Wing Commander Reginald Patrick Mahoney Gibbs, DSO, DFC & Bar (2 April 1915 – 8 March 2008) was a British military pilot and journalist.
With them he flew Shark and Swordfish planes off aircraft carriers, and he gained his first experience of launching torpedoes from the air.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Gibbs was still posted at Gosport but, on 1 February 1940, he was promoted flight lieutenant and then joined No.
[5] He then commenced a year-long tour of duty running sorties against enemy shipping off the coasts of Norway and the Netherlands and bombing raids on Biscay ports.
[2][6] He was promoted to temporary squadron leader on 1 March 1941,[7] and on 26 September he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his performance in that role.
Early in June 1942, Squadron Leader Gibbs attacked and sank a large enemy merchant vessel.
Despite opposition from enemy fighters and in the face of defensive fire from the naval vessels, Squadron Leader Gibbs successfully launched his torpedo at the leading warship.
[10]Gibbs continued leading attacks throughout August, which had a considerable impact on the war in the Mediterranean and altered the attitude of RAF command towards aerial tactics.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy: — Distinguished Service Order.
This officer, who has achieved much success in torpedo bomber sorties, has displayed fine qualities of leadership, combined with exceptional skill.
[13] He was kept from operational service and was given a role in the Air Ministry, but by 1944 the strain from his flying days caught up with him and he was invalided out as a wing commander on 24 February.
After the end of the war Gibbs invested in a chain of laundrettes, but his career shifted after a friend introduced him to actress Muriel Pavlow.
During this period, the Telegraph's film critic, George Campbell Dixon, was frequently ill and Gibbs often picked up his work.