Australian WWII Ace Bobby Gibbes

"Shark Patrol" (detail) © 2005 Troy White, Oil on Canvas,

 Available as a limited edition print.

Bobby Gibbes, DSO, DFC and Bar, was born in Young New South Wales on May 6, 1916. He was a jackeroo before joining the RAAF. After earning his wings in August 1940 he was posted to 450 Squadron RAAF and deployed to the Middle East with that unit arriving in May 1941. He soon transferred 3 Squadron RAAF where he scored his first victories during the Syrian campaign while flying P-40 Tomahawks.

At the end of the Syrian campaign 3 squadron was sent to the  western desert in North Africa. Gibbes was an aggressive pilot and by capable leader he was made Squadron Commander in February of 1942. His Kittyhawk was hit by return fire from a JU 88 on May 26 1942 forcing him to bail out. He broke his ankle but returned to combat in June and commenced flying again with his leg still n a cast. In December of 1942 he landed in the desert and picked up one of his squadron mates who had been shot down. He managed to get back to base despite blowing a tyre on takeoff.  Gibbes was shot down again on January 14, 1943.  He managed to avoid capture by Rommel’s Afrika Korps and made his way back to his squadron.

When his tour ended in April 1943 Gibbes was sent back to Australia where was made Deputy Wing Commander of 80 wing which was equipped with Spitfires.  He survived the fiery crash of his Spitfire at Batchelor field near Darwin when his engine quit on takeoff. He sustained burns to his arms but soon was back on Ops and deployed with 80 Wing to the Halmaheras.  Gibbes  final score for WWII was 12 (10 plus two shared) destroyed, five probables and 16 damaged.

Bobby Gibbes in 1942 

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