227 Sqdn Beaufighter loss 21 May 1943

[Pat Atkins]

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