Brian Carbury facts for kids

Brian Carbury (27 February 1918 – 31 July 1961) was a brave fighter pilot from New Zealand. He flew for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was officially credited with shooting down 15 and a half enemy aircraft. This made him one of the top pilots of his time.

Brian was born in Wellington, New Zealand. He joined the RAF in 1937. After his flight training, he learned to fly Supermarine Spitfire planes. He later helped train other pilots to fly the Spitfire. During the war, his squadron first patrolled the North Sea. Then, in August 1940, they moved south to join the important Battle of Britain. Brian became famous for shooting down five enemy planes in one day during this battle. This was a rare achievement. He continued to fight bravely for several months.

After the Battle of Britain, Brian became an instructor. He taught new pilots how to fly. He left the RAF in 1941. Brian Carbury passed away in 1961 from leukaemia.

Brian Carbury: A Battle of Britain Hero

Early Life and Joining the RAF

Brian John George Carbury was born in Wellington, New Zealand, on 27 February 1918. His father was a veterinarian. Brian went to King's College for three years. After school, he worked selling shoes.

Brian wanted a military career. In June 1937, he moved to the United Kingdom. He first tried to join the Royal Navy. But he was told he was too old. So, he applied to the Royal Air Force (RAF) instead. He was accepted and began his training in September 1937.

Flying for Britain

In June 1938, Brian joined No. 41 Squadron. They flew Hawker Fury bi-plane fighters. In January 1939, his squadron started using the faster Supermarine Spitfire planes.

In August 1939, Brian moved to RAF Turnhouse in Scotland. He joined No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron. This squadron was part of the Auxiliary Air Force. Its pilots were part-time airmen. Brian, an experienced Spitfire pilot, helped them learn to fly the new aircraft. When the Second World War began in September 1939, his role became permanent.

First Fights in the North

No. 603 Squadron first met the enemy on 16 October 1939. German planes, called the Luftwaffe, attacked Britain. The squadron shot down a Junkers Ju 88 bomber. This was the first German plane shot down over Britain in the war. Brian was flying that day, but he was not part of that specific action.

In December, Brian and two other pilots attacked seven Heinkel He 111 bombers. He damaged one of the bombers. In January 1940, he helped destroy another He 111. He was promoted to flying officer. He also helped shoot down two more German bombers, one in March and one in July. The pilots of No. 603 Squadron were eager to join the main fighting in southern England.

The Battle of Britain

A Spitfire IIA restored in the colours of No. 603 Squadron as it appeared during the Battle of Britain

No. 603 Squadron joined the Battle of Britain on 27 August 1940. They moved to RAF Hornchurch. Brian flew two patrols the next day. He fought against Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. He damaged one Bf 109.

On 29 August, Brian got his first confirmed victory. He shot down a Bf 109 over Manston. The next day, he shot down another Bf 109.

On 31 August, Brian flew three patrols. In the morning, he shot down a Bf 109. In the afternoon, he attacked He 111 bombers and shot down two of them. Later that day, he destroyed two more Bf 109s. His own plane was damaged, and he hurt his foot. On this day, Brian became a fighter ace. He was one of only three RAF pilots to shoot down five enemy planes in a single day during the Battle of Britain.

On 2 September, Brian shot down another Bf 109. With eight enemy planes destroyed, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). This award is for great bravery in air operations.

On 7 September, the Luftwaffe launched a big bombing raid on London. Brian shot down an escorting Bf 109. He also damaged two bombers. He damaged a He 111 on 11 September. On 14 September, he destroyed a Bf 109 near London.

On 2 October, Brian shot down another Bf 109. He destroyed another on 7 October. On 10 October, he led his section of Spitfires. He spotted 20 Bf 109s returning to France. He shot down one into the English Channel and another onto the beach at Dunkirk. On 14 October, he damaged a Junkers Ju 88.

By the end of October 1940, Brian Carbury was officially credited with 15 and a half victories. He was the fifth highest-scoring RAF pilot of the Battle of Britain. He received a bar to his DFC. This meant he got a second DFC award.

After the Battle

In December 1940, No. 603 Squadron moved to Scotland. On Christmas Day, Brian chased a Ju 88 bomber. He damaged it before it flew away.

At the end of 1940, Brian was posted to No. 58 Operational Training Unit. He became an instructor there. He no longer flew in combat missions. By this time, he had 15 and a half confirmed kills. He was also credited with two probable kills and five damaged enemy aircraft. He was the seventh highest-scoring New Zealand fighter ace of the Second World War.

In October 1941, Brian was dismissed from the RAF due to disciplinary reasons. However, he may have continued his instructing duties until 1944. He later remarried.

Later Years

After leaving the RAF, Brian Carbury continued to live in England. He worked for a heating and ventilation company in London. He died of leukaemia on 31 July 1961, in Bourne End, England. He was survived by his second wife and a son.