Pat Hughes is Australia’s highest scoring Battle of Britain Ace who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was killed in action on September 7, 1940. Mystery surrounds exactly how Pat came to grief, though his close-in tactics are believed to have played a major part. The strain of regular combat without respite, manifesting itself in fatigue, may also have contributed. He is generally thought to have collided with wreckage from the crippled German bomber, rendering his Spitfire uncontrollable. Further speculation suggested he was the victim of friendly fire from another British fighter attacking the same Dornier, or was struck by German bullets from a Bf 109 fighter. This is his story.
Defence of Darwin
On 19 February 1942, Japanese aircraft launched the first major air attack on the Australian mainland, striking the northern city of Darwin. The devastating raids marked the start of an extended air campaign that would see Darwin and northern Australia repeatedly...
