Gerald Ernest Gibbs

Name:

Gerald Ernest Gibbs

Country:

England

Rank:

Major

Service:

Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force

Units:

17, 29, 70, 150

Victories:

Born:

03 September 1896

Place of Birth:

South Norwood, Surrey, England

Died:

13 October 1992

Place of Death:

Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, England

The son of Ernest and Fanny Gibbs, Gerald Ernest Gibbs was posted to 17 Squadron in Macedonia, where he scored 10 victories flying the S.E.5a. Post-war, he remained in the Royal Air Force. In latter life, he was third Air Chief of the Post-Independent Indian Air Force, became a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and was a British delegate to the United Nations. Sir Gerald Gibbs' autobiography, Survivor's Story, was published in 1956.

Military Cross (MC)

T./Lt. Gerald Ernest Gibbs, R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion he pursued an enemy aeroplane to a very low altitude over the enemy lines and succeeded in driving his opponent to the ground. On a later occasion he and another pilot fought a hostile machine to within 200 feet of the ground over hostile territory, where it fell, completely wrecked. He has displayed consistent gallantry and determination in action.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 24 August 1918 (30862/9910)

Military Cross (MC) First Bar

T./Capt. Gerald Ernest Gibbs, M.C., R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion he bombed an enemy aerodrome from a height of 100 feet and, descending to 20 feet, fired 200 rounds into the hangars. Later, on the same day, he engaged two enemy scouts and one two-seater machine, all three of which he drove down, the latter going down out of control from a height of 2,000 feet. On another occasion he pursued seven hostile scouts single-handed, one of which he succeeded in shooting down. He is a pilot of exceptional dash and resource.
(M.C. gazetted 26th March, 1918.)

Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 June 1918 (30761/7398)

Military Cross (MC) Second Bar

T./Capt. Gerald Ernest Gibbs, M.C., R.A.F.
   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol he engaged and pursued a hostile two-seater. After repeatedly diving on the enemy machine, the hostile observer waved a white flag and was allowed to land. He landed beside it and took both occupants prisoner and the machine intact. Later, he encountered two enemy scouts and a two-seater. The scouts fled, and after a prolonged fight, he shot down and crashed the two-seater, both occupants being killed. He has given repeated examples of skill, determination and pluck, and has accounted for ten enemy machines.
   (M.C. gazetted 26th March, 1918.)
   (Bar to M.C. gazetted 22nd June, 1918.)

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918 (30901/10877)

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	28 Jan 1918	1130	17	S.E.5a (B613)	DFW C (DES)	S of Angista
2	31 Jan 1918	1220	17	S.E.5a (B613)	Rumpler C (DES)	NNE of Kayendra
3	05 Feb 1918	1510	17	S.E.5a (B613)	Albatros D.III (OOC)	Vernak Farm
4	15 Feb 1918	1530	17	S.E.5a (B690)	DFW C (OOC)	NE of Dovista
5	13 Mar 1918	1250	17	S.E.5a (B613)	Albatros D.III (DES)	Lake Doiran
6	20 Mar 1918	0930	17	S.E.5a (B694)	DFW C.V (CAP)	Cepista
7	13 Apr 1918	0730	17	S.E.5a (B694)	Albatros D.III (OOC)	Balintse
8	22 Apr 1918	0945	17	S.E.5a (B694)	DFW C (OOC)	Tumba
9	26 Apr 1918	0945	17	S.E.5a (B694)	Albatros D (OOC)	Sueti Vrac
10	04 May 1918	1040	17	S.E.5a (B694)	DFW C (CAP) ¹	Marian Aerodrome

1	Shared with Lt Leslie Hamilton (B691)

Books

Survivor's Story: Gerald Gibbs / Hardcover / 1956

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