227 Sqdn Beaufighter loss 21 May 1943
 

I'm looking for any information on the loss of 227 Sqdn Beaufighter MkVIc JL514 on 21st May 1943 near Melos in the Aegean.

In the early afternoon 3 Beaufighters of 227 Sqdn engaged a formation of 5 Ju52s with 5 Arados as escort, and a/c JL514 "R" (pilot 88676 F/Lt James Edward Atkins, observer 49108 F/O Robert Wellington) was seen to attack an Arado; nothing more was seen of this Beaufighter thereafter.

I have the 227 squadron ORBs for May 1943. James Atkins is buried in Phaleron Cemetery, Athens. I know he was born 1916, and got his private pilot's licence in 1936; he gave an address in Peckham, London at that time. Robert Wellington is commemorated on the Alamein War Memorial. There is a previous thread relating to this incident which cites return fire from the Ju52s as the reason for the loss.

I would be grateful for any further information about this action or about either man.

Cheers, Pat