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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 5

The Outstanding 1945 'Pacific Operations' D.S.O., 1940 'Immediate' Battle of Britain D.F.C. Group of Nine to Hurricane Ace, Squadron Leader J.A.A. 'Johnny' Gibson, Royal Air Force, Accredited With At Least 12 Destroyed, 1 Shared Destroyed, and 11 Damaged. Shot Down Twice During the Battle of France, Twice During the Battle of Britain, and Once By Flak During Operation Varsity, Gibson Went On To Rack Up 26 Claims On Enemy Aircraft During 1940. He Commanded 15 Squadron (R.N.Z.A.F.), And Completed Three Tours Against the Japanese Over the Solomon Islands. After the War He Was Employed As the Personal Pilot For Both Field Marshal Montgomery and Marshal of the Royal Air Force Tedder
a) Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar officially dated '1945', with integral top riband bar, minor enamel damage, reverse cypher slightly bent
b) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1940'
c) 1939-1945 Star, with Battle of Britain Bar
d) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar
e) Pacific Star
f) Defence Medal
g) War Medal, M.I.D. Oak Leaf
h) New Zealand War Service Medal
i) Rhodesia General Service Medal (7338 Flt Lt J.A.A. Gibson), light contact marks overall, generally very fine, mounted court-style for wear, with the following related items:
- The recipient's nine associated miniature awards, the first eight as full size the last a Dunkirk Commemorative medal, mounted for wear
- Caterpillar Club Badge, gold with 'ruby' eyes, reverse engraved 'A/F/Lt J. Gibson. D.F.C.'
- Two R.A.F. Pilot's Flying Log Books (16.5.1938-8.10.1940 and 13.4.1941-19.4.1955), the logs privately bound together, and annotated 'Second Log Book lost owing to Enemy Action'
- Ministry of Civil Aviation Personal Flying Log Book (13.12.1946-31.3.1948)
- Africair Pilot's Flying Log Book (19.4.1955-30.4.1964); Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Department of Civil Aviation Personal Flying Log Book (5.5.1964-6.6.1977)
- A number of African Commercial Pilot's Licences; Certificate of Registration as a Citizen of Rhodesia, dated 29.6.1972; named booklet given to recipient from the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a memento on becoming a Citizen of Rhodesia, dated 29.6.1972
- Correspondence from later in life, a large quantity of photographs from various stages of recipient's life, and other ephemera
- Corgi Limited Edition, The Aviation Archive - Aces of the Commonwealth, Model of P-40 Kittyhawk IA -NZ3040 Flt. Lt. Johnnie Gibson, 15 Sqn RNZAF, Whenuapai, New Zealand 1942, in original box (lot)

D.S.O. London Gazette 16.3.1945 Acting Squadron Leader John Albert Axel Gibson, D.F.C. (40969), R.A.F.O., 15 Sqn
'In recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations in the South-West Pacific area.'

The Recommendation states: 'Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his achievements as a fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain, this officer has further distinguished himself both in England and more recently in the Pacific, where he has made three tours in the Solomons area.
He has destroyed a total of 14 1/2 enemy aircraft, adding to his earlier record one Japanese fighter which was fiercely attacking an Allied formation over Rabaul Harbour.
Acting Squadron Leader Gibson, who is a brilliant pilot and a born leader, has to his credit the exceptional total of 669 hours of operational flying, covering 383 missions.
On his two latest tours in the Pacific this year, he has commanded a Squadron, and his enthusiasm and fearless leadership have been outstanding. His personal courage, both in aerial combat and in ground strafing and fighter-bomber missions, and his long experience, have been of inestimable value to his Squadron, which has earned the high praise of Allied Commanders.'

D.F.C. London Gazette 30.8.1940 Pilot Officer John Axel Gibson (40969)
'In August, whilst on an offensive patrol over Dover this officer engaged and destroyed a Junkers 87 and was afterwards shot down himself. Although his aircraft was in flames he steered it away from the town of Folkestone and did not abandon the aircraft until it had descended to 1,000 feet. Pilot Officer Gibson has destroyed eight enemy aircraft, and has displayed great courage and presence of mind.'

