Biplane fighter aces

The Commonwealth

Air Marshal Sir Edward 'Tap' Gordon Jones KCB CB CBE OBE DSO DFC, Greek DFC, RAF no. 37357

31 August 1914 – 20 February 2007


'Tap' Jones (middle) in late 1940.

Edward 'Tap' Gordon Jones was born on 31 August 1914 in Lancashire and was brought up in Widnes, near Liverpool.

After school he entered Liverpool University to study Medicine before deciding to pursue veterinary science. Although he loved shooting, gun dogs and the outdoor life he had no real interest in being a vet, his sole ambition being to fly with the RAF. He neglected his studies, concentrating on rugby and courting his future wife, a fellow student. Eventually, his powerful mother gave up and let him join the RAF.

He joined the RAF in 1935, and in 1937 was serving as Pilot Officer in 17 Squadron's 'B' Flight on Gauntlets, from which 80 Squadron was formed in March of that year; he became the unit's first adjutant in May.

He was married in 1938 to Margery Hatfield.

He was promoted Flying Officer and went with the squadron to the Middle East in April 1938, becoming a flight commander in March 1940.

On 28 June 1940, after the Italian entry into the war, he took command of the flight formed in the squadron with the first Hurricanes.

He became temporary commanding officer on 19 August 1940 after Squadron Leader Patrick Dunn left to form 274 Squadron. After the arrival of the new CO, Squadron Leader William Hickey, on 27 August, he was to lead a flight of Gladiators to Greece on 18 November.

On 27 November Squadron Leader William Hickey led nine Gladiators from 80 Squadron off from Trikkala to patrol to the north of Yanina. Here they spotted a trio of S.79s escorted by some dozen l50o Gruppo CR.42s, led by Capitano Nicola Magaldi, commander of the 364a Squadriglia. The British pilots attacked at once. Flight Lieutenant Jones (Gladiator II N5816) and Sergeant Donald Gregory (Gladiator II N5776), each claiming one Fiat shot down.
Magaldi was killed in this combat and Sergente Giovanni Negri returned to base unhurt, but with his aircraft very badly shot-up.

On 28 November 1940, six Gladiators from 80 Squadron's 'A' Flight flew a fighter mission led by Flight Lieutenant Jones. Over Delvinakion they reported meeting 20 CR.42s. This was in fact ten aircraft of 150o Gruppo C.T. led by Capitano Giorgio Graffer, CO of the 365a Squadriglia.
In the ensuing dogfight Flying Officer H. U. Sykes (Gladiator N5812) and Sergente Corrado Mignani collided, both pilots being killed. Flight Lieutenant Jones, after claiming two CR.42s shot down off the tails of fellow pilots, had Gladiator N5816 badly shot-up, his instrument panel smashed, and a bullet wound in his neck. He was escorted back to Yanina by Sergeant Donald Gregory, where he managed to land safely. Sergeant Gregory claimed three destroyed CR.42s in this combat. Flying Officer Wanklyn Flower was also shot-up in N5854, but believed he had shot down one CR.42 first. Gladiators N5788 flown by Flying Officer W. B. Price-Owen and N5786 flown by Flying Officer F. W. Hosken were also damaged, but both pilots also claimed one probable CR.42 each.
Apart from Mignani, two more CR.42s were actually lost, Graffer - one of the most successful Italian fighter pilots of the war thus, with five victories credited to him - being killed, while Sergente Achille Pacini baled out. Maresciallo Guglielmo Bacci's and Sergente Bruno Zotti’s CR.42s were damaged and both pilots were wounded but managed to return to base. Four Gladiators and one probable were claimed shot down.

He returned to operations on 21 December and on 27th became commanding officer.

