Bobby Oxspring
Encyclopedia
Group Captain
Robert Wardlow (Bobby) Oxspring, DFC
and 2 bar
s, AFC
(22 May 1919 - 8 August 1989) was a Spitfire pilot with the Royal Air Force
during World War II
.
on 22 May 1919. His father, also named Robert, had served as a founder member and commander of 66 Squadron
during World War I
, achieving 16 kills before being wounded in action during a mid air collision on 30 April 1917.
on 7 May 1938, being described at the time as "a tallish, good-looking, fair-headed bloke", and served in 66 Squadron
.
Known as one of the Battle of Britain
's great ace
s, he was one of the fraction of The Few
selected by Fighter Command to have a portrait drawn by Cuthbert Orde
, sitting for it on 9 December 1940.
Flying throughout the Battle of Britain, Oxspring was promoted to Flying Officer
on 3 September 1940, and on October 25 was shot down in Spitfire X4170 near Capel, Kent
.
On 8 November 1940 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
. The citation said:
He became flight commander in 41 Squadron
, and went on to command 91 Squadron
at RAF Hawkinge
, 222 Squadron
and 24 Wing.
He was awarded a bar
to his DFC on 18 September 1942, with the citation:
Moving to Mediterranean combat, it is thought probable that Oxspring was the pilot who shot down renowned German ace Anton Hafner
of JG 51 on 2 January 1943.
Having led his squadron to be the highest scoring in the North African theatre, and survived his second shooting down of the war, Oxspring was awarded a second bar to his DFC in February 1943, with the citation:
On 1 January 1944 he was promoted to temporary Squadron Leader
, the rank he held when the conflict ceased in 1945.
During the war he had registered 13 solo kills with 2 shared, 2 probable kills and 4 solo V-1 flying bomb
destroys and 1 shared.
After the war, on 10 January 1947, he was one of the British officers given royal recognition of the award of the 'Dutch Flying Cross' - the Airman's Cross
. He was also awarded the 1939-45 Star with Battle of Britain clasp, the Air Crew Europe Star
with France and Germany clasp, the Italy Star
and the War Medal 1939-1945.
He stayed on in the RAF, being promoted to full Squadron Leader on 1 August 1947.
He was awarded the Air Force Cross
on 1 January 1949, after leading 54 Squadron Vampire
s to Canada and the USA, the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic.
Promotion came twice more, to Wing Commander
on 1 January 1953, and finally Group Captain on 1 January 1960.
He was appointed Station Commander of RAF Gatow
in Berlin
, where a section of the fence was the Berlin Wall
. He retired in 1968.
, ISBN 978-0586070680; republished 2003 by Cerberus, ISBN 978-1841450339).
Bobby Oxspring died on 8 August 1989, and was buried at Cranwell
Parish church, Lincolnshire
.
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
Robert Wardlow (Bobby) Oxspring, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
and 2 bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
s, AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
(22 May 1919 - 8 August 1989) was a Spitfire pilot with the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Early life and influences
Bobby Oxspring was born in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
on 22 May 1919. His father, also named Robert, had served as a founder member and commander of 66 Squadron
No. 66 Squadron RAF
No. 66 Squadron was a Royal Flying Corps and eventually Royal Air Force aircraft squadron.-In World War I:It was first formed at Filton on 30 June 1916 as a Training Squadron equipped with BE2c,d & e, BE12 and Avroe 504A machines. The squadron received its first Sopwith Pup on 3 February 1917,...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, achieving 16 kills before being wounded in action during a mid air collision on 30 April 1917.
Military career
Oxspring was granted a short service commission as Acting Pilot OfficerPilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
on 7 May 1938, being described at the time as "a tallish, good-looking, fair-headed bloke", and served in 66 Squadron
No. 66 Squadron RAF
No. 66 Squadron was a Royal Flying Corps and eventually Royal Air Force aircraft squadron.-In World War I:It was first formed at Filton on 30 June 1916 as a Training Squadron equipped with BE2c,d & e, BE12 and Avroe 504A machines. The squadron received its first Sopwith Pup on 3 February 1917,...
.
Known as one of the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
's great ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
s, he was one of the fraction of The Few
The Few
The Few is a term used to describe the Allied airmen of the Royal Air Force who fought the Battle of Britain in the Second World War. It comes from Winston Churchill's phrase "Never, in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few"....
selected by Fighter Command to have a portrait drawn by Cuthbert Orde
Cuthbert Orde
Captain Cuthbert Julian Orde was an artist and First World War pilot. He is best known for his war art, especially his portraits of Allied Battle of Britain pilots.-Family background:...
, sitting for it on 9 December 1940.
Flying throughout the Battle of Britain, Oxspring was promoted to Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
on 3 September 1940, and on October 25 was shot down in Spitfire X4170 near Capel, Kent
Capel, Kent
Capel is a village and civil parish in the Tunbridge Wells District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the north of the Weald, three miles to the east of Tonbridge....
.
