Robert Bungey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Wilton Bungey
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| Born | 4 October 1914 Fullarton, Adelaide, Australia |
| Died | 10 June 1943 (aged 28) North Brighton, Adelaide, Australia |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/ |
Royal Australian Air Force Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Commands held | No. 452 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Robert Wilton Bungey DFC (born October 4, 1914 – died June 10, 1943) was a brave Australian fighter pilot. He flew for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and later the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. He was officially recognized as a flying ace, meaning he shot down five enemy planes.
Bungey was from Fullarton, near Adelaide, Australia. He joined the RAAF in 1936. After his flight training, he moved to the RAF in the United Kingdom. He flew Fairey Battle planes in the early part of World War II. After the Battle of France, he joined Fighter Command. He flew in the later stages of the Battle of Britain.
In 1941, he became a squadron leader. He led the Australian No. 452 Squadron for several months. Later in the war, he commanded RAF airfields. He returned to Australia in 1943. He was set to lead a fighter wing in northern Australia. Sadly, he died in Adelaide shortly after his wife passed away. His son survived and later wrote a book about his father.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Air Force
Robert Wilton Bungey was born on October 14, 1914. His parents were Ernest and Ada Blanche Bungey. He grew up in Fullarton, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia.
He went to Glenelg Primary School. Then he attended Adelaide High School. After school, he worked as a clerk in the insurance business.
In July 1936, Robert joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He went to Point Cook for flight training. After a year, he finished his course. He then joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in England. On August 26, 1937, he became a pilot officer in the RAF. He was assigned to No. 226 Squadron. This squadron flew Fairey Battle bombers from Harwell. In May 1939, he was promoted to flying officer.
World War II Service
Soon after World War II began, No. 226 Squadron went to France. It was part of the Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF). The squadron attacked German forces during the invasion of France in May 1940. They bombed bridges and other targets. The AASF bomber squadrons faced many losses. The squadron returned to England in June. Bungey then volunteered to join Fighter Command. Fighter Command needed pilots. He learned to fly the Hawker Hurricane fighter plane.
In September, Bungey became a flight lieutenant. He joined No. 145 Squadron. This unit flew Hurricanes from Drem. They were resting after fighting hard in the Battle of Britain. The squadron patrolled over the North Sea. Later, they moved south to Tangmere.
Operations were slower then, but fights still happened. On November 7, Bungey's Hurricane was shot down. He parachuted out, hurting his knee. He landed near the Isle of Wight. On November 9, Bungey helped destroy a Junkers Ju 88 bomber. It crashed near Villaroche. On December 11, he helped destroy a Heinkel He 111 bomber. Soon after, the squadron started flying Supermarine Spitfire fighters.
No. 145 Squadron began attacking again in early 1941. In February, Bungey was promoted to squadron leader. On March 10, he shot down a Ju 88 over the English Channel. His knee injury from November bothered him. He stopped flying missions at the end of March for medical care.
Leading No. 452 Squadron
On June 15, Bungey took command of No. 452 Squadron. This was the first Australian squadron formed in Fighter Command. Before Bungey, a British officer led the squadron. When he joined, the squadron flew Spitfires from Kirton-in-Lindsey. They were patrolling convoys.
Bungey immediately increased their training. He focused on air gunnery, formation flying, and night landings. In July, the squadron joined Fighter Command's Circus offensive. Their first mission was on July 11.
Bungey became known for his great leadership. He often let less experienced pilots get easy victories. One of his pilots, Keith Truscott, said Bungey "made the Australian Spitfire Squadron."
Under Bungey, No. 452 Squadron achieved many victories. In September, it was the most successful fighter squadron. Bungey was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). This award is for bravery in air operations. The official notice praised his leadership and success.
In October, Bungey married Sybil Johnson, an English woman. His family and friends were surprised. The couple had been engaged for a while. The men under his command only learned about it after the wedding. His wife traveled to Australia the next year. Their son, Richard, was born in March 1942 in Adelaide.
On November 4, No. 452 Squadron was covering spotter planes. They were attacked by many Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. In the fight, Bungey destroyed one Bf 109. He destroyed another Bf 109 on December 6. Flying missions slowed down in winter. Bungey's time as commander of No. 452 Squadron ended on January 25, 1942.
Later War Service and Return to Australia
Bungey was promoted to wing commander. He became commander of the RAF station at Shoreham. Later, he commanded Hawkinge. In January 1943, he left his RAF role. He transferred to the RAAF reserve.
He returned to Australia. He reunited with his wife Sybil and met his son Richard for the first time. He was going to lead a fighter wing in northern Australia. But just weeks after he arrived, Sybil Bungey became ill. She sadly died in hospital on May 27.
On June 10, Bungey died in North Brighton Beach. His son Richard survived and was taken to hospital.
Bungey was buried next to his wife on June 12. The ceremony was well-attended. Five senior RAAF officers were pallbearers. Bungey's brother, who also served in the RAAF, was also a pallbearer. Richard Bungey recovered from his injuries. He had nerve damage that caused a limp for the rest of his life.
Legacy and Recognition
At the time of his death, Bungey was officially credited with five aerial victories. This made him a "flying ace." Some historians later debated this number. However, Adam Cooper noted that Bungey was careful with his claims. He only claimed victories he was sure about.
Richard Bungey, his son, later wrote a book about his father. It was called Spitfire Leader. In 2019, Richard suggested a memorial plaque for Bungey. This was approved in January 2021 in Holdfast Bay, near Adelaide. Some city councillors had concerns. They worried about honoring Bungey because of how he died. But the memorial was approved.
