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D.F.C. AND BAR AWARDED
Flight-Lieutenant Caldwell
CANBERRA, Wednesday, 18 Dec. 1941 — A simultaneous award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Bar to it, has been made to Flight-Lieutenant Clive R. Caldwell, of Sydney, now serving with an R.A.A.F. squadron in Libya.
The award was announced in a despatch received today by the Minister for Air, Mr. Drakeford, from R.A.F. Middle East Headquarters.
Flight-Lieutenant Caldwell won the D.F.C. for consistent and brilliant work in various theatres of war in the Middle East, and particularly for a feat while patrolling over units of the Royal Navy. Though badly wounded when attacked by two Messerschmitt 109's, he attacked and shot one of them down.
The bar to Flight-Lieutenant Caldwell's D.F.C. was earned in the current operations in Libya. A flight he was leading encountered a number of Junkers 87's over the battle area, and, in the fight that followed, he shot down five of the enemy dive-bombers. He has shot down a total of 12 enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of another.
Flight-Lieutenant Caldwell, who is aged 30, represented the Sydney Grammar School in swimming, rowing, and athletics, and later won the 440 yards and 120 yards hurdles championships of New South Wales.
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London Gazette (Supplement to the Gazette of 23 December)
Air Ministry, 26th December, 1941. ROYAL AIR FORCE
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy :
Distinguished Flying Cross
Acting F/L Clive Robertson CALDWELL (Aus.402107), R.A.A.F., No. 250 Squadron
This officer has performed splendid work in the Middle East operations. He has at all times shown dogged determination and high devotion to duty which have proved an inspiration to his fellow pilots. On one occasion, during a patrol, he was attacked by 2 Messerschmitt 109's. His aircraft was badly damaged, while he himself received wounds on his face, arms and legs. Nevertheless, he courageously returned to the attack and shot down one of the hostile aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Caldwell has destroyed at least 4 enemy aircraft.
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Same issue of the London Gazette of 26 December 1941 reporting a
Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
Acting F/L Clive Robertson CALDWELL, D.F.C. (Aus.402107), R.A.A.F. No. 250 Sqn.
This officer continues to take his toll of enemy aircraft. One day in December, 1941, Flight Lieutenant Caldwell led his flight against a number of Junkers 87's and, during the combat, he personally shot down 5 of the enemy's aircraft bringing his total victories to 12.
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Poles Give Cross to Chieftain of Shark Squadron
North American Newspaper Alliance Cairo, Egypt, 23 March 1941 — "Killer" Caldwell, champion fighter pilot of the Middle East, now is wearing the green ribbon of the Polish Croix de Guerre (actually the "Krzyż Walecznych" or Cross Of Valor -jf) beside the ribbon of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar.
The Polish government honored the Australian flier in recognition of his exploits in command of the famous Shark Kittyhawk squadron in Libya in which nine Poles are serving as pilots. These are the first Polish pilots to serve in the Middle East. The squadron also includes English, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand pilots.
Squadron Leader Clive Caldwell is officially credited with destroying 19½ enemy aircraft — one (3 -jf) of his victories was shared with another pilot — and he has flown 66,750 miles on fighter operations.
"Killer" has taken part in 56 air battles and he thinks the German pilot is a tough, determined and worthy air fighter.
"When you meet a German you generally know that either you or he is going to be shot down," he said.
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1942
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R.A.F. ACES DECLARE ALLIES COMMAND AIR IN MIDDLE EAST
Assert Italians Are More Acrobatic Than Capable in Fighting
PRISONERS HAPPY
Washington, 23 May 1942 - (CP) - Five aces of the Royal Air Force in the Middle East, including F/O Ian Spengler, Windsor, Ont., and P/O Lloyd Warriner, of Toronto, arrived here Friday and, in a joint press conference, told newsmen the united nations hold air superiority in the Middle East.
Accompany "Killer"
The Canadians came here with S/L Clive R. Caldwell, an Australian fighter pilot known as "Killer" throughout the Middle East because he shot down five German Stukas during one engagement, and two Britons, S/L John Alexander and F/L J. E. S. White.
White once swam for four hours in the Mediterranean and tramped 50 miles over the desert to rejoin his squadron after being shot down.
