A Second War 1942 ‘immediate’ Malta Spitfire Ace’s D.F.M. group of eight awarded to Pilot Officer L. G. C. De Lara, 249 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (740876. F/Sgt. L. G. C. De Lara R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Plt. Off. L. G. C. De Lara R.A.F.V.R.) mounted for display, good very fine (8) £3,000-£4,000

D.F.M. London Gazette 3 November 1942:

‘One day in October, 1942, this airman was the pilot of one of a section of aircraft engaged on a sorties over Malta. Within a short time, 2 large formations of enemy bombers were intercepted. Despite heavy odds, Flight Sergeant De Lara so skilfully led his section in attack that they caused the enemy to jettison their bombs into the sea on each occasion. Throughout, this airman displayed brilliant leadership and high courage. He has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft.’

The original recommendation states:

‘At dusk on 19/10 in extremely bad weather conditions he [De Lara] took off with 3 other pilots. His Section Leader returned to base when his windscreen oiled-up and Flight Sergeant De Lara immediately took over as Leader. In a short space of time he intercepted 2 separate formations of enemy bombers totalling approximately 40 aircraft causing them to jettison their bombs in the sea and dive into the clouds. In the last interception he destroyed 1 enemy bomber and as a result of the engagement only 3 of the enemy crossed the coast. Flight Sergeant De Lara’s leadership on this occasion was magnificent and one of the features of the recent intensive fighting over Malta. His courage, determination and resolution inspired his fellow pilots to such an extent that 3 Spitfires dispersed 40 enemy bombers.

During the present battle he has always exhibited the greatest desire to meet the enemy and on 19/10 when faced with overwhelming odds he took his chance and proved himself to be an outstanding fighter. This airman pilot arrived at Malta 9/6/42 and his score to date is 5 enemy aircraft destroyed and 5 damaged. During the week ending 19/10 he destroyed 4 enemy bombers and 1 fighter and damaged 3 bombers.’


Louis George Charles De Lara was born in Pune, India, in July 1914. The De Lara family were originally from Palermo, Italy, and moved to the south coast of England. De Lara’s father was George Louis Joseph De Lara, who was a Colour Sergeant in the British Army.

De Lara served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second War, and having carried out his initial training was posted as a pilot to 65 Squadron (Spitfires), Debden, at the start of 1942. The Squadron were primarily engaged on low-level attacks on enemy transport and shipping reconnaissance.

Malta 1942

De Lara volunteered for service overseas and was posted to Malta in June 1942. He was amongst the Spitfires that flew off H.M.S. Eagle, arriving at Malta, 9 June 1942. De Lara was initially posted as a pilot to 185 Squadron, however, he transferred to 249 Squadron (Spitfires) at Ta Kali by the end of the month. Engaged in the island’s defence, De Lara was quickly off the mark when he damaged an Italian fighter, 4 July 1942. The latter had been part of an bomber escort of 30 aircraft which was successfully intercepted by 8 Spitfires of 249 Squadron.

De Lara was on the receiving end, 11 July 1942:

‘It was not until 1845 that ten Ju88s, 16 MC2002s and two dozen Bf109s of I/JG 77 approached the coast, the bombers heading for Ta Kali. The attack was fairly accurate and one Spitfire was destroyed in its pen, another two sustaining damage. The defenders reported engagements with Messerschmitts only, three being claimed shot down... The badly damaged Spitfire which [Pilot Officer] Yarra reported escorting was Flt. Sgt. de L’Ara’s [Sic] BR347, which crash-landed at Ta Kali, slightly injuring the pilot.’ (Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942, C. Shores, B. Cull and N. Malizia refers)

After period of recuperation and attachment at Hal Far, De Lara added another damaged to his tally, 2 October 1942:

‘Whilst these Spitfires were operating over Biscari, nine more of 249 Squadron patrolled off the southern coast of Sicily to cover the withdrawal. At 1005 two MC202s were sighted going south at 19,000 feet, then two sections each of four Bf109s were spotted. Sqn. Ldr. Woods and Sgt. de L’Ara attacked one of the Macchis, the latter claiming strikes before it evaded and dived away.’ (Ibid)

A Purple Patch

De Lara was involved in the intense fighting of October 1942, having to go up several times a day to repulse seemingly endless raids. Five major raids took place over Malta, 12 October 1942, with De Lara accounting for 2 Ju88’s probably destroyed and 1 Ju88 damaged. During the first raid of the day De Lara claimed the first of the 2 Ju88’s, and the other two aircraft approximately two hours later during the third raid of the day.

