Peter Turnbull (RAAF officer)
| Peter St George Bruce Turnbull | |
|---|---|
Flying Officer Peter Turnbull in Palestine, June 1941
|
|
| Born |
9 February 1917 Armidale, New South Wales |
| Died | 27 August 1942 (aged 25) Milne Bay, New Guinea |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch |
Citizens Military Force Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–42 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit |
12/24th Light Horse (1938) No. 3 Squadron (1939–41) No. 75 Squadron (1942) |
| Commands held | No. 76 Squadron (1942) |
| Battles/wars |
World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
World War II
Peter St George Bruce Turnbull, DFC (9 February 1917 – 27 August 1942) was an Australian fighter ace of World War II, credited with twelve aerial victories. Born in Armidale, New South Wales, he was an electrician before he joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in January 1939. After pilot training he was posted to No. 3 Squadron, which departed for action in the Middle East in July 1940. Flying Gloster Gladiator, Hawker Hurricane and P-40 Tomahawk fighters during the North African and Syria-Lebanon campaigns, Turnbull was credited with nine victories and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Posted to the South West Pacific in March 1942, he joined No. 75 Squadron at Port Moresby, New Guinea, operating P-40 Kittyhawks. During the ensuing Battle of Port Moresby, he claimed three Japanese aircraft. Turnbull took over command of No. 76 Squadron in May, leading it into the Battle of Milne Bay later that year. He was killed during a mission on 27 August 1942; an Allied airfield in New Guinea was subsequently named for him.
The son of Archibald and Maud Turnbull, Peter Turnbull was born on 9 February 1917 in Armidale, New South Wales. After leaving school with an Intermediate Certificate, he was employed as an electrician in Glen Innes, where his family owned property. In 1938, Turnbull enlisted in the 12/24th Light Horse Regiment, a militia unit. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an air cadet on 16 January 1939, and underwent instruction at No. 1 Flying Training School in Point Cook, Victoria. Graduating on 20 October 1939, he was commissioned a pilot officer and assigned to No. 3 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, which operated Hawker Demons out of RAAF Station Richmond, New South Wales. He was promoted to flying officer on 20 April 1940, and posted to the Middle East with his unit on 15 July, disembarking at Suez, Egypt, the following month.
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