Spengler was a cabinet maker in Windsor before the war and was trained under the Commonwealth plan in Canada. He went to Britain early in 1941 where, as a bomber pilot, he raided Germany many times. Later he was transferred to the Middle East.
Warriner was employed in an aircraft plant before the war, joining the R.C.A.F. in October 1940. He also made some raids over Germany before going to the Middle East where he was Alexander's navigator in a Wellington long-range bomber.
Warriner took part in one of the most successful raids on Italian aerodromes on the island of Rhodes, but both he and Spengler missed the big Crete show.
Quiet in Libya
The airmen said the ground fighting in Libya is static at present, both sides limiting their operations to short patrols. Air activity, however, goes on most of the time.
The fighter planes in the Middle East, they said, are divided 50-50 between American, and British models, but the British Wellington is used almost exclusively for long-range bombing. The big bombers are used principally against ships and docks in Benghazi, submarine bases in Greece and aerodromes in Crete. They take off from forward bases in the desert.
Caldwell said practically all the axis planes over the desert are manned by Germans and from March 1941, until the end of the second Libyan campaign, he had encountered only two Italian planes. Since then Italians were found once in a while "driven along by Germans who fly above them" in Messerschmitts.
Some of the Italian pilots put up a fight, but mostly they go in for acrobatics.
"They are not very determined about it," Caldwell said. "Their hearts are not in it."
Hold 3 to 1 Ratio
The allied air forces have maintained a 3 to 1 ratio against the Germans in the Middle East, Caldwell said, and he saw no reason why this should not continue.
For the most part, British fighter planes are used at night because they are equipped with flash eliminators and American planes during the day.
White said he had been at Malta recently where, despite the worst raids in all history, he found the spirit of the people "simply magnificent."
He said it was common for 50 or 80 German bombers, escorted by as many as 100 fighters, to raid the tiny Mediterranean Island, but Malta's anti-aircraft barrage was terrific, particularly over the harbour area, and many hits were made.
"That may be due to the fact that Malta gunners get more practice than any one else in the world," he added with a grin.
Predicts Russian Victory
Caldwell, asked about German prisoners, said he had seen three recently. One was arrogant, but another seemed to be almost happy about his capture.
"He told us," said Alexander, referring to the latter German, "that he would be all right, better off than we would be."
"He said he was sure that Russia would defeat Germany within a year, whereas we would be forced to fight another four or five years to beat Japan."
Alexander said this man was a member of a special wing sent to Libya, composed of ace flyers, every one having shot down at least 10 allied planes. Within a few months he and three others were the only pilots left of the original 70.
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Flier in Libya Mourns Absence Of Pumpkin Pie
Freeze at High Altitudes In Middle East
WASHINGTON, May 23, 1942 — Flying Officer Ian Spengler, R.C.A.F., who comes from Windsor, Ont., and has been flying big Wellington bombers out of the western deserts on raids into Cyrenaica, Greece, Crete and Rhodes has a complaint to make.
"The grub is good out there," he says, "but you can't get good pumpkin pie."
Along with a fellow-Canadian, Pilot Officer Lloyd Warriner, R.C.A.F. and three other Empire airmen he was here yesterday. Both Canadians, who hope to get home for a visit, say there are a good many Canadians out there in the Middle East and they are giving a good account of themselves.
They don't like to talk about themselves but both of them who have flown both in Europe and in the Middle East have seen a lot of action. What's the difference?, you ask.
ALMOST FREEZE
"Well," said Warriner, "when you fly over Germany you meet a lot of ack-ack and the fighter opposition is heavier but you get your job done a lot quicker. Out in the Middle East, you may be eight hours on a run — and don't believe them when they tell you that the Middle East is a hot climate — not when you are flying. You almost freeze at those high altitudes."
Spengler, who has seen a lot of action and has been shot down, smiles when you ask him to talk about himself.
"Can't you know," he said, "the less said the better."
For twelve months he has served as navigator with Squadron Leader John Alexander, D.F.C., a blue-eyed British lad who has served through the Norwegian campaign and who was here with him. Like Spengler, Alexander it a bit tight-lipped about his side of the show. Asked about the Nazi anti-aircraft he said, "It goes cracking along."
