Harry Cobby
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| Arthur Henry (Harry) Cobby | |
|---|---|
Captain Harry Cobby in 1919 | |
| Born | 26 August 1894 Prahran, Victoria |
| Died | 11 November 1955 (aged 61) Heidelberg, Victoria |
| Allegiance | |
| Service/branch | |
| Years of service | 1912–1946 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Unit | No. 4 Squadron AFC (1917–18) |
| Commands held | No. 1 Squadron (1925–26) No. 3 Squadron (1930–31) North-Eastern Area (1942–43) First Tactical Air Force (1944–45) |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Two Bars George Medal Mentioned in Despatches Medal of Freedom (United States) |
| Other work | Department of Civil Aviation
|
Born and educated in Melbourne, Cobby was a bank clerk when war broke out, and was prevented by his employer from enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force until 1916. After completing flight training in England, he served on the Western Front with No. 4 Squadron AFC, operating Sopwith Camels. His achievements as a fighter pilot were recognised with the Distinguished Service Order, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two bars, and a mention in despatches.
Acclaimed a national hero, Cobby transferred to the newly formed Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1921 and rose to the rank of wing commander. He left the Permanent Air Force in 1936 to join the Civil Aviation Board, but re-joined at the outbreak of World War II in 1939. He held senior Air Force posts, including Director of Recruiting and Air Officer Commanding North-Eastern Area. In 1943, Cobby was awarded the George Medal for rescuing fellow survivors of an aircraft crash. He was appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 10 Operational Group (later Australian First Tactical Air Force) the following year, but was relieved of his post in the wake of the "Morotai Mutiny" of April 1945. Retiring from the Air Force in 1946, Cobby served with the Department of Civil Aviation until his death on Armistice Day in 1955.
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Early career
Arthur Henry Cobby was born in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran to Arthur Edward Stanley Cobby, a tram conductor, and his wife Alice. Known as Harry, the young Cobby completed his senior-level education at University College, Armadale, before being commissioned into the 46th Infantry (Brighton Rifles), a militia unit, in 1912.[1][2] He later transferred to the 47th Infantry.[3]When World War I broke out, Cobby attempted to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force but his employer, the Commonwealth Bank, refused to release him as his position of clerk was considered an essential occupation.[4] He eventually managed to join the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) on 23 December 1916, despite a professed lack of interest in flying. He became a founding member of No. 4 Squadron AFC, and embarked for England aboard RMS Omrah on 17 January 1917.[5][6]
World War I combat service
Having proved himself a talented and aggressive pilot, Cobby's leadership abilities were recognised with his appointment as a flight commander on 14 May 1918,[4][9] and promotion to captain on 25 May.[5] Described as being an "an imp of mischief",[2] he personalised his Sopwith Camel by fitting it with aluminium cutouts of comic actor Charlie Chaplin.[10] Cobby again scored two kills in one day on 30 May near Estaires, when he destroyed an Albatros and an observation balloon, and repeated this feat the next day in the same area. He had been responsible for downing No. 4 Squadron's first balloon at Merville earlier in May; although vulnerable to attack with incendiary bullets, these large observation platforms, nicknamed Drachen (Dragons), were generally well protected by enemy fighters and anti-aircraft defences, and were thus considered a dangerous but valuable target.[11][12] Cobby was recommended for the Military Cross on 3 June 1918 in recognition of his combat success and for being a "bold and skilful Patrol Leader, who is setting a fine example to his Squadron".[13] The award was changed to a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), appearing in the London Gazette on 2 July.[14]
Cobby shot down three German aircraft on 28 June and was recommended for a bar to his DFC, highlighting his then-current tally of 15 victories.[15] On 15 July 1918, he and another pilot dived on five Pfalz scouts near Armentières, Cobby accounting for two of the enemy aircraft and his companion for one. The Australians were then pursued by four Fokker Triplanes but managed to evade their attackers.[16] This action earned Cobby a recommendation for a second bar to his DFC, the citation noting that he had scored 21 kills to date and had "succeeded in destroying so many machines by hard work and by using his brains, as well as by courage and brilliant flying".[17] The two bars to his DFC were gazetted on the same day, 21 September.[18] On 16 August, Cobby led a bombing raid against the German airfield at Haubourdin, near Lille, the largest aerial assault by Allied forces up until then, resulting in 37 enemy aircraft being destroyed. The following day he led a similar attack on Lomme airfield and was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order as a result.[4][5] Gazetted on 2 November, the citation for the award declared that "The success of these two raids was largely due to the determined and skilful leadership of this officer".[19]
The most successful air fighter is the most aggressive; but at the same time, a cool head and a fine sense of judgement are essential.
