fight and brought down the Gladiator before he had to land himself due to his injuries. He was picked up by British troops and he had to have his arm amputated. j| When the Italian Authorities heard of this he was awarded the Lali Gold Medal for Military Valour. The Italians admitted the loss of 7 aireraft and claimed 5 Gladiators in return, ‘The next few weeks were pretty guiet, with only the odd encounter with Italian airoraft, By this ime 112 Squadron had moved closer to the Re-arming the Browning front lines, with the defence of the Suez Canal now lying in the hands of the wing machine guns some- Egyptian Air Force. At the end of August, 3 Squadron, Royal Australian Air where in Africa. Force (RAAF) arrived in Egypt. The squadron was sent to provide support BB&RP coll. for the 6th Australian Division at present fighting in Africa, Initially it was an Army Co-operation Squadron and was equipped with Lysanders. Later it was reorganised into three flights, two with Gladiators and one with Lysanders, The Lysanders with quickly withdrawn and four Gauntlets were «given to the squadron to be used as dive-bombers. early November, 80 Squadron made preparations for a move to heir place at the front was taken over by 3 Squadron RAAF who had just become operational. The squadron’ first taste of action came on the 19th November when Fit Lt Pelly, N5753, was ordered to undertake a reconnaissance of enemy positions in the Sofai-Rabia-Bir Enba area. He was escorted by a further three RAAF Squadron aircraft flown by Squadron Lar Heath, N5750, Fly Off Rawlinson, L904 and Fly Off Boyd, N5752. A total of twelve CR42s were encountered and a wild dogfight followed. Boyd claimed three of the Italian biplanes shot down, one probably destroyed and a further two damaged. Pelly claimed one shot down and another damaged, while Rawlinson put in a claim for a probable. Squadron Lar Heath was shot down and killed during this combat. Pelly also claimed that during the hectic action he was shot at by his own side. The next day 112 Squadron put in claims for eight CR42s shot down. These were the last claims to be made by 112 Squadron in North Africa, as their next action would be fought in Greece. 3 Squadron RAAF continued to score against the Italians. The Gauntlets commenced operations on the 9th by dive-bombing enemy vehicles to the north-west of Sofafi, On the 10th December, Flt Lt Gaden shot down an Ro37 and in the afternoon three CR42s were claimed by Squadron Lar McLaughlan, FitLt Steege and Flt Lt Gatward. A further three Fiats were shot down on the 12th by Fly Off Arthur, N5752/G, Boyd and Rawlinson, 34 GLOSTER GLADIATOR ‘The next day was a black one for the squadron, During an encounter with CR42s four of the Australians were shot down and two more damaged: Flt Lt Gaden was killed and Fly Off Winton was wounded. In return, two Fiats were claimed by Arthur. The rest of December continued with numerous patrols and further claims were made. January brought with it rumours that the Gladiators would be replaced with Hurricanes. Until then the patrols continued. On January 22nd Rawlinson and Arthur shot up two schooners in Sollum Bay, and the final claims made with Gladiators were on the 25th January when Fly Off Tumbull damaged three Fiat G50s over Mechili- Segnali. Rawlinson also claimed two of the monoplanes damaged, ‘This was the end in North Africa for the Gladiator, and it was replaced in the main by the Hawker Hurricane, By now the aircraft was worn out and totally outclassed by the opposition. Most of the surviving aircraft were handed over to second line outfits, such as training units, Met Flights or other air forces, such as those of Egypt and Iraq. RAF Gladiators over Jeru- salem, 1939. BB&RP coll, GLOSTER GLADIATOR 35 Gladiator Pilot Sqn Lar Pattle’s theoretical method of tackling the Ktalian Savoia-Marchetti $79 bombers: First aim to Knock out one of the engines to slow the bom- her down in order to let the Gladiator keep up with it. Then aim atthe fuel tank site died between the wing engine cand fuselage. This would then release fuel vapour which would hopefully be ignited by ‘racer rounds 36 GLOSTER GLADIATOR Greece and Crete nen Mussolini’s forces attacked Greece in October of 1940, Air W Chief Marshall Longmore found himself in a dilemma. Although he expected the Greeks to hold off the Italians, he made plans to send three RAF bomber squadrons and one squadron of fighters to aid the Greeks. The fighter squadron chosen was 80 Squadron, and in November the squadron moyed from North Africa to Greece, arriving at Eleusis on the 17th November. Two days later they were in action against several formations of Italian aircraft over the Greek-Albanian border. Fit Lt Pattle claimed two CR42s shot down, Fly Off Graham also claimed two and further claims were made by other pilots. The Italians claimed one Gladiator shot down for the loss of three CR42s and one G50. The squadron was in constant action and the claims made by the pilots soon mounted. On the 28th Sgt Gregory claimed three CR42s and Fit Lt Jones (in N5816) claimed two. A total of twelve of the Fiats were claimed -against actual losses of three CR42s lost and two damaged. The Italians put in claims for four Gladiators shot down and one damaged - actual RAF losses were one Gladiator shot down and four damaged, Fit Lt Pattle had several successes during December: on the 2nd he shot down two Ro37s, while on the 4th he claimed four CR42s shot down and two more as probables. The 20th saw him shoot down one SM79 and one SMB1. The next day, over Tepelene-Kelcyre area, he despatched one CR42 and probably shot down a Fiat BR20. Pit Off Vale’s score was also mounting as was that of Fly Off Cullen and Sgt Casbolt. January saw continued action by the Gladiator pilots. On the 28th they were patrolling an area