Adrian Warburton
Encyclopedia
Wing Commander
Adrian "Warby" Warburton DSO
& Bar
, DFC
& Two Bars
(10 March 1918 - 12 April 1944) was a Royal Air Force
(RAF) pilot
during World War II
. He became legendary in the RAF for his role in the defence of Malta
. His gallantry was recognised by the award of the Distinguished Service Order
and Bar, the Distinguished Flying Cross
and two Bars and an American Distinguished Flying Cross
.
His life and work has been depicted in the book Warburton's War by Tony Spooner and in the BBC Timewatch documentary The Mystery Of The Missing Ace. A fuller depiction of his life, The Maltese Spitfire, was written by Squadron Leader Harry Coldbeck DFC, with an introduction by Wing Commander P.B. (Laddie) Lucas CBE, DSO, DFC; both of whom knew Warburton extremely well.
, and christened on board a submarine in Grand Harbour
, Valetta, Malta.
He attended St Edward's School
in Oxford, where two other famous airmen, Guy Gibson
and Douglas Bader
, were also educated.
s on North Sea patrols. Warburton's criticism of the obsolete plane led to his commanding officer having him transferred to Malta as an observer, not a pilot. He joined 431 Flight, an RAF
detachment flying reconnaissance sorties over the Mediterranean in twin-engined Martin Maryland recon/light bombers. Within four days of arrival, he had his pilot status reinstated. The Station Commander was short-toured and removed from flying duties.
In the words of an RAF Spitfire pilot, Group Captain
Duncan Smith: "I never knew Warburton personally, but I was his escort on many a mission in those dark days of 1942/43. I remember a particular raid when I was assigned his escort
[he was flying a Maryland that raid], We took off and headed for the area that he was going to take pictures of. When we got there the target was covered in flak. "Warby" said, "Wait here, I'll be back" in a very calm voice. Some enemy fighters approached and started a dogfight with me. A few seconds later I heard, "Hurry up, I'm not going to wait for you all day". He didn't treat a Bomber like a Bomber; he treated all planes like Fighters!"
Fearless and unorthodox, (he seldom completed a Form 700 authorising flights), "Warby" participated in an increasing number of daring sortie
s. On 30 October 1940, Warburton and his two crewmen shot down an Italian Z.506B
seaplane. Three days later, they nearly fell victim to an attack by four Italian aircraft. Warburton was hit by a spent bullet which caused no serious injury, but did render him unconscious. Sergeant Frank Bastard took control and managed to keep the aircraft flying (for which he received the Distinguished Flying Medal
) until Warburton had recovered sufficiently.
He was soon back in the air, and on 10 November, 431 Flight spotted a major concentration of Italian battleships and cruisers in Taranto
, Admiral Cunningham
then deciding on an audacious night attack by Fleet Air Arm
Swordfish
. Warburton flew a reconnaissance mission on 11 November prior to the attack. Circling the harbour several times, when the cameras failed, Warburton flew so low, his observer was able to read off the names of the battleships as they flew past. Guided by this intelligence, the Fleet Air Arm launched its devastating attack
that night.
With 431 Flight now expanded into No. 69 Squadron RAF
in January 1941, Warburton steadily developed a reputation within the RAF as its leading reconnaissance pilot, locating numerous enemy convoys supplying the Axis forces in North Africa, providing vital information to the Allied anti-shipping forces in the Mediterranean interdicting Rommel's supplies. His superiors therefore turned a blind eye to many of "Warby"s eccentricities. On 14 April 1941, the Maryland was mistaken for a Ju 88
by a Hurricane flown by F/O Innes Westmacott, and Warburton had to force-land the damaged aircraft.
Although the Maryland's guns were for defence, he and his crew were frequently involved in air combat, claiming five air victories and three enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground or afloat on the water. He crashed twice, but each time walked away.
At the end of September 1941, Warburton and his crew were rested. In December 1941 Warburton, while on detachment in Egypt, managed to 'acquire' a Bristol Beaufighter
. Stripping the aircraft of all guns and armour, he equipped it with cameras and took the aeroplane back to Malta. He flew the plane for about a year until it was destroyed in a raid. His second tour finished in mid-March 1942 so he missed the intense battles over Malta in the Summer. He was not a pilot with any degree of support from AVM Park, the AOC.
in 1943. Now commanding 683 Squadron, he co-ordinated the photographic work with the local American forces, who were amazed at the much-decorated officer attired in dirty grey flannels, an oil-stained tunic and topped by a mop of long unkempt blond hair when he came out to greet them at Luqa airfield.He had just "returned from the dead" after being missing for three days. While photographing Bizerte his plane was disabled by flak. He struggled on to Bone and landed unhurt. After being kept under lock and key for two days suspected of being a German agent he was able to establish that he was British and was given a French plane to fly to Gibraltar. There he changed it for a Spitfire and flew back to Malta, picking up his cameras and film at Bone and shooting down a Ju88 on the way. When he landed at Malta his first remark was - allegedly- "Sorry I'm late".
