Bobby Gibbes | RAAF 3 Squadron | and the battles at El Alamein

Stories from the North African campaigns by RAAF pilot Bobby Gibbes who flew in the battles of El Alamein. We play his home movie of the Squadron in North Africa as he tells tales of fighting off the Luftwaffe and bombing enemy airfields.
The interview with Bobby is from the Australians at War Film Archive, Number 2545 australiansatwarfilmarchive.u...
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____________ Disclaimer ____________
Original footage and recreated scenes may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.
Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only.
The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.

[@timstradling7764]

I believe that what he so modestly calls luck conceals a great deal of flying skill and experience. What a true inspiration.

[@josephmumma6997]

It’s men like this is the reason we as allies are still free and speaking English, I’m an American who is eternally grateful for great men such as this.

[@catinthehat906]

Holy moly- some of those stories- particularly the last one- if it was in a movie you wouldn't believe it possible. They way he keeps modestly asking if the interviewer wants to continue listening- what a gent. They don't make them like this anymore.

[@stuartgarfatth1448]

Oh yes 'they' do, but the Press and Hollywood lie and distort their actions.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Tough Aussies were key players in North Africa. Well done Bobby & other lads ! My old man was in his wing during that time - Kittyhawks (P-40k). Bobby's testimony is to be remembered. P-40 with a useful ceiling of 16 to 18,000' but could dive and turn well. 109's always above with attacking "peck and zoom" tactics. 109's could climb better and were faster, but P-40s could succeed if they worked as a team for mutual support despite their inadequacies.

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

No boasting, no talk of his victories, only what went wrong and how he helped out his mates. (I would love to hear about his victories too)

[@VincentNajger1]

Bobby Gibbes RIP 1916 - 2007. That was an amazing generation. I just hope that whichever generation is asked to step up like these guys did, do as good a job and are as selfless and courageous as this generation was.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Bobby Gibbes and Clive Caldwell - two of the greatest leaders in the RAAF.

[@boblivingstone9223]

One of my heroes. I had the fortune to have met him a number of times, had dinner with him and Blackjack Walker at Blackjack's home, listening to their stories. Bobby signed his biography to me "From one Bob to another". He was building a Cri-Cri but I don't know if he ever flew it. His post-war life was just as filled with excitement.

[@hodaka1000]

What is a Cri-Cri ?

[@VincentNajger1]

​@hodaka1000 its the smallest twin-engined manned aircraft in the world. It's designed by a French guy called Columban. Well worth looking up.

[@hodaka1000]

@@VincentNajger1 Right Thank you

[@bobdumma7321]

Yes he did. I have a photo somewhere of Bobby in the Cri-Cri at either the Bicentennial Airshow at Richmond Air Force base in 1988 or the RAAF Air Show at Richmond in 1991. Can't remember which show now but will try to find the photo. Absolute gentleman and a pleasure and honour to speak with him.

[@ld2906]

An excellent mini doc. An officer and a gentleman of the highest Australian order. Thank you.

[@Deceter]

I could listen to him talk all day!

[@sueneilson896]

If an American pilot had performed that miraculous rescue and landing he would have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour and been a national hero.

[@markhorrell9213]

My folks often had bobby stay with us in late. I have very fond memories listening to him as l grew up. A lovely man with a dry,self depreciating sense of humour. Him n grandad (poppy was a ww1 pilot)...n dad (served in North Africa 9th div) would talk,laugh n drink together quite a bit. He posted me an autographed copy of his book for my birthday which is a great read and well loved

[@raafdocumentaries]

That's so cool. Have more of Bobby coming up in a video about 3SQN.

[@rossmorrissey4225]

Humility and understatement; the calling cards of a Gentleman.

[@thomasgumersell9607]

Truly an incredible man and pilot. This type of Australian truly was cut from a very special cloth. Listening to his combat stories one could feel the time slipping away. To the exact moment these events unfolded. Thank you so much for your service. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨

[@tophatter15]

A true hero. Very unassuming and great bloke!!

