56-419: Clive Robertson Caldwell , DSO , DFC & Bar (28 July 1911 – 5 August 1994) was the leading Australian air ace of World War II. He is officially credited with shooting down 28.5 enemy aircraft in over 300 operational sorties, including an ace in a day . In addition to his official score, he has been ascribed six probables and 15 damaged. Caldwell flew Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks and Kittyhawks in
112-598: A "damaged" at the time, but postwar sources have attributed him with the kill. In January 1942, Caldwell was promoted to squadron leader and given command of No. 112 Squadron RAF , becoming the first EATS graduate to command a British squadron. 112 Sqn at that time included several Polish aviators, and this was why Caldwell was later awarded the Polish Krzyż Walecznych (KW; "Cross of Valour"). Caldwell scored another striking victory in February 1942, while leading
168-615: A Bf 109E-7. Caldwell sustained three separate wounds from ammunition fragments and or shrapnel. His Tomahawk was hit by more than 100 7.92 mm bullets and five 20 mm cannon shells, but he shot down Schröer's wingman, and heavily damaged Schröer's "Black 8", causing Schröer to disengage. Suitable claim for that day 29.08.41 Ltn. Werner Schroer (6.) of 1./JG 27, Curtiss P-40 N.W. Sidi Barrani at 18.10 (Film C. 2036/II Nr.81357/42). On 23 November, Caldwell shot down an Experte , Hauptmann Wolfgang Lippert , Gruppenkommandeur (Group Commander) of II./JG 27, who bailed out. Lippert had struck
224-598: A case of 'a high degree of gallantry just short of deserving the Victoria Cross '. In either case, being ' Mentioned in Dispatches ' was a pre-condition for the award of a DSO. A requirement that the order could be given only to someone mentioned in despatches was removed in 1943. Since 1993, reflecting the review of the British honours system which recommended removing distinctions of rank in respect of operational awards,
280-480: A close friend, Pilot Officer Donald Munro, who was descending to the ground in a parachute. This was a controversial practice, but was nevertheless common among German and Allied pilots. One biographer, Kristin Alexander, suggests that it may have caused Caldwell's attitude to harden significantly. Months later, press officers and journalists popularised Caldwell's nickname of "Killer", which he disliked. One reason for
336-584: A daughter of George and Mary Main of "Retreat" station, Illabo, New South Wales . George was well known as chairman of the Australian Jockey Club . A pre-wedding reception was held at Cootamundra and the service at the tiny chapel at Dirnaseer , adjacent "Retreat". On his return to Australia, the couple lived in Illabo until at least 1947. After the war, Caldwell was involved as a purchasing agent obtaining surplus aircraft and other military equipment from
392-620: A first class shot". Caldwell claimed 22 victories while in North Africa flying P-40s, including ten Bf 109s and two Macchi C.202s . He had flown some 550 hours in over 300 operational sorties. While on a tour of the United States, Caldwell visited Curtiss-Wright in Buffalo, New York . On 6 August 1942, he was invited to come on an acceptance re-flight of a Curtiss C-46 Commando , the latest transport aircraft destined for overseas use. The aircraft
448-408: A formation of 11 Kittyhawks from 112 Sqn and 3 Sqn. Over Gazala , he sighted a schwarm of Bf 109Fs flying some 2,000 ft higher. Caldwell immediately nosed into a shallow dive, applied maximum power and boost , then pulled his Kittyhawk up into a vertical climb. With his P-40 "hanging from its propeller," he fired a burst at a Bf 109 flown by Leutnant Hans-Arnold Stahlschmidt of I./JG 27, who
504-550: A high degree of gallantry, just short of deserving the Victoria Cross . Whilst normally given for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy, a number of awards made between 1914 and 1916 were under circumstances not under fire, often to staff officers , causing resentment among front-line officers. After 1 January 1917, commanders in the field were instructed to recommend this award only for those serving under fire. From 1916, ribbon bars could be authorised for subsequent awards of
560-509: A large enemy formation was approaching from the North-West. No. 250 Squadron went into line astern behind me and as No. 112 Squadron engaged the escorting enemy fighters we attacked the JUs from the rear quarter. At 300 yards I opened fire with all my guns at the leader of one of the rear sections of three, allowing too little deflection, and hit No. 2 and No. 3, one of which burst into flames immediately,
616-538: A night attack. During the frontier skirmishes from 11 June to 9 September, the British claimed to have inflicted 3,500 casualties for a loss of 150 men. On 16 December, during Operation Compass (9 December 1940 – 9 February 1941) the 4th Armoured Brigade of the Western Desert Force captured Sidi Omar and the Italians withdrew from Sollum, Fort Capuzzo and the other frontier forts; Number 9 Field Supply Depot
