Branse A. Burbridge achieved 21 personal victories, damaged one aircraft, possibly shot down two more, and destroyed three V-1 flying bombs. His first victory came on June 3, 1942. He served with the 141st, 157th, and 85th Squadrons, participating in the night defense of Great Britain, night incursions into Europe, and battles on the Western Front. Burbridge flew the A-20 Havoc and the de Havilland Mosquito.
A significant 14 of his victories were achieved while escorting bombers. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order with Bar and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar, testaments to his exceptional bravery and skill in combat.
Early Service and Partnership
Burbridge began his wartime career with the 85th Squadron in October 1941, scoring an unconfirmed kill against an enemy aircraft during his first flight in a Havoc. Upon rejoining the squadron in early 1944, he teamed up with his radar operator, Bill Skelt, in a new Mosquito fighter. Over the course of ten months, this formidable duo effectively eliminated any German aircraft they encountered in the sky.
Their initial five victories were secured over England. Following the D-Day invasion, the 85th Squadron was tasked with providing cover for the 100th Bomber Group. In six months, they completed 30 bomber escort missions, successfully downing 16 German night interceptors. Burbridge’s first notable victim was the German ace Wilhelm Herget, who had 72 victories, flying a Ju.88 in the skies over southern Belgium.
The Ruhr Raid: A Night of Dominance
Burbridge and Skelt achieved their greatest fame on the night of November 4-5, when their crew participated in a massive raid on the Ruhr. After shooting down two Ju.88s, they proceeded towards a known airfield south of Cologne. Soon, the landing lights of a fighter approaching for landing became visible in the distance, a sight that ignited Burbridge’s hunting instinct.
He later recounted the intense episode: “Captain Skelton detected a target at our altitude, approximately 1000 feet above the ground, and about two miles away. Taking a slightly southerly course, we closed in and identified it as a Bf.110. From 400 feet, I opened fire. The enemy aircraft immediately burst into flames and, engulfed, plunged into a river five miles north of the airfield.”
“We continued north for a few more minutes, then turned around and headed back towards the airfield. There, Captain Skelton detected another target two miles away. As we approached the enemy aircraft, it appeared to be performing a circuit of the airfield. We closed in from the southwest, and as it prepared to land, I established visual contact. This occurred at approximately 1500 feet, and we identified the target as a Ju.88. I fired a short burst, and its fuselage was engulfed in flames. Then it suddenly exploded, and we barely avoided colliding with the debris.”
These four victories cost Burbridge a mere 200 rounds of ammunition, highlighting his exceptional accuracy. By the end of the war, this crew had shot down 21 enemy aircraft, damaged one, and destroyed three V-1 cruise missiles. Both officers survived the war and later entered the clergy, pursuing a new path of service.