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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 👍👍👍 !!!
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.
God bless our cousins in Australia. Most of us in the USA understand the great sacrifice and support Australia has provided America and the UK. I’m an old man, not woke, and I’ve always understood the special relationship we share with the Aussies. May our deep friendship endure.
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
A remarkable account! His candor about fear and combat fatigue on multiple occasions makes his perseverance and devotion to duty all the more extraordinary. And boy, one gets the sense that violent death could come at any time. It makes one realize how much guts it took to climb into those Kittyhawks day in and day out. Wow!
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
Just incredible he survived, and you know he means he was often terrified. Must have developed intensely honed skills in the aircraft and high tactical, intelligent craft as a leader. Rest the great man. Lest we forget. Great video, salutations.
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.
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. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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?
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.
@@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.
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!!
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.
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.
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).
@@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 👍😊
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.
I could listen to him talk all day!
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.
Oh yes 'they' do, but the Press and Hollywood lie and distort their actions.
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)
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.
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.
What is a Cri-Cri ?
@hodaka1000 its the smallest twin-engined manned aircraft in the world. It's designed by a French guy called Columban. Well worth looking up.
@@VincentNajger1
Right
Thank you
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.
An excellent mini doc. An officer and a gentleman of the highest Australian order. Thank you.
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.
Bobby Gibbes and Clive Caldwell - two of the greatest leaders in the RAAF.
Those home movies that Bobby took were fantastic.
I believe that what he so modestly calls luck conceals a great deal of flying skill and experience. What a true inspiration.
and luck
Inspirational. Great history of the man and the RAAF.
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 👍👍👍 !!!
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.
God bless our cousins in Australia. Most of us in the USA understand the great sacrifice and support Australia has provided America and the UK. I’m an old man, not woke, and I’ve always understood the special relationship we share with the Aussies. May our deep friendship endure.
That was a brilliant interview, shame Clive Caldwell never wanted to talkabout his exploits
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
Thank you for this very interesting presentation 😊 .much respect.
Incredible generation, thanks for posting this
A remarkable account! His candor about fear and combat fatigue on multiple occasions makes his perseverance and devotion to duty all the more extraordinary. And boy, one gets the sense that violent death could come at any time. It makes one realize how much guts it took to climb into those Kittyhawks day in and day out. Wow!
What a wonderful man. Courageous, modest, brave. Marvellous.
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
That's so cool. Have more of Bobby coming up in a video about 3SQN.
Just incredible he survived, and you know he means he was often terrified. Must have developed intensely honed skills in the aircraft and high tactical, intelligent craft as a leader. Rest the great man. Lest we forget. Great video, salutations.
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.
A true hero. Very unassuming and great bloke!!
Amazing! What a character, what an adventure1
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. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨
What a marvellous bloke, as were his fellow fliers.
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.
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.
Humility and understatement; the calling cards of a Gentleman.
Great sdtorties Booby. And thank yuou A.M.A.H for putting these most valuable pieces together.
What an amazing experience and a true,humble gentleman. Truly wish there were more people like that today.
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?
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.
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.
We who are still living cannot laud enough accolades on these courageous men , "TRUELY the GREATEST GENERATION"
What a great interview with such a humble larconic man a unassuming honest understated gentleman
Bobby Gibbes was a friend of my father's, who was also ex WW2 RAAF. Great little bloke, very unassuming.
Fantastic, thank you for sharing this story!
You did well you said, you were bloody brilliant mate
Thank you, very inspiring.
So important to have these first-person accounts!
I bought his signed biography from a bookshop in fnq for $8. Good for me.
A remarkable example of a remarkable generation we will never see the like again.
That was great. Many thanks to all.
Subbed.
What an absolute legend! What a man! I was firing at this gentleman and a nasty gunner opened up on me from another a/c 😮😅 AMAZING MAN
Good show man .😊
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.
Marseille got my grandfather - Frank Parker of 450 squadron. He survived, and ended the war as a Wing Commander
Great story
Great video.
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.
What a bloke...
My father played golf with him.
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...
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.
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?
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.
@@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.
Very candid comments
What I nice bloke!
5 minuute mark captured 109 being worked on and started by Raaf /Raf ground crew
My dad served in the 9th 2/17th battalion. Beat the Germans in the Easter battle in Tobruk and again in El Alamein
Balls of fucking steel.
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!!
Told as it was , not boys own stuff .
Downgraded to a DSO says a lot for British jealousy of colonials!
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.
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.
Started an airline in png after the war.
* kilometres.
@@leandabee True, but I'd wager he could spell.
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).
@@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 👍😊
Why not mention South Africa, Rhodesians and Kenyans?
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.
This is about one hero. Maybe find something else if you’re not interred.
Well this story is about an australian you will get your turn in later episodes.😊
sub titles are distracting
moved to Oz in 75... greatest people on the planet
How would we all have done i always wonder