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#1732852170497672-673: A total of 6.5 Japanese aircraft shot down. Later in 1943, Caldwell was posted to Mildura , to command No. 2 Operational Training Unit (2OTU). He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in November 1943. By 1944, with the Japanese forces retreating north, Caldwell was again posted to Darwin, this time commanding No. 80 (Fighter) Wing , equipped with the Spitfire Mark VIII. In April 1945, while serving at Morotai in
728-528: A yard. Living quarters had been built around the edges and provided the base for border guards and Italian army armoured car patrols. A track ran south from the fort, just west of the frontier wire and the border, to Sidi Omar , Fort Maddalena and Giarabub . The fort changed hands several times during the Western Desert campaign (1940–1943) of the Second World War . In 1922, Benito Mussolini continued
784-655: Is a level 2A decoration (order) in the British system of military decorations . Instituted on 6 September 1886 by Queen Victoria in a royal warrant published in The London Gazette on 9 November, the first DSOs awarded were dated 25 November 1886. The order was established to reward individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. It was a military order, until recently for officers only and typically awarded to officers ranked major (or equivalent) or higher, with awards to ranks below this usually for
840-732: The Riconquista of Libya in the Second Italo-Sanussi War (1921–1931). The Frontier wire was built by the Italian army , under the command of General Rodolfo Graziani , in the winter of 1930–1931, as a means to repress Senussi resistance against the Italian colonisation . The frontier wire and fort system was used to hinder the movement of Senussi fighters and materials from Egypt. The wire comprised four lines of 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) high stakes in concrete bases, laced with barbed wire , 320 km (200 mi) long, just inside
896-710: The Commonwealth . The following received the DSO and three bars ( i.e., were awarded the DSO four times): Fort Capuzzo 1941 1942 Associated articles Fort Capuzzo ( Italian : Ridotta Capuzzo ) was a fort in the colony of Italian Libya , near the Libya–Egypt border , next to the Italian Frontier Wire . The Litoranea Balbo ( Via Balbo ) ran south from Bardia to Fort Capuzzo, 8 mi (13 km) inland, west of Sollum , then east across
952-552: The Maletti Group , a combined tank, infantry and artillery force, equipped with a company of Fiat M11/39 medium tanks, which were superior to their older L3/33 tankettes. The Italians reoccupied Fort Capuzzo and held it with part of the 2nd CC.NN. Division "28 Ottobre" (Lieutenant-General [ Luogotenente Generale ] Francesco Argentino). On 29 June, the Maletti Group repulsed British tanks with its artillery and then defeated
1008-596: The North African Campaign and Supermarine Spitfires in the South West Pacific Theatre . He was the highest-scoring P-40 pilot from any air force and the highest-scoring Allied pilot in North Africa. Caldwell also commanded a Royal Air Force (RAF) squadron and two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) wings . His military service ended in controversy, when he resigned in protest at the misuse of Australian First Tactical Air Force 's fighter units and
1064-602: The Royal Aero Club of New South Wales . He was employed as a commission agent when World War II broke out, and he joined the Citizen Air Force division of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on 27 May 1940, with the intention of becoming a fighter pilot. As he was over the age limit for fighter training, Caldwell persuaded a pharmacist friend to alter the details on his birth certificate to July 1912. He
1120-543: The 1990s most, including Canada , Australia and New Zealand , were establishing their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours. Recipients of the order are officially known as Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, and are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSO". All awards are announced in The London Gazette . From 1918 to 2017, the Distinguished Service Order
1176-467: The 1st DLI back to Musaid . The German force advanced from Fort Capuzzo on the following afternoon. Three Italian battalions with artillery from the 102nd Motorised Division "Trento" took over the area between Sollum, Musaid and Fort Capuzzo. Late on 15 June, the 7th Royal Tank Regiment (7th RTR) attacked Fort Capuzzo during Operation Battleaxe (15–17 June) and scattered the defenders. The British tanks broke through but infantry were slow to follow up and
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#17328521704971232-455: The 22nd Guards Brigade was ordered to retreat at 11:00 a.m. The remnants of the armoured brigades covered the British withdrawal, eventually to the start line, assisted by the RAF. On 22 November, the fort was captured by the 2nd New Zealand Division , during Operation Crusader (18 November – 30 December) which then advanced on Tobruk, apart from the 5th New Zealand Brigade which remained to capture