In October 1943, Warburton was given command of a new photo-reconnaissance wing of four squadrons. However, following a car accident in late 1943, he was hospitalised for several weeks and subsequently returned to the UK.
One story of Warburton recounted by Squadron Leader Bill Olmsted DSO, DFC. Soon after the North African landing the "brass" wanted to know if the Bizerte airdrome was in our hands, as communications had broken down. From Malta, Warby took a twin-engine bomber, and when he arrived at the airdrome started landing with wheels and flaps down. He successfully escaped the heavy ground fire which greeted him. Returning to Malta he declared the airdrome was not yet secure. This story was confirmed by British commandos who were in the position to observe the attempt to land.
and Bar, the Distinguished Flying Cross
and two Bars, and an American Distinguished Flying Cross
. By this time he had flown nearly 400 operations and claimed 9 enemy aircraft destroyed.
On 1 April 1944, he was posted as the RAF Liaison Officer to the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, US 8th Army Air Force
, then based at RAF Mount Farm
in Oxfordshire.
Warburton was the pilot of one of two Lockheed F-5B photo-reconnaissance aircraft (a version of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter) that took off together from Mount Farm on the morning of 12 April 1944 to photograph targets in Germany. The aircraft separated approximately 100 miles north of Munich
to carry out their respective tasks; it was planned that they would meet and fly on to a USAAF airfield in Sardinia. He failed to arrive at the rendezvous point and was not seen again.
Years of speculation about his fate came to an end in 2002, when his remains were found in the cockpit of his plane, buried about two metres deep in a field near the Bavarian village of Egling an der Paar
, 34 miles west of Munich. According to witnesses, the plane fell there on 12 April 1944, around 11:45. One of the propellers had bullet holes in it, which suggests that Warburton had been shot down. Parts of the wreck can be seen today in the Malta Aviation Museum.
Only a few pieces of bone and the odd part of flying clothing were actually found. As Warburton was flying a USAAF plane with USAAF markings he was thought to be an American. Most of Warburton's body was removed from the P-38 and buried in a grave in the town of Kaufering's cemetery. The grave was marked "unknown American Airman" and was right next to a Halifax crew that were shot down and died on the night of September 6–7, 1943. When the area came under Allied control (particularly American), the graves were moved.
A memorial service was held on 14 May 2003, in the St Aegidius Parish church, Gmund am Tegernsee
, followed by burial at the Dürnbach Commonwealth War Cemetery. The ceremony was attended by his widow, Eileen (known as Betty) and by Jack Vowles, a former colleague who had served with "Warby" in Malta in the early 1940s.
, first broadcast in November 2003.
Marriage in 1939 was to Eileen Adelaide Mitchell
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
Adrian "Warby" Warburton DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
& Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
& Two Bars
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(10 March 1918 - 12 April 1944) was a Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He became legendary in the RAF for his role in the defence of Malta
Siege of Malta (1940)
The Siege of Malta was a military campaign in the Mediterranean Theatre of the Second World War. From 1940-1942, the fight for the control of the strategically important island of Malta pitted the air forces and navies of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany against the Royal Air Force and the Royal...
. His gallantry was recognised by the award of the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
and Bar, the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
and two Bars and an American Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
.
His life and work has been depicted in the book Warburton's War by Tony Spooner and in the BBC Timewatch documentary The Mystery Of The Missing Ace. A fuller depiction of his life, The Maltese Spitfire, was written by Squadron Leader Harry Coldbeck DFC, with an introduction by Wing Commander P.B. (Laddie) Lucas CBE, DSO, DFC; both of whom knew Warburton extremely well.
Early life
The son of a naval officer, Warburton was born in MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
, and christened on board a submarine in Grand Harbour
Grand Harbour
Grand Harbour is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been used as a harbour since at least Phoenician times...
, Valetta, Malta.
He attended St Edward's School
St Edward's School (Oxford)
St. Edward's School is a co-educational independent boarding school located in Oxford, England. The school is located on the Woodstock Road in the north of the city close to the suburb of Summertown. In 2007 it was voted by the Country Life Magazine as number one in the top ten schools in the UK...
in Oxford, where two other famous airmen, Guy Gibson
Guy Gibson
Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, RAF , was the first CO of the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron, which he led in the "Dam Busters" raid in 1943, resulting in the destruction of two large dams in the Ruhr area...
and Douglas Bader
Douglas Bader
Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, FRAeS, DL was a Royal Air Force fighter ace during the Second World War. He was credited with 20 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged.Bader joined the...
