John Albert Axel Gibson, DSO, DFC (24 August 1916 – 1 July 2000) was a British Royal Air Force (RAF) officer and a flying ace of the Second World War.

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in late August 1940, he spent much of 1941 as an instructor before briefly serving with No.

When he was provisionally accepted, he went to the United Kingdom, departing New Zealand on 7 April 1938 aboard the RMS Rangitata.

Passing the course, he was commissioned as an acting pilot officer on probation on 9 July and went to Uxbridge for formal induction into the RAF.

3 Flight Training School at South Cerney, flying Hawker Harts and Audaxes trainers and gaining his wings in November.

His squadron was dispatched from RAF Tangmere across the English Channel to Bétheniville, as reinforcements for the Advanced Air Striking Force.

He was quick to adapt and was involved in a number of actions as the squadron operated in support of the Allied forces as they retreated before the advancing Germans.

[6] Later in the month, Gibson's squadron moved to Gravesend in Kent, carrying out patrols and intercepting incoming German raids.

During a raid on a convoy near Deal on 12 August, Gibson claimed a Ju 87 as destroyed, observing its pilot bailing out after his attack.

His own aircraft was damaged and set on fire in the encounter; being over the populated area of Folkestone, he stayed with the Hurricane until it was clear of the town before he bailed out.

[2][9] The published citation read:In August, whilst on an offensive patrol over Dover this officer engaged and destroyed a Junkers 87 and was afterwards shot down himself.

Pilot Officer Gibson has destroyed eight enemy aircraft, and has displayed great courage and presence of mind.Gibson's flying officer rank was made substantive in early September[11] and a few days later, on 7 September, the Luftwaffe mounted its first large scale bombing attack on London.

[2] For the first few months of 1941, the squadron converted to Supermarine Spitfire fighters and began preparing for offensive operations.

Until March 1942, the squadron was engaged in convoy patrols over the Irish Sea until it switched to offensive operations, flying sweeps from Redhill to occupied France.

The squadron lacked aircraft, its intended P-40 Kittyhawk fighters having been sent to Allied units in the Middle East, which took priority for the equipment.

In addition to its aircrew undergoing operational training, the initial duties of the squadron was responsibility for the defence of Tonga.

There were no engagements with the enemy before Gibson returned to New Zealand at the end of the year to take up a staff position at Air Headquarters, Control Group.

He destroyed a Zeke, a variant of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter, on 23 January during a mission escorting Grumman TBF Avenger dive bombers over Rabaul.

[19] On 16 March 1945 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his "gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations in the South-West Pacific area".

80 Squadron flew in support of the gliders carrying airborne forces as part of the 21st Army Group's crossing of Rhine.

Leading a group of Tempests targeting German transport, Gibson's aircraft was damaged by flak and he had to make a forced landing.

[22] His short service commission completed, Gibson relinquished his rank of acting squadron leader and formally transferred to the RNZAF on 1 December 1945.

[23] However, in late 1946 he returned to the RAF, reverting to his substantive rank of flight lieutenant, with his commission extended for four years.

During the Biafran War of 1969–70, Gibson flew for the Rhodesian Air Services airline, which was run by his friend Jack Malloch.

Operating from an airstrip that was in fact a widened road, and with his son Michael as co-pilot, he flew in supplies and helped to evacuate refugee children.

He lived in Salisbury, Zimbabwe,[2] working as the operations manager for the Department of Civil Aviation until 1987, when he retired and returned to the United Kingdom.