On 28 February HQ 'W' Wing ordered that all available aircraft should patrol between Tepelene and the coast between 15.30 and 16.30, since Intelligence sources indicated the operation of large numbers of Italian aircraft in that area at that time. Hence during the morning all available Gladiators of 80 and 1l2 Squadrons were flown up to Paramythia in preparation for this action. Patrols were flown during the morning by flights of Hurricanes but nothing was seen.
At about 15:00 Squadron Leader H. L. I. Brown and Squadron Leader Jones led of eleven Gladiators of l12 Squadron and seven of 80 Squadron to patrol over the designated area; they were accompanied by the 'W' Wing leader, Wing Commander ’Paddy’ Coote, flying an 80 Squadron Gladiator. Fifteen minutes later Flight Lieutenant 'Pat' Pattle in Hurricane V7589 led Flying Officer Nigel Cullen (V7138), Flying Officer Wanklyn Flower (V6749) and Flying Officer Richard Acworth (V7288) to the same area, while Flight Lieutenant Young led four 33 Squadron Hurricanes to patrol near the coast. Here some S.79s were seen and chased over Corfu, two being claimed damaged, one of them by Pilot Officer D. S. F. Winsland (Winsland was later during the war shot down by Bernardino Serafini). These were probably 105o Gruppo B.T. aircraft, which reported being attacked by Spitfires, one Savoia landing at Tirana with one member of the crew dead.
Meanwhile Pattle’s section spotted BR.20s of 37o Stormo B.T. flying south from Valona; they identified the ten-strong formation as comprising 15 aircraft, while the bomber crews reported being attacked by 18 ‘Spitfires'! Pattle selected one on the starboard flank of the formation, and after three short bursts it broke into flames and went down; a second bomber likewise burst into flames following a further attack by Pattle, and his windscreen was covered in oil from this doomed aircraft. Reducing speed, Pattle attempted to clean the screen with his scarf, but he was then attacked by five G.50bis which dived on him. After a brief skirmish he managed to get away and returned to Paramythia. Both Flower and Acworth also claimed BR.20s. although the latter thought his victim may have been a Z.1007bis. Flying Officer Cullen reported considerable success in the run of claims which was to bring him the award of an immediate DFC. He later recalled:

“The battle extended right across Albania. First I found four Breda 20s (sic). I got one, which went down in flames Then we found three formations of S.79s. I took on one and aimed at the starboard engine. It caught fire, and crashed in flames. I climbed and dived on the next - and he too crashed in flames. Then we attacked ten CR.42s, climbing to get above them. I got behind one, and he caught fire and went down in flames. Up again immediately, dived, fired into the cockpit, and another took fire, rolled over and crashed. I had to come home then - no more ammo.”
Three BR.20s were in fact shot down during this combat and a fourth force-landed near Otranto; others returned with wounded crewmembers aboard, plus one dead.
By now the Gladiators had joined the fighting, as had CR.42s of 160o Gruppo and G.50bis of 24o Gruppo. A single Hurricane of 33 Squadron arrived late on the scene. Flying Officer Newton having scrambled from Paramythia when news of the heavy fighting came through. On arrival over the battle area he promptly attacked a CR.42, only to find that it was an 80 Squadron Gladiator! A 112 Squadron Gladiator then got on his tail, obviously taking the Hurricane for a G.50bis, and inflicted damage on his aircraft, chasing him back towards Paramythia. A few of the Gladiators made contact with the bombers, Pilot Officer William Vale claiming an S.79 shot down, whilst Flying Officer Edwin Banks and Pilot Officer R. H. McDonald of 112 Squadron each claimed damage to a BR.20. The Gladiators’ main claims were for nine CR.42s and two probables, plus six G.50bis and three probables after that the rest of the Gladiators made contract with the Italian fighters. 80 Squadron made following claims – Squadron Leader Jones (2 CR.42s), Wing Commander Coote (1 CR.42), Warrant Officer Richens (1 CR.42), Pilot Officer Vale (1 S.79 and 1 G.50bis), Flight Lieutenant Kettlewell (1 probable CR.42 and 1 probable G.50bis), Pilot Officer Trollip (1 probable CR.42) and Flying Officer Dowding (1 probable G.50bis). 112 Squadron also made a number of claims – Squadron Leader Brown (1 G.50bis), Flight Lieutenant Fraser (1 CR.42 and 1 G.50bis), Flight Lieutenant Fry (1 CR.42 and 1 G.50bis), Flight Lieutenant Abrahams (1 G.50bis), Flying Officer Cochrane (1 CR.42), Flying Officer Banks (1 and 1 damaged CR.42 and 1 damaged BR.20), Pilot Officer Jack Groves (1 CR.42), Sergeant Donaldson (1 and 1 probable G.50bis), Flying Officer Smith (1 damaged CR.42) and Pilot Officer McDonald (1 damaged BR.20).
Squadron Leader Brown recorded that the G.50bis he attacked turned sharply to starboard on its back and fell away in an inverted spin; he thought he had hit the pilot. Flight Lieutenant Fraser claimed that his victim flew into a mountainside, while the pilot of the CR.42 he claimed baled out, but his parachute failed to open; Sergeant Donaldson’s victim was seen to crash on the seashore. Flight Lieutenant Abrahams, after his victory, was attacked by another G.50bis - believed to have been flown by Tenente Mario Bellagambi - and was shot down near Sarande. He recalled:
“The old Glad suddenly went all soft. Nothing would work. I sat there and then decided I had better get out. I couldn't, so I sat there with my hands on my lap, the aircraft spinning like mad. Then, eventually, I did manage to get out. It was so pleasant sitting there in the air than I damn nearly forgot to pull the ripcord. I reckon I did the record delayed drop for all Albania and Greece. I landed, and no sooner had I fallen sprawling on the ground than I was picked up by Greek soldiers who cheered and patted me on the back. I thought I was a hell of a hero until one soldier asked me. "Milano, Roma?" and I realized that they thought I was an Iti. They didn't realize it was possible for an Englishman to be shot down. So I said "Inglese", and then the party began. I was hoisted on their shoulders, and the "here the conquering hero comes" procession started. We wined and had fun. Jolly good chaps.”
Following his initial combats, Pattle had returned to Paramythia, landed, and taken off again ten minutes later in another Hurricane (V7724). Returning to the battle area, he spotted three CR.42s in formation, heading back towards Valona:
“I got behind them and put a long burst into all three. One went down vertically at once, but in case it was a trick I followed him. He was in difficulties, that was most obvious, and when it looked as if he was going straight into the sea I decided to go and see what the other two were up to. As I climbed again I was most surprised to see tow parachutes float down past me.”
On his return, Pattle claimed two destroyed, those from which he had seen the pilots come down by parachute, and one probable for that which he had followed down. Just before he got back to Paramythia for the second time at 17.40, Flying Officer Flower, who had returned an hour earlier, also took off for a second patrol over the area after his Hurricane had been refuelled and rearmed. There was nothing to be seen - the battle was over.
On the Italian side, the CR.42s of 160o Gruppo had been escorting four S.79s of 104o Gruppo in the Kuc area, between Tepelene and Himare, when British fighters identified as Spitfires, Hurricanes and Gladiators, were encountered. Two Gladiators were claimed shot down and one as a probable, a ‘Spitfire’ also being claimed. Sottotenente Raoul Francinetti of 394a Squadriglia was wounded in the leg, and Sottotenente Italo Traini of 394a Squadriglia was shot down and killed. Gunners in the S.79s also claimed two Gladiators shot down, as did the G.50bis pilots of the 24o Gruppo, the latter also claiming two more as probables. Tenente Bellagambi, following his combat with Flight Lieutenant Abrahams, was then shot down and wounded in one arm: he force-landed near Tirana airfield. Capitano Ettore Foschini's aircraft was also hit and he was wounded, also coming down at Tirana.
This day was recorded as RAF’s most successful during the Greek campaign. During the large engagements RAF made claims for 5 and 2 damaged BR.20s, 3 and 2 damaged S.79s, 13 destroyed, 3 probable and 1 damaged CR.42s and 6 and 3 probable G.50bis. In fact 4 BR.20s of 37o Stormo B.T. were lost with several damaged, 1 S.79 of 104o Gruppo was damaged, 2 CR.42s of 160o Gruppo and 2 G.50bis of 24o Gruppo were lost. Regia Aeronautica claimed 6 and 2 probable Gladiators and 1 ‘Spitfire’ while in fact only 1 Gladiator of 112 Squadron was lost.
Jones received an immediate DFC, and was also awarded a Greek DFC (gazetted on 25 December 1942) for his performance during the day.

After a spell of leave in Egypt, he returned at the end of March to the unit, now fully re-equipped with Hurricanes, just before the German invasion of 6 April. He acted briefly as Wing Commander at Eleusis before the British forces withdrew from Greece, rejoining the squadron in Crete until the end of the month.

On 29 April Squadron Leader Jones and Flying Officer Wanklyn Flower departed from Crete, leaving the small Malmeme detachment under Flying Officer William Vale’s command.

After the withdrawal from Greece, he served with 80 Squadron in Egypt, Palestine and Cyprus until September 1941 and was awarded a DSO.

On 6 September 1941, he left the command of 80 Squadron to Squadron Leader T. M. Morgan DFC.

Following a year with the Rhodesian Air Training Group, he returned to England to command the fighter airfield at Hawkinge, Kent. In July 1943 he was promoted to Group Captain and joined the staff preparing the tactical air plan for the invasion of Europe, responsible for co-ordinating fighter operations in No. 83 Group. The group's headquarters moved to France within days of the invasion to establish fighter strips and co-ordinate the close support operations of its Spitfire and Typhoon squadrons. As the land battle moved eastwards, Jones and his staff followed immediately behind. On his departure after 18 months he was appointed OBE.

