aufighters at night with 600 Sqn In September 1941 moved to day-fighters with 130 Sqn. In 1942 he joined 126 Sqn in the defense of Malta flying his Spitfire off HMS Eagle on 18 May. He saw much action during the bitter fighting over the island and became an Ace, in his first two months; he was also awarded the DFC and commissioned. Posted back to England as an instructor, in September 1943 he transferred to 165 Squadron as a flight commander. He left the RAF in 1947 but rejoined in April 1951 during the Korean War.