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Eric Stanley Lock
Lock in the cockpit of a 611 Squadron Spitfire in July 1941. He claimed his final victory on 14 July 1941 and failed to return from an operational sortie three days after this photo was taken.
Nickname(s)"Sawn Off"
Born19 April 1919
Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, England
Died3 August 1941
English Channel, north of Calais, France
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Air Force
Years of serviceFeb 1939–Aug 1941
RankFlight Lieutenant
UnitNo. 41 Squadron RAF
No. 611 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Order
Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar

Eric Stanley Lock DSO, DFC & Bar (19 April 1919 – 3 August 1941) was a British Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War.

Lock became the RAF's most successful pilot of the Battle of Britain, claiming 20 German aircraft destroyed and another seven probably destroyed. On 3 August 1941, Lock failed to return from a routine operational sortie and was posted missing, presumed dead. He and his aircraft have not been located to this day.

Early life and career

Born on Bomere Farm, in the village of Bayston Hill, outside Shrewsbury, Shropshire, in 1919, Lock was educated at the Public Elementary School in Bayston Hill (1924-1926), at Clivedon School in Church Stretton (1926-1928), at Shrewsbury Boys High School (1928-1929), and finally at Prestfelde School in Shrewsbury (1929-1933). After leaving school, he was employed on the family farm, Allfield, and in Bayston Quarry until 1939.

Developing a love for motor vehicles, motor cycles and flying as a teenager, Lock joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an AC2 Airman u/t Pilot (Service No. 745051) on 17 February 1939, and was promoted to Sergeant the following day. He undertook his initial peacetime training mostly on weekends and some week nights with 28 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School (No. 28 E&RFTS) run by the company 'Reid & Sigrist' at Meir, outside Stoke-on-Trent and made his first solo flight within the month.

No. 28 E&RFTS was disbanded on 31 August 1939 and Lock was mobilized the following day, but immediately sent on leave with full pay until 29 October 1939. His wartime training commenced on 30 October 1939 when he was posted to Course 1, 4 Initial Training Wing (No. 4 ITW) at Bexhill-on-Sea. He graduated on 8 December 1939 and was posted the following day to Course 17, 6 Service Flying Training School (No. 6 SFTS) at RAF Little Rissington.[1]

Lock was awarded by pilot badge ('Wings') in March 1940, but did not graduate the course until 18 June 1940, when he was granted a commissioned a Pilot Officer (Service No. 81642).[2] He was immediately posted to No. 41 Squadron RAF, then based at RAF Catterick, North Yorkshire, flying Spitfires.[3] By the time of his arrival on the Squadron, Lock had not flown a single hour in a Spitfire and his first solo in the type took place on 21 June 1940. He spent the ensuing six weeks learning to fly the aircraft and consequently did not make his first operational sortie until 9 August 1940.

It was also during this period that he married his sweetheart, 21-year-old former Shrewsbury Beauty Queen, Margaret 'Peggy' Meyers in a ceremony at St Julian’s Church, Shrewsbury, on 27 July 1940. She was the oldest child and only daughter of a Canadian World War I soldier and his British war bride. On account of Lock's short stature at 5 ft 6 in., and the 'dumpy' figure he made in his flying suit, he had quickly earned the nickname ‘Sawn-off Lockie’ from his fellow pilots on 41 Squadron. Now married to a girl who was two inches taller than him, she quickly earned the moniker 'Tacked-on'. It was not long, however, before Lock proved that what he may have lacked in height he more than compensated for in courage and skill in the cockpit.[4]

Second World War

Battle of Britain

The Battle of Britain began in July 1940 with the Luftwaffe making attacks on British shipping in the English Channel and Britain's East Coast. In August RAF Fighter Command's bases came under attack as the Germans attempted to establish air superiority over southern England. The battles grew larger in scale, but 41 Squadron, based in the north of the country, was initially well clear of the main combat zone and saw little action for the first four weeks of the German air offensive.[5]