1288-531: The Allied codename "Zeke") fighter and a Nakajima B5N "Kate" light bomber. The Spitfire pilots found Japanese fighter pilots reluctant to engage Allied fighters over Australia, due to the distance from their bases in the Dutch East Indies . The wing initially suffered high losses, due to the inexperience of many of its pilots, and teething mechanical problems with their newly " tropicalised " Mark VC Spitfires. This
1344-553: The DSO has been open to all ranks, with the award criteria redefined as "highly successful command and leadership during active operations". At the same time, the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was introduced as the second-highest award for gallantry. Despite some very fierce campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the DSO has yet to be awarded to a non-commissioned rank. The DSO had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries but by
1400-577: The DSO, worn on the ribbon of the original award. In 1942, the award was extended to officers of the Merchant Navy who had performed acts of gallantry whilst under enemy attack. Prior to 1943, the DSO could be awarded to only commissioned officers of the Lieutenant-Colonel rank and above, for 'meritorious or distinguished service in wartime' under conditions of actual combat. If awarded to an officer ranking below Lieutenant-Colonel, it had to be
1456-581: The Dutch East Indies with the Australian First Tactical Air Force , as Officer Commanding No. 80 Wing, Caldwell played a leading part in the " Morotai Mutiny ", in which several senior flyers resigned in protest at what they saw as the relegation of RAAF fighter squadrons to dangerous and strategically worthless ground attack missions. An investigation resulted in three senior officers being relieved of their commands, with Caldwell and
1512-706: The Egyptian frontier to the port over the coastal escarpment. The fort was built during the Italian colonial repression of Senussi resistance in the Second Italo-Senussi War (1923–1931), as part of a barrier on the Libya–Egypt and Libya–Sudan borders. The Frontier Wire and a line of forts including Fort Capuzzo were used to stop the Senussi from moving freely across the border. The fort had four crenellated walls enclosing
1568-559: The Sollum barracks. Axis forces recaptured the fort around 22 June 1942, after the Battle of Gazala (26 May – 21 June 1942) capturing 500 long tons (510 t) of fuel and 930 long tons (940 t) of foodstuffs, despite demolitions since the British withdrawal from Gazala has begun on 14 June. After the Second Battle of El Alamein (23 October – 11 November 1942) Fort Capuzzo changed hands for
1624-817: The US Foreign Liquidation Commission in the Philippines . The aircraft and equipment were exported to Australia in 1946. After the successful conclusion of this venture, Caldwell joined a cloth import/export company in Sydney and shortly after became its managing director. He became a partner in 1953 and later served as chairman of the board. The firm, Clive Caldwell (Sales) Pty Ltd, achieved considerable success under Caldwell's direction and expanded through subsidiaries worldwide. Although in later life Caldwell "spoke modestly" about his wartime service, upon his death in Sydney on 5 August 1994, many Australians "mourned
1680-414: The area between Sollum and the fort and inflict casualties, the 22nd Guards Brigade Group and the 4th RTR was to capture the fort and then attack northwards. The operation began on 15 May and the fort was captured by the 1st Durham Light Infantry (1st DLI) and a squadron of Infantry tanks . A counter-attack by II Battalion, Panzer Regiment 5 (with eight operational tanks) inflicted many losses and forced
1736-496: The attack and the 11th Hussars took Fort Maddalena about 60 mi (97 km) further south. The fort was not occupied long for lack of troops and equipment but demolition parties visited each night to destroy Italian ammunition and vehicles. For the rest of June, the British patrolled to the north, south and west and began the Siege of Giarabub . The Italian 10th Army concentrated in the area from Bardia to Tobruk and brought forward
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1792-481: The border from El Ramleh on the Gulf of Sollum, past Fort Capuzzo to Sidi Omar , then south, slightly to the west of the 25th meridian east , to the Libya–Egypt and Libya–Sudan borders. Three large forts were built along the wire at Amseat (Fort Capuzzo), Scegga ( Fort Maddalena ) and Giarabub and six smaller ones at El Ramleh on the gulf of Sollum, at Sidi Omar, Sceferzen, Vescechet, Garn ul Grein and El Aamara. The wire
1848-538: The co-pilot on the eight hours of circling over Buffalo, receiving certification that he was checked out on the C-46, under the tutelage of Fisher. Finishing his tour at Curtiss-Wright, Caldwell went on to visit the North American Aviation factory and was able to personally evaluate their new P-51 fighter, then in development. During 1942, Australia came under increasing pressure from Japanese forces, and Caldwell
1904-488: The discrepancy between the claim by 112 Squadron of five Ju 87 destroyed when the Luftwaffe lost only one, with two killed from I./StG 3, and a second of I./StG 1 being severely damaged (50%) with crew unhurt, both at Gubi. On 24 December 1941, Caldwell was involved in an engagement which mortally wounded another Luftwaffe ace, Hpt. Erbo Graf von Kageneck (credited with 69 air victories) of III./JG 27. Caldwell only claimed