[@Keith_003]

Inspirational. Great history of the man and the RAAF.

[@mehdischneyders7872]

Good afternoon, As a true R.A.F. and Commonwealth Air Forces' enthusiast, I thank you so much for sharing this short but wonderful interview of the late Robert " Bobby " Gibbes, who gives a vivid account of some operational sorties he has completed, as well as what he has experienced during his tour of operations in North Africa 😃!!! I knew about him for years throughout wartime photographs, and I must say that I was pretty stunned when I saw him last Friday, as an old man... but remaining a 20 - year - old young fellow in his mind though ( which was common to all the R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. airmen I have interviewed between 2009 and 2020 ). Once again, thank you so much for this most precious testimony 👍👍👍 !!!

[@grahamdowling5602]

We who are still living cannot laud enough accolades on these courageous men , "TRUELY the GREATEST GENERATION"

[@stutzpunkt]

Marseille got my grandfather - Frank Parker of 450 squadron. He survived, and ended the war as a Wing Commander

[@mikemontgomery2654]

Those home movies that Bobby took were fantastic.

[@robyngibbes8640]

I have never seen this wonderful documentary nor heard half of these stories. Everybody here has mentioned the word ‘humble’. That’s exactly what he was. I only knew him as a beautiful father rather than the hero the stories paint. If there are more stories please reach out. I would love to hear them. Thank you so much in putting this documentary together.

[@yakidin63]

A great Australian. If you get the chance try and find his autobiography called "Sepik Pilot". The true story of one of the worlds great aviators. Also for interest. The Me109G2 Bobby captured and flew in North Africa is now on display at the RAF museum in Cosford UK.

[@Alan.livingston]

Some people just have the most incredible luck. Plenty of other men have been killed doing a tiny amount of what he got away with.

[@Sharpp01]

That was a brilliant interview, shame Clive Caldwell never wanted to talkabout his exploits

[@peterrobbins2862]

A lot of veterans never talked about it they only wanted to forget about it and not be reminded of the horrors they endured.inflicted and saw you certainly can't blame them for wanting to put it behind them and never think of it again it would have been exceptionally traumatic for them

[@neilkendall4612]

What an amazing experience and a true,humble gentleman. Truly wish there were more people like that today.

[@ADRAPER1303]

Bobby Gibbes was a friend of my father's, who was also ex WW2 RAAF. Great little bloke, very unassuming.

[@pattomuso]

So important to have these first-person accounts!

[@steventoal6594]

Funny how he referred to medal he was to receive as a major gong..that was a hoot..he should have gotten the higher award for saving a pilot while on enemy territory and then bringing his airplane home will making a stellar landing and saving that that aircraft in the process...

[@bestestusername]

Incredible generation, thanks for posting this

[@prizecowproductions]

My uncle Reg Moore was a flight technician for 3 Squadron im fairly sure we ended up at Bobs in the late 80,s for a BBQ.

[@stephend4909]

Give me 109s. This is amazing and essential testimony; this guy describes vividly all the detail and emotion of his experiences, it is rivetting history, and I am compelled to admire this extraordinary heroic chap. Thank you for preserving this. Thank you Bobby Gibbes for your service, sacrifice and decency.

[@Kingmick58]

What a marvellous bloke, as were his fellow fliers.

[@peterrobbins2862]

What a great interview with such a humble larconic man a unassuming honest understated gentleman

[@davidgray3321]

Pom here, everything I have ever heard about the Australian and New Zealand military indicates first class people and performance, both in WW1 and WW2. That’s it.

[@davecap2641]

A remarkable example of a remarkable generation we will never see the like again.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for this very interesting presentation 😊 .much respect.

[@kyletuliau7782]

What a bloke...