The Recommendation states, 'On 15th August, 1940, P/O Gibson, whilst on an offensive patrol over Dover destroyed one Ju. 87 and was then himself shot down in flames. Although this officer's aircraft was in flames he steered it away from the town of Folkestone and did not abandon it until at 1,000 feet.
P/O Gibson has now eight confirmed and two unconfirmed enemy aircraft to his credit and has at all times displayed great courage and presence of mind.'

Remarks of the Air Officer Commanding [Air Vice-Marshal K.R. Park]: 'This gallant young New Zealand Pilot has displayed presence of mind and great courage. He has shot down eight enemy aircraft. For his qualities and successes I strongly recommend him for the Immediate Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

Squadron Leader John Albert Axel Gibson, D.S.O., D.F.C. (1916-2000), born in Brighton his family emigrated to New Zealand four years later. He was educated in New Plymouth High School before applying for a R.A.F. Short Service Commission in 1937. Having been accepted he sailed for the UK in April the following year. Gibson carried out his training at No. 4 E. & R.F.T.S., Brough, and No. 3 F.T.S., South Cerney. On completion of his training Gibson was posted to the School of Air Photography at Farnborough, where he was to become an army co-operation pilot.

Battle of France - A Last Minute Replacement
Having primarily only flown Hawker Henley's, Gibson was posted for operational flying in May 1940. He was sent to France as a reinforcement for 501 Squadron - having never flown a Hurricane before! Based in Anglure Gibson was up on his first patrol, 23.5.1940, the day after his arrival. The squadron was involved in desperate fighting on a daily basis and Gibson quickly adapted to his new surroundings. He gained his first success, 27.5.1940, 'Patrol South Abbeville. Shot Down Heinkel & Shared Half Each With Sgt. Dafforn Of Another. Squadron Attacked 24 Heinkel IIIK's 20 Me.110's - Me. 110's Quit Leaving Heinkels. 10 He. IIIK's Shot Down.' (Log Book refers)

On the 29th, during the second scramble of the day, 'Sighted 2 He. III's & Gave One All I had. He Dived Into The Clouds But Was Not Seen To Go Down.' The following day was to prove even more eventful, when Gibson Destroyed another He. III, and Damaged a further He.III before being shot down himself, 'Patrol Boos. Shot Down Heinkel In Flames & Fired At Another. Squadron Attacked 20 He. III's Covered By 12 Me. 110's. Five He. III's Shot Down. We Lose Two. Myself Shot Down & Crashed In Field.' (ibid)

The Squadron had retreated to Le Mans, and Gibson's activity is recorded thus in his Log Book, 5.6.1940, 'Flap Scramble. Attacked A Me. 110. 1 Possible. Squadron Attacked 7 Me. 110's. 3 Shot Down 1 Hurricane Loss', and 8.6.1940, 'Escort Battles. Abbeville Attacked By 80 Me. 109's Battle Bombing Successful. Squadron Shoots Down Five Me. 109's. I Get One In Flames.'

Before the Squadrons' move to Dinard, Gibson had another eventful patrol, 10.6.1940, 'Led Section Patrol Le Havre. Scrap With 20 109's. Got One In Flames. Then Caught Fire. Baled Out.' He led another patrol on the same day, despite being shot down, and recorded his final claim during the Battle of France, 14.6.1940, 'Led Section Patrol Seine. Attacked 16 Ju. 86's + 50 Me. 110's. 1 Possible. Squadron Attacked Me. 110's. Possible 4 Me. 110's Shot Down. Lots Of Bailing Out & Shooting Up On Our Part. No Pilots Lost.' (ibid)

The Squadron evacuated from Dinard on the 18th June, and operated the following day from St. Helier, Jersey, to cover the B.E.F.'s evacuation from Cherbourg.