1960-523: The enemy's aircraft bringing his total victories to 12." The second that he "has performed splendid work in the Middle East operations", "shown dogged determination and high devotion to duty which have proved an inspiration to his fellow pilots", and that after receiving "wounds on his face, arms and legs...he courageously returned to the attack and shot down one of the hostile aircraft." Michael Balss , in his book Deutsche Luftwaffe Losses & Claims , notes
2016-417: The first time, during his 30th sortie . He downed a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 E, piloted by Leutnant Heinz Schmidt of I gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—Fighter Wing 27), over Capuzzo , he followed this claim with a 'half share' of a Bf 110 on III./ ZG 26 and 2 Ju 87s of II./ Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2—Dive Bomber Wing 2) on 30 June. On 4 July 1941, Caldwell saw a German pilot shoot and kill
2072-535: The last time. German rearguards retired from Sidi Barrani on 9 November; next day, the 22nd Armoured Brigade advanced on Fort Capuzzo from the south and by 11 November, the last Axis troops had withdrawn from the frontier, despite orders to hold the area from Halfaya to Sollum and Sidi Omar. After the Allied conquest in 1943, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were ruled under the British Military Administration of Libya until Libyan independence in 1951, as
2128-497: The new P-40 Tomahawk , one of the first units in the world to operate P-40s. According to some accounts, on 6 June 1941, Caldwell as Flying Officer Jack Hamlyn's wingman, was involved in the P-40's first ever kill, of an Italian CANT Z.1007 bomber, over Egypt . However, the claim was not officially recognised. (Hamlyn and Sergeant Tom Paxton scored the first official kill two days later, another CANT.) Soon afterwards, Caldwell served with
2184-484: The nickname was his habit of using up ammunition left over at the end of sorties, to shoot up enemy troop convoys and vehicles. During his war service, Caldwell wrote in a notebook: "it's your life or theirs. This is war." While flying to his base alone, over northwest Egypt on 29 August 1941, Caldwell was attacked by two Bf 109s, in a simultaneous approach at right angles. His attackers included one of Germany's most famous aces, Leutnant Werner Schröer , also of JG 27, in
2240-524: The nickname was that he too shot enemy airmen after they parachuted out of aircraft. Caldwell commented many years later: "... there was no blood lust or anything about it like that. It was just a matter of not wanting them back to have another go at us. I never shot any who landed where they could be taken prisoner." (In later life, Caldwell said that his thoughts often turned to one Japanese airman or passenger, who survived Caldwell's last aerial victory but could not be rescued.) A more commonly cited reason for
2296-509: The other "mutineers" cleared. Prior to the "mutiny", Caldwell had been charged over his involvement in an alcohol racket on Morotai, where liquor was flown in by RAAF aircraft and then sold to the sizeable US forces contingent in the locality. He was court martialled in January 1946 and reduced to the rank of Flight Lieutenant . Caldwell left the service in February. On 13 April 1940 Caldwell married Jean McIver Main, whom he had known twelve years,
Clive Caldwell - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-399: The other going down smoking and went into flames after losing about 1000 feet. I then attacked the leader of the rear section...from below and behind, opening fire with all guns at very close range. The enemy aircraft turned over and dived steeply... opened fire [at another Ju 87] again at close range, the enemy caught fire...and crashed in flames. I was able to pull up under the belly of one of
2408-858: The passing of a true national hero". [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Companion of the Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom , as well as formerly of other parts of the Commonwealth , awarded for operational gallantry for highly successful command and leadership during active operations, typically in actual combat. Since 1993 it has been awarded specifically for "highly successful command and leadership during active operations", with all ranks being eligible. It
2464-511: The rear, holding the burst until very close range. The enemy... caught fire and dived into the ground. The citations for both the original DFC and the Bar were published in the same issue of the London Gazette , a supplement to that of 23 December 1941, dated 26 December 1941. The first citation described Caldwell as continuing to "take his toll of enemy aircraft" and that "he personally shot down 5 of
