As I understand it, the recognised ‘top scoring’ RAF ace of WWII is Johnnie Johnson with some 38 confirmed kills;
However it has long been recognised that “Pat” Pattle almost certainly had achieved a higher score with some 40+ kills, recently I have seen on the net that Pattle’s score has been confirmed as some 50+ (possibly 60);
Can anyone confirm this?
PZULBA – Out of Africa (Retired)
By: ajdawson - 2nd March 2012 at 18:16
There’s also a later, hardback reprint of E.C.R. Baker’s ‘Ace of Aces’:
Baker, E.C.R. Ace of Aces. Crecy Publishing, 1993. ISBN 094755436X, ISBN-13 978-0947554361.
Andy
By: D1566 - 29th February 2012 at 14:45
Some (not very conclusive) info from wikipedia:
Recent research of his 50 claims has shown that at least 27 can be directly linked to specific Italian and German losses, while only six claims discounted as no Axis losses are recorded.[17] This suggests Pattle’s true total could be at least 27–44 kills, making him the highest scoring RAF biplane ace, one of the top Hurricane pilots of the conflict, and possibly the top RAF ace of the war. [N 5] Even while suffering from high fever, he scored nine air kills in his last four days.
By: Lion Rock - 29th February 2012 at 13:46
Pattle biography:
Baker, E.C.R. Ace of Aces. London: New English Library, 1965. ISBN 1-87480-048-0.
By: wilhelm - 29th February 2012 at 13:12
Another interesting thing about Pattle is the rapid timeline at which he scored his victories. He was flying in a theatre where his side was comprehensively outnumbered though, and was probably a contribution to his demise. (exhaustion/illness)
On some of the figures, the Chris Shores and Clive Williams definitive study Aces High, which really digs into the matter, credits Pattle with 50 and 3 shared destroyed, and 7 and 1 shared probable. So perhaps the higher totals are not completely beyond the realms of possibility either.
Another interesting link below:
By: wilhelm - 29th February 2012 at 12:58
But its is generally acknowledged that he was probably the leading British and Commonwealth ace in WW2. Haven’t followed the argument to how many he “possibly” or “probably” achieved, but until the official records were lost, he had 34 confirmed kills, and many probables. Between that official last score, and his death, he definitely scored a host of other kills, as witnessed by fellow airmen and Axis losses. How many, we’ll probably never know, but it most likely took him to 40 and over, as is generally acknowledged. Perhaps he could have been approaching or around 50, but I think 60 is a bit of a reach….
He was also noted as having been lax on claiming some victories, and letting his comrades take credit. Roald Dahl had an extremely high opinion of him, as did Air Marshal Sir Peter Wykeham.
Can anybody recommend a good read on Pat Pattle btw?
By: D1566 - 29th February 2012 at 12:19
Can anyone confirm this?
In a word, No.
Apparently the RAF records of the time were lost / incomplete etc and Pattle, especially towards the end, may not have been filing combat reports.
The book on Bill ‘Cherry’ Vale, who was the #2 Gladiator ‘ace’, serving with Pattle, compares some of the claims made at the time with German & Italian records and notes the discrepancies.
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February 29, 2012 at 12:05 pm