Lock's frustration ended on 15 August 1940. On this date the Luftwaffe attempted to stretch Fighter Command by launching a wave of aircraft against targets in northern England where German intelligence believed there to be little opposition. It was in this battle Lock gained his first victory. Climbing at 20,000 feet (6,100 m) north of Catterick Lock spotted a massed formation of Messerschmitt Bf 110s and Junkers Ju 88s. The Squadron was ordered into line-astern formation and made an attack. In the first attack Lock followed his Section Leader. In the second he had an opportunity to fire at a Bf 110 heavy fighter. After two short bursts the starboard engine caught fire. Following the enemy fighter down to 10,000 feet (3,000 m), Lock fired into the fuselage and set the port engine on fire. The machine-gunner ceased firing and Lock left it at 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Lock was going to claim only a probable, but another No. 41 pilot saw it crash into Seaham Harbour and confirmed his victory. Lock soon attacked the Ju 88s, downing one of their number.[6]

In light of Fighter Command's need units in the south of the country, No. 41 Squadron was redeployed to RAF Hornchurch in Essex on 3 September 1940. On 5 September, Lock flew as Red 2, positioned behind and protecting the Squadron's Leader. He shot down two Heinkel He 111s over the Thames Estuary. One of his victims crashed into a river, the other caught fire and its undercarriage fell down. Lock followed it down.[7][8] He quickly realised his mistake—reducing height to pursue a damaged enemy put a pilot at risk from enemy fighters—but it was too late.[7] A Messerschmitt Bf 109 attacked him and he sustained damage to his Spitfire and a wound to his leg.[7] Lock immediately zoom-climbed. The Bf 109 attempted to follow but the pilot stalled and fell away. Lock reversed direction and dived. Waiting for the German fighter to come out of its dive he fired several short bursts and it exploded.[7] Looking around he saw the second He 111 land in the English Channel, about ten miles from the first.[7] Lock circled above the He 111 and noticing a boat he alerted the boat to its presence by flying over it and led the vessel to the crash site. As he left the scene he saw the crew surrendering to the occupants of the boat. On the way home he saw his first victim in the river, with a dingy nearby.[7] A further Bf 109 was claimed destroyed on that date.[9]

The following day, despite pain from his leg and against medical advice, Lock claimed his seventh victory, a Ju 88 off Dover at 09:00.[7] On 9 September he claimed two Bf 109s destroyed over Kent and he followed the success with two victories—over a Ju 88 and Bf 110—on 11 September 1940. The victory brought his tally to nine enemy aircraft destroyed, eight of them in less than seven days. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).[7] The award was gazetted on 1 October 1940 with a citation reading:[7][10]

Air Ministry, 1st October, 1940.

ROYAL AIR FORCE.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the undermentioned appointment and awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy:—

[...]

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

[...]

Pilot Officer Eric Stanley LOCK .(81642), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

This officer has destroyed nine enemy aircraft, eight of these within a period of one week. He has displayed great vigour and determination in pressing home his attacks.

Lock continued to shoot enemy aircraft down regularly. On 14 September he recorded two victories over Bf 109s and the following day shared in the destruction of a Dornier Do 17 before destroying a Bf 109 on 15 September 1940—the Battle of Britain Day—over Clacton-on-Sea. Two rest days followed. On 18 September he claimed a Bf 109 probably destroyed on his first patrol then another destroyed plus one probably destroyed in the afternoon over Gravesend.[7]

On 20 September he filed a curious report that saw him attack three "Heinkel He 113s", shooting down one and forcing the others to flee back to France.[11] During that sortie he sighted a Henschel Hs 126 which he pursued across the English Channel before finally downing it over the German gun batteries at Boulogne-sur-Mer.[11] Upon landing he was told by his commanding officer that he had been awarded a Medal bar to his DFC for 15 victories in 16 days.[11] Published on 22 October 1940, the citation read:[12]

Air Ministry, 22nd October, 1940.

ROYAL AIR FORCE.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following appointment and awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy:—

[...]

Awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Pilot Officer Eric Stanley LOCK, D.F.C. (81642), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

In September, 1940, whilst engaged on a patrol over the Dover area, Pilot Officer Lock engaged three Heinkel 113's one of which he shot down into the sea. Immediately afterwards he engaged a Henschel Hs 126 and destroyed it. He has displayed great courage in the face of heavy odds, and his skill and coolness in combat have enabled him to destroy fifteen enemy aircraft within a period of nineteen days.

