Harry Cobby

Hi Guys,

Quick question. Would Harry Cobby be considered the most highly-decorated pilot in AFC/RAAF history? I notice from this site he was awarded a DSO and three DFC's. I know he also joined the top brass in the RAAF in WWII.

On another note, does anyone have an explanation as to why Cobby has such a high ratio of destroyed to OOC? Did most of his victories take place over Allied lines? I was under the impression this was not the case, and that he often lead patrols over German lines.

Regards,

Simon

>Would Cobby be considered the most highly-decorated pilot in AFC/RAAF history?<

no idea. Some more info on him for you,

http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/PointCook/af...tm

>I know he also joined the top brass in the RAAF in WWII.<

Something about air assets in Moratai?

>On another note, does anyone have an explanation as to why Cobby has such a high ratio of destroyed to OOC? <

The three leading pilots of 4 AFC have high DES to OOC ratios. They for the most part were fighting at lower levels ( sub 10 000 ft ) so determining if something hit the ground and crashed was probably easier.

But ATT mentions that other pilots thought McCloughry's claim "over-enthusiastic", so his DES's may not be worth the value that people here seem to attach to a DES as the be all and end all.

By the same token, Cobby's bio mentions that Kings first OOC was a crashed aircraft, which the rest of the flight saw. So is a King OOC worth more than a McCloughry DES??? ( I hear jasta crying only if it is in the German Records!!!!! ).

I dont know how much attention I would pay to the DES and OOC's ratios, other than to say they were in a lot of scraps and firing at enemy aircraft, which was what they were paid to do.

On the DES/OOC ratio vein though one of the most extreme ratios is Capt RC Phillipps, of his 15 victories, 4 were captured, 10 were DES and one OOC.

http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/PointC..._phillipps.htm

>Did most of his victories take place over Allied lines? I was under the impression this was not the case, and that he often lead patrols over German lines.<

One thing which may have helped his claims ratio was he never lost a flight member while he was leading the flight to aerial enemy action. Hence plenty of eyes to confirm his victories.





cam

[Barrett]

The highest destroyed ratio in the RAF belonged to another "colonial": American Fred Gillet who flew Dolphins. All his 20 were credited destroyed (actually more than EVR)with no OOCs. It's been speculated that by mid'18 some pilots just didn't bother to claim OOCs because they were so common. However, I'm unaware of any documentation to support that view, especially since ROs and COs (especially COs!) would want every possible tally to enhance the unit record.
Besides Cobby (26/29), other high destroyed to total ratios were posted by Barker (45/50), McCudden (47/57), Woollett (31/35), and Jones (30/37).

[Vin]

2 of Cobby’s victories were OOC’s, the first (21.3.18) and the last (4.9.18). His tally includes 5 balloons, all destroyed. I wonder if anyone ever claimed an OOC balloon !


Vin

Just as an aside Cobby ended up as;

Air Commodore A. H. Cobby CBE, DSO, DFC**, GM.

He won the George Medal in WW2 for rescuing some of the crew/passengers in a Catalina which crashed (and I think some of the depth charges it was carrying exploded) and Cobby himself was hurt.

I'm not sure but he may have got a American decoration as well.

As far as decorated Aussies go there was a bloke Hughie Idwal Evans who served in the RAF in WW2 who had VC,DSO,DFC after his name. He came from Fremantle in Western Australia (where I was born) and I remember my Grandfather telling me he went to primary (elementary) school with him.

Evans ended up an Air Vice Marshal and was knighted and served as Governer of Western Australia in the 70s.

[Barrett]

Here's the VC citation for W/C Evans, who led a low-level bombing attack against Bremen in July 1941. This data is available via the Medals link on this page.

http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/awards/e/0372.html

Gordon & Barrett
The gentleman to whom you refer was named Edwards, not Evans. He ended up as Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards, VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC.
VBR
Liz Milne

[Vin]

In his book, “High Adventure”, Cobby claims to have hit a triplane from 10 feet which then dropped through the mist all “arsey tarpsy” (Cobby’s words) on 20 March. His first OOC. He does not claim a victory on 21 March. His second OOC, on 4 September, is not mentioned in his book. Cutlack describes the incident as Cobby shooting down a Fokker but not being able to follow it down because heand King were otherwise occupied with 2 other Fokkers.


Vin

[Darryl]

Vin,

Sort of. Early on they allowed claims for balloons which were seen to be deflating but not actually burning. I think there were also a few early write ups in the "Comic Capers" for balloons 'Driven Down', a dubious claim at best I would have thought!!!!!!

regards

Darryl

[Vin]

Darryl

John Wright writes (couldn’t resist it) that 4AFC would bomb balloons on the ground with a view to also hitting the gas cylinders. Not clear whether a ballon destroyed in this manner would be added to the pilot's score.


Vin