20 April 1941, over Eleusis bay.

[Evgeny Velichko]

Hi all, gents!

I am trying to find out a probable victor of Squadron Leader Marmaduke Pattle, who was shot down and killed by an Bf110 of II./ZG 26.

From this sourse:
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_pattle.htm

I found following:

3 Hurricanes attacked a formation of Do-17Z’s (escorted by Bf110’s) over Piraeus:

Flight Lieutenant William Woods leading;
Sergeant Charles Casbolt;
Flight Sergeant Pierre Wintersdorff (a Frenchman)

1. (losses in order that appear) Wintersdorff was attacked by a Bf110 and wounded in one leg; his Hurricane was hard hit and he baled out into the sea from where he was soon rescued.

2. Sergeant Charles Casbolt was attacked from astern by Bf110 and had his rudder shot away.

After refuelling and rearming, 5 Hurricanes tok off and tried to attack a formation of “Ju88” (with escort of Bf110’s) over Eleusis bay:

Squadron Leader Marmaduke Thomas Pattle (KiA)
Flying Officer Vernon Woodward
Flight Lieutenant William Woods (KiA)
Flight Lieutenant George Kettlewell (WiA)
Flight Sergeant Leonard Cottingham (WiA)

3. Flight Lieutenant William Woods’s Hurricane caught fire and dived into Eleusis bay, killing him.

4. Squadron Leader Marmaduke Thomas St John ‘Pat’ Pattle’s Hurracane Mk.I (AS988) was attacked by Bf110 and it quickly began to blaze – there was an explosion, and the wreckage fell into the sea.

5. Flight Lieutenant George Kettlewell was attacked by yet another Bf110, and was forced to bale out when V7807 was badly hit.

6. Flight Sergeant Leonard Cottingham was hit by Bf110 and wounded, baling out of his stricken aircraft.

Flying Officer Vernon Woodward returned his Hurriacne Mk.I unhurt.

So, there:

1 Hurricanes were shot down + 1 damaged by Bf110 ~ 17:00 over Piraeus;
4 Hurricanes were shot down by Bf110 ~ 17:00 (a bit later after above) over Eleusis bay.

That give us an amount of 5 a/c lost and 1 damaged.

It is known the detailes of II./ZG 26 claims? The time of each claim is critical important.

Any RAF researcher could clarify the details of this 33 Sqdn. + 80 Sqdn. losses? Aircraft numbers and codes will be much appreciated.