[Paul Giva]

Nine other Spitfire of RAF No. 185 Squadron, led by Wing Commander John “Tommy” Thompson, also engaged the enemy aircraft. Thompson noted the following:

"I dived vertically on two 88s and attacked the starboard one. I opened fire with my cannons and machine guns at 200 yards closing to 50 yards, and saw cannon strikes which caused the enemy aircraft to burst into flames in the middle of the fuselage. Confirmed by ground observation from Luqa."

The author speculates that Thompson was responsible for the downing of Lt. Holst’s Ju 88 considering that the aircraft was reported shot down over the sea off of Malta and that this appeared consistent with Luftwaffe loss reports. The author adds that Holst’s aircraft may also be the one claimed by Flt. Lt. McLeod. (Note – The author identifies Holst’s Ju 88 as stammkennzeichen B3+AA).

Image Source: www.350sqn.be page of John Marlow Thompson