Most interesting personality in the team was Squadron Leader Clive Robertson Caldwell, D.F.C., with bar, Polish military medal, a trim young Australian who was once an insurance broker in Sydney. They call him "Killer" because in the course of operations in Libya he has destroyed 20 enemy aircraft.
In one engagement he shot down five planes, deprecated this accomplishment cheerfully in these words, "it all depends on the opportunity, you know, and how your ammunition lasts out. I happened to run into a group that were flying in close formation. When I shot down one, the others obligingly moved over to take his place — they are a bit strong on regimentation you know."
Fighter pilots out there have established a three to one superiority over the Nazis in the air fighting because of the greater flexibility of our planes.
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Bay Area Gleanings ....
1 September 1942 - Nigel Bruce and Squadron Leader Clive Caldwell are home from Del Monte where they were the guests of honor at a dinner given by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel F. G. Morse.
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FAMOUS AIRMAN AND HIS WIFE24 September 1942 - Squadron-Leader Clive "Killer" Caldwell, who is spending leave with his wife, arrived in Sydney last night before taking up duty in Australia. He is Australia's "ace" fighter pilot, his official score being 20½ enemy aircraft. Clive Caldwell & his wife |
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Air Ministry, 4th August, 1942
AWARD OF A FOREIGN DECORATION
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
'The KING has granted unrestricted permission for the wearing of the undermentioned decoration,
conferred on the officer indicated, in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war :
CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE POLISH REPUBLIC
Krzyz Walecznych (Croix des Vaillants)
Flight Lieutenant, Clive Robertson CALDWELL, D.F.C. & bar (Aus. 402107)
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1943
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Killer Caldwell Tops Aussie Fighter Pilots
MELBOURNE. Australia. June 18, 1943 - (CP) - Australian Spitfire pilots in the limited number of combats they have had with the Japanese to the north of Australia have destroyed 22 enemy planes thus far. The total includes five bombers, 15 fighters and two reconnaissance planes.
Wing Cmdr. Clive (Killer) Caldwell tops the score with three fighter planes and a bomber, making his total bag for the war 24½ planes.
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Australian Ace's Success
OUR WAR CORRESPONDENT SOMEWHERE IN AUSTRALIA, 19 August 1943.
Wednesday — Wing-Commander Clive ("Killer") Caldwell took his score to 27½ enemy aircraft destroyed when he brought down a Japanese reconnaissance bomber near Darwin. Wing-Commander Caldwell's kill was the fourth reconnaissance aircraft credited to Spitfires in the Darwin area yesterday.
In the morning, three Japanese bombers on reconnaissance were shot down by Spitfire pilots Squadron-Leader Ken James, of Franklin (Vic.); Flight-Lieutenant Peter Watson, D.F.C., of Vaucluse, Sydney; and Flight-Sergeant R. Watson, of Lismore, who shared a kill with Flight-Sergeant Rodney Jenkins, of Newmarket, Brisbane. Australian-manned Beaufighters
also had a day out, destroying four enemy float-planes over Taberfane (Aru Islands) and seriously damaging a fifth.
The successful Beaufighter pilots were Flight-Lieutenant J.D. Entwistle, Adelaide; Sergeant R.J. Kirkpatrick, Caulfleld; Flight-Lieutenant McCutcheon, Toorak; and Flight-Lieutenant J.C. Taylor, of Adelaide.
LUGGER DESTROYED
Flight-Lieutenant William Willard, of Waverley, Sydney, and Flight-Sergeant Tom Warren, Goulbura, New South Wales, attacked an 80-foot lugger heavily camouflaged, setting it on fire, and sank one or two power barges.
Wing-Commander Caldwell said later: "I followed him down after I hit him and saw him straighten out over the water. I thought, 'now this chap is going to make a break for it,' so I followed him down.
"Then he went into the water.
"I came down to take photographs and saw one member of the crew wriggling in the water."
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Suppliment to the London Gazette, 19 October 1943
Distinguished Service Order
Acting Wing Commander Clive Robertson CALDWELL, D.F.C. & bar (Aus 402107), Royal Australian Air Force
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1944
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P-40 WAR'S BEST FIGHTING PLANE
Used By 26 Nations Besides U.S.
