Robert Talbot (SAAF officer)

Robert Talbot (1916-1941) was a South African flying ace of World War II, credited with 10 'kills'.[1]

Robert Henry Talbot
Nickname(s)Bob
Born(1916-06-27)27 June 1916
Boksburg
Died3 June 1941(1941-06-03) (aged 24)
Buried
Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery
Service / branchSouth African Air Force
RankLieutenant
Service number102795V
Battles / wars
  • World War II

Born in Boksburg, he joined the South African Air Force and received his pilot wings in October 1939. He flew Hawker Hartebees with 13 Squadron SAAF in 1940 before being posted to 274 Squadron from September 1940 to January 1941, taking part in the first Libyan Campaign. He was briefly posted home but then joined 1 Squadron SAAF in April 1941, flying Hurricanes. On 3 June 1941 his aircraft was damaged by Italian anti-aircraft artilleries, during a strafing run over Gambut airfield[2] and his plane crashed into the sea on the way back to base and he was killed.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Shores, C; Williams C (15 July 2008). Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-00-8.
  2. ^ Sgarlato, Nico (2022). Duelli aerei ad El Alamain (in Italian). Italy: Delta editrice. pp. 58–59.