Clive Caldwell
| Clive Robertson Caldwell | |
|---|---|
Clive Caldwell c. 1942
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Killer" |
| Born | 28 July 1910 Lewisham, New South Wales |
| Died | 5 August 1994 (aged 84) Sydney, New South Wales |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–46 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Commands held |
No. 112 Squadron RAF (1942) No. 1 Wing RAAF (1942–43) No. 80 Wing RAAF (1944–45) |
| Battles/wars |
World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Krzyż Walecznych (Poland) |
World War II
Group Captain Clive Robertson Caldwell, DSO, DFC & Bar (28 July 1910 – 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. In addition to his official score, he has been ascribed six probables and 15 damaged. Caldwell flew Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks and Kittyhawks in 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 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 the Aero Club of New South Wales. When World War II broke out, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), 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. He 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).
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