The Story of the Australia’s Top WWII Ace Who Faced Off Against Rommel and the Japanese Forces

Early Training and First Battles

Clive Robertson Caldwell earned his flying badge in November 1940 under the Empire Air Training Scheme. By January 1941, he had his commission and was sent to the Middle East. After a brief period with 73 Squadron RAF, he joined 250 Squadron RAF in May, just as it began converting to the Tomahawk IIB fighter. Caldwell admitted he was not a natural pilot, confessing that it took him about thirty sorties before his first combat victory. His frustration at slow progress ended when he stumbled upon a new technique.

While flying over the desert, he noticed shadows on the sand cast by enemy aircraft. By aiming at the shadow and adjusting his fire, he found his accuracy improved dramatically. Demonstrating this to his commander, he impressed headquarters so much that a directive was sent across desert squadrons recommending “shadow shooting.” By June 1941, his squadron was fighting in Operation Battleaxe during the campaign to relieve Tobruk.

First Victory and Killer Instinct

On June 25, during a bomber escort mission, Caldwell faced enemy fighters in force. Amid the chaos, he managed to dive on a German Messerschmitt 109 and fired until the aircraft crashed into the ground in flames. This was his first confirmed victory. Training had emphasized that a fighter pilot’s job was to kill in order to survive, and Caldwell adapted this mindset. His philosophy was to always use his head before his guns, to attack decisively, and never relax his determination. His successes earned him the nickname “Killer,” a name he disliked.

By August 1941, Caldwell had been shot down and wounded but still managed to destroy another enemy aircraft during the encounter. This brought him to ace status with five confirmed victories. By the end of the year, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and later a bar to it, for actions that included downing five German Stukas in a single mission.

Leadership and Middle East Service

In December 1941, Caldwell was given command of 112 Squadron RAF, which flew Kittyhawks. His leadership was aggressive, and under his command the squadron destroyed eighteen enemy aircraft. He also worked closely with Polish pilots and was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour for his cooperation. By May 1942, when he left the Middle East, his tally stood at 20½ victories, making him the top-scoring fighter pilot in the desert campaign against German forces.

Caldwell then spent short periods in America and Britain, where he flew Spitfires with the Kenley Wing over France. He returned to Australia later in 1942, where he was given command of No. 1 Fighter Wing to defend against Japanese raids.

Defending Australia Against Japan

On May 2, 1943, his unit engaged Japanese bombers over Darwin. Though the battle was unsuccessful, the wing soon adopted new tactics, abandoning dogfighting for dive-and-pass attacks. On June 20, the new methods paid off in a successful defense, with Caldwell scoring his fifth Japanese victory. This brought his total to 25½, making him an ace five times over, and uniquely, an ace in both the Middle East and Pacific theatres. He later added two more Japanese aircraft to his record, reaching 27½ confirmed victories.

Final Years of Service and Later Life

By September 1943, Caldwell was appointed Chief Flying Instructor at 2 Operational Training Unit. He later became a Group Captain and commanded 80 Fighter Wing. Toward the end of the war, he was involved in the “Morotai Mutiny” and faced a court-martial for liquor trading. Despite controversy, his combat record remained unmatched among Australians.

After the war, Caldwell turned to business, building a career in import and export. He lived a long life, passing away peacefully on August 5, 1994. Remembered as Australia’s top ace of the Second World War, he reflected with pride on his achievements, never expressing regret for the choices he made in combat.