2520-529: The squadron over Syria and Lebanon . After struggling to acquire the skill of gunnery deflection , Caldwell developed a training technique, known as "shadow shooting", in which he fired at the shadow of his own aircraft on the desert surface. This was later widely adopted by the Desert Air Force . The squadron returned to North Africa. On 26 June 1941, while escorting bombers attacking Gazala , Libya , Caldwell destroyed an aircraft in air-to-air combat for
2576-485: The stabiliser and following capture had his legs amputated but 10 days later, a gangrene infection set in and he died on 3 December. For this action, Caldwell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross . Caldwell claimed five Junkers Ju 87 ( Stuka ) dive bombers in a matter of minutes on 5 December. For this he was awarded a Bar to his DFC. His report of that action reads: I received radio warning that
2632-419: The tanks were not able rapidly to exploit the success. Next day, the 22nd Guards Brigade consolidated at the fort and Panzer Regiment 8 attacked near Capuzzo, only to be repulsed by the 4th Armoured Brigade. German attempts to work round the British flank failed but reduced the tank regiments in the area to 21 runners. On 17 June, the danger of encirclement increased as German attacks reached Sidi Suleiman and
2688-679: Was accepted by the RAAF and joined the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS; also known as the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and similar names). Caldwell's first, brief combat posting was a British Hurricane unit, No. 73 Squadron , Royal Air Force , in the early stages of the North African campaign . He had gained only a few operational hours when he was transferred to No. 250 Squadron RAF as it converted to
2744-406: Was also loaded with Curtiss executives, and flown by Chief Production Test Pilot Herbert O. Fisher . The landing gear became stuck in a three-quarters down position, and after an extended eight-hour attempt to release the gear, Fisher calmly belly-landed the C-46. With the weight of the aircraft gently pushing the gear back into the wheel wells, a minimum of damage resulted. Caldwell had taken over as
2800-568: Was awarded approximately 16,935 times, in addition to 1,910 bars. The figures to 1979 are laid out in the table below, the dates reflecting the relevant entries in the London Gazette : In addition, approximately 90 DSOs were awarded between 1980 and 2017, including awards for the Falklands and the wars in the Gulf , Iraq and Afghanistan , in addition to three bars. The above figures include awards to
2856-506: Was established at the fort for the 7th Armoured Division . On 10 April, after the Axis advance from El Agheila, small British mobile columns began to harass Afrika Korps units around Fort Capuzzo, which was captured by the Germans on 12 April. Attacks by Kampfgruppe Herf from 25 to 26 April, led the British columns to fall back. During Operation Brevity (15–16 May) an operation to capture
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#17328521704972912-581: Was lagging behind the others. Stahlschmidt's fighter "shuddered like a carpet being whacked with a beater" before spinning out of control. Although the Kittyhawk pilots thought that the Bf 109 had crashed inside Allied lines, Stahlschmidt was able to crash-land in friendly territory. When Caldwell left the theatre later that year, the commander of air operations in North Africa and the Middle East, Air Vice Marshal Arthur Tedder described him as: "[a]n excellent leader and
2968-476: Was later court martialed and convicted for trading liquor. Caldwell was born in the Sydney suburb of Lewisham , and educated at Albion Park School , Sydney Grammar School and Trinity Grammar School . He was at Sydney Grammar School from June 1924 until May 1927, but did not complete his Leaving Certificate there (he rowed in the 4th IV and was a member of the Games Committee). He learned to fly in 1938 with
3024-492: Was patrolled using armoured cars and aircraft from the forts, by the Italian army and border guards, who attacked anyone seen in the frontier zone. On 14 June 1940, four days after the Italian declaration of war on Britain, the 7th Hussars and elements of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment captured Fort Capuzzo. The Royal Air Force (RAF) contributed the Gladiator fighters of 33 Squadron and Blenheim bombers of 211 Squadron to
3080-484: Was recalled by the RAAF, to serve as the wing leader of No. 1 (Fighter) Wing , comprising No. 54 Squadron RAF , No. 452 Squadron RAAF and No. 457 Squadron RAAF . The wing was equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire and in early 1943 was posted to Darwin , to defend it against Japanese air raids . Caldwell claimed two kills in his first interception sortie over Darwin, a Mitsubishi A6M Zero (also known by
3136-593: Was viewed with concern by high commanders, to such extent that the Allied air commander in the South West Pacific, Major General George Kenney , considered sending the wing to the New Guinea campaign , and returning US Fifth Air Force fighter units to Darwin. Caldwell scored what was to be his last aerial victory, a Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" of the 202nd Sentai , over the Arafura Sea on 17 August 1943. He claimed
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