Dear friends
Andrew Arthy has put together an article about an important, but little-known Australian fighter pilot and RAF unit leader, Barry E. Gale. He served with distinction over Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean. The eArticle is available on our website, and is based on detailed research. Andrew also received valuable assistance from Barry Gale's family, and this has helped make the eArticle much more complete.
Barry Gale undertook his initial flying training in Australia, before travelling overseas to join the Royal Air Force and become a fighter pilot. His first operational posting, in the summer of 1942, saw him join 'Treble One', No. 111 Squadron, which was flying regular dangerous missions over Occupied France. In November 1942, 'Treble One' was chosen to take part in Operation TORCH, the Anglo-American invasion of French North-West Africa, and it was over Algeria and Tunisia that Barry Gale began to distinguish himself. By the time the Axis surrendered in May 1943, he had begun to assume a leadership role, leading a flight, and on occasion the entire squadron. However, the Tunisian campaign proved to be a very difficult one for No. 111 Squadron, especially in November and December 1942, and a considerable portion of the article is devoted to this period of Barry Gale's RAF career.
With the Tunisian campaign over, Barry left No. 111 Squadron and spent some time serving as a flying instructor. His next combat assignment was with England-based No. 165 Squadron, which he joined in June 1944. He remained with that unit until war's end. When he first arrived, the squadron was flying defensive patrols against V1 rocket bombs, but from August 1944 to May 1945 its role was much more offensive, flying sweeps, carrying out armed reconnaissance, and most prominently, escorting Allied medium and heavy bombers over France, Holland and Germany. In January 1945 Barry Gale was appointed squadron leader, and was at the head of dozens of missions over the Continent.
We wish you a nice weekend and hope you will enjoy this article. You can find it here:
LINK
All the best
Morten
Air War Publications
www.airwarpublications.com