No. 41 Squadron's pilots were placed on four weeks' rotation rest following the intense period of operational sorties, returning to RAF Hornchurch in early October 1940. Lock immediately commenced where he had left off. On 5 October he was credited with another Bf 109 with two probables over Kent; on 9 October another Bf 109 was claimed 10 miles from Dover and a probable followed seconds later. Off Dungeness he dispatched yet another Bf 109 on 11 October then on 20 October 1940 shot down a Bf 109 directly above RAF Biggin Hill. This victory brought his total to 20, making Lock a 'Quadruple Ace'. On 25 October Lock destroyed a Bf 109 to bring his tally to 21 aerial victories. The Battle of Britain ended on 31 October 1940 and Lock, with 21 enemy aircraft destroyed, was the most successful Allied ace of the campaign.[11]



After the Battle of Britain Lock served on the Channel Front, flying offensive sweeps over France. Lock went on to bring his overall total to 26 aerial victories, one shared destroyed and eight probable in 25 weeks of operational sorties over a one-year period—during which time he was hospitalised for six months.[13][14] Included in his victory total were 20 German fighter aircraft, 18 of them Messerschmitt Bf 109s. In mid-1941 Lock was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.


Channel Front

On 8 November 1940 his Spitfire was badly damaged during a skirmish with several Bf 109s over Beachy Head in East Sussex. The Spitfire was so badly damaged that Lock crash-landed in a ploughed field, but was able to walk away. On 17 November 1940 No. 41 Squadron attacked a formation of 70 Bf 109s that were top cover for a bomber raid on London. After shooting down one Bf 109, and setting another on fire, Lock's Spitfire was hit by a volley of cannon shells, which severely injured Lock's right arm and both legs. The rounds also knocked the throttle permanently open by severing the control lever. The open throttle enabled the Spitfire to accelerate swiftly to 400 mph (640 km/h), leaving the Bf 109s in his wake, without Lock having to attempt to operate it with his injured right arm. At 20,000 feet (6,100 m) he began to descend and with little control and no means of slowing the fighter down, he could not execute a safe landing. Too badly injured to parachute to safety Lock was in a perilous situation. After losing height to 2,000 feet (610 m), Lock switched the engine off and found a suitable crash site near RAF Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, into which he glided the stricken fighter for a "wheels down" landing.[15]

Lying in the aircraft for some two hours, he was found by two patrolling British Army soldiers and carried two miles (3 km) on an improvised stretcher made of their Enfield rifles and Army issue winter coats—made after instruction from Lock. By this point, Lock had lost so much blood that he was unconscious, and so unable to feel the additional pain of being dropped three times, once into a dyke of water.[15] After being transferred to the Princess Mary’s Hospital at RAF Halton, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 17 December 1940, the citation read:[15][16]

Air Ministry, 17th December, 1940.

ROYAL AIR FORCE.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following appointment and awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy:—

Appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order.

Pilot Officer Eric Stanley Lock, D.F.C. (81642). Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 41 Squadron.

This officer has shown exceptional keenness and courage in his attacks against the enemy. In November, 1940, whilst engaged with his squadron in attacking a superior number of enemy forces, he destroyed two Messerschmitt 109's, thus bringing his total to at least twenty-two. His magnificent fighting spirit and personal example have been in the highest traditions of the service.

Lock underwent fifteen separate operations over the following three months to remove shrapnel and other metal fragments from his wounds.[15] For the following three months he remained at Halton recuperating from his injuries, leaving on only one occasion to travel on crutches and in full uniform to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI presented him with his DSO, DFC and Bar.[17] He was also Mentioned in Despatches in March 1941.[18]

Last battles and death

Lock spent several months in hospital. He stayed at the Royal Masonic Hospital with Richard Hillary, another Battle of Britain ace. They were operated on by Archibald McIndoe a famous Surgeon. While there, Hillary wrote his memoirs The Last Enemy, before his death in a flying accident on 8 January 1943. He remembered Lock having Sulfapyridine treatment and being "vociferous".[19][20] The nurses wore anti-infection masks and gloves, and Eric, "with an aimiable grin" would curse them for it "from dawn till dusk".[21]