Accounts For 13½ Enemy Ships For Every One Lost
By JACK STINNETT, 14 December 1944, Washington (AP) — It happened in Buffalo the other day, but only in aviation circles here and among Army fliers scattered over the world did it cause any stir.
What actually happened was that the Curtiss-Wright plant there turned over to the Army Air Forces the 15,000th and last of the P-40's.
It was a P-40N Warhawk, 14th model of the fightingest plane in this war, but now a casualty of wartime aviation progress. The assembly line has been torn down. The cavernous Curtiss-Wright factory there is temporarily as empty as a barn. But in history and in the minds of thousands of pilots, the P-40 will live on for many years.
In something over three years, the P-40's hung up a fighting record that may never be equaled. For a long time, the P-40 was Gen. H. H. "Hap" Arnold's baby. Col. Robert L. Scott, author of "God Is My Co-Pilot" and "Damned to Glory," not long ago summed up many pilots' views when he said "Give me my old P-40 and I'll go back to China any time and slap the Japanese back where they belong."
The P-40 originally was designed as a pursuit plane, but in the hurry-scurry to catch up with the blitzkrieg of the aggressor nations, it became probably the most versatile fighter plane in the skies.
The famed shark-mouthed "Flying Tiger" planes in China were all P-40's. But what isn't generally known is that the P-40's or their "daddys" — the P-36's — chalked up more "firsts" than any other type of fighting plane. For example, they shot down the first ME-109 over France in 1939; the first enemy aircraft downed by Allied or American airmen over Pearl Harbor, Iraq, the Philippines, Australia, Java, the Aleutians, Russia, Africa, Italy and Yugoslavia.
It is claimed that more Army aces to date have flown P-40's than any other plane. Among them, at least, are Wing Commander Clive "Killer" Caldwell, the Australian ace who is credited with 20 and one-half Nazi planes; Col. David Lee "Tex" Hill who dropped 18 Japanese planes in the Chinese theatre; Maj. Kenneth M. Taylor, who sent the first Japanese plane over Pearl Harbor plummeting to death; and Col. Scott, who commanded Gen. Claire L. Chenault's fighter force in China and himself bagged 13 Japanese planes.
In addition to the United States, 26 other members of the United Nations have painted their insignia on P-40's. The P-40's, despite their original design as pursuit planes, have served as dive-bombers, photo-reconnaissance ships, ground strafers and just straight bombers carrying up to a ton of deadly missiles.
In a cross-section made in all theatres, it is estimated that P-40's have accounted for 13 and one-half enemy planes for every one of their own shot down. That estimate, based on 457 planes that engaged 1,257 enemy planes, undoubtedly would be cut down considerably in an overall picture, but it still is a record that may never be approached.
As far as production is concerned, the P-40 is gone, but it will be a long time before it is forgotten, either by our Army pilots or by our enemies.
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1945
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LIQUOR FOR EQUIPMENT
Allegations at Court-Martial
SYDNEY, Wednesday, 17 January 1945 - "There was a dearth of equipment for my command at Morotai, and I learned that the only way to secure equipment for them was to trade liquor to the Americans for services rendered. They had no regular supplies or stocks of liquor, and depended solely upon supplies that could be brought in from time to time."
That explanation was contained in a statement read by Mr. J. E. Cassidy, K.C., counsel for Group-Captain C. R. "Killer" Caldwell, at the court martial at Bradfield Park today on behalf of his client, who declined to give evidence on oath.
In the statement, Group-Captain Caldwell said he was able by such means to obtain heavy earth-moving plant and other equipment from the Americans, who had plenty of equipment at that stage, but no liquor. He further claimed that it was the recognized practice at Morotai, where he commanded No.80 Fighters' Wing, to trade liquor for equipment, but he denied trading for money.
The wing had a total strength of 3000 officers and men. He claimed that owing to his trading in liquor to obtain equipment, the morale of his men remained very high, and they worked with plenty of enthusiasm. Discipline was completely satisfactory.
The statement added that the prices charged for the liquor were high according to mainland standards, but they were the ruling prices at Morotai, and other officers were doing the same thing to help their units. Orders affecting the carrying or sale of liquor by R.A.A.F. personnel were generally ignored during the period covering the charges, and it was not a secret that liquor was being brought in by service aircraft for trading purposes.
