507:
Zero while firing on bombers front-on, but was able to turn the tables on the
Japanese fighter and shoot it down in flames. The next day he went head to head with more Zeros, damaging two before being forced to ditch on a reef with a smoking engine; once down he scrambled out of the cockpit and danced on the wing to let his comrades know he was safe. Jackson shot down his third victim on 17 April. He achieved his fourth victory against another Zero on 24 April, to become the highest Australian scorer in the Battle of Port Moresby. On 28 April, John Jackson was shot down and killed while leading the interception of a Japanese raid; Les took over command of No. 75 Squadron the next day. On 30 April, the squadron was recalled to Australia to refit and regroup; Jackson flew one of its last remaining serviceable aircraft to
520:
567:, the first from the RAAF in New Guinea. By 28 August, Japanese troops were threatening to overrun the RAAF airfield at Milne Bay, and the Kittyhawk squadrons were ordered to withdraw to Port Moresby for one night. Returning to Milne Bay the next day, Jackson's plane developed trouble and he had to ditch on the coast; with the help of New Guinea natives, he reached Port Moresby by boat three days later. By 7 September the Japanese had withdrawn their troops from the Milne Bay area; Generals
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33:
555:
that resulted in all seven vessels being set on fire without the loss of any aircraft. The next day, Jackson personally led two of his unit's five concerted strafing assaults on the main
Japanese convoy approaching Milne Bay. On 27 August, he and a fellow pilot each claimed a Zero; the Japanese
506:
On 6 April, Jackson was forced to ditch his aircraft on a coral reef, but made it to shore with the aid of a life jacket that his brother John dropped to him. In the following weeks, Les accounted for another three
Japanese aircraft shot down. On 5 April, he was attacked from behind by a
656:
Jackson continued to lead Air
Defence Headquarters in Madang following the end of hostilities, before his commission was terminated in Brisbane on 8 February 1946. Returning to the garage business in rural Queensland, he ran Active Service Motors at
1352:
551:, Jackson's squadron was engaged in air defence against Japanese raiders and offensive strikes against convoys and other targets in support of Australian ground forces. On 25 August, the Kittyhawks launched an attack on enemy barges at
498:
airfield on 22 March. Five
Kittyhawks led by John Jackson attacked and destroyed a dozen Japanese planes on the ground, while four others including Les provided protective cover above; he survived an encounter with three
582:, Queensland, in September 1942, and Jackson handed over command to Squadron Leader John Meehan the following January. In recognition of his "courage and leadership" in New Guinea, Jackson was awarded the
1131:
412:
Reserve, known as the
Citizen Air Force, in July 1937. With the outbreak of World War II, Les was called up for active duty in the RAAF on 6 November 1939. He learnt to fly as an air cadet at
1377:
503:
that saw two of his fellow pilots shot down. Two days later he recorded his first aerial victory when he intercepted and destroyed a Zero escorting a force of bombers towards Port
Moresby.
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1367:
907:
1372:
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466:
Completing his service with No. 21 Squadron in
November 1941, Jackson was again posted to No. 23 Squadron in Australia. In March 1942, he joined
330:
263:
232:
426:
287:
179:
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385:
was as an accountant in the family firm of J. Jackson & Co. Pty Ltd. He then set up his own business running a service station and garage in
644:
to his DFC for "determined and successful attacks on enemy installations and shipping". That June, he took command of Air
Defence Headquarters in
1321:
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135:
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Jackson took over command of No. 75 Squadron after his brother was killed in action on 28 April 1942, leading it in the
563:, presumably to prevent it falling into Allied hands, and were 'bounced' by the Australian pilots. His victory made Jackson an
739:
557:
394:
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both described the efforts of Nos. 75 and 76 Squadrons as "the decisive factor" in repulsing the invading forces.
556:
fighters had been focussing on machine-gunning one of their own aircraft that had crash-landed following combat with a
621:
342:
282:(RAAF) Reserve in 1937. Called up for active duty shortly after the outbreak of war in September 1939, he served with
202:
381:, Queensland, the fourth son of businessman William Jackson and his wife Edith. His first job following education at
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279:
86:
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462:
Flight
Lieutenant Jackson (second from left) with fellow pilots of No. 75 Squadron in Port Moresby, 1942
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1179:
Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume I – Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
491:
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361:. After leaving the RAAF in 1946, Jackson returned to the business world, running two garages. He died in
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669:, on 25 January 1947; the couple had three sons. Predeceased by his wife in 1974, Jackson died of a
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on 26 March 1943. Having served in staff positions in Australia during the year, he was appointed
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Following re-equipment in Australia, Jackson led No. 75 Squadron back to New Guinea, arriving at
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Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume II – Air War Against Japan 1943–45
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later that year. Credited with a fifth aerial victory, he became the RAAF's first ace in the
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at Southport on 17 February 1980. He was survived by his children, and cremated in an
632:
in September 1944. Completing his tour with No. 78 Wing in December, he was posted to
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588:
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37:
Squadron Leader Jackson commanding No. 75 Squadron in New Guinea, September 1942
1268:
Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 2: Fighter Units
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303:
32:
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1177:
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417:, Victoria. Graduating as a pilot in February 1940, he served initially with
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1113:
Storm Over Kokoda: Australia's Epic Battle for the Skies of New Guinea, 1942
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in Australia, and saw out the war as commander of Air Defence Headquarters,
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Australian recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
1139:. Fairbairn, Australian Capital Territory: Air Power Studies Centre.
