In January 1943, Crombie was once again transferred, this time to No.
 176 Squadron RAF stationed in India, operating in support of operations in the Burma Campaign; he arrived at his new post on 12 January and was promoted to flight lieutenant five days later.
By the time he left the Middle East, Crombie had been accorded an official tally of nine Axis aircraft shot down, with two probables.

In the evening of 19 January 1943, Crombie was airborne over India with his navigator Warrant Officer Raymond Moss.
At approximately 20:45, the pair intercepted a formation of four Japanese bombers flying over Budge Budge.
Crombie flew his aircraft towards the group but his initial attack drew fire from the bombers, setting the starboard engine ablaze.
Despite the damage, he pushed ahead with the assault and shot down one of the bombers.
Flames from the burning engine then began to sweep back, and Crombie ordered Moss to bail out.
Alone, Crombie continued the assault, shooting down a second bomber, before turning his attention to a third.
Due to his efforts, the penultimate aircraft was "so badly damaged ... that it could not have reached its base".
At this time, Crombie sought out the fourth and final machine.
However, his petrol tank exploded, and he was forced "to bale out with his clothing alight".
He landed in "the most God awful swamp", and walked for three or four hours before he reached an army unit in the area, which returned him to his squadron.

As a result of their "cool courage", Crombie was awarded a "well deserved" Distinguished Service Order, with Moss receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The notification and accompanying citation for the decorations was promulgated in a supplement to the London Gazette on 19 February 1943, reading:
Air Ministry, 19th February, 1943.

ROYAL AIR FORCE.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy: —
Distinguished Service Order.

Flying Officer Charles Arbuthnot CROMBIE (Aus.404099), Royal Australian Air Force, No.
176 Squadron.

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Warrant Officer Raymond Christopher Moss (800670), No.
176 Squadron.

As pilot and observer respectively Flying Officer Crombie and Warrant Officer Moss have flown together in many night flying operations in the United Kingdom, the Middle East and in India.
They have destroyed 8 enemy aircraft and damaged another.
One night in January, 1943, they destroyed 2 of a formation of 4 Japanese aircraft before being compelled to abandon their own aircraft which was set on fire during the engagement.


Flying Officer Crombie and Warrant Officer Moss have displayed great courage, determination and devotion to duty.

Crombie completed his final patrol with No.
 176 Squadron on 28 April 1943, before moving to Air Headquarters, Bengal four days later.
Later that month, Crombie carried out two raids over Akyab, Burma, the first a strafing attack on Japanese troops in the area, and the second assaulting Japanese shipping.
On 25 May, the announcement that Crombie had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross was published in a supplement to the London Gazette.
The decoration came as a result of his "High standard of courage and keenness whilst flying" with No.
 89 Squadron in the Middle East, carrying out "... Intruder patrols and ... low level attacks on enemy bases" in addition to his personal destruction of Axis aircraft.

Crombie piloted his final sortie of the war from Air Headquarters, Bengal on 7 July 1943.
His operational tour now finished, he embarked for Australia in August, arriving in Melbourne on 27 September.
By the time Crombie's tour completed, he had been accorded an official tally of 12 aircraft shot down, with an additional creditation of four probables.
In January 1943, Crombie was once again transferred, this time to No. 176 Squadron RAF stationed in India, operating in support of operations in the Burma Campaign; he arrived at his new post on 12 January and was promoted to flight lieutenant five days later. By the time he left the Middle East, Crombie had been accorded an official tally of nine Axis aircraft shot down, with two probables.
In the evening of 19 January 1943, Crombie was airborne over India with his navigator Warrant Officer Raymond Moss. At approximately 20:45, the pair intercepted a formation of four Japanese bombers flying over Budge Budge. Crombie flew his aircraft towards the group but his initial attack drew fire from the bombers, setting the starboard engine ablaze. Despite the damage, he pushed ahead with the assault and shot down one of the bombers. Flames from the burning engine then began to sweep back, and Crombie ordered Moss to bail out. Alone, Crombie continued the assault, shooting down a second bomber, before turning his attention to a third. Due to his efforts, the penultimate aircraft was "so badly damaged ... that it could not have reached its base". At this time, Crombie sought out the fourth and final machine. However, his petrol tank exploded, and he was forced "to bale out with his clothing alight". He landed in "the most God awful swamp", and walked for three or four hours before he reached an army unit in the area, which returned him to his squadron.
As a result of their "cool courage", Crombie was awarded a "well deserved" Distinguished Service Order, with Moss receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross. The notification and accompanying citation for the decorations was promulgated in a supplement to the London Gazette on 19 February 1943, reading:
Air Ministry, 19th February, 1943.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy: —
Distinguished Service Order.
Flying Officer Charles Arbuthnot CROMBIE (Aus.404099), Royal Australian Air Force, No. 176 Squadron.
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Warrant Officer Raymond Christopher Moss (800670), No. 176 Squadron.
As pilot and observer respectively Flying Officer Crombie and Warrant Officer Moss have flown together in many night flying operations in the United Kingdom, the Middle East and in India. They have destroyed 8 enemy aircraft and damaged another. One night in January, 1943, they destroyed 2 of a formation of 4 Japanese aircraft before being compelled to abandon their own aircraft which was set on fire during the engagement.

Flying Officer Crombie and Warrant Officer Moss have displayed great courage, determination and devotion to duty.
Crombie completed his final patrol with No. 176 Squadron on 28 April 1943, before moving to Air Headquarters, Bengal four days later. Later that month, Crombie carried out two raids over Akyab, Burma, the first a strafing attack on Japanese troops in the area, and the second assaulting Japanese shipping. On 25 May, the announcement that Crombie had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross was published in a supplement to the London Gazette. The decoration came as a result of his "High standard of courage and keenness whilst flying" with No. 89 Squadron in the Middle East, carrying out "... Intruder patrols and ... low level attacks on enemy bases" in addition to his personal destruction of Axis aircraft.
Crombie piloted his final sortie of the war from Air Headquarters, Bengal on 7 July 1943. His operational tour now finished, he embarked for Australia in August, arriving in Melbourne on 27 September. By the time Crombie's tour completed, he had been accorded an official tally of 12 aircraft shot down, with an additional creditation of four probables.
Charles Crombie