between Kelcyre and Premet when they came across a formation of Cant Z1007bis and Fiat BR20 bombers. Two of the Cants, were claimed shot down and one of the BR20s was claimed as probably shot down. Actual Italian losses were one Cant, Further Gladiators reached Greece at the end of January, in the shape of 112 Squadron. The squadron undertook its first patrol on Ist February by flying an “offensive patrol” over Athens, and further patrols were carried out but little was seen of the enemy. Bad weather set in and for over a week it rained constantly, By the 20th the weather cleared enough for 80 and 112 Squadrons to resume operations. Both squadrons were ordered to support the Greek army in its attack on Tepelene: Fit Lt Schwab (112 Squadron) shot down a Fiat G50 in the morning, while later in the day the squadron came across a formation of G50s and in the ensuing melee five of the G50s were damaged. 80 Squadron claimed one CR42 and one G50 and probably destroyed two more G50s. Further reinforcements reached Greece in the shape of Hawker Hur- ricanes, and pilots from both Gladiator squadrons went to Athens to flight test these aircraft, some of which were issued to each squadron. Another fighter squadron also arrived during February: this was 33 Squadron, equipped with Hurricanes. ‘The 28th of February saw the largest air battle yet seen over Greece. It was also a day of controversy over the number of claims made, During the afternoon a large formation of Gladiators (8 from 80 Squadron and 11 from 112 Squadron) and Hurricanes (5 from 80 Squadron and 4 from 112 Squadron) took off for an offensive patrol over the Tepelene-Duketi area. A formation of escorted BR20s was soon encountered and attacked by the Hurricanes, Pattle (in one of the Hurricanes) claimed two of the bombers and other Hurricane pilots claimed two more. At this point the escort intervened and during the ensuing combat Pattle was able to shoot down two of the CR42s and probably shot down a third. Other formations of Italian bombers were met and the Hurricanes again attacked. The Gladiators also attacked and Wing Commander Cootes, commander of the Western Wing, shot down a CR42, Further claims by the Gladiators amounted to three CR42s and two G50s. ‘The pilots of 112 Squadron attacked another formation. Flt Lt Fraser claimed a CR42, whose pilot’s parachute failed to open, and a G50, which crashed into a mountain - Flt Lt Fry also claimed one each of the fighters. Total claims by 112 Squadron were six G50s and six CR42s shot down with several more damaged. When the claims of 80 Squadron were added it came to 26 shot down and 9 probables - All this for the loss of one 112 Squadron Gladiator. The Italians claimed two Gladiators shot down and three probables. The Italians have always denied suffering such heavy losses, but have never confirmed the exact figure lost in this battle, March saw 80 Squadron completely re-equipped with Hurricanes. This left only 112 Squadron and the Greek 21 Mira flying Gladiators. Most of 80 Squadron’s aircraft went to the Greeks. Intense operations continued throughout March, with a large air battle taking place on 13th, Squadron Lar Browin led 14 of the Gladiators over Tepelene. Here they met seven SM79s with an escort of G50s and CR42s, Diving down to attack, Squadron Ldr Brown got on the tail of one G50 and shot it down, Fit Lt Fraser attacked Gladiator Mk I with tropi- cal equipment. Note tropical filter (1). GLOSTER GLADIATOR 37 RAF Gloster Gladiator in Libya. The soldiers are Germans (one wearing the unpopular pith helmet). ‘This is K7963 which had -ved with 73, 72, 112 and 3 (RAAF) Squadrons, ending up with 1411 flight of Heliopolis where it was abandoned during the British retreat Heinz Foerster a CR42, which burst into flames and crashed near Buzi, He then attacked another, which dived vertically into the ground at Corovode. He then went after a third, which again burst into flame and crashed. Fly Off Cochrane also claimed three of the Fiats shot down, Other pilots who claimed that day were: Fly Off Brown, a CR42; Plt Off Groves, two CR42s; and Plt Off Brunton, one CR42, The Italians were by now bombing the RAF and Greek airfields in an attempt to destroy the RAF and Greek aircraft on the ground. April saw the Germans launch their long awaited invasion of the Balkans. Luftwaffe aireralt now appeared over the airfields of Greece. The Gladiators ‘were by now flying almost continuously over the front lines. As the Germans penetrated deep into Albania and Greece all RAF aircraft were ordered back to Athens, Raids on airfields now escalated and most of the Greek Air Force was destroyed at Paramythia. Several RAF aircraft were also destroyed. The end was in sight and orders came through to evacuate personnel to Crete, 112 Squadron was the first to be evacuated to Crete and from here they continued operations, before most of the squadron were sent to Egypt However ‘B’ Flight and six Gladiators remained behind as part of the defence of Crete. Only some of the squadron's records have survived from s period: they state that on the 14th May Plt Off Bowker claimed one Bf110 shot down and another damaged, The next day Flt Lt Fry and Plt Off ‘Westerna each claimed one BI110 shot down, When the Germans invaded Crete a large part of the squadron personnel were captured. iLOSTER GLADIATOR East Africa of obsolete aircraft, although they were considered adequate for use against the Italians, From South Africa I and 3 Squadron South African Air Force (I and 3 SAF) came equipped with a variety of aircraft: Hawker Furies, Hurricanes and Gladiators. | SAF was to be the main user of the Gladiator: serial numbers N5788, N5813, N5815, N5820, N5824, N5830, N5831, N5850-N5853, and NS856 were initially received, with

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