On two occasions in September and October 1944, two flights of Kittyhawks made sweeps over Tanimbar Island, and then went on to Darwin. There were seven planes in the first sweep and eight in the second. They each returned to Morotai with liquor. The sweeps had no operational value and were designed solely for the purpose of obtaining liquor at Darwin and bringing it to Noemfoor where the head quarters of the 1st T.A.F., under Air-Commodore Cobby, were located. Those flights were formally authorized by 1st T.A.F. head quarters, and to enable large quantities of liquor to be brought back, the aircraft were stripped of armament and ammunition at Darwin to increase their carrying capacity.
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Aussie Veterans Rap Air Board
SYDNEY, Australia. 2 Feb. 1945 - (CP) - Australian newspapers and servicemen's organizations today criticized the Commonwealth Air Board for its decision to reduce Group Capt. Clive Caldwell, Australian air ace, three grades to the rank of flight lieutenant for improperly selling liquor on Morotai Island northwest of New Guinea.
The flier, credited officially with destroying 27½ planes in combat, was convicted at a court martial last month. His reduction in rank was announced Friday.
The Sydney Morning Herald: "The air board has made an example of Caldwell although evidence at the court martial showed he was only one of many trading in liquor. It is a scandal which reflects grave discredit not only on high-ranking officers but on the whole Royal Australian Air Force administration."
The New South Wales branch of the Returned Soldiers' League said Caldwell's reduction in rank is a "shabby reward."
Caldwell himself said he would seek immediate discharge from the R.A.A.F.
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Fliers Criticize Air Command
SYDNEY, May 14, 1945 — Eight leading aces of the Australian air force have asked permission to resign. An Australian newspaper says the men are resigning in protest of being sent to attack targets which they consider of no value in prosecuting the war.
All eight are members of the first tactical air force operating from Morotai in the Halmaheras. The group includes thrice decorated Captain Clive (Killer) Caldwell who has a confirmed score of 27 and one half enemy planes.
The newspaper says the aces objected to the waste of planes and ammunition in attacking worthless targets.
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RESIGNATION OF R.A.A.F. OFFICERS
Public Inquiry Sought
SYDNEY, Monday, 14 May 1945 - Nothing short of a public inquiry, with the press present, would be satisfactory, declared Group-Captain Clive Caldwell, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar. Commenting today on the announcement by the Minister for Air (Mr. Drakeford) that Mr. J. V. Barry, K.C., had been appointed to inquire into and report "on matters relating to the alleged submission of resignations by certain R.A.A.F. officers in a forward area."
Several of the officers concerned are at present on leave in Australia and the others, it is expected, will be on the mainland for the inquiry. Caldwell, who is going tomorrow to visit the R.A.A.F., was pleased at the appointment of the commission. He said it looked as if things were moving in the right direction. He added that he had no official information suggesting that his court martial had been adjourned sine die.
The other officers said to have submitted their resignations are Group-Capt. W. S. Arthur, D.S.O., D.F.C.; Wing-Commander R. H. Gibbs, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar; Wing-Commander K. Ranger; Squadron-Leader J. L. Waddy, D.F.C.; Squadron-Leader B. A. Grace, D.F.C.; Squadron-Leader R. D. Vanderfield, D.F.C. and Squadron-Leader S. S. R. Harpham.
Among the grievances stated to have prompted the resignations of the officers is an allegation that they are sent on useless missions, involving possible waste of lives, to build up an imposing picture of air force operations.
In making his announcement yesterday of the appointment of the commission of inquiry, Mr. Drakeford said that allegations of unauthorised trading by certain officers, and charges made by Group-Captain Caldwell against Air-Commodore A. H. Cobby, D.S.O., D.F.C. and two Bars, G.M., and C.B.E., would also be investigated.
It was announced from Melbourne at the weekend that Air-Commodore Cobby had relinquished his command of the First Tactical Air Force at Morotai and had been appointed to a new command.
Inquiry Opens Tomorrow
Mr. Barry will open the inquiry in Melbourne tomorrow. Mr. A. J. Gillard will assist him as counsel.
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