, were also educated.
Malta 1940–1942
Warburton was commissioned in the Royal Air Force in 1939. On completing flying training, he was posted to 608 Squadron, flying Blackburn BothaBlackburn Botha
-See also:-External links:*...
s on North Sea patrols. Warburton's criticism of the obsolete plane led to his commanding officer having him transferred to Malta as an observer, not a pilot. He joined 431 Flight, an RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
detachment flying reconnaissance sorties over the Mediterranean in twin-engined Martin Maryland recon/light bombers. Within four days of arrival, he had his pilot status reinstated. The Station Commander was short-toured and removed from flying duties.
In the words of an RAF Spitfire pilot, Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
Duncan Smith: "I never knew Warburton personally, but I was his escort on many a mission in those dark days of 1942/43. I remember a particular raid when I was assigned his escort
[he was flying a Maryland that raid], We took off and headed for the area that he was going to take pictures of. When we got there the target was covered in flak. "Warby" said, "Wait here, I'll be back" in a very calm voice. Some enemy fighters approached and started a dogfight with me. A few seconds later I heard, "Hurry up, I'm not going to wait for you all day". He didn't treat a Bomber like a Bomber; he treated all planes like Fighters!"
Fearless and unorthodox, (he seldom completed a Form 700 authorising flights), "Warby" participated in an increasing number of daring sortie
Sortie
Sortie is a term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit, be it an aircraft, ship, or troops from a strongpoint. The sortie, whether by one or more aircraft or vessels, usually has a specific mission....
s. On 30 October 1940, Warburton and his two crewmen shot down an Italian Z.506B
CANT Z.506
The CANT Z.506 Airone was a triple-engine floatplane produced by CANT from 1935. It served as a transport and postal aircraft with the Italian airline "Ala Littoria"...
seaplane. Three days later, they nearly fell victim to an attack by four Italian aircraft. Warburton was hit by a spent bullet which caused no serious injury, but did render him unconscious. Sergeant Frank Bastard took control and managed to keep the aircraft flying (for which he received the Distinguished Flying Medal
Distinguished Flying Medal
The Distinguished Flying Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active...
) until Warburton had recovered sufficiently.
He was soon back in the air, and on 10 November, 431 Flight spotted a major concentration of Italian battleships and cruisers in Taranto
Taranto
Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Taranto and is an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base....
, Admiral Cunningham
Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope
Admiral of the Fleet Andrew Browne Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope KT, GCB, OM, DSO and two Bars , was a British admiral of the Second World War. Cunningham was widely known by his nickname, "ABC"....
then deciding on an audacious night attack by Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
Swordfish
Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish was a torpedo bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company and used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during the Second World War...
. Warburton flew a reconnaissance mission on 11 November prior to the attack. Circling the harbour several times, when the cameras failed, Warburton flew so low, his observer was able to read off the names of the battleships as they flew past. Guided by this intelligence, the Fleet Air Arm launched its devastating attack
Battle of Taranto
The naval Battle of Taranto took place on the night of 11–12 November 1940 during the Second World War. The Royal Navy launched the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history, flying a small number of obsolescent biplane torpedo bombers from an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea...
that night.
With 431 Flight now expanded into No. 69 Squadron RAF
No. 69 Squadron RAF
The name No. 69 Squadron has been used by the Royal Air Force for two quite different units.No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps was formed at Point Cook, Victoria, Australia on 19 September 1916. To avoid confusion with No. 3 Squadron, RAF, it was known to the British military as "No...
in January 1941, Warburton steadily developed a reputation within the RAF as its leading reconnaissance pilot, locating numerous enemy convoys supplying the Axis forces in North Africa, providing vital information to the Allied anti-shipping forces in the Mediterranean interdicting Rommel's supplies. His superiors therefore turned a blind eye to many of "Warby"s eccentricities. On 14 April 1941, the Maryland was mistaken for a Ju 88
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...
by a Hurricane flown by F/O Innes Westmacott, and Warburton had to force-land the damaged aircraft.
Although the Maryland's guns were for defence, he and his crew were frequently involved in air combat, claiming five air victories and three enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground or afloat on the water. He crashed twice, but each time walked away.
At the end of September 1941, Warburton and his crew were rested. In December 1941 Warburton, while on detachment in Egypt, managed to 'acquire' a Bristol Beaufighter
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
. Stripping the aircraft of all guns and armour, he equipped it with cameras and took the aeroplane back to Malta. He flew the plane for about a year until it was destroyed in a raid. His second tour finished in mid-March 1942 so he missed the intense battles over Malta in the Summer. He was not a pilot with any degree of support from AVM Park, the AOC.
