Maurice Michael Stephens
Encyclopedia
Maurice Michael Stephens DFC** DSO RAF (20 October 1919 – 23 September 2004) was a British RAF flying ace
of the Second World War. Stephens scored 17 kills, three shared kills, one probable kills and five damaged.
Born in Ranchi
, India on 20 October 1919, the son of a British Army Officer, Stephens was educated at the Xaverian Colleges at Clapham
and Mayfield, Sussex. After school he initially joined the Port of London Authority
, before going to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell
in 1938. At Cranwell he excelled in boxing and rowing and was awarded his wings in 1940.
Stephens' first posting was to No. 3 Squadron RAF
, with whom he fought during the Battle of France
. He became the Flight Commander of B Flight during this battle, while still holding the rank of Pilot Officer
. On his return from France he was awarded the DFC and Bar, which were gazetted at the same time (and in fact on the same page of the London Gazette):
After the fall of France, B Flt was posted to Scotland and reformed as No. 232 Squadron RAF
, of which Stephens was Commanding Officer. No 232 Sqn formed part of No. 13 Group RAF
during the Battle of Britain
. He was promoted Flying Officer on the 20 August 1940, in the middle of the Battle.
He next served North Africa where he joined No 274 Squadron and was sent to Turkey for eight months, during which he flew operational patrols along the Bulgarian border. He twice intercepted Italian S-84 reconnaissance aircraft intruding across the border, and shot two down in a Turkish Hurricane, while wearing civilian clothes. In November 1941 he returned to the Western Desert to command No. 80 Squadron. He was shot down and wounded in both feet in December 1941, receiving a DSO in January 1942;
He then joined No. 229 Squadron flying Spitfires on Malta in October 1942. He was shot down on 12 October and picked up by an air-sea rescue motor launch. In November we became Wing Commander, Flying of Hal Far airfield.
He returned to the UK in 1943 and served in various staff positions, before becoming CFI at 3 OTU in January 1944.
His final score in the war was 15 (and 3 shared) destroyed, 2 Unconfirmed destroyed, 1 probable and 5 damaged.
Stephens continued to serve in the RAF until 1960. After the War he was the first RAF Officer to join the newly formed NATO and had staff appointments with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
and in the Air Ministry
, where he was involved in fighter operations.
He joined the Rolls-Royce
company soon afterward and based himself in Paris. He retired altogether in 1980 and lived in the South of France, only to return to Britain in 1992.
In 1942 he married Violet May Paterson, always known as "Blue" because she was given a blue ribbon when she was born to identify her from her twin sister; the couple had a son and a daughter.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of the Second World War. Stephens scored 17 kills, three shared kills, one probable kills and five damaged.
Born in Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
, India on 20 October 1919, the son of a British Army Officer, Stephens was educated at the Xaverian Colleges at Clapham
Clapham
Clapham is a district in south London, England, within the London Borough of Lambeth.Clapham covers the postcodes of SW4 and parts of SW9, SW8 and SW12. Clapham Common is shared with the London Borough of Wandsworth, although Lambeth has responsibility for running the common as a whole. According...
and Mayfield, Sussex. After school he initially joined the Port of London Authority
Port of London Authority
The Port of London Authority is a self-funding public trust established in 1908 by the Port of London Act to govern the Port of London. Its responsibility extends over the Tideway of the River Thames and the authority is responsible for the public right of navigation and for conservancy of the...
, before going to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
The Royal Air Force College is the Royal Air Force training and education academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to be commissioned officers. The College also provides initial training to aircrew cadets and is responsible for all RAF recruiting along with...
in 1938. At Cranwell he excelled in boxing and rowing and was awarded his wings in 1940.
Stephens' first posting was to No. 3 Squadron RAF
No. 3 Squadron RAF
No 3 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Typhoon F2, FGR4 and T3 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.No 3 Squadron, which celebrated its 95th anniversary over the weekend of 11-13 May 2007, is unique in the RAF for having two official crests....
, with whom he fought during the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
. He became the Flight Commander of B Flight during this battle, while still holding the rank of Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
. On his return from France he was awarded the DFC and Bar, which were gazetted at the same time (and in fact on the same page of the London Gazette):
Distinguished Flying Cross
This officer has destroyed four enemy aircraft in May, 1940, and led his flight with courage and skill.
Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
This officer has continued to lead his flight against formations of enemy aircraft of much superior numbers with such good leadership that he rarely lost any members of his formation. In addition Pilot Officer Stephens brought down four more enemy aircraft recently, bringing his total to eight.
After the fall of France, B Flt was posted to Scotland and reformed as No. 232 Squadron RAF
No. 232 Squadron RAF
No. 232 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was active in both World War I and World War II in a variety of roles, having seen action as an anti-submarine patrol, fighter and transport squadron.-In World War I:...
, of which Stephens was Commanding Officer. No 232 Sqn formed part of No. 13 Group RAF
No. 13 Group RAF
No. 13 Group was a group in the Royal Air Force for various periods in the 20th century. It is most famous for having the responsibility for defending the North of Great Britain during the Battle of Britain-World War I:...
during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. He was promoted Flying Officer on the 20 August 1940, in the middle of the Battle.
He next served North Africa where he joined No 274 Squadron and was sent to Turkey for eight months, during which he flew operational patrols along the Bulgarian border. He twice intercepted Italian S-84 reconnaissance aircraft intruding across the border, and shot two down in a Turkish Hurricane, while wearing civilian clothes. In November 1941 he returned to the Western Desert to command No. 80 Squadron. He was shot down and wounded in both feet in December 1941, receiving a DSO in January 1942;
In December, 1941, this officer led a bombing and machine-gun attack on enemy mechanical transport in the Acroma area. Following the attack, Squadron Leader Stephens observed the fighter escort in combat with a force of enemy fighters, but, whilst attempting to participate in the engagement, his aircraft was severely damaged by an enemy fighter pilot whose cannon fire exploded the starboard petrol tank which, with the oil tank, burst into flames. The same burst of fire wounded Squadron Leader Stephens in both feet and blew out the starboard side of the aircraft's cockpit. Squadron Leader Stephens then prepared to abandon aircraft but, when half-way out of the cockpit, he observed an enemy aircraft fly past him. He immediately regained his seat and shot down the enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader Stephens finally, left his crippled aircraft by parachute and landed safely on the ground where be beat out the flames from his
burning clothing. Although he had landed within 300 yards of the enemy's lines, Squadron Leader Stephens succeeded in regaining our own territory within three-quarters of an hour. Throughout, this officer displayed great courage and devotion to duty. Previously, Squadron Leader Stephens led his squadron on operations which were of the greatest value during the battle for Tobruk. His leadership and example proved an inspiration.
He then joined No. 229 Squadron flying Spitfires on Malta in October 1942. He was shot down on 12 October and picked up by an air-sea rescue motor launch. In November we became Wing Commander, Flying of Hal Far airfield.
He returned to the UK in 1943 and served in various staff positions, before becoming CFI at 3 OTU in January 1944.
His final score in the war was 15 (and 3 shared) destroyed, 2 Unconfirmed destroyed, 1 probable and 5 damaged.
Stephens continued to serve in the RAF until 1960. After the War he was the first RAF Officer to join the newly formed NATO and had staff appointments with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is the central command of NATO military forces. It is located at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons...
and in the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
, where he was involved in fighter operations.
He joined the Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
company soon afterward and based himself in Paris. He retired altogether in 1980 and lived in the South of France, only to return to Britain in 1992.
In 1942 he married Violet May Paterson, always known as "Blue" because she was given a blue ribbon when she was born to identify her from her twin sister; the couple had a son and a daughter.