JOYCE, Ernest Leslie

Stats:

rank: S/L
status: kia
airforce: RNZAF    (no: NZ40770 )
born: 1920-02-17 Hamilton New Zealand

added by: Justin

Ernest Leslie Joyce, DFM (17 February 1920 – 17 June 1944) was a New Zealand flying ace of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War. He is credited with the destruction of at least nine enemy aircraft.

Awarded DFM London Gazette No. 35675, Dated 1942-08-21
N.Z.40770 Flight Sergeant Ernest Leslie JOYCE, Royal New Zealand Air Force, No. 73 Squadron. During a long and continuous period of service, this airman has performed splendid work. In low level machine gun attacks on enemy ground targets he has displayed great determination and achieved much success. On one occasion, at night, he participated in an attack on the aerodrome at Martuba. Despite heavy defensive fire, he machine-gunned dispersed aircraft on the ground from only 50 feet. In this vigorous attack he assisted in the probable destruction of several enemy aircraft. On another occasion at night, he observed a Junkers 88 flying at some 400 feet above him. Skilfully manoeuvring his aircraft he closed in on the rear of the enemy aircraft whose pilot began to take violent evasive action. Flight Sergeant Joyce, however, countered every move and, eventually closing in, shot down the enemy aircraft from close range. He has destroyed at least 5 enemy aircraft, 2 of them at night. Throughout his operational career, this airman has displayed great gallantry, tenacity and devotion to duty.

Ernest Leslie 'Nipper' Joyce while flying with 73 Squadron shot down five Ju88s at night and damaged a Bf110. The press caught on at the time and labelled him the 'Cat's Eyes' of the desert.

Born in Hamilton, Joyce joined the RNZAF in 1940. After completing his flight training, the latter part of which was received in the United Kingdom, he was posted to the Royal Air Force's No. 3 Squadron where he flew a Hawker Hurricane. In early 1942 he was dispatched to the Middle East, to fly with No. 73 Squadron in Egypt. Still flying Hurricanes, he shot down his first enemy aircraft in May and several more followed over the next few months. Having been commissioned after being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in August 1942, he was sent to a training unit later that year; he returned to No.73 Squadron (Tunisia) 1st July 1943 on his 2nd tour of duty. The Squadron is now flying Spitfires. He is promoted on 11th July to S/Ldr as its commanding officer. Squadron moves to Montecorvino Italy in operations until November. Returning to England, he was given command of No. 122 Squadron, which was equipped with the North American P-51 Mustang. Flying as part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force in support of the Allied landings in Normandy, he was shot down and killed while strafing a train on the 17th June 1944. Location, Marville-Les-Bois, France.


Joyce's final tally appears to have been: 1 Ju88 damaged (day) with 3 Squadron, Hurricane, 1941. Then 5 Ju88s destroyed (all at night), 2 Bf109s and 2 CR42s destroyed (day), 2 Bf 109s probably destroyed (day), 3 Bf109s damaged, 2 Bf110s damaged (day) 1 Bf110 damaged (night) with 73 Squadron, Hurricanes, North Africa 1941-42. 1 He111 destroyed (day) with 122 Squadron, Mustang III, Frisian Is May 1944. In total 9 destroyed (5 at night), 2 probably destroyed, 8 damaged flying Hurricanes. 1 destroyed flying Mustangs. Thus 10 destroyed, 2 probables and 8 damaged.

Died 17 June 1944 (aged 24)near Évreux, France
Buried
Marville-Les-Bois Communal Cemetery, France
Rank
Squadron leader
Commands held
No. 122 Squadron
No. 73 Squadron

Channel Front
Western Desert campaign
Italian campaign
Operation Overlord
Awards
Distinguished Flying Medal