S/L Eric Norman "Timber" Woods DFC & Bar of 249 Sqd

[Trevor Matthews]

Seeking information on the above pilot & any information on his claims for enemy aircraft. Any details as to the units & pilots shot down by Woods, whilst serving with 249 Squadron.

Shot down 23/3/42 FW190, 8/5/42 Bf109, 5/6/42 Bf109

Damaged 13/3/42 Fw190, 28/4/42 Fw190, 17/5/42 Fw190.

Any information of help

Many thanks in advance

Trevor

[RossGmann]

The following link, which you probably have,
http://www.acesofww2.com/Canada/aces/woods.htm
gives some information.

Kind regards
Ross

[John Beaman]

The 17-May-42 damage possibly

Fw 190A-1, 10032, n.n., 4.JG 26, weiße8 + -, 17-May-42, Notlandung after Luftkampf with Spitfires., Kanal, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #6)-Vol. 9; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, VII, p.377; , Le Focke Wulf 190, p.44-5, photos.,Fl.Pl. Abbeville-Drucat, 15%



The 109 on 5-June-42, possibly

Bf 109F-4, 8338, Herke, Uffz. Fritz, 1.JG 2weiße8 +, 05-Jun-42, KIA due to Luftkampf with enemy fighters., Kanal, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #6)-Vol.9; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, VII, p.239; Ring, JG 2 loss list, p.7, bei Abbeville-Drucat,100%

[Jan Gazda]

Hi,

most of his claims while with 249 Sq. are described in Malta: The Spitfire year 1942 by Shores et al. and /or in Brian Cull´s 249 at War (both highly recomended)

Jan

[Dogsbody]

Timely post (well, for me at least). Earlier this week while talking planes with a work colleague I find out that his uncle is/was Eric Norman Woods. Since then I've been scouring the internet for more info on his uncle. I've decided to build him a Spit in his uncle's colors but I haven't decided on which squadron to replicate. Anyone out there have any color plates or reference material they might point me at as a guide? I've heard that Timber might've collided with another pilot in his squadron on their way back to base - nothing definitive though.

And yes, I'm a huge, huge fan of Douglas Bader.

Thanks.

PS. Last weekend, I saw a Spit with invasion markings flanked by two P47s (Colorado Springs, CO)

[Fairlop]

Hi,

Just in these days my new article about one machine of the 124 Sqn is going to customers in new Revi magazine issue. There is also a mention about (then) P/O Woods, and picture of A Flight in March, where he served, too. He is 4th from right.

Regards,
Michal

[Dogsbody]

Michal,
Wow! Thats a photo Steven (Eric's nephew) doesn't have! Many thanks! I've copy of an unpublished manuscript from the 40s that Steven gave me today. It's 20 pages long (single sided) in narrative form with some 1st person anecdotes and a few notes from his log book. It's a great read and offers a bit more insight into the man. If Steven gives me permission, I'd publish it here if you guys would like.

Regards, Mark

[BruceMk11]

Hi Michal,

Do you have the names of the other pilots in this photo?

Cheers,

Bruce

[Fairlop]

Hi Bruce,

The picture held by IWM was made in spring 1942, at Biggin Hill. My research pinpoints the period as second week of March. They are in front of S/L Duke-Woolley´s personal mount, from L to R: Aussie Sgt Johnson, Czechs Sgt Kothera and F/O Bachurek, British P/O Reid, F/L Balmforth and P/O Woods, unknown Biggin Hill base officer, British Sgt Hull and Norwegian Lt. Ullestad.
Michal

[BruceMk11]

Thanks Michal; thought there would be an Aussie in the pic!

Bruce