Battle of Britain - Flight Commander 501 Squadron
Gibson re-assembled with 501 Squadron at Croydon, 21.6.1940. The Squadron immediately began to build up its strength in aircraft and personnel. It was heavily involved in the Battle of Britain, serving throughout in 11 Group and being in the forefront of the German attacks over Kent.

Gibson was made Flight Commander of 'A' Flight in July 1940. The day before the Battle commenced, Gibson Damaged another He. III over Portland. He further added to his account, 13.7.1940, by Destroying a Do. 17 also over Portland. Gibson's Log Book records a particularly heavy engagement for 28.7.1940, 'Patrol Dover. Squadron Attack On 50 Ju. 87's. 3 Confirmed. 5 Probable. 4 Damaged. Self: One Confirmed In Flames. One Damaged.'

There was no let-up, with the Squadron making three or four scrambles daily against large German formations, 29.7.1940, 'Patrol Dover. Squadron Attack On 50 Ju. 87's + Me. 109's. Nine Ju.'s And Four Me.'s Confirmed. Five Hurricanes Lost.' With casualties starting to mount every success was vital, and Gibson claimed another Do. 17 Damaged, 31.7.1940.

A Lot Can Happen In A Day - 3 Patrols, 2 Destroyed, 1 Damaged, Forced to Land, and Crash Landed In A Bomb Crater
The 12th August started a prolific three and half weeks for Gibson. On the latter date during his first patrol of the day, 'Patrol Folkestone. Squadron Attack On 36 Unescorted Ju. 87's. One Confirmed & One Damaged. Force Landed', his Log Book goes on to record for his second sortie of day, 'Patrol Dover. Section Attack On Mixed Bag Of Heins, Do. 17's Escorted By Me. 109's. One Me. 109 Confirmed. Crashed On Landing In Bomb Crater.' The first two aircraft had been engaged over Folkestone, and the last over The Kent Downs, Lympne.

Three days later Gibson Destroyed a Ju. 87 and Damaged another over Folkestone, before being set alight by return fire, steering his hurricane away from Folkestone and bringing it down to 1,000 feet before baling out. His Log Book gives, 'Engaged 30 Ju. 87's Shot One Down. Gala Day With Ju. 87's. Shot Down By 3 Ju. 87's. Baled Out Over Hawkinge. Awarded D.F.C.'

On the 24th August Gibson Destroyed a Ju. 88 during a bombing attack. The Squadron shot down seven enemy aircraft, but lost five hurricanes during the attack. Four days later he Damaged a Bf. 109 over Folkestone, and on the 29th he Destroyed another Bf. 109. During the latter combat he was shot down in flames again, this time he baled out over the sea and was picked up by boat two miles offshore.

Gibson met with further success during the first week of September. The Squadron was now operating out of Kenley, and on the 2nd Gibson Damaged a Do. 17 over Maidstone. He closed his account for the Battle, according to his Log Book, with one Me. 109 Destroyed on the 6th September, and another the following day.

As September progressed the pressure eased off the Squadron. Gibson still carried out patrols, but with nothing like the frequency of the previous few weeks. In October he was wounded, and admitted to R.A.F. Hospital Halton, 18.10.1940. He was transferred to R.A.F. Hospital Torquay and was finally discharged, 8.12.1940. He was passed fit to fly the following day, and posted as an Instructor to Marshal's Aerodrome, Cambridge. Gibson was then posted to 271 Squadron (Harrows), Doncaster, before returning in an instructional capacity at 53 O.T.U., Heston, 11.5.1941. He commanded the Air Firing Flight, and moved with the O.T.U. to Llandow. Having progressed to Chief Flying Instructor, Gibson returned to operational flying when he was posted as a Flight Commander to 457 Squadron (Spitfires), R.A.A.F., Andreas, Isle of Man, January 1942.

