Boulton Paul Defiant
Introduced as a new tactical concept, the Boulton Paul Defiant was an innovative two-seat RAF fighter designed by concentrating all armament in a four-gun turret. It proved no match for the Luftwaffe’s more maneuverable, single-seat Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters during the Battle of Britain. It was quickly withdrawn from daylight operations and moved to a night-fighter role.
One of the few effective days with RAF Fighter Command
As told by Andy Saunders in his book RAF Fighters vs Ju 87 Stuka In the West 1940–41, on May 29, 1940, the Defiant I enjoyed one of its few effective days with RAF Fighter Command.
Following a late-morning mission against Bf 109s and Bf 110s near Calais, No. 264 Sqn had returned to RAF Manston to refuel and rearm before heading back over the Dunkirk evacuation beaches that evening.
Whilst on patrol near Dunkirk, its crews spotted several large formations of Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers approaching. With their escort engaged with Hurricanes, the Stukas spotted the Defiants and dived away.
No. 264 Sqn’s CO, Sqn Ldr Philip Hunter, did not attempt to follow them, instead leading his fighters down to low level so that the dive-bombers could be caught when they were at their most vulnerable as they pulled out of their dives. Picking their targets, the Defiant gunners poured fire into the Stukas from close range.
Many of the Ju 87s frantically jettisoned their remaining bombs and maneuvered wildly to escape, but Flt Lt Nicholas Cooke positioned his fighter beneath them so as to allow his air gunner, Cpl Albert Lippett, to pour fire into their vulnerable bellies, as he later described:
‘Two shot down in flames at 5000ft before they had commenced their dive. The remainder of Ju 87s caught at sea level in line astern. On being attacked from below and to one side, they released their bombs, but three Ju 87s were shot down in very quick succession as we flew up the line. All five Ju 87s were in flames and crashed into the sea or on the beach.’
37 enemy aircraft shot down
Of this incredible action, Cpl Albert Lippett wrote, ‘We shot at them and they went up in flames. Their main fuel tanks were between the pilot and the navigator [sic], and if they were hit, they just blew up’.
Lippett had claimed a Bf 109 and Bf 110 destroyed in the morning action. Having been credited with despatching five Ju 87s, he then claimed a share in the destruction of two Ju 88s shortly thereafter.
Despite the inevitable, and considerable, overclaiming in such a large and confused dogfight, May 29, 1940, was hailed by No. 264 Sqn as an outstanding day after the unit was officially credited with 37 enemy aircraft shot down. Cooke and
Lippert had little time to enjoy their successes, however, for on May 31 the team that had claimed 12 victories in a little over two weeks was posted missing over the Channel.
RAF Fighters vs Ju 87 Stuka In the West 1940–41 is published by Osprey Publishing and is available to order here.
Photo by Crown Copyright and B.J. Daventry, Royal Air Force official photographer
