ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 136983
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| Date: | Sunday 19 May 1940 |
| Time: | 17:10 |
| Type: |  Hawker Hurricane Mk I |
| Owner/operator: | 85 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | P2547 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | 2 miles SW of Lille -
 France
|
| Phase: | Combat |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Lille / Seclin |
On Sunday 19 May, at approximately 10:00 hrs, Patrick was out on the aerodrome when he noticed three Hurricanes above duelling with several enemy aircraft. Not one to miss the fight, Patrick raced to his aircraft and took off to join the action. He managed to shoot a Messerschmitt Bf 109 down in flames, five miles east of Seclin, after a single burst of just two seconds. Patrick then climbed to 5,000 feet and then latched on to a second Bf 109 which he attacked with several short bursts from 100 yards range. The 109 dived to the ground trailing black smoke. Two enemy fighters then opened fire on Patrick from the behind and forced him to break away from the action. Patrick’s ammunition boxes were empty so there was nothing more he could to but evade their attacks before landing safely back on his aerodrome.
Later in the day Patrick was back in the hostile air, this time leading Blue Section on patrol between Seclin and Lille/Marcq. At about 15:50 hrs Patrick caught sight of a single Bf 109 travelling east. Suspecting a trap, Patrick ordered his section to cover him while he delivered a stern attack on the enemy fighter from 100 yards. He fired one burst lasting two seconds which subsequently caused the 109 to dive steeply, emitting smoke. Patrick watched the enemy aircraft crash-land in a field five miles west of Tournai. The engagement was witnessed by Pilot Officer Shrewsbury, who joined up with Patrick after the encounter to continue their patrol.
Soon enough Patrick picked out another enemy aircraft while patrolling Lille to Seclin at 8,000 feet. It was a Dornier Do 17 which was flying slowly east at the same height as Patrick. Once again Patrick covered his back by suspected a possible trap, so this time he climbed into the sun to get behind the unsuspecting bomber. It was an intelligent move because in this new position (at about 10,000 feet) Patrick saw seven Bf 109s nearby at his own height. He attacked the enemy fighters head-on, firing continuously from 600 yards until they passed by underneath his aircraft. Patrick noticed the leading 109 pouring smoke as it dived away. He then turned his Hurricane as quickly as he was able for another pass at the fighters but suddenly a cannon-shell hit his engine, which burst into flames. Patrick baled out of his aircraft (Hurricane P2547) as fast as he could and took to his parachute. He landed safely two miles south-west of Lille, despite being shot at twice by French soldiers on the way down. Shut down by Ofw. Walter Leyerer: 1 2./JG 77
Crew:
P/O (40452) Patrick Philip WOODS-SCAWEN DFC (pilot) RAF - baled out Ok
Sources:
Tony Wood Claim list
http://intotheswarm.blogspot.com/
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 29-Jun-2011 04:28 | ThW | Added |
| 06-Jan-2012 07:17 | Nepa | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Operator, Narrative] |
| 09-Aug-2013 01:02 | JINX | Updated [Operator, Narrative] |
| 12-Feb-2015 15:02 | Giggs | Updated [Operator, Source] |
| 07-Jun-2015 09:19 | Angel dot comma | Updated [Location, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
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