Bob Doe

Infobox Military Person
name=Robert Francis Thomas Doe
lived=10 March 1920
placeofbirth=Reigate, Surrey, England
placeofdeath=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=flagicon|United Kingdom United Kingdom
branch=
serviceyears=1939 - 1966
rank=Wing Commander
commands=
battles=Battle of Britain
Burma Campaign
awards=DSO (India)
DFC* United Kingdom
laterwork=
Wing Commander Robert Francis Thomas Doe DSO (India), DFC* (born 10 March 1920 in Reigate, Surrey), was a flying ace of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in World War Two; and who served with honour with the Indian Air Force during the Burma campaign

Biography

Bob Doe was born in Reigate, Surrey, on 10 March 1920. After leaving school he started work as an office boy for the News of the World.Doe joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in March 1938, and made his first solo flight on June 4th.

After applying for a short service commission, Doe joined the Royal Air Force in January 1939 - service number 41908. [ [http://www.dyscypher.com/rabbitsqn/port1doe.htm Rabbitsqn - Fine Portraits Doe ] ] Doe trained with 15 E&RFTS (Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School) at RAF Redhill, Surrey and combat training with 6 Flying Training School at RAF Little Rissington.

Doe was posted on 6 November 1939, to No. 234 Squadron a Spitfire Squadron, at RAF Leconfield alongside Australian Pat Hughes. Doe would serve with No 234 squadron for most of the Battle of Britain. Doe claimed his first victory on 15 August when he shot down two Messerschmitt Bf 110’s, followed by: a Messerschmitt Bf 109 and a probable Dornier Do 18 on the 16th; a Bf109 destroyed and another Bf109 damaged on the 18th; a shared of a Junkers Ju 88 on the 21st; and shot down a Bf109 on the 26th.

In September, he added to his tally with No. 234 Squadron, with: three Bf109’s on the 4th; a Bf109 on the 5th; damaged three Dornier Do 17’s and shot down a Bf109 on the 6th; and destroyed a Heinkel He 111 on the 7th.

On the 27 September, Doe was posted to No. 238 Squadron based at RAF Middle Wallop in Wiltshire, claiming his first victory for the squadron on the 30th when he shot down an He 111. In October, Doe shot down a Bf109 on the 1st and a Ju88 on the 7th - the last of his 14 and a 2 shared aerial victories of the battle and of the war.

On 10 October in combat over Warmwell, Dorset at 12:00 with some Bf109’s, his plane was critically damaged and he was wounded in the leg and shoulder. Doe bailed out, landing on Brownsea Island while his Hawker Hurricane crashed near Corfe Castle Viaduct - on what is now part of the Swanage Railway. Admitted to Poole Hospital, on the 22 October 1940, Doe was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and received a Bar a month later, on 26 November. Doe rejoined No. 238 Squadron in December 1940.

In January 1941, while flying a night sortie, the oil in the oil cooler of his aircraft froze. As a result of his engine seizing, he landed heavily at Warmwell on the snow covered runway, breaking his harness and resultantly smashing his face against the reflector sight, almost severing his nose and breaking his arm. Doe was taken to Park Prewett Hospital, where he underwent twenty-two operations by pioneering New Zealand plastic surgeon, Harold Gillies.

On 15 May 1941, he was posted as a Flight Commander to No. 66 Squadron, and then joined No. 130 Squadron on 18 August.The series of operations in a two month period, and the need to bring through fresh pilots who could be trained by experienced hands, effectively meant Doe's career as a front line fighter pilot was over for the time being. On 22 October, he was posted to 57 O.T.U. (Operational Training Unit) as an instructor. On 9 June 1943, Doe went to the Fighter Leaders School at RAF Milfield and then joined No. 118 Squadron at RAF Coltishall in July. He then joined No. 613 Squadron in August.

In October 1943, Doe was posted to Burma as the activities on the Western Front changed from defence to attack in preparation for Operation Overlord and the invasion of Normandy; while in the East, the Japanese Army was still advancing on key British Empire assets, including India.

In December 1943, Doe was tasked with forming No. 10 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, commanding it throughout the Burma Campaign until April 1945 when he joined the Indian Army Staff College in Quetta, and then from August the planning staff at Delhi. On 2 October 1945, Doe received the Indian Distinguished Service Order, one of only two men to be honoured with this award.

In September 1946, he returned to the UK and held a number of staff positions and commands before retiring on 1 April 1966 with the rank of Wing Commander. [ [http://www.battle-of-britain.com/BoB2/Battle_personnel/Profiles/RAF/doe.htm Battle of Britain - Bob Doe ] ]

After retirement, he opened a garage business. [ [http://www.military-art.com/mall/profiles.php?SigID=4 Wing Commander Bob Doe, DSO, DFC* - Signature Details ] ]

Quotations

Combat Record

References

External links

*imdb|id=1658805|name=Bob Doe