In June 1941 he received notification that he had been promoted to Flying Officer[22] and was requested to report back for immediate flying duty with 41 Squadron. Four weeks later he was promoted again to Flight Lieutenant and posted to No. 611 Squadron in command of B Flight.[17] In July 1941 he gained three victories against Bf 109s flying offensive sweeps over France—on 6 July at 15:00, on 8 July at 06:30 and 11:00 on 14 July near Le Touquet.[23]

The road sign for Eric Lock Road in Bayston Hill, Shropshire

On 3 August 1941, Lock was returning from a fighter "Rhubarb" when he spotted a column of German troops and vehicles on a road near the Pas-de-Calais. Signalling the attack to his wingman, Lock was seen to peel off from the formation and prepare for the ground strafing attack—the last time he was seen. He is believed to have been shot down by ground–fire.[9] Neither his body or his Spitfire Mk V, W3257, have ever been found, despite a thorough search of the area in the years following the war by both the RAF and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.[24]

Lock was the first of three successful RAF aces who were shot down during this period: Douglas Bader was shot down in error and taken prisoner on 9 August 1941; Robert Stanford Tuck's Spitfire was hit by enemy ground-based flak near Boulogne-sur-Mer on 28 January 1942 and he was forced to crash land and taken prisoner.[25] In July 1942, Paddy Finucane would be lost in similar circumstances to Lock.[26]

It has been suggested by writer Dilip Sakar that Lock was shot down by the German ace Oberleutnant Johann Schmid from Jagdgeschwader 26 near Calais since he was the only German pilot to make a claim.[27] However, Lock was posted missing on an early morning sortie.[28] The war diary for JG 26 shows that Schmid made his claim at 18:32 in the evening and that the location of his claim was not listed in Schmid's combat report.[29]

Memorial

Lock’s name is carved in Panel 29 on the Runnymede Memorial along with the 20,400 other British and Commonwealth airmen who were posted missing in action during the war. A new road was named after him in Bayston Hill, Shropshire where his family's former home lies, as well as the members' bar at the Shropshire Aero Club based at a former wartime airfield, RAF Sleap.[30][31]

List of victories

Lock claimed 25 aerial victories and seven probable victories. This total comprised 17 Bf 109s (includes one 'Heinkel He 113'), one Henschel Hs 126, two Bf 110s, two He 111s, two Ju 88s and a Do 17 destroyed.[32]

Victory No. Date Flying Victories Notes
1. 15 Aug 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Bf 110 Claimed over Seaham Harbour, 41 Squadron Archives.[33]
2–4. 5 Sep 1940 Spitfire Ia 2 x He 111
1 x Bf 109 		Claimed over Sheppey-Thames Estuary, TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 514-515.[34][35]
5. 6 Sep 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Ju 88 Claimed 20 miles east of Calais, TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 518-519.[36]
6–7. 9 Sep 1940 Spitfire Ia 2 x Bf 109 Claimed over Kent and near Dover, 41 Squadron Archives.
8–9. 11 Sep 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Ju 88
1 x Bf 110 		Me 110 claimed 25 miles south-southeast Maidstone; Ju 88 claimed 17 miles south of Maidstone; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 520-521.
10–11. 14 Sep 1940 Spitfire Ia 2 x Bf 109 Claimed over Dungeness-Ramsgate; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 522-523.[37]
12-13. 15 Sep 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Bf 109
1 x Do 17 		Claimed Bf 109 east of London and Do 17 over the Channel; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 524-525.[38]
14. 18 Sep 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Bf 109 Claimed over Gravesend; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 528-529. Two probably destroyed Bf 109s were also claimed, one over the Channel, off Margate (TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 526-527) and one over Gravesend, Kent (TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 528-529).
15–16. 20 Sep 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x He 113
1 x Hs 126 		Claimed one He 113 (actually a Bf 109) and one Hs 126, both 15-20 miles northwest of Boulogne, France; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 530-531.
17. 5 Oct 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Bf 109 Claimed over West Malling-Ashford; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 516-517. Lock also claimed another two Bf 109s probably destroyed over West Malling-Ashford (TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 516-517) and in the Tonbridge-Maidstone area (TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 532-533).
18. 9 Oct 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Bf 109 Claimed 10 miles off Dover; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 534 & 539.[39] Also claimed two probable Bf 109s over the English Channel (both TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 534 & 539).
19. 11 Oct 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Bf 109 Claimed five miles off Dungeness; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 536-537.
20. 20 Oct 1940 Spitfire Ia 1 x Bf 109 Claimed north of Biggin Hill; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 538 & 541.
N/A 25 Oct 1940 Spitfire IIa N/A Claimed one probably destroyed Bf 109 southeast of Dover; TNA AIR 50/18, Folio 540.[40]
21–22. 17 Nov 1940 Spitfire IIa 2 x Bf 109 Claimed over Thames Estuary-Channel; TNA AIR 50/18, Folios 542-543 & 535.
23. 6 Jul 1941 Spitfire Vb 1 x Bf 109F Claimed northeast of St. Omer; TNA AIR 50/173, Folios 197-198.
24. 8 Jul 1941 Spitfire Vb 1 Bf 109E Claimed near St. Omer; TNA AIR 50/173, Folios 199-200.
25. 14 Jul 1941 Spitfire Vb 1 x Bf 109F Claimed near Boulogne; 11 Group ORB only, no Combat Report exists.[41]
TOTALS 25 destroyed[42] 7 probable