Sicily 1943
He was then involved in the vital pre-invasion reconnaissance of the landing beaches in SicilyAllied invasion of Sicily
The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, was a major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis . It was a large scale amphibious and airborne operation, followed by six weeks of land combat. It launched the Italian Campaign.Husky began on the night of...
in 1943. Now commanding 683 Squadron, he co-ordinated the photographic work with the local American forces, who were amazed at the much-decorated officer attired in dirty grey flannels, an oil-stained tunic and topped by a mop of long unkempt blond hair when he came out to greet them at Luqa airfield.He had just "returned from the dead" after being missing for three days. While photographing Bizerte his plane was disabled by flak. He struggled on to Bone and landed unhurt. After being kept under lock and key for two days suspected of being a German agent he was able to establish that he was British and was given a French plane to fly to Gibraltar. There he changed it for a Spitfire and flew back to Malta, picking up his cameras and film at Bone and shooting down a Ju88 on the way. When he landed at Malta his first remark was - allegedly- "Sorry I'm late".
In October 1943, Warburton was given command of a new photo-reconnaissance wing of four squadrons. However, following a car accident in late 1943, he was hospitalised for several weeks and subsequently returned to the UK.
One story of Warburton recounted by Squadron Leader Bill Olmsted DSO, DFC. Soon after the North African landing the "brass" wanted to know if the Bizerte airdrome was in our hands, as communications had broken down. From Malta, Warby took a twin-engine bomber, and when he arrived at the airdrome started landing with wheels and flaps down. He successfully escaped the heavy ground fire which greeted him. Returning to Malta he declared the airdrome was not yet secure. This story was confirmed by British commandos who were in the position to observe the attempt to land.
Death
By the beginning of 1944, he had been promoted to the rank of Wing Commander and his gallantry recognised by the award of the Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
and Bar, the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
and two Bars, and an American Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
. By this time he had flown nearly 400 operations and claimed 9 enemy aircraft destroyed.
On 1 April 1944, he was posted as the RAF Liaison Officer to the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, US 8th Army Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
, then based at RAF Mount Farm
RAF Mount Farm
RAF Mount Farm is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located three miles north of Dorchester, Oxfordshire.-USAAF use:Mount Farm was originally a satellite airfield for the RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Benson. The airfield was originally a grass field, but...
in Oxfordshire.
Warburton was the pilot of one of two Lockheed F-5B photo-reconnaissance aircraft (a version of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter) that took off together from Mount Farm on the morning of 12 April 1944 to photograph targets in Germany. The aircraft separated approximately 100 miles north of Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
to carry out their respective tasks; it was planned that they would meet and fly on to a USAAF airfield in Sardinia. He failed to arrive at the rendezvous point and was not seen again.
Years of speculation about his fate came to an end in 2002, when his remains were found in the cockpit of his plane, buried about two metres deep in a field near the Bavarian village of Egling an der Paar
Egling an der Paar
Egling an der Paar is a municipality in the district of Landsberg in Bavaria in Germany....
, 34 miles west of Munich. According to witnesses, the plane fell there on 12 April 1944, around 11:45. One of the propellers had bullet holes in it, which suggests that Warburton had been shot down. Parts of the wreck can be seen today in the Malta Aviation Museum.
Only a few pieces of bone and the odd part of flying clothing were actually found. As Warburton was flying a USAAF plane with USAAF markings he was thought to be an American. Most of Warburton's body was removed from the P-38 and buried in a grave in the town of Kaufering's cemetery. The grave was marked "unknown American Airman" and was right next to a Halifax crew that were shot down and died on the night of September 6–7, 1943. When the area came under Allied control (particularly American), the graves were moved.
A memorial service was held on 14 May 2003, in the St Aegidius Parish church, Gmund am Tegernsee
Gmund am Tegernsee
Gmund am Tegernsee is a municipality in the district of Miesbach in Bavaria in Germany. The town is located on the north shore of the Tegernsee Lake, and near the source of River Mangfall...
, followed by burial at the Dürnbach Commonwealth War Cemetery. The ceremony was attended by his widow, Eileen (known as Betty) and by Jack Vowles, a former colleague who had served with "Warby" in Malta in the early 1940s.
Media
Warburton was the subject of the "Mystery of the Missing Ace" episode of the BBC investigative documentary series TimewatchTimewatch
Timewatch is a long-running British television series showing documentaries on historical subjects, spanning all human history. It was first broadcast on 29th September 1982 and is produced by the BBC, the Timewatch brandname is used as a banner title in the UK, but many of the individual...
, first broadcast in November 2003.
Marriage in 1939 was to Eileen Adelaide Mitchell