Hugh Eliot, DSO,DFC (16 April 1921 – 4 March 1945) was a flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He is credited with the destruction of at least nine aircraft.
Hugh William Eliot was born on 16 April 1921 in the London suburb of Lewisham, in the United Kingdom. He was educated at St Dunstan's College and later moved to Dulwich College. Once his education was completed he worked for Lloyds Bank.[1][2]
When Eliot joined it, No. 73 Squadron was based at Rouvres in France from where it was engaged in patrolling duties as part of the RAF's Advanced Air Striking Force.[5] On 11 May, the day after the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, Eliot damaged a Messerschmitt Bf 110heavy fighter. Five days later he shot down a pair of German aircraft, although their type was uncertain. He destroyed a Bf 110 on 3 June.[2][6] No. 73 Squadron was heavily engaged throughout its service in France and relocated several times as the Germans advanced. It was withdrawn to England on 17 June.[5] Eliot was confirmed in his pilot officer rank a few days later.[7]
No. 73 Squadron reformed at Church Fenton and underwent training in night fighter operations. In early July it became operational by day, and a month later was approved for night operations.[5] On 6 September, his Hurricane was damaged in an engagement with a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter. With the aircraft on fire, he bailed out. While he safely landed, due to being burnt he was hospitalised for three weeks, returning to the squadron at the end of the month.[6]
Siege of Malta
On 19 October, Eliot was one of several pilots sent to the depot at Uxbridge to prepare for an assignment to Malta, which was under siege by the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force). Boarding the aircraft carrierHMS Argus four days later for the voyage to the Mediterranean, he flew a Hurricane off its flight deck on 17 November for the final part of the journey to Malta. Once there he was posted to No. 261 Squadron.[2][6] This was based at Takali and tasked with carrying out standing patrols to counter the fighter-bomber raids being mounted by the Italians.[8] Eliot was mentioned in despatches on 1 January 1941.[9] With the Luftwaffe now involved in operations against Malta, he shot down a Junkers Ju 87dive bomber over the island on 26 February, and also probably destroyed a second.[6][8] Two days later, he was promoted to flying officer.[10]
In July Eliot was posted to the newly formed No. 185 Squadron to serve as one of its flight commanders.[6] This was at the airfield at Hal Far and operating Hurricanes.[11] Two months later he was repatriated to England, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 26 September.[6][12] He was then briefly posted to No. 242 Squadron at Valley but was rested in October after just a few weeks with his new unit.[2]
North Africa and Italy
Promoted to flight lieutenant in February 1942,[13] Eliot underwent training in night fighting duties and then, towards the end of the year was posted to No. 255 Squadron.[6] This was based at Honiley but preparing for a move to North Africa with its Bristol Beaufighter heavy fighters. From November it was based in Algeria on night defence duties but switched to carrying out intruder missions from March 1943.[14][15]
In August Eliot was made an acting squadron leader and appointed the commander of the squadron.[6] By this time, it was based at Borizzo Airfield in Sicily and carrying operations in support of the landings at Salerno.[14][15] On the night of 9 September, he destroyed a Messerschmitt Me 210 heavy fighter in the vicinity of Salerno. Two months later his substantive rank was made up to squadron leader.[16] A Dornier Do 217medium bomber was shot down by Eliot on the night of 30 January 1944. He relinquished command of the squadron in February to commence another rest period.[6]
A No. 256 Squadron de Havilland Mosquito heavy fighter preparing to take off from its airfield at Foggia, in Italy
On a night sortie on 4 March 1945, Eliot was attacking a bridge in northern Italy when his Mosquito was struck by anti-aircraft fire. He and his navigator, Flight Lieutenant W. Cox, were killed.[2][6] At the time of his death, he held the rank of acting wing commander. Buried at the Argenta Gap War Cemetery in Italy, Eliot is credited with having shot down nine aircraft, one of which was shared with other pilots. He is also credited with two aircraft probably destroyed, with one of these shared. One aircraft is credited as being damaged by Eliot.[6][19]
Rawlings, John (1976). Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: MacDonald & James. ISBN0-354-01028-X.
Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII. London: Grub Street. ISBN1-8-9869-7000.
Wynn, Kenneth G. (2015). Men of the Battle of Britain: A Biographical Directory of the Few. Barnsley: Frontline Books. ISBN978-1-39901-465-6.