Notes

  1. ^ Bishop 2004, p. 20.
  2. ^ "No. 34910". The London Gazette. 30 July 1940.
  3. ^ Baker 1962, p. 128.
  4. ^ Brew 2016, p. 56.
  5. ^ Baker 1962, p. 129.
  6. ^ Baker 1962, p. 128.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Baker 1962, p. 130.
  8. ^ Robinson 1987, p. 80.
  9. ^ a b Shores and Williams 1966, p. 212.
  10. ^ "No. 34958". The London Gazette. 1 October 1940.
  11. ^ a b c d Baker 1962, p. 131.
  12. ^ "No. 34976". The London Gazette. 22 October 1940.
  13. ^ Shores 1983, p. 129.
  14. ^ Price 1996, p. 63.
  15. ^ a b c d Baker 1962, pp. 131–132.
  16. ^ "No. 35015". The London Gazette. 17 December 1940.
  17. ^ a b Baker 1962, p. 132.
  18. ^ "No. 35107". The London Gazette. 14 March 1941.
  19. ^ Hillary 2010, p. 154.
  20. ^ Franks 1980, pp. 119–120.
  21. ^ Hillary 2010, p. 155.
  22. ^ "No. 35222". The London Gazette. 18 July 1941.
  23. ^ Foreman 2005, pp. 72, 75, 80.
  24. ^ Franks 1997, p. 132.
  25. ^ Price 1997, p. 24.
  26. ^ Bryne 2006, pp. 28–35.
  27. ^ Sarkar 2010, p. 36.
  28. ^ Franks 1998, p. .
  29. ^ Caldwell 1996, p. 161.
  30. ^ Eric Stanley "Sawn-off" Lock Retrieved 02-12-2012.
  31. ^ Air Crew Remembrance Society: Eric Lock Retrieved 02-12-2012.
  32. ^ Brew, 2016.
  33. ^ Likely belonged to I./Zerstörergeschwader 76.
  34. ^ The two Heinkel He111s claimed by Lock today were possibly shared with other pilots. Contemporary evidence suggests that one of these aircraft was likely He111H-3, WNr 3338, A1+CR, of 7/KG53, which ditched just off The Nore at 15:30. It is believed the aircraft was initially hit by anti-aircraft fire whilst bombing an oil storage facility at Thameshaven, and subsequently attacked by fighters, thereunder Eric Lock, 17 Squadron’s Fg Off Count Manfred Czernin, and possibly also 73 Squadron’s Sgt Plt John Brimble. Two of the crew, Fw A. Maier and Uffz H. Lenger were rescued by Royal Navy patrol boats, but the remaining three, Fw Erwin Agner, Uffz Rudolf Armbruster and Gefr Alexius Nowotny, remain missing, presumed dead. The other aircraft is believed to have been He111H-2, WNr 2632, A1+GR, also of 7/KG53, which went into the sea west of Margate Hook Beacon around 15:30, following the same attack on the oil storage facility at Thameshaven. It is believed to have been attacked by Eric Lock, 17 Squadron’s Fg Off Count Manfred Czernin and Sgt Plt Clifford Chew, and possibly also 73 Squadron’s Sqn Ldr Maurice Robinson. The entire crew was lost: Fw Hermann Bohn, Uffz Karl Bickl, Uffz Fritz Bolz, Uffz F. Rosenberger and Gefr K. Haak.
  35. ^ There are two Combat Reports for Eric Lock for 5 September 1940 in National Archives file AIR 50/18 (Combat Reports, 41 Squadron), numbered 514-515 and 516-517, which suggest he claimed four destroyed and one probably destroyed enemy aircraft on this date. However, the second pages of each of the Combat Reports, which explain the detail of the actions, differ significantly in context. In the former, Lock is flying as Red 2; in the latter as Yellow 1. The time of attack also differs, the former taking place at 15:00 and the latter at 14:30. There are also other inconsistencies. It is now clear that, despite appearances, Lock did not make the claims in the latter Combat Report (No. 516-517) on 5 September 1940; they pertain instead to 5 October 1940. The evidence for this lies in documents in 41 Squadron’s Archives, particularly the original typed and signed Combat Report, which also includes an annotation by the Intelligence Officer, Flt Lt Lord Gisborough, stating in red pen after the date 5.9.40, “? Probably 5.10.40 G [Gisborough] IO. 41 Sqdn”. A cross reference with Intelligence Reports for 5 October 1940, also in 41 Squadron’s Archives, reveal that Lock made three claims that day, one destroyed and one probable Me109s on a patrol between 13:32 and 14:54, and another probable Me109 on a patrol from 15:36 to 16:42. The National Archives has a Combat Report for the latter of these patrols (No. 532-533), but not the former. As the circumstances, context and timings of the earlier victories that day fit neatly with Combat Report No. 516-517, it is therefore apparent that Combat Report 516-517 is erroneously dated 5 September 1940 and pertains instead to events of 5 October 1940. As such, only the victories contained in Combat Reports 514-515 are included in the table for 5 September 1940.
