Frederick Robertson (RAF officer)
Frederick Robertson DFM (25 July 1918 – 31 August 1943) was a British flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.
Born in Romsey, Robertson was a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve when he was called up for service in the RAF on the outbreak of the Second World War.
He was one of the most successful RAF pilots in the early stages of the siege, claiming several aerial victories and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.
He flew with 769 Naval Air Squadron, training on the aircraft carrier HMS Furious with Gloster Gladiator and Fairey Swordfish biplanes.
[3] This was based at Duxford and, with its Supermarine Spitfire fighters, was tasked with intercepting unidentified aircraft and patrols along the North Sea coastline.
During the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk from late May to early June 1940, the squadron helped with providing aerial cover in the area.
[4] On 2 June Robertson destroyed a Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber over Dunkirk but when his Spitfire was hit by anti-aircraft fire had to bale out to the west of the evacuation beaches.
66 Squadron resumed its patrolling duties over the North Sea but was drawn into the aerial fighting over the southeast of England as the Luftwaffe escalated its operations.
This was to ferry the Hurricanes to Malta to serve in the aerial defences against the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force) that was besieging the island.
[1][5] Robertson flew his Hurricane off Argus on 2 August, subsequently arriving over the Luqa airfield on Malta low on fuel after a flight of 380 miles (610 km).
The pilots had believed that they were only making a ferry flight to Malta so did not bring any kit with them, expecting to be flown to Gibraltar by flying boat.
A Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero medium bomber was destroyed on 28 November by Robertson although he initially claimed it as a probable; it was not until two surviving crew members were retrieved from the sea that its destruction was confirmed.
[6] On 10 January 1941, the squadron helped provide cover for the stricken aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious as it made its way to Malta with major damage after being bombed.
[5] On 19 January, Robertson shot down a Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber to the north of Grand Harbour, also probably destroying a CR.42.
Two days later, an announcement was made in respect of Robertson being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in recognition of his successes.
[1][3] The citation, published in The London Gazette on 18 March, read: This airman has displayed great gallantry in his many recent engagements, often against heavy odds.
