Ernest Mason
Encyclopedia
Ernest "Imshi" Mason DFC
and Bar
(29 July 1913 – 15 February 1942) was a British World War II
flying ace
, credited with one Luftwaffe
and 14 Regia Aeronautica
aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed, three damaged and another three shared damaged in the air. Mason claimed one and 13 shared destroyed on the ground.
, and was educated at Blackpool Grammar School. A gifted musician ( he played the saxophone) he was also interested in engineering and mechanics, riding motorcycles in dirt track racing at the age of 14.
bombers, but managed to switch to fighters with No. 80 Sqn. flying the Gloster Gladiator
by the time the war had started. At the end of 1940 he transferred as part of a flight of 80 Squadron forming into No. 274 Squadron with the Hawker Hurricane
.
in order to "freelance" over the Libyan Desert attacking targets of opportunity. It was during this period that Mason developed his preferred style of attack, embarking on long range missions to attack enemy air bases well behind the lines.
By the end of January 1941, Mason’s score was 14 kills and he was awarded the DFC in February 1941. By this time, he was also the leading Allied ace in the Middle East theatre.
In March 1941, Mason led a flight to Malta
to reinforce the defensive fighter force. On 13 April, Mason attacked four Bf 109s. He was attacked in turn by Oblt. Klaus Mietusch
of JG 26 and shot down for the German's eighth victory. Mason ditched his aircraft in the sea, suffering wounds to his hand in the combat and a broken nose in the ditching.
By now Mason has assumed a notoriety within the aircrews of the Commonwealth Air Forces, having grown a thick black beard (against RAF regulations) and acquiring the nickname "Imshi" ; colloquial Arabic for 'scram', which he reportedly tended to shout at the local pedlars.
Among Mason's notable victims were Tenente Oscar Abello and Sergente Pardino Pardini of 70a Squadriglia, Regia Aeronautica, victims number six and seven, both shot down on the same mission over Greece
on 5 January 1941.
During a patrol on 26 January, Mason encountered three Fiat G.50bis of 2o Gruppo CT near Derna and seven Fiat CR.42s of 368a Squadriglia strafing Australian ground positions.
Mason shot down two victims, Sottotenente Alfonso Nuti and Maresciallo Guido Papparato from 368a Squadriglia, who were both killed.
In July 1941 Mason assumed command of No. 261 Squadron, reforming in Palestine.In August he led the unit in the occupation of Iran, and in January was posted back to the Western Desert to command No 94 Squadron flying P-40 Kittyhawks.
. His flight was bounced by Jagdgeschwader 27
Messerschmitt Bf 109
s led by the German ace Obfw. Otto Schulz
. Four Hurricanes were shot down, including Mason's. He was killed, becoming Schulz's 40th victim.
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 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...
(29 July 1913 – 15 February 1942) was a British 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...
flying ace
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...
, credited with one Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
and 14 Regia Aeronautica
Regia Aeronautica
The Italian Royal Air Force was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946...
aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed, three damaged and another three shared damaged in the air. Mason claimed one and 13 shared destroyed on the ground.
Early life
Ernest “Imshi” Mason was born in DarlingtonDarlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
, and was educated at Blackpool Grammar School. A gifted musician ( he played the saxophone) he was also interested in engineering and mechanics, riding motorcycles in dirt track racing at the age of 14.
RAF career
Mason joined the RAF in March 1938, undergoing training at 4 FTS in Egypt. He was initially posted to No. 48 squadron flying Vickers WellesleyVickers Wellesley
The Vickers Wellesley was a British 1930s light bomber built by Vickers-Armstrongs at Brooklands near Weybridge, Surrey, for the Royal Air Force...
bombers, but managed to switch to fighters with No. 80 Sqn. flying the Gloster Gladiator
Gloster Gladiator
The Gloster Gladiator was a British-built biplane fighter. It was used by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and was exported to a number of other air forces during the late 1930s. It was the RAF's last biplane fighter aircraft and was rendered obsolete by newer monoplane designs even as it...
by the time the war had started. At the end of 1940 he transferred as part of a flight of 80 Squadron forming into No. 274 Squadron with the Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
.
Mediterranean, Middle East and African theatres of World War II
Mason and Lt. Robert Talbot of the SAAF were detached to Sidi BarraniSidi Barrani
Sidi Barrani is a town in Egypt, near the Mediterranean Sea, about east of the border with Libya, and around from Tobruk, Libya.Probably named after Sidi Mohammed el Barrani, a Senussi fighter in the early 1900s, the village is mainly a Bedouin community...
in order to "freelance" over the Libyan Desert attacking targets of opportunity. It was during this period that Mason developed his preferred style of attack, embarking on long range missions to attack enemy air bases well behind the lines.
By the end of January 1941, Mason’s score was 14 kills and he was awarded the DFC in February 1941. By this time, he was also the leading Allied ace in the Middle East theatre.
In March 1941, Mason led a flight to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
to reinforce the defensive fighter force. On 13 April, Mason attacked four Bf 109s. He was attacked in turn by Oblt. Klaus Mietusch
Klaus Mietusch
Klaus Mietusch was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. Mietusch claimed 75 victories during his combat career but died at the hands of an American P-51 pilot in September 1944 and was posthumously awarded the Oak Leaves...
of JG 26 and shot down for the German's eighth victory. Mason ditched his aircraft in the sea, suffering wounds to his hand in the combat and a broken nose in the ditching.
By now Mason has assumed a notoriety within the aircrews of the Commonwealth Air Forces, having grown a thick black beard (against RAF regulations) and acquiring the nickname "Imshi" ; colloquial Arabic for 'scram', which he reportedly tended to shout at the local pedlars.
Among Mason's notable victims were Tenente Oscar Abello and Sergente Pardino Pardini of 70a Squadriglia, Regia Aeronautica, victims number six and seven, both shot down on the same mission over Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
on 5 January 1941.
During a patrol on 26 January, Mason encountered three Fiat G.50bis of 2o Gruppo CT near Derna and seven Fiat CR.42s of 368a Squadriglia strafing Australian ground positions.
Mason shot down two victims, Sottotenente Alfonso Nuti and Maresciallo Guido Papparato from 368a Squadriglia, who were both killed.
In July 1941 Mason assumed command of No. 261 Squadron, reforming in Palestine.In August he led the unit in the occupation of Iran, and in January was posted back to the Western Desert to command No 94 Squadron flying P-40 Kittyhawks.
Death
On 15 February 1942, Mason led a ground attack mission against a known Luftwaffe base at Martuba, EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. His flight was bounced by Jagdgeschwader 27
Jagdgeschwader 27
Jagdgeschwader 27 Afrika was a World War II Luftwaffe Geschwader. It was most famous for service in the North African Campaign, supporting the Deutsches Afrikakorps.- Formation:...
Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
s led by the German ace Obfw. Otto Schulz
Otto Schulz
Oberleutnant Otto Schulz was a German World War II Luftwaffe fighter ace...
. Four Hurricanes were shot down, including Mason's. He was killed, becoming Schulz's 40th victim.