W/C Derek Walker DFC

[Brian]

Hi guys

According the ACES HIGH, Derek Walker was credited with two Ju88s shot down over Alexandria during the night of 29/29 July 1941, whilst flying Hurricane Z4196 of 30 Squadron.

However, this is not recorded in A HISTORY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AIR WAR!

Any ideas?

Cheers
Brian

[Frank Olynyk]

Brian,
I mentioned this to Chris, and he gave me the following reply in an email:

Here is something for the 12 O'clock High buffs. I was concerned when you mentioned to me that Walker's apparent claims for 2 Ju 88s over Alexandria harbour at the end of July 1941 were not included in 'Med Air War Vol 1'. My first thought was to look in 'Aces High' and there he was, with a Hurricane I serial Z 4196. I checked on this first, and it was indeed a 30 Squadron aircraft. I then looked in the victory listings that you and I have researched and put together over the years - and he is not there for that date or claim. I then checked the original 'Aces High' of 1966, and the original 'Fighters over the Desert' - and no mention of this.

Next source to look in was the 30 Squadron history, 'Flat Out'. This makes no mention of him at this time
and is clear that 30 had just gone over to night fighting and did not get its first victory in this role until some days later - and not by Walker. So I turned next to 'the book' itself.
Now at that time the Wing which was controlling 30 Squadron had very few units and would certainly have mentioned such an important event. I also checked the Luftwaffe losses - at that time the only Ju 88 unit attacking the base areas was LG 1.Nearest losses 5 August. If there had been either German losses or reports at Wing or Group level of successes, I would certainly have been alerted at once and been looking for the claiming pilots and/or squadrons. But at the end of July it was "All Quiet on the Egyptian Front".

Now I was really concerned. I had obviously got the information I put in 'Aces High' from some source, but being circa 20 years ago, the ancient memory begins to let me down. But then a brainwave ! I keep a set of files of all the correspondence and other references with most of the pilots therein. Open the creaking filing cabinet and there is a file on D.R.Walker ! Inside are just two pieces of paper. One is a photocpy of the ever-valuable 'Record of Service' page from the back of his logbook. The other is a listing of claims with dates and serials which has obviously been recorded by someone who has been through his logbook. I recognise the writing (it is not mine) but cannot put a name to it. This may mean that the logbook, or a copy of it, is held by the RAF Museum or the Imperial War Museum. Certainly someone who was helping me at the time must have had access - and the same handwriting appears a number of times in these files. The other entries seem to be correct, but there is a faint ? in front of these July claims, although it does say 'confirmed'. Thats as far as I can go. Of one thing I'm afraid I am now convinced is that Derek Walker did not get two victories in one night in late July 1941. 'Aces High', although prepared in good faith, is wrong on this point. Not having seen the logbook personally I cannot guess how this error appears in it - but an error I fear it is. Thus I believe that the non-inclusion of these claims in 'Med Air War Vol 1', although by default, more correctly records the correct picture.

=================

So that should clear up that problem.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Andy_Ingham]

I'm not 100% sure but I think there is a copy of his log Book at the RAF Museum.
I have photographs of the pages relevant to 127 Squadron and the date they were taken corresponds with a visit to DORIS.
Regards
Andy

[Frank Olynyk]

Andy,
Thanks for that. So if someone going to the RAF Museum has a chance to check on the log book, I and Chris would very much appreciate a picture of the page from July 1941.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Brian]

Thanks Chris & Frank

Another mini mystery cleared up.

PS: I don't believe he claimed those 2 Bf110s damaged on 28 April 1941, either!

Cheers
Brian