Gale, Barry Edward DFC (Squadron Leader, b.1920-d.2011)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 401116 Squadron Leader Barry Edward Gale DFC, 111 Squadron and 165 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, North Africa, United Kingdom and Europe, 1942-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Collection consists of one Flying Log Book of Squadron Leader Gale, with entries dated between 1 December 1942 and 14 December 1945, while he was serving in North Africa and the United Kingdom. It records details such as dates and times of flights, aircraft types and numbers, and purposes of flights. Some of the flight purposes include patrols, interceptions of enemy aircraft, escorts, guarding Allied road convoys, practice flights, search and rescue, training exercises, V-1 flying bombs defence, and providing cover for Allied bombing operations over Axis-occupied Europe. Alongside the regular entries, this log book also includes additional notes that record details such as enemy aircraft encounters, amount of anti-aircraft fire, heights reached, and fellow pilots lost. Additionally, this log book includes newspaper clippings, signatures of fellow pilots, photographs, and a list of aerodromes visited.

Squadron Leader Gale, known as “Gusty” Gale, enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 3 January 1941. He trained as a pilot in Victoria, Tasmania, and the United Kingdom, and became a fighter pilot. He joined No. 111 Squadron, and flew Spitfires in North Africa and the United Kingdom. On 27 July 1943, Squadron Leader Gale was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for great keenness and courage in operations. He later transferred to No. 165 Squadron, based in the United Kingdom. Squadron Leader Gale was discharged on 14 May 1946.