645:
617:
358:
159:
640:, as chief flying instructor. In March 1945, Jackson was awarded a
478:, under the command of his brother, known as "Old John". Operating
274:
of World War II, credited with five aerial victories. Born in
1229:. Fyshwyck, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications.
518:
457:
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south-west of Brisbane. In February 1935, Jackson enlisted in the
353:
to his DFC in March 1945, he served as chief flying instructor at
665:. He married Cynthia Molle at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church,
495:
795:
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on 25 July 1942 in company with another Kittyhawk unit,
270:(24 February 1917 – 17 February 1980) was an Australian
535:(centre), commanding No. 76 Squadron, Milne Bay, 1942
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Jackson, Leslie Douglas – Australian Military Forces
1310:
Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth
949:
947:
896:
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1270:. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.
1204:
Whispering Death: Australian Airmen in the Pacific War
628:, commencing in June. Jackson was promoted to acting
1378:
Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II
523:
Squadron Leader Jackson (right) with Wing Commander
249:
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1115:. Miller's Point, New South Wales: Murdoch Books.
425:, Queensland. In July 1941, he was posted to the
1167:: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (
373:Les Jackson was born on 24 February 1917 in the
1149:. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018
494:, Jackson took part in a surprise raid against
604:, in December 1943. The wing participated in
8:
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1368:People educated at Brisbane Grammar School
1044:(Supplement). 26 March 1943. p. 1414.
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624:, in April 1944. This was followed by the
486:, one of the crucial early battles in the
278:, he was a businessman when he joined the
20:
1287:The Royal Australian Air Force: A History
1097:(Supplement). 9 March 1945. p. 1326.
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1051:
482:, the unit quickly became engaged in the
310:under the command of his eldest brother,
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318:, Les shot down four Japanese aircraft.
1019:Recommended: Distinguished Flying Cross
1007:Units of the Royal Australian Air Force
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578:No. 75 Squadron was redeployed to
1160:
1253:. Canberra: Australian War Memorial.
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404:Jackson followed his eldest brother,
7:
994:Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
981:Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
955:Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
939:Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
925:Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
903:Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
828:Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
810:Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942
634:No. 8 Operational Training Unit
586:(DFC), which was promulgated in the
355:No. 8 Operational Training Unit
233:Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar
1373:Royal Australian Air Force officers
1358:Australian World War II flying aces
702:Jackson, Leslie Douglas (1917–1980)
490:. As one of No. 75 Squadron's
286:in Australia before posting to the
1363:Military personnel from Queensland
706:Australian Dictionary of Biography
600:, a component of the newly formed
349:in September that year. Awarded a
16:Australian World War II flying ace
14:
1133:Australian Fighter Aces 1914–1953
661:and Western Queensland Motors in
1266:RAAF Historical Section (1995).
1025:. Retrieved on 12 December 2010.
798:. Retrieved on 10 December 2010.
742:. Retrieved on 10 December 2010.
31:
1206:. Crows Nest, New South Wales:
708:. Retrieved on 6 December 2010.
842:The Royal Australian Air Force
740:National Archives of Australia
1:
602:No. 10 Operational Group
511:, Queensland, on 9 May.
395:2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment
333:(DFC). By 1944, Jackson was
260:Leslie Douglas (Les) Jackson
968:Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces
884:Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces
622:Western New Guinea campaign
203:Western New Guinea campaign
1399:
1176:Gillison, Douglas (1962).
598:No. 78 (Fighter) Wing
584:Distinguished Flying Cross
427:South West Pacific theatre
410:Royal Australian Air Force
339:No. 78 (Fighter) Wing
331:Distinguished Flying Cross
298:. In March 1942 he joined
288:South West Pacific theatre
280:Royal Australian Air Force
180:South West Pacific theatre
158:Air Defence Headquarters,
87:Royal Australian Air Force
1005:RAAF Historical Section,
30:
1285:Stephens, Alan (2006) .
1130:Garrisson, A.D. (1999).
796:World War 2 Nominal Roll
445:in September that year.
441:, the unit converted to
1308:Thomas, Andrew (2005).
1291:Oxford University Press
1225:Newton, Dennis (1996).
1184:Australian War Memorial
1023:Australian War Memorial
910:22 October 2012 at the
785:Jackson, Leslie Douglas
770:Australian Fighter Aces
484:defence of Port Moresby
415:RAAF Station Point Cook
383:Brisbane Grammar School
365:, Queensland, in 1980.
345:, gaining promotion to
536:
531:, and Squadron Leader
463:
437:. Initially operating
329:, and was awarded the
316:Battle of Port Moresby
190:Battle of Port Moresby
25:Leslie Douglas Jackson
1075:Air War Against Japan
1060:Air War Against Japan
790:16 March 2018 at the
529:No. 100 Squadron
522:
461:
397:, a Queensland-based
314:. During the ensuing
306:, New Guinea, flying
1111:Ewer, Peter (2011).
