William Woods was born in Ireland in 1913. He joined the RAF in 1938 and trained as a pilot. In 1940 he was in Malta when Italy entered the war and took part flying a Gloster Gladiator biplane in the defense of the island.
Woods (=forest, wood) got the nickname "Timber" (wooden) because of his surname. As legend has it, three Gladiators named 'Hope', 'Faith' and 'Kindness' fought multi-day aerial battles with the enemy. Actually there were more Gladiators flying alternately.
Woods excelled in dogfights. In the first of these, on 11 June 1940, flying with George Burge and Alan Martin. In the engagement Woods damaged an Italian bomber. In the afternoon of the same day while pursuing two Italian bombers he was confronted by an Italian Macchi MC.200 fighter which dramatically outperformed the Gladiator.
However, Woods almost emerged victorious from the engagement with the Italian aircraft fleeing. On June 28, in a new dogfight, he seriously damaged an Italian bomber and intercepted a second one.
On 7 July he achieved his first confirmed shoot down, an S.79 bomber. Three days later he shot down another S.79. On July 31, in a dogfight with Italian CR.42 fighters, he managed to shoot down one of them.
In August 261 Squadron was formed and Woods joined it, now flying the more modern Hawker Hurricane fighters. On 17 September three squadron aircraft took off to intercept 12 Italian Ju-87 Stukas escorted by 21 CR.42 fighters. In the ensuing engagement Woods scored his third takedown, a CR.42.
In December 1940 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and transferred to Egypt. But he wasn't to stay there for long. He soon joined the 80th Squadron and was transferred to Greece.
Fighting in the Greek skies
80 Squadron had Gladiator fighters. The first combat mission was carried out from Elefsina airport to intercept Italian bombers heading towards Athens. Woods and another friendly aircraft hit an Italian Cant Z 1007 bomber. Thus he was credited with half a shoot down.
In the meantime the squadron relocated to Epirus. On 10 February 1941 the squadron was called upon to deal with Italian Z 1007 and S.79 bombers, escorted by FIAT G.50 fighters. Along with the British, Greek aircraft also participated in the aerial battle. It is worth noting that flying with Woods was Marmanduke Platt, the friend and ace with at least 50 kills, before fate played its game with both of them.
Fierce air battles continued in the following days with the Italians bombing Ioannina, as well as the city's airport. On February 14, Woods, along with other pilots, returned to Athens and then to Egypt to receive Hurricane fighters.
But he returned in time to prevent the German invasion of Greece. On April 10, 1941, in an attack against German targets on the ground, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and forced to make an emergency landing.
On 19 April seven Hurricanes of 80 Squadron took off to engage a formation of 40 German Ju-87 Stukas attacking British and Greek divisions. The Hurricanes shot down four Stukas before being attacked by German Bf-109E escort fighters, but to no avail.
The next day, April 20, the Germans attacked the Elefsina airport, now the squadron's base. At 16.45 more than 100 German aircraft were approaching Piraeus. Immediately 15 Hurricanes of the 33rd and 80th Squadron took off to deal with them.
The meeting with fate
The British claimed the downing of at least five Ju-87 and Ju-88 bombers. As the battle in the skies progressed Woods and three other pilots attacked D-17 bombers escorted by Bf-110 heavy fighters. Woods claimed the downing of one Bf-110, but only one was credited.
The remaining Hurricanes returned to Eleusis, refueled and took off again. That day Patl was sick. Nevertheless, he flew for the third time during the day. Woods also took off with him for his second outing together with another pilot.
The British attacked Ju-88 bombers escorted by Bf-110 fighters. Woods was attacked by German fighters and Pattle rushed to his friend's aid. But he didn't make it. Woods' Hurricane, burning, was falling toward the sea. In a short time, Patl's aircraft was also engulfed in flames after receiving fire from two German ones.
The two friends were killed together fighting for Greece. The historic bay of Elefsina became their grave. Woods died having achieved 6 ½ takedowns.
Gladiator in Malta.
William "Timbers" Woods in Greece.