  36. ^ The aircraft is believed to have been Ju 88A-1, F1+DP, Wknr 8070, of I./Kampfgeschwader 76, which crashed at Evere, Belgium.
  37. ^ One of the pilots was possibly Uffz Valentin Blazejewski in Me109E-7, WNr 2014, of 6/LG2, who was captured unhurt. This aircraft may also have been attacked by Plt Off John Lloyd and Sgt Plt William Rolls of 72 Squadron.
  38. ^ It has been suggested that Lock shared the Do 17 with Plt Off Tom Neil, but there are several conflicting accounts of these actions provided by the pair. Lock’s Combat Report for his victories suggest that whilst he and the (then unidentified) Hurricane pilot joined up and attacked the same formation of Bf 109s and Do 17s in unison, they actually claimed one Me109 and one Do17 each. It is apparent from his report that Lock had already shot down his own Do 17 before assisting Plt Off Tom Neil with the remaining Do 17. Although Lock states “we carried out ½ and beam attack[s]” on the remaining aircraft, he clarifies that it was actually “shot down by [the] Hurricane”, apparently declining a share in the victory over the third Dornier. Neither a Squadron Intelligence Report for the day, nor a summary of Lock’s victories, both held in 41 Squadron’s archives, make any mention of him sharing any of his victories with Neil. Further, page one of Tom Neil’s Combat Report states twice that he claimed two Do 215s [not Do 17s] destroyed but did not claim the Me 109s. On the second page, in the detailed report, Neil makes no mention of Lock or the presence of a Spitfire, and although someone has written in a different hand at the end of one paragraph “Shared with EB-E”, the front page has not been altered. It is unclear when this comment was added or by whom. Additionally, in a radio broadcast of an interview with Lock and Tom Neil on 22 October 1940, it was suggested that Neil shot down two Bf 109s and Lock one, after which Neil shot down a Do 17 by himself. The second Dornier is hardly mentioned, but the third was attacked by both men, and finished off by Lock as Neil’s ammunition ran out. It is not possible to verify today what occurred with any real certainty, but it is a fact that Lock claimed one Do 17 and one Bf 109 destroyed in his Combat Report. Neil claimed two Dorniers in his, and clarified in subsequent accounts that the two Bf 109s were also shot down by him.
  39. ^ This aircraft is believed to have been Bf 109E-4, Wknr 1573, of 9/JG54, which was flown by 26-year-old Lt Josef Eberle. His body was washed ashore near Harwich on 26 October 1940, and he is buried today in the German Military Cemetery at Cannock Chase.
  40. ^ There is only a front (summary) page for Lock’s Combat Report of 25 October 1940 in TNA AIR 50/18. However, a copy of both the first and second (details) pages can be found in TNA AIR 27/428 (41 Squadron ORB Appendices May-December 1940) in folios 202-203.
  41. ^ There is a two-fold issue with this final victory. No Combat Report has survived for this action, which removes any real opportunity to corroborate any claim, but what complicates matters further is that the 611 Squadron ORB entry that day states that Eric “had fired at one 109 and saw 3 disintegrate”. On face value, this appears to imply that Lock destroyed three aircraft on the sortie, but no other source or evidence supports this suggestion. There is no subsequent solid or circumstantial evidence that appears to give any credence to the possibility of him simultaneously destroying three aircraft, and contemporary analysts all accept that Lock claimed one Bf 109F destroyed near Boulogne on this occasion.
  42. ^ Combat Reports exist for 24 victories but only circumstantial evidence exists for a 25th