In December 1944, Jones returned to operational flying, having been given command of No 121 Wing of four Typhoon squadrons at Vokel, Holland. During constant action against ground targets, the rocket-firing Typhoons became the scourge of enemy transport on roads, railways and canals. As the war in Europe ended, Jones left to join the disarmament staff.

Jones ended the war with 5 victories, all of them claimed while flying Gladiators over Greece.

He remained in the service, where he enjoyed an illustrious career. Uniquely, he never served in the Air Ministry or Ministry of Defence. After serving at the School of Land/Air Warfare he commanded a jet flying school before serving on operational duties at the HQ Second Tactical Air Force. He was attached to the HQ Air Task Force in charge of operations during the Suez crisis, and in 1957 he took command of RAF Wyton, the home of the RAF's strategic reconnaissance force.

On promotion to Air Commodore in January 1959, Jones was appointed AOC the Central Reconnaissance Establishment. He then became AOC, RAF Germany 1961-63, at a time when the Cuban missile crisis brought his squadrons to a high state of readiness. He was then Senior RAF Officer on the Directing Staff of the Imperial Defence College until 1966, when he became AOC, RAF Malta, and Deputy Commander in Chief (Air), Allied Forces, Mediterranean.
On promotion to Air Marshal in November 1966 he was appointed AOC-in-C Near East Air Forces and Administrator of the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus. From 1967 to 1969 he was Commander of British Forces, Near East. He retired in August 1969.

Jones was appointed CBE in 1956, CB in 1960 and KCB in 1967.

Jones passed on 20 February 2007.

Claims:
Kill no. Date Number Type Result Plane type Serial no. Locality Unit
  1940              
1 27/11/40 1 CR.42 (a) Destroyed Gladiator II N5816 N Yanina 80 Squadron
2 28/11/40 1 CR.42 (b) Destroyed Gladiator II N5816 Delvinakion 80 Squadron
3 28/11/40 1 CR.42 (b) Destroyed Gladiator II N5816 Delvinakion 80 Squadron
  1941              
4 28/02/41 1 CR.42 (c) Destroyed Gladiator II N5823 Valona front 80 Squadron
5 28/02/41 1 CR.42 (c) Destroyed Gladiator II N5823 Valona front 80 Squadron

Biplane victories: 5 destroyed.
TOTAL: 5 destroyed, plus possibly 1 more, of which no details have been found.
(a) 80 Squadron claimed two Fiat CR.42s. l50o Gruppo lost one when the CO Capitano Nicola Magaldi was killed. A second Fiat was damaged but the pilot Sergente Negri was unhurt.
(b) Claimed in combat with 150o Gruppo C.T. 80 Squadron claimed seven destroyed and two probables while 150o Gruppo lost three CR.42s and got two damaged. One of the lost pilots were the commander of 365a Squadriglia and ace Capitano Giorgio Graffer.
(c) During this large engagements RAF made claims for 5 and 2 damaged BR.20s, 3 and 2 damaged S.79s, 13 destroyed, 3 probable and 1 damaged CR.42s and 6 and 3 probable G.50bis. In fact 4 BR.20s of 37o Stormo B.T. were lost with several damaged, 1 S.79 of 104o Gruppo was damaged, 2 CR.42s of 160o Gruppo and 2 G.50bis of 24o Gruppo were lost. Regia Aeronautica claimed 6 and 2 probable Gladiators and 1 ‘Spitfire’ while in fact only 1 Gladiator of 112 Squadron was lost.

Sources:
Aces High - Christopher Shores, 1994 Grub Street, London
Aces High Volume 2 - Christopher Shores, 1999, Grub Street, London
Air war for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete - Christopher Shores, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia, 1987 Grub Street, London, ISBN 0-948817-07-0
Shark Squadron - The history of 112 Squadron 1917-1975 - Robin Brown, 1994 Crécy Books, ISBN 0-947554-33-5
Strike True - The Story of No. 80 Squadron Royal Air Force - Christopher Shores, 1986 Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, Tonbridge, ISBN 0-85130-126-6
Telegraph.co.uk
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The London Gazette
Additional information kindly provided by Clare Gordon Jones and Ludovico Slongo




Last modified 07 September 2009