Tony Lovell

He was the son of Stuart C. A. Lovell and of Clare Mary Lovell, of Portrush, Northern Ireland. It had been expected that he would train for the Roman Catholic priesthood but directly upon graduation from Ampleforth College[2] he joined the Royal Air Force.[3]

Lovell joined the RAF on a short service commission in November 1937 and was commissioned acting pilot officer on 9 January 1938,[4] graduating from No, 6 Flying Training School at RAF Netheravon he was posted to No. 41 Squadron RAF at RAF Catterick on 20 August 1938 flying Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia[5] fighters and confirmed pilot officer on 25 October 1938.[6] He was promoted flying officer on 25 May 1940.[7]

Over Dunkirk on 31 May 1940 he shared the destruction of a Heinkel He 111 bomber and on 1 June 1940 he shared another. On 8 July 1940 Lovell claimed a Ju 86. In combat off Dover on 28 July 1940, he was attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 reportedly flown by leading Luftwaffe fighter ace Werner Mölders of JG 51 and crashed on landing at RAF Manston. Lovell had been wounded in the thigh and was admitted to Margate Hospital. On 5 September 1940 he was shot down over the Thames Estuary and baled out unhurt. His Supermarine Spitfire (serial number "R 6885") crashed and burned out at South Benfleet.[8] Lovell was appointed to command "B" Flight in October 1940 at RAF Hornchurch. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 26 November 1940 as a flight lieutenant flying with No. 41 Squadron RAF.[9] His citation read:

This officer has flown continuously on active operations against the enemy since war began. He has shown a fine fighting spirit and has led his flight and on occasions his squadron with great courage, coolness and determination. He has destroyed seven enemy aircraft.

Becoming a fighter controller for a period of rest he was promoted acting flight lieutenant on 25 May 1941.[10] Lovell was promoted flight lieutenant on 25 October 1941,[11] In October 1941 Lovell was given command of No. 145 Squadron RAF as acting squadron leader transferring to the Middle East with his squadron in spring 1942 but soon resigned his command in Egypt completely frustrated by the lack of aircraft for his squadron. On 10 February 1942 he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross as acting squadron leader commanding with No. 145 Squadron RAF.[12] His citation states:

This officer is a fearless and skilful fighter pilot. His keenness to engage the enemy, combined with fine leadership, both in the air and on the ground have set an inspiring example. In November 1941 Squadron Leader Lovell shot down a Junkers Ju 88 some 35 miles off the Yorkshire coast. In January 1942 in the same area and in difficult weather conditions he intercepted another Junkers Ju 88 and shot it down into the sea. This officer has personally destroyed at least 11 hostile aircraft and has damaged others.

Spitfire in Malta camouflage.

He was quickly posted back into action, to Malta in July 1942 to join No. 603 Squadron RAF and promoted temporary squadron leader on 1 June 1942.[13] When the squadron was disbanded on 3 August 1942 it was partly incorporated into No. 1435 Flight RAF to form a full squadron with Lovell in command.[14]

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 30 October 1942 as squadron leader commanding a fighter squadron during the Battle of Malta.[15] His citation reads:

This officer is an outstanding squadron commander who has played a considerable part in the defence of Malta. One day in October 1942 he led his squadron in an attack against six Junkers Ju 88s escorted by a number of fighters. In the combat Squadron Leader Lovell shot down a Junkers Ju 88 bringing his total victories to nine. On many occasions his skilful leadership has enabled his squadron to intercept enemy air formations bent on attacking Malta. This officer's gallantry and determination have set an example worthy of the highest praise.

After a rest at the beginning of 1943—during which he served as a fighter controller—Lovell was appointed to No. 242 Group as acting wing commander and was promoted full squadron leader on 9 April 1943.[16] He led No. 322 Wing over Corsica and then No. 244 Wing during the invasion of Italy and the South of France.[17] He was awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross on 14 November 1944 as acting wing commander.[18] His brother Stuart was killed on active service with the RAF in 1944.[19]

On 23 February 1945 Lovell was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order as a wing commander and fighter leader.[20] As the war came to an end Lovell was serving as chief flight instructor at No. 71 Operational Training Unit at Ismailia, he returned to England in June 1945 and in July 1945 joined the RAF School of Air Support at Old Sarum.[8]

His success as an air ace is recorded by eminent air warfare scholars Chris Shores and Clive Williams as 16 enemy aircraft destroyed, 6 shared destroyed, 2 probably destroyed, 9 damaged, 4 shared damaged and 1 destroyed on the ground. This was accomplished during 5 operational tours.[21]

On 17 August 1945 Lovell was killed when he crashed into a field adjoining Old Sarum airfield having lost height while performing aerobatics in a Spitfire Mark XII (serial number "EN234").[22][23]

• Shores, Christopher (1994). Aces High. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-898697-00-0.