References

  • Baker, E.C.R (1962). The Fighter Aces of the RAF. William Kimber. No ISBN.
  • Bishop, Patrick (2004). Fighter Boys: Saving Britain 1940. Harper Perennial. ISBN 0-00-653204-7.
  • Brew, Steve (2016). A Ruddy Awful Waste: Eric Lock DSO DFC & Bar: The Brief Life of a Battle of Britain Fighter Ace. Fighting High. ISBN 978-0-9934152-3-4
  • Foreman, John (1988). Battle of Britain: the forgotten months, November and December 1940. Air Research Publications, London. ISBN 978-1-871187-02-1
  • Foreman, John (2003). RAF Fighter Command Victory Claims of World War Two: Part One, 1939–1940. Red Kite. ISBN 0-9538061-8-9.
  • Foreman, John (2005). RAF Fighter Command Victory Claims of World War Two: Part Two, 1 January 1941 – 30 June 1943. Red Kite. ISBN 0-9538061-8-9.
  • Franks, Norman (1980). Wings of Freedom: Twelve Battle of Britain Pilots. London: William Kimber. ISBN 0-7183-0396-2.
  • Franks, Norman (1997). Royal Air Force Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War. Volume 1: Operational Losses: Aircraft and Crews, 1939–1941. Hersham, Surrey, Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-055-9.
  • Hillary, Richard. (2010). The Last Enemy. Vintage Ltd, London. ISBN 978-0-09-955182-9
  • Mason, Francis (1969). Battle Over Britain. London: McWhirter Twins Ltd. ISBN 978-0-901928-00-9.
  • Price, Alfred (1990). Battle of Britain Day: 15 September 1940. Greenhill books. London. ISBN 978-1-85367-375-7
  • Price, Alfred (1996). Spitfire Mark I/II Aces 1939-41. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-627-2.
  • Price, Alfred. (1997). Spitfire Mark V Aces 1941–1945. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-635-4.
  • Robinson, Anthony (1987). RAF fighter squadrons in the Battle of Britain. Arms and Armour. ISBN 978-0-85368-846-4
  • Sarkar, Dilip. (2010). How the Spitfire Won the Battle of Britain. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1848688681
  • Shores, Christopher (1983). Air Aces. Presidio Press. ISBN 978-0-89141-166-6
  • Shores, Christopher and Williams, Clive. (1994). Aces High. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-00-8
  • Shores, Christopher and Williams, Clive. (1966). Aces High. Neville Spearman. No ISBN.
  • Smith, Richard C. - Hornchurch Scramble: The Definitive Account of the RAF Fighter Airfield, Its Pilots, Groundcrew and Staff from 1915 to the End of the Battle of Britain: Vol 1 (Paperback) - Pub: Grub Street (26 Nov 2002), ISBN 1-904010-01-6
  • Shropshire County Archives—1979 privately published and now out of print pamphlet "Eric Lock—A Shropshire Airman"
  • Shropshire Archives, The Story of a brave Shropshire Airman: a tribute to Flight Lieutenant Eric Stanley Lock
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eric Lock (pilot).

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