One of Ireland's most famed pilots of his day fell from the sky this month 80 years ago, defending the Greek capital Athens from a German Luftwaffe onslaught.
William 'Timber’ Woods DFC from Carrickmacross was in battle in the air over Athens on 20 April 1941. One of his wingman - the future author Roald Dahl - was aloft over Athens fighting with him when what’s described as a "swarm" of German planes descended on Timber, he didn’t stand a chance.
It was a "beautiful fight", Dahl reportedly said. Ireland’s fighter ace may not be a household name but some of his aircraft are.
He flew in the defence of Malta when at times three obsolete Gloster Gladiator biplane fighters were all that could be mustered to fight off the Italian air force