Dan, what book is that in ?
William Mann, who was CO of 31 Squadron in 43 talks about the tactics for covering each other and clearing Japanese fighters in his book "Search and Destroy"
There are a number of combat reports quoted in Neville Parnell's book "Beaufighters in the Pacific" from 30 and 31 squadrons talking about combat with "Zekes' at Rabaul in the fall of 43.
An example.
Date 12/10/43
P/O J.M. McRobbie 30 Squadron
"When over Rapopo strip at a height of 300 feet, a large number of Zekes and one Nate were seen. The majority of the Zekes were in threes and appeared to be all around our formation. I was forced of Rapopo strip by 3 Zekes attacking from 11 O'clock. Fired a burst at Nate from 6 o'clock but observed no results. I then pulled up and fired a burst at a Zeke, stall turning on to leader. He fell off in opposite direction--observer in leading aircraft says he was smoking. Was attacked from 3 o'clock by a Zeke. Turned into him and made for home. Later attacked again from 3 o'clock. Took some evasive action. 2 Zekes chased off our tail by rear gun. Flew down coast under 3 Zekes who did not see me. Proceeded home Low on trees. Method of breaking off engagement--turning into attacks, using full power low on water and getting over trees for use of camouflage.
I Zeke claimed as possibly destroyed. Last seen diving towards ground smoking."
300 feet up in a swarm of Zekes and living to tell the story. Amazing stuff.
Another interesting comment in the 177 Squadron history. They flew VIs and TFX's. Most pilots preferred the VI as it was faster then the TFX which had rocket rails and torpedo carrying gear.
Got another book in the mail today called "The Armed Rovers-Beaufighters and Beauforts over the Mediterranean" by Roy Nesbit. Some great stuff on MTO Beaus. It looks like the Malta Beaufighters were lugging 250 pound bombs in mid summer 42. Also an interesting note that the VI had belt fed cannons while the earlier I and II had drum fed with 60 rounds per drum. The Navigator was stuck with changing the drums out during combat. Not an easy thing to do.
I'm all for the VI and TFX now, with the VI being the attack bird with the 6 303s, 4 20s and provisions for 250 pounders, while the TFX is the heavy lifter with rocket rails, torp gear and more fuel but only the 4 20mms as it appears that was the common thing to do by leaving the wing guns out. It appears the rear gun was often left off the VI which had more of a makeshift canopy, but the observer's canopy was modified for the rear gun in the TFX.
A few of the pilot and nav accounts say it was really left up to the crew whether they took the rear gun or not. The 39 Squadron Nav in his book said he thought it was better to be able to direct the pilot if attacked from the rear and they left the gun off.
Also interesting to note that the early Beau's with the straight tail plane for more maneuverable but less stable. The dihedral tail plane gave the Beau more stability which was considered more important at the low alt that Beau ops were flown.
Gotta admit it's been great fun hunting Beau stuff
