He was later posted to 488 (New Zealand) Squadron, shooting down several German aircraft over England and France, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar.

He became interested in flying in 1928 when his father bought him an aeroplane ride with Australian aviation pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith.

140 Squadron, which had formed at Benson and operated photo-reconnaissance Supermarine Spitfires, and flew a number of sorties over occupied Europe.

[4] With his navigator, Flying Officer D. Marriott, he was patrolling over southeast England on the night of 25 November, when ground radar directed him onto an enemy aircraft.

Identified as a Messerschmitt Me 410 heavy fighter, he pursued it across the English Channel to just off Calais when he opened fire and saw an explosion on the fuselage of the aircraft.

[10] The following month, Hall and Marriott were credited with shooting down two Ju 88s in a single sortie on the night of 28 July, in the area of Vire.

[2][12] For their exploits, Hall, now a flight lieutenant, and Marriott were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 19 September.

The joint citation, published in early October, for their Bars read: As pilot and observer respectively these officers continue to display the highest standard of skill and gallantry.

Hall regularly returned to New Zealand, including on the first flight to the country of the De Havilland Comet airliner.