545:No. 76 Squadron
468:No. 75 Squadron
431:No. 21 Squadron
419:No. 23 Squadron
300:No. 75 Squadron
292:No. 21 Squadron
284:No. 23 Squadron
1227:Australian Air Aces
724:Australian Air Aces
671:cerebral hemorrhage
606:Operations Reckless
549:Battle of Milne Bay
527:(left), commanding
515:Milne Bay and after
488:New Guinea campaign
327:New Guinea campaign
323:Battle of Milne Bay
195:Battle of Milne Bay
185:New Guinea campaign
1094:The London Gazette
1041:The London Gazette
626:attack on Noemfoor
537:
464:
343:Western New Guinea
243:"Old John" Jackson
214:Battle of Noemfoor
209:Operation Reckless
1323:978-1-84176-083-4
1217:978-1-74175-901-3
1208:Allen & Unwin
1122:978-1-74266-095-0
855:Storm Over Kokoda
612:, the assault on
553:Goodenough Island
492:flight commanders
476:flight lieutenant
443:Brewster Buffalos
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868:Whispering Death
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620:that opened the
533:"Bluey" Truscott
501:Mitsubishi Zeros
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59:17 February 1980
46:24 February 1917
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652:Post-war career
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308:P-40 Kittyhawks
250:Other work
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153:No. 75 Squadron
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118:No. 23 Squadron
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1300:0-19-555541-4
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1062:, pp. 206–213
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983:, pp. 615–617
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812:, pp. 167–168
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772:, pp. 140–142
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569:Sydney Rowell
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561:B-26 Marauder
559:
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547:. During the
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1383:Wing leaders
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1309:
1286:
1267:
1249:
1226:
1203:
1182:. Canberra:
1178:
1151:. Retrieved
1132:
1112:
1092:
1083:
1077:, pp.237–241
1074:
1068:
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769:
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655:
587:
577:
573:Cyril Clowes
538:
525:"Sam" Balmer
505:
465:
454:Port Moresby
403:
372:
369:Early career
320:
304:Port Moresby
259:
258:
170:Battles/wars
68:, Queensland
61:(1980-02-17)
51:, Queensland
18:
1348:1980 deaths
1343:1917 births
1089:"No. 36975"
1036:"No. 35954"
970:, pp. 58–59
886:, pp. 51–55
768:Garrisson,
610:Persecution
594:wing leader
580:Horn Island
423:Archerfield
408:, into the
335:wing leader
272:fighter ace
253:Businessman
162:(1945–1946)
155:(1942–1943)
138:(1944–1945)
132:(1943–1944)
130:No. 78 Wing
120:(1940–1941)
1337:Categories
1312:. Oxford:
1289:. London:
1105:References
992:Gillison,
979:Gillison,
953:Gillison,
937:Gillison,
922:Gillison,
900:Gillison,
866:Johnston,
840:Stephens,
825:Gillison,
807:Gillison,
677:ceremony.
472:New Guinea
391:rural area
377:suburb of
73:Allegiance
1247:(1968) .
1163:cite book
1153:22 August
667:Southport
663:St George
614:Hollandia
541:Milne Bay
435:Singapore
379:Newmarket
363:Southport
296:Singapore
245:(brother)
239:Relations
136:No. 8 OTU
96:1937–1946
76:Australia
66:Southport
1259:11218821
1202:(2011).
1072:Odgers,
1057:Odgers,
996:, p. 620
966:Thomas,
908:Archived
882:Thomas,
870:, p. 169
788:Archived
722:Newton,
675:Anglican
375:Brisbane
276:Brisbane
146:Commands
49:Brisbane
1192:2000369
1009:, p. 46
726:, p. 93
399:Militia
1320:
1314:Osprey
1297:
1274:
1257:
1233:
1214:
1190:
1143:
1119:
853:Ewer,
646:Madang
618:Aitape
509:Cairns
401:unit.
359:Madang
266:&
229:Awards
160:Madang
126:(1941)
1137:(PDF)
681:Notes
558:USAAF
474:as a
429:with
387:Surat
290:with
1318:ISBN
1295:ISBN
1272:ISBN
1255:OCLC
1231:ISBN
1212:ISBN
1188:OCLC
1169:link
1155:2024
1141:ISBN
1117:ISBN
659:Roma
616:and
608:and
571:and
406:John
389:, a
312:John
111:Unit
101:Rank
56:Died
43:Born
1021:at
794:at
738:at
704:at
642:bar
596:of
565:ace
496:Lae
470:in
433:in
421:at
351:bar
341:in
337:of
302:in
294:in
268:Bar
264:DFC
1339::
1316:.
1293:.
1210:.
1186:.
1165:}}
1161:{{
1091:.
1050:^
1038:.
946:^
891:^
875:^
818:^
777:^
747:^
713:^
688:^
648:.
636:,
262:,
1326:.
1303:.
1280:.
1261:.
1239:.
1220:.
1194:.
1171:)
1157:.
1125:.
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