6. The RAF’s leading ace of World War II is a matter of some dispute
Marmaduke Thomas St. John Pattle, known somewhat understandably as Pat Pattle, holds the distinction of being the leading ace of World War II to fly for the Royal Air Force. The actual count of his victories remains disputed. Some claim he shot down 51, other sources can account for around 40, and the records left behind by contemporaries indicate upwards of 60. Pattle was from South Africa, served most of his time in the Mediterranean Theater and the Western Desert, and died in action on April 20, 1941. He flew both Gloster Gladiators and Hawker Hurricanes and is considered to have obtained the most victories for both types of aircraft.
At least 26 of his confirmed kills occurred against Italian aircraft in the early years of the war. Once shot down and eluding capture in the desert. He considered the episode an embarrassment and refused to discuss it with squadron mates. To Pattle, being shot down by Italians was humiliating. Because he was from South Africa, his name is often missing from lists of the top British aces of the war, though his entire service was in the Royal Air Force, flying British aircraft. No other pilot in the RAF exceeded his number of victories, though many flew several years longer than Pattle.