Harry Cobby [20]
Between the wars
Cobby in his Sopwith Camel while instructing in England, c. 1918–19. He organised the high-visibility check paint pattern himself, "not for conceit, but for safety".[4]
By 1927, Cobby had been promoted to squadron leader, and the following year went to England to attend RAF Staff College, Andover.[30][31] Returning to Australia, he took over as CO of No. 3 Squadron at RAAF Station Richmond, New South Wales, from Squadron Leader Frank Lukis on 13 January 1930. At this time, the position of No. 3 Squadron commander doubled as CO of the base.[32] Though popular with his staff, Cobby was not known for his attention to detail.[33] In December 1930, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore Richard Williams, arrived for an inspection and found the base to be in such a state of untidiness that he ordered every man on parade and gave them what was described as "an almighty dressing down", threatening that Christmas leave would be cancelled unless the place was cleaned up.[34][35] Having handed over to Squadron Leader Bill Bostock on 22 November 1931,[32] Cobby was promoted to wing commander on 1 May 1933 and subsequently served as RAAF Director of Intelligence.[2][36] In this position he headed an interdepartmental committee that was formed in August 1933 to examine the possibilities of air survey and aerial photography to further national development. The committee's findings, presented in April 1934, favoured employing government agencies for such work and ultimately led to the formation of the North Australian Survey Flight from staff and aircraft of No. 1 Squadron in April 1935. The resulting surveys of Queensland and the Northern Territory provided valuable input for the establishment of military airfields and other installations following the outbreak of World War II.[37] Restless in the inter-war years, however, Cobby retired from the Air Force to join the Civil Aviation Board as Controller of Operations in 1936; he also contributed to aviation magazines such as Australian Airmen and Popular Flying.[1][2] His civil aviation duties included aircraft inspection, the issuing of licences and airworthiness certificates, maintenance of radio and meteorological services, and RAAF liaison.[38]
World War II
Cobby was a member of the Citizen Air Force (RAAF reserve) during his time with the Civil Aviation Board, and rejoined the Permanent Air Force following the outbreak of World War II in September 1939.[39] Promoted to group captain, he officially returned to active service on 25 July 1940 as Director of Recruiting, a role that traded on his public image.[1][40] On 25 August 1942, he took over from Air Commodore Frank Lukis as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) North-Eastern Area Command in Townsville, Queensland.[41] 1942 also saw the publication of High Adventure, Cobby's account of his experiences in World War I;[2] the foreword was written by Air Vice Marshal George Jones, newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff and fellow No. 4 Squadron veteran.[42] By April 1943, Cobby had been promoted to air commodore,[43] and later in the year was posted to Point Cook as Commandant of the RAAF Staff School (RAAF Staff College from 1949).[44] On 7 September 1943, he was travelling as a passenger on a Catalina flying boat when it crashed at Townsville. Although himself injured, Cobby helped rescue two other survivors, and was recommended for the George Medal for his "outstanding bravery".[45][46] The award was gazetted on 10 March 1944.[47] On 16 June, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his conduct of air operations in New Guinea as AOC North-Eastern Area, the citation noting his "good leadership, personal example, keen understanding and continued encouragement".[45][48] It is impossible to campaign under such conditions. The 1st Tactical Air Force R.A.A.F. is now either administered or directed by R.A.A.F. Headquarters (with Forward Echelon thrown in for luck), R.A.A.F. Command, G.H.Q., and the Commanding General, 13th Air Force. I do not relish the role of the Duke of Plaza Toro.