[@leandabee]

Thank you for this 😊. Absolutely amazing footage that Bobby took 👌. What incredible stories too. I loved how he was doing the giggle thing while talking about some of the scary bits (and there were lots of them😳😲) Also loved him saying "I was shooting at the 'gentleman' in the rear". Brilliant example of a WW2 fighting man👌. There should be a movie done about him😊. Wonder why his award was down graded?

[@garynew9637]

I bought his signed biography from a bookshop in fnq for $8. Good for me.

[@ChrisHUTTON-zc4br]

Amazing! What a character, what an adventure1

[@patmckeane6588]

You did well you said, you were bloody brilliant mate

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

Thank you, very inspiring.

[@kenzeier2943]

Very candid comments

[@redtobertshateshandles]

That was great. Many thanks to all. Subbed.

[@captmulch1]

My father played golf with him.

[@adambrooker5649]

Great story

[@kensummers7757]

What I nice bloke!

[@tonyde6423]

5 minuute mark captured 109 being worked on and started by Raaf /Raf ground crew

[@williamroberts1819]

Great video.

[@bebo4807]

Balls of fucking steel.

[@VincentNajger1]

According to the translator in the camera of my phone, the word under the cat emblem at 33:47 translates to "great". The other emblem is a bit too burred for the camera to understand it.

[@johnmclean6498]

Great stories from a true hero. Should be part of our high school curriculum. Anyone know the differences - Warhawk, Tomahawk, Kittyhawk? Same aeroplane, but just in different theatres?

[@yakidin63]

Tomahawk was the P40B/C which the RAAF 3 squadron flew first in North Africa and Syria. Australian pilots also flew this fighter with a sharks mouth painted on it in the RAF 250 squadron. Later the shark mouth would be used by the US pilots in China/Burma on their P40's. Warhawk was the US name for the P40. Kittyhawk was the British/Australian name for the P40D/E/F/M/N etc.

[@johnmclean6498]

@@yakidin63 Thanks. Exactly what I wanted. You are an encyclopedia on the P 40. I guessed Warhawk was US and "Kitty" was RAAF. Bobby's story of landing in the desert to pick up a wingman was unknown to me. What a tough little fighter she was.

[@jameswebb4593]

Told as it was , not boys own stuff .

[@derek6579]

Downgraded to a DSO says a lot for British jealousy of colonials!

[@vonsprague7913]

Not a chance! There was huge gratitude and respect for commonwealth troops despite everyone knowing the Aussies were hard work they were known to be tough fighters. More like senior officers putting their own stamp on it.

[@ericgrace9995]

Chip on the shoulder ? Or not knowing much ? Only ONE fighter pilot was awarded the VC during the entire war. The sole recipient won his during the Battle of Britain when he pressed home his attacks while his own aircraft was ablaze. Fighter pilots were expected to show this level of courage - and they didn't disappoint. Very brave men.

[@garynew9637]

Started an airline in png after the war.

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

sub titles are distracting

[@TheFunkhouser]

Montgomery has always said some really dumb things... lots of other nations fought very well in that battle including NZ desert rats (their 8th and anti tank companies) and the Indian soldiers!!

[@johnhanson5943]

Why not mention South Africa, Rhodesians and Kenyans?

[@beerdrinker6452]

It would be impossible to mention everyone and every event in every video. Just enjoy this post for the sake of this post. You could be a content creator and mention the people, events, and nations as they suit you.

[@robyngibbes8640]

This is about one hero. Maybe find something else if you’re not interred.

[@HeathLedgersChemist]

* kilometres.

[@HeathLedgersChemist]

@@leandabee True, but I'd wager he could spell.

[@raafdocumentaries]

Thanks for the correction HLChemist - but did you like the video? (By the way the closed caption generator is American so US spelling is default - sometimes I miss these but do my best - and before you point it out, theater/theatre - same deal).

[@leandabee]

​@@HeathLedgersChemist I'm sorry, I see what you mean now. I thought you talking about how Bobby was saying miles instead of ks. I wasn't reading the subtitles because I was too busy listening to Bobby speak and watching his home movies in the background 👍😊