On 8 November 1940 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
. The citation said:
One day in September, 1940, Flight Lieutenant Oxspring was engaged on an offensive patrol with his squadron. Whilst acting as rear guard, he sighted and engaged several Messerschmitt 109's 3,000 feet above. After driving them off, he led his section in an attack against a large formation of enemy bombers and succeeded in destroying a Dornier 17Dornier Do 17The Dornier Do 17, sometimes referred to as the Fliegender Bleistift , was a World War II German light bomber produced by Claudius Dornier's company, Dornier Flugzeugwerke...
at short range and also in damaging two Heinkel IIIHeinkel He 111The Heinkel He 111 was a German aircraft designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter in the early 1930s in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Often described as a "Wolf in sheep's clothing", it masqueraded as a transport aircraft, but its purpose was to provide the Luftwaffe with a fast medium...
's. He has at all times led his section with skill and determination, and has destroyed six enemy aircraft.
He became flight commander in 41 Squadron
No. 41 Squadron RAF
No. 41 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is currently the RAF's Test and Evaluation Squadron , based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Its official title is "41 TES". The Squadron celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2011, and is one of the oldest RAF squadrons in existence.-First World War, 1916–1919:No...
, and went on to command 91 Squadron
No. 91 Squadron RAF
No 91 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force but is no longer operational. The name acknowledges the contribution made by Nigeria to the cost of the squadron's aeroplanes.-World War I:...
at RAF Hawkinge
RAF Hawkinge
RAF Hawkinge was an airfield in Kent, near to the south coast and the closest airfield to the French coast.It took part in the Battle of Britain and it was home to No. 79 Squadron RAF. After the war, the station hosted the Home Command Gliding Centre, and is fondly remembered by many Air Cadets as...
, 222 Squadron
No. 222 Squadron RAF
-In World War I:The Squadron was formally formed at Thasos on 1 April 1918 from A squadron of the former No. 2 Wing, RNAS when the Royal Air Force was formed. Later, 6 April 1918 former Z Squadron of No. 2 Wing, RNAS was added to the strength. Renumbered No. 62 Wing and consisting of Nos...
and 24 Wing.
He was awarded a bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
to his DFC on 18 September 1942, with the citation:
This squadron commander has rendered much valuable service. His skill, whether in attacks on the enemy's ground targets and shipping or in air combat, has been of a high order. He has destroyed at least 7 enemy aircraft.
Moving to Mediterranean combat, it is thought probable that Oxspring was the pilot who shot down renowned German ace Anton Hafner
Anton Hafner
Anton "Toni" Hafner was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II...
of JG 51 on 2 January 1943.
Having led his squadron to be the highest scoring in the North African theatre, and survived his second shooting down of the war, Oxspring was awarded a second bar to his DFC in February 1943, with the citation:
During initial operations from forward airfields in North Africa Squadron Leader Oxspring led his formation on many sorties. He destroyed 1 enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to 8. His outstanding devotion to duty and fine fighting qualities have been worthy of high praise.
On 1 January 1944 he was promoted to temporary Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
, the rank he held when the conflict ceased in 1945.
During the war he had registered 13 solo kills with 2 shared, 2 probable kills and 4 solo V-1 flying bomb
V-1 flying bomb
The V-1 flying bomb, also known as the Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, was an early pulse-jet-powered predecessor of the cruise missile....
destroys and 1 shared.
After the war, on 10 January 1947, he was one of the British officers given royal recognition of the award of the 'Dutch Flying Cross' - the Airman's Cross
Airman's Cross
The Airman's Cross is an important military decoration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands created in 1941. The cross is meant for those Dutch military, who displayed during one of more flights in an aircraft, initiative, courage and perseverance against the enemy or during hostile actions...
. He was also awarded the 1939-45 Star with Battle of Britain clasp, the Air Crew Europe Star
Air Crew Europe Star
The Air Crew Europe Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. Specifically, the medal was awarded to Commonwealth aircrew who participated in operational flights over Europe, from UK bases....
with France and Germany clasp, the Italy Star
Italy Star
The Italy Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.The medal was awarded for operational service in Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Pantelleria, the Aegean area and Dodecanese Islands, and Elba at any time between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945...
and the War Medal 1939-1945.
He stayed on in the RAF, being promoted to full Squadron Leader on 1 August 1947.
He was awarded the Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
on 1 January 1949, after leading 54 Squadron Vampire
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
s to Canada and the USA, the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic.
Promotion came twice more, to Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
on 1 January 1953, and finally Group Captain on 1 January 1960.
He was appointed Station Commander of RAF Gatow
RAF Gatow
Known for most of its operational life as Royal Air Force Station Gatow, or more commonly RAF Gatow, this former British Royal Air Force military airbase is in the district of Gatow in south-western Berlin, west of the Havel river, in the borough of Spandau...
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, where a section of the fence was the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
. He retired in 1968.
Later life
Oxspring wrote the book Spitfire Command (1987, GraftonGrafton (publisher)
Grafton was a British paperback imprint established circa 1981 by Granada Publishing Ltd, a subsidiary of media company Granada Group Ltd. It was named after the publishing company's then address, 8 Grafton Street, in central London...
, ISBN 978-0586070680; republished 2003 by Cerberus, ISBN 978-1841450339).
Bobby Oxspring died on 8 August 1989, and was buried at Cranwell
Cranwell
Cranwell is a village situated in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. It is part of the Civil Parish of Cranwell and Byard's Leap and is located 3.95 miles north-north-west of Sleaford and 16.3 miles south-east of the county town of Lincoln...
Parish church, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
.