Harry Cobby, October 1944 [50]
Air Commodore Cobby (left) and Group Captain Clive Caldwell (right) at Morotai in January 1945: "the prima donna of one war, and ... the prima donna of the next war".[58]
Post-war career and legacy
Cobby was officially discharged from the Air Force on 19 August 1946.[5][40] He was awarded the American Medal of Freedom on 15 April 1948, in recognition of his war service.[64] The citation noted that from September 1944 to January 1945, he displayed "exceptionally sound judgement and far sighted planning ... and materially assisted in support of the operations in the Philippine Liberation Campaign".[45] Cobby had rejoined the Civil Aviation Board (by then the Department of Civil Aviation) after leaving the RAAF and served as Regional Director, New South Wales, from 1947 to 1954. He was appointed Director of Flying Operations early the following year.[2][4]On Armistice Day, 11 November 1955, Cobby collapsed in his Melbourne office and died later that day of hypertensive cerebrovascular disease at Heidelberg Repatriation General Hospital. His wife and children survived him.[2][65] On 15 November, he was given a military funeral at St Mary's Church of England, Caulfield, and cremated at Spring Vale Crematorium.[2][66]
Harry Cobby's tally of victories in World War I was the highest by a member of the Australian Flying Corps (the top-scoring Australian aces of the war, Robert A. Little and Roderic (Stan) Dallas, flew with the British Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force).[67] His record as an ace wearing the Australian uniform has remained unbeaten.[45] Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams, Director General of Civil Aviation from 1946 to 1955 and widely regarded as the "Father of the RAAF",[68] described Cobby as "a man whose personal story is threaded through the entire history of Australian service and civil aviation".[2] One of the aluminium cutouts of Charlie Chaplin that Cobby attached to his Sopwith Camel in World War I later went on show at RAAF Museum, Point Cook,[10] and the tail skid of one of his victims was displayed at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.[4]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g Stephens; Isaacs, High Fliers, pp.23–26
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Isaacs, Australian Dictionary of Biography, pp.41–42
- ^ Gration, "Cobby – an exemplary warrior", p.5
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Newton, Australian Air Aces, pp.25–28
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Air Commodore Arthur Henry (Harry) Cobby at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 21 February 2009.
- ^ a b Arthur Henry Cobby at The AIF Project. Retrieved on 26 January 2009.
- ^ Australian Military History: The Australian Flying Corps at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 12 April 2009.
- ^ Cutlack, The Australian Flying Corps, pp.226–227
- ^ a b Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp.20–21
- ^ a b c d Franks, Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1, p.94
- ^ Cutlack, The Australian Flying Corps, pp.284–286
- ^ Guttman, Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1, pp.6–8,29–30
- ^ Recommendation: Military Cross at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 14 April 2009.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30775. p. 7746. 2 July 1918. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- ^ Recommendation: Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 14 April 2009.
- ^ Cutlack, The Australian Flying Corps, pp.295–296
- ^ Recommendation: Second bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 14 April 2009.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30913. p. 11248. 21 September 1918. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30989. p. 12959. 2 November 1918. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- ^ Hart, Aces Falling, p.62
- ^ Odgers, 100 Years of Australians at War, p.98
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p.17
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31089. pp. 15217–15224. 27 December 1918. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
- ^ Shores et al., Above the Trenches, p.110
- ^ Guttman, Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1, pp.29–30
- ^ Odgers, Air Force Australia, p.43
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942, p.16
- ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, pp.42–43
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Units of the Royal Australian Air Force, p.5
- ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, p.318
- ^ Stephens, The RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area, pp. 40–43
- ^ a b Roylance, Air Base Richmond, pp.46,123
- ^ Sutherland, Command and Leadership, p. 37
- ^ Roylance, Air Base Richmond, pp.36–37
- ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, p.363
- ^ Wilson, The Eagle and the Albatross, p.35
- ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, pp.428–429
- ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, p.310
- ^ a b Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p.241
- ^ a b Cobby, Arthur Henry at World War 2 Nominal Roll. Retrieved on 21 February 2009.
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942, p.588
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp.20–21,320
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p.141
- ^ a b c Dennis et al., The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History, pp.135–136
- ^ a b c d Garrisson, Australian Fighter Aces, pp. 57–63
- ^ Recommendation: George Medal at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 14 April 2009.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36418. p. 1165. 10 March 1944. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36566. p. 2873. 16 June 1944. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp.168–169
- ^ a b Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp.297–298
- ^ a b Odgers, 100 Years of Australians at War, pp.214–215
- ^ a b c Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp.123–125
- ^ Stanley, Tarakan. An Australian Tragedy, p.60
- ^ Helson, Ten Years at the Top, pp.207–213
- ^ Alexander, "Cleaning the Augean stables"
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp.444–445
- ^ a b Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp.443–450
- ^ Group Captain Wilf Arthur quoted in Alexander, "Cleaning the Augean stables"
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp.456–459
- ^ Stanley, Tarakan. An Australian Tragedy, p.96
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p.449
- ^ Stephens, Power Plus Attitude, p. 69
- ^ Sutherland, Command and Leadership, p. 84
- ^ Awarded: US Medal of Freedom at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 14 April 2009.
- ^ "A hero's grandson honors the fallen...". The Argus (Melbourne: National Library of Australia): p. 1. 12 November 1955. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne: National Library of Australia): p. 11. 14 November 1955. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ Wilson, The Brotherhood of Airmen, pp.30–31
- ^ Williams, Sir Richard at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online. Retrieved on 14 April 2009.
References
- Alexander, Kristen (1 September 2004). ""Cleaning the Augean stables". The Morotai Mutiny?". Sabretache (Military Historical Society of Australia).
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1991). The Third Brother. North Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0-04-442307-1.
- Cutlack, F.M. (1941) [1923]. The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 (11th edition): Volume VIII – The Australian Flying Corps in the Western and Eastern Theatres of War, 1914–1918. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. OCLC 220900299.
- Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin (2008) [1995]. The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-551784-9.
- Franks, Norman (2003). Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 1-84176-534-1.
- Garrisson, A.D. (1999). Australian Fighter Aces 1914–1953. Fairbairn, Australian Capital Territory: Air Power Studies Centre. ISBN 0-642-26540-2.
- Gillison, Douglas (1962). Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume I – Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 2000369.
- Gration, Air Marshal I.B. (September 2010). "Cobby – an exemplary warrior". Sabretache (Military Historical Society of Australia).
- Guttman, Jon (2005). Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 1-84176-877-4.
- Hart, Peter (2007). Aces Falling: The Last of the First World War Fighter Aces, 1918. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN 978-0-297-84653-6.
- Helson, Peter (2006). Ten Years at the Top (Ph. D thesis). Sydney: University of New South Wales.
- Isaacs, Keith (1981). "Cobby, Arthur Henry". Australian Dictionary of Biography: Volume 8. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.
- Newton, Dennis (1996). Australian Air Aces. Fyshwyck, ACT: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-25-0.
- Odgers, George (1996) [1984]. Air Force Australia. Frenchs Forest, NSW: National. ISBN 1-86436-081-X.
- Odgers, George (1968) [1957]. Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume II – Air War Against Japan 1943–1945. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 246580191.
- Odgers, George (1999). 100 Years of Australians at War. Sydney: Landsdowne Publishing. ISBN 1-86302-669-X.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 3: Bomber Units. Canberra: Aust. Govt. Pub. Service. ISBN 0-644-42792-2.
- Roylance, Derek (1991). Air Base Richmond. RAAF Base Richmond: Royal Australian Air Force. ISBN 0-646-05212-8.
- Shores, Christopher; Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell (1990). Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces, 1915–1920. London: Grub Street. ISBN 0-948817-19-4.
- Stanley, Peter (1997). Tarakan: An Australian Tragedy. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-278-8.
- Stephens, Alan (1992). Power Plus Attitude: Ideas, Strategy and Doctrine in the Royal Australian Air Force 1921–1991. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-24388-0.
- Stephens, Alan (ed.) (1993). The RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area 1942–1945. Canberra: RAAF Air Power Studies Centre. ISBN 0-642-19827-6.
- Stephens, Alan (2006) [2001]. The Royal Australian Air Force: A History. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-555541-4.
- Stephens, Alan; Isaacs, Jeff (1996). High Fliers: Leaders of the Royal Australian Air Force. Canberra: Aust. Govt. Pub. Service. ISBN 0-644-45682-5.
- Sutherland, Barry (ed.) (2000). Command and Leadership in War and Peace 1914–1975. Canberra: Air Power Studies Centre. ISBN 0-642-26537-2.
- Wilson, David (2005). The Brotherhood of Airmen. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-74114-333-0.
- Wilson, David (2003). The Eagle and the Albatross: Australian Aerial Maritime Operations 1921–1971 (Ph. D thesis). Sydney: University of New South Wales.
Further reading
- Cobby, A.H. (1981) [1942]. High Adventure. Melbourne: Kookaburra Technical Publications. ISBN 0-85880-044-6. OCLC 11232231.
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