Bob Yule facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Yule
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| Born | 29 January 1920 Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Died | 11 September 1953 (aged 33) London, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–1953 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Commands held | No. 28 Squadron No. 15 Wing No. 66 Squadron RAF (1942) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War Malayan Emergency |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Robert Duncan Yule (born January 29, 1920 – died September 11, 1953) was a brave pilot from New Zealand. He became an officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was known as a flying ace during the Second World War. This means he shot down at least five enemy planes. He was officially credited with destroying eight enemy aircraft.
Yule was born in Invercargill, New Zealand. He earned a special scholarship to study at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. When World War II began, he joined the RAF. He was sent to No. 145 Squadron. He flew many missions during the Battle of France. He even shot down a German plane. He also helped protect ships during the Dunkirk evacuation.
During the Battle of Britain, he damaged several enemy planes. Later, he taught other pilots. He then became the leader of No. 66 Squadron. He led them on many missions over France. After that, he led No. 15 Wing. For the last year and a half of the war, he worked on planning duties. After the war, he stayed in the RAF. He served in Air Command Far East. He also commanded No. 28 Squadron during the Malayan Emergency. Sadly, he died when his plane crashed during a practice flight over London.
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Early Life and Training
Robert Duncan Yule was born on January 29, 1920. His hometown was Invercargill, New Zealand. His father, G. J. Yule, was a dental surgeon. Robert went to Southland Boys' High School. In early 1938, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to attend the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in England.
He left New Zealand on March 10, 1938. He started his RAF course in late April. This course usually lasted two years. But it was made shorter because the Second World War started. The war began in September 1939. Yule officially joined the Royal Air Force on September 7, 1939. He became a pilot officer on October 23, 1939.
World War II Adventures
In November 1939, Yule joined No. 145 Squadron. This squadron was based at Croydon. It was a new fighter unit. They flew Bristol Blenheim planes for day and night missions. In March 1940, they started using Hawker Hurricane planes. This change took two months. By then, they were flying planes to France to help other fighter squadrons.
On May 18, Yule took part in his squadron's first battle. They were patrolling over Brussels. They found 12 Heinkel He 111 German bombers. Yule shot down one of these bombers. Four days later, he destroyed a Junkers Ju 87 near Arras.
At the end of May and early June, his squadron helped with the Dunkirk evacuation. This was when many soldiers were rescued from France. During this time, Yule shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110 near Dunkirk. For the rest of the month, he flew patrols over the English Channel. He also protected bombers on missions to France. In early July, he helped shoot down a Dornier Do 17 near Brighton.
Fighting in the Battle of Britain
When the Battle of Britain started, the fighting became very intense. Yule flew many patrols and interception missions. On July 10, the first day of the battle, he helped shoot down a Do 17. This happened over the English Channel. On July 13, he damaged a Junkers Ju 88 near the Isle of Wight. He also likely shot down a Bf 110 that same day. He shared in shooting down another Do 17 off Brighton.
He damaged two more Ju 88s in July. Then his squadron got a break. They returned to action in October. They flew from Tangmere. The air battles were a bit slower then. But Yule still damaged a Ju 88 on October 17. He was promoted to pilot officer on October 23, 1940. Two days later, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 shot down his plane over Kent. He was hurt in his legs. He had to make a forced landing. His Hurricane plane was completely destroyed.
Yule rejoined No. 145 Squadron in February 1941. They were then changing to Supermarine Spitfire planes. But soon after, he became an instructor. He taught at No. 53 Operational Training Unit. He was now a flight lieutenant. He secretly helped train American pilots. This was because the United States was still neutral in the war.
In early November, he returned to active flying. He joined No. 501 Squadron. They were based at Ibsley. He stayed with this unit for seven months. During this time, he flew many patrols. He also intercepted enemy planes and attacked enemy ships. In April 1942, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). This award was for his bravery.
The official statement said:
Flight Lieutenant Yule took part in operations in France in May, 1940, and subsequently fought in the Battle of Britain. He is a keen and courageous fighter pilot, and he has destroyed at least 5 hostile aircraft and damaged 4 others.
Leading Squadrons
In June 1942, Yule was promoted to squadron leader. He took command of No. 66 Squadron. His squadron's job was to attack targets in France. They flew Spitfire Vb planes. On July 15, Yule got into a dogfight with two Focke-Wulf Fw 190 planes. He shot one down into the sea. The engine of the other Fw 190 was damaged.
The next month, he led the squadron during the Dieppe Raid. They protected bombers during this important operation. In mid-November 1942, Yule finished his first tour of duty. He then worked in an office at No. 10 Group headquarters. But he still flew some missions. He later received a Bar to his DFC. This meant he got the DFC award a second time.
The official statement for his second award said:
Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in February this year, Squadron Leader Yule has displayed untiring devotion to duty, fine fighting spirit and excellent leadership which have been an example of the highest order. He has participated in many operational sorties and in the combined operations at Dieppe. He has destroyed several and damaged a number of other enemy aircraft.
In August 1943, Yule was promoted to acting wing commander. He returned to flying as the leader of No. 15 Wing. This wing was based at Detling. Yule led the wing on many attacks into France. On January 6, 1944, he destroyed an Fw 190. He damaged another Fw 190 the next week.
In early March, he moved to 83 Group Control Centre. His new job was to plan and organize the fighter wings. These wings were part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force. They were preparing for the Normandy invasion. Soon after starting this new role, he received the Distinguished Service Order. This was another very important award.
The official statement said:
This officer has led large formations of aircraft on very many sorties and has displayed skill and determination of the highest order. He is a splendid leader, whose sterling qualities have impressed all. He has rendered much meritorious service.
Yule continued his planning duties after D-Day. He helped organize fighter support for the Allied ground forces in France. In early 1945, he attended a course at the RAF Staff College. Then he worked at the Air Ministry. By the end of the war, he was credited with destroying eight enemy aircraft. Five of these were shared with other pilots. He also likely destroyed two more planes, one of which was shared. He also damaged one plane, with three others shared.
After the War
In July 1947, Yule took a break from work. He traveled to New Zealand with his family. When he returned to duty, he was sent to Singapore. He worked at the headquarters of Air Command Far East. Then he was given command of No. 28 Squadron.
During the Malayan Emergency, his squadron attacked places where communist rebels were hiding. Later, they moved to Hong Kong to help with defenses there. In late 1950, he returned to the United Kingdom. He joined the Central Fighter Establishment. The next year, he was promoted to wing commander. He was given command of the air base at Horsham St. Faith.
On September 11, 1953, Yule was practicing for a Battle of Britain flypast over London. He was flying a Gloster Meteor jet. His plane crashed into another jet. He was flying over a very busy area. Yule bravely steered his plane, which had lost its tail, towards Woolwich Arsenal. He crashed between buildings. He died in the crash.