A further four raids were carried out the next day, with De Lara sharing in the destruction of another enemy aircraft during the final raid:

‘Seven Ju88’s, 30 MC202’s drawn equally from 51 Stormo and 153 Gruppo and 42 Bf109’s approached, and were intercepted 20 miles north of Gozo by eight of 249 Squadron. Five of the escort were claimed shot down, two of the Messerschmitts being credited to Sqn. Ldr. Woods (AR466/R); a Macchi was claimed jointly by Sqn. Ldr. Stephens (EP338/A) and Flt. Sgt. de l‘Ara (BR565/T), while Flt. Sgt. Hiskens (EP135/Z) claimed another, and Flg. Off. McElroy (EP340/M) reported shooting down an Re2001. The bombers were also attacked, Sgt. Stead (BP869) claiming one damaged, and Sqn. Ldr. Stephens one destroyed.’ (Ibid)

With no let up in sight, De Lara claimed 2 Ju88’s damaged during the first raid of 14 October, 1942:

‘At least eight Ju88’s with a high escort of some 40 fighters stepped up to 28,000 feet approached soon after 0700, the majority crossing the coast. Twenty-nine Spitfires (nine/126, eight/185, four/229 and eight/249) were airborne, and at 0720 the 229 Squadron section engaged the bombers at 18,000 feet just north of Grand Harbour.

Wg. Cdr. Donaldson (BR130/S) led a head-on attack... 249 Squadron then engaged over Grand Harbour, carrying out a stern attack as the bombers headed for Takali, a probable and two damaged being claimed. Meanwhile, 185 Squadron became involved with the escorts north of St. Paul’s Bay, three Messerschmitts being claimed damaged while one Spitfire suffered damage in return.’ (Ibid)

Approximately 60 enemy aircraft carried out the second raid of the day on 16 October 1942, with De Lara claiming a Ju88 destroyed:

‘Meanwhile six more Spitfires, this time from 249 Squadron, had attacked the bombers as they were going into their dives over Hal Far. Flt. Sgt. de l’Ara (BR565/T) claimed one shot down, Sqn. Ldr. Woods (AR466/R) and Flg. Off. McElroy (EP132/F) each claiming one damaged. Bf109’s then attacked, inflicting damage to Woods’ aircraft, although Plt. Off. Lowery (EP201/V-F) claimed one of these shot down. Another Messerschmitt - possibly that flown by Fw. Golinski of 3/JG - was seen to shoot down Flt. Sgt. Peter Carter’s EP338/A, which fell into the sea with the loss of the pilot. Heinz Golinski (’Yellow 1’), victor of 46 combats in Russia, had been seen by other JG 53 pilots to shoot down one Spitfire. He was then attacked and killed by another, his aircraft falling into the sea.’ (Ibid)

A Well Earned D.F.M.

The Axis raids over Malta started at 06.25am on 19 October 1942. After a further four raids, De Lara came to the fore:

‘This somewhat frustrating day was to end with better success for the defenders, for as dusk settled in 40 unescorted Ju88’s from II/LG 1 and III/KG 77 approached in two formations. It was still light enough, however, for a standing patrol of three Spitfires from 249 Squadron to spot the KG 77 aircraft 25 miles out to sea as they approached from the west. The Spitfires were joined by two 89 Squadron Beaufighters, whereupon a number of bombers were seen to jettison their loads and turn back. Flt. Sgt. de l’Ara (EP201/V-F) then led in his section to intercept the other formation, which was encountered 15 miles east of Malta and again bombs were jettisoned, as de l’Ara recorded:

‘Whenever I manoeuvred my section nearly within range of a bomber in these groups, they would jettison their bombs and dive into cloud. I was vectored onto one bomber which I recognised as a Ju88, about 400 yards ahead, and crossing my starboard bows. I brought my section round behind it. The top gunner fired at me at about 200 yards, but I had closed to about 150 yards and fired a three or four second burst at the port motor.

The engine gave a flash, caught fire and streamed a considerable amount of black smoke. The gunner stopped firing and I noticed a glow inside the cockpit, then I broke right to avoid ramming. Immediately I broke, my No. 2 opened fire from astern. The e/a turned slightly to the right, then flicked over and spun left into the cloud.’

Only three bombers had in fact crossed the coast and it was one of these - 3Z+GS flown by Uffz. Gerhard Demuth - which fell to de l’Ara and Sgt. Stead. Bombs fell near Luqa and Hal Far but caused no material damage. Amongst those watching the fight from the ground was 89 Squadron’s Flg. Off. Crombie, who related:

‘The Ju88’s are still in formation and are just starting to open up and dive on the drome now. One has been hit, a Spit got him and one engine is on fire. Two of the crew have baled out. Christ, here comes the bombs also. The Ju88 that was hit has just hit the ground and blown up a mile from here. Three of the crew are coming down in parachutes....’

For his leadership during the evening interception, Flt. Sgt. Louis de l’Ara - a former Spitfire test pilot - was awarded an immediate D.F.M.’ (Ibid)

De Lara was commissioned Pilot Officer in November 1942, and awarded the Air Efficiency Award in October 1944. He died in March 1978, and is buried in Poole Cemetery, Dorset.

Sold with campaign medal authority to wear slip (in two pieces) listing the recipient’s additional entitlement to an ‘Atlantic’ clasp for the Air Crew Europe Star.