On To The Pacific - Three Tours Over The Solomons
Gibson served with the squadron for three months before his short service commission came to an end. He arrived back in New Zealand at the end of May 1942. Gibson was attached to the R.N.Z.A.F., and posted to the newly formed 15 Squadron (Kittyhawks) the following month. He was posted as a Flight Commander and oversaw the training of the newly qualified pilots of the squadron. Having made it ready for operations he moved with the Squadron to Tonga.

Gibson returned to New Zealand in December 1942. He served on a Staff appointment at Air HQ, Control Group until May 1943. Gibson completed another staff course before returning to 15 Squadron in October 1943. He originally joined the Squadron as operations officer, but took command of the Squadron mid-November. Based on New Georgia the Squadron took part in the heavy fighting of the Bougainville landings. Gibson Destroyed a Japanese Zeke, 7.1.1944, 'Escort TBF's Rabaul Strike. One Zero Confirmed.' (Log Book refers)

Having flown numerous escort missions and strikes the Squadron returned to New Zealand for a rest in February 1944. The Squadron re-equipped with Corsairs, and Gibson led them firstly to Guadalcanal in May, before moving to Bougainville in June. Tour-expired Gibson returned with the Squadron to New Zealand in late July. He left the Squadron in August, having completed three tours in the Pacific, and set out for the UK at the end of October.

80 Squadron - On The Continent
Gibson converted to Typhoons at No. 3 T.E.U., Ashton Down, and then transitioned on to Tempests at No. 83 G.S.U. He was posted for operational flying to 80 Squadron (Tempests), Volkel, March 1945.

Gibson flew with the Squadron as part of the fighter cover for the Rhine Crossings (Operation Varsity), 24.3.1945. This time Gibson suffered at the hands of flak:

'He made a forced landing and his Tempest broke its back, but he escaped with a severely jarred right shoulder.

The incident occurred when Field Marshal Montgomery's group crossed the Rhine. Squadron Leader Gibson was leading Tempests giving air cover to an airborne operation when the sky was filled with towing aircraft and gliders. There was no enemy air opposition and later the Tempests swooped on an autobahn lined with motor transport.

Flak immediately filled the sky and Squadron Leader Gibson's aircraft was hit in the engine. Oil covered his cock-pit head, making it difficult for him to see where he was going and at 5,000 feet his engine stopped abruptly. He got it started again and managed to make a forced landing on the British side of the Rhine. He returned to England for treatment to his shoulder.' (Newspaper article refers)

Gibson had in fact broken his shoulder, and after making a full recovery he was posted to 109 O.T.U., Crosby-on-Eden, June 1945. He converted to Dakotas, and was posted to 187 Squadron (Transport Command), India, October 1945. He left the service in August 1946, and was employed by British European Airways for two years.

In 1948 Gibson was invited to re-join the R.A.F on another short service commission. He was posted to 24 Squadron, Bassingbourn, May 1948. Reunited with Dakotas he spent the next two years flying VIP flights, acting first as Field Marshal Montgomery's pilot, and then as Air Marshal Tedder's.

Gibson's subsequent postings included the Command of Communications Squadron, 12 Group, and a similar position with 81 Group, before a posting as GC1 at Middleton St. George. He retired from the R.A.F. in 1954.

A Quiet Life In Africa - The Biafran War
In 1954 Gibson moved to South Africa, and was initially employed as CF1 flying for the Chamber of Mines in Johannesburg. He was subsequently employed as a Captain by Africair until 1966. He then formed Bechuanaland National Airways and later Botswana National Airways. He started with a single Dakota, and built a fleet of aircraft.

During the Biafran War, 1967-1970, Gibson operated out of Gabon flying in supplies and evacuating children. He set up the short-lived Jagair, before being employed as operations officer by the Department of Civil Aviation in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe until his retirement from flying in 1982. He returned to the UK five years later, and lived out the remainder of his life in Nottinghamshire.


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