Spitfire Ace 1941-45: The Flying Career of Squadron Leader Tony Gaze DFC** RAF, an Australian who flew fighters with RAF fighter squadrons 1941-45. First Australian jet fighter pilot.

Tony Gaze was studying in England when war broke out in 1939, and, rather than return to Australia to enlist, joined the RAF. He flew Spitfires of many Marks on operations from 1941 to the last weeks of the war, then was posted to the Meteor jet squadron. Gaze flew his first operations with 610 Squadron in the famous Bader Wing, learned from that remarkable man, and gained his first victories on sweeps into France. After a rest as an instructor, Gaze returned to operations and was promoted to squadron command. Due to incompetence and negligence at 10 Group Operations Centre, Gaze was made the scapegoat for the disaster that befell a raid on Morlaix, when a complete squadron, of US nationals in an Eagle squadron, was lost over France and the sea. Gaze was offered a chance to retain his rank but to go to a training unit; he refused and was demoted and posted. Gaze continued to fly on operations and when he realised the invasion of Normandy was imminent, went without permission to fly with Johnny Johnson's Canadian Spitfire Wing. This Wing was to be first to land in France after D-Day, and tagging along at the rear, Gaze realised he would land in a huge cloud of dust, so slipped in ahead and landed first. This upset the public relations arrangements. Gaze finally got back to operations later in 1944 and began intense flying, with few opportunities to score victories. He shot down German jets, and several times had to turn for friendly territory when his radiator was hit. The last weeks of the war were the most intense operational flying he experienced. Tony gaze flew 488 offensive sorties. After the war he became interested in gliding and in car racing. This is the flying career of one of that rare breed, men who continue on operations and resent being sent for a rest.