William Vale
 

Hello there,

has it ever been clarified how many pilots took part in the shared Do 17 kill of William Vale on 20Apr41 ?

Michael

Re: William Vale
 

The excellent Biography of Bill Vale "Gladiator Ace" by Brian Cull (pp 121) notes this action occurring on 21st April 1941 and has Vale (flying Hurricane V.7314) sharing this Do.17 with his unnamed number 2.
The Dornier was from Stab/St.G.2 (T6+GA) flown by Oblt.Josef Engler, he and 2 injured crew being taken prisoner
Bruce Lander

Re: William Vale
 

I have Engeler as an Ofw?

Re: William Vale
 

Hello Bruce,

thanks for the info.
Can you tell me the decimal of his shared kill on 15Jul40 ?

Michael

Re: William Vale
 

According to Brian Cull's "Gladiator Ace", Vale shared an SM.79 with F/O Harry Starrett on 15 July 40 near Mersa Matruh at about 16:30. Strangely this claim is not found in Shores, et al. "Mediterranean Air War, Vol. One."
The latter book does list a claim by 33 Sqn. for an S.79 on 18 July. However this was supposed to have been at night and there is no pilot named.

Tom

Re: William Vale
 

Cool, this gives Vale a total score of 31,5 [31+3] and thus, the third rank in the Commonwealth WW2 ace list after Pattle (provionally) and Johnson.

Michael

Re: William Vale
 

Hi Michael

I can let you have a signed copy of GLADIATOR ACE for £5.00 plus postage.
Just in time for Christmas!

Cheers
Brian

Re: William Vale
 

Hello Brian,

GLADIATOR ACE has arrived in Brandenburg. Looks appealing, I will enjoy reading very much.

Have a nice weekend,

Michael

Re: William Vale
 

...GLADIATOR ACE by Brian Cull mentions a half-share for William Vale on 27Apr1941. But this doesn't fit to his total score of 30+3sh. Can anybody solve this matter ?

Michael

Re: William Vale
 

Andrew Thomas in "Hurricane Aces 1941-45" (2003) indicates a score 30+3sh for him.