Killer Caldwell: Australia's Greatest Fighter Pilot: Jeffrey Watson

Clive 'Killer' Caldwell was a natural and brilliant pilot, a superb shot, and born leader. He saw action against the Germans, Italians and Japanese, and remains Australia's greatest ever fighter pilot. Caldwell was born and brought up in Sydney, and it was obvious from an early age that nothing would stand in his way. He bluffed his way into the RAAF, and then made sure that he was posted to exactly where he thought he should be. His ability was unquestioned by all those around him, and he devised the vital 'shadow shooting' technique which contributed so much to Allied success in the air in the north African campaign, and in northern Australia. But he was never afraid of voicing his opinions to all those above and below him, be it about the training of pilots, or the equipping of Spitfires for use against the Japanese. Caldwell ended his military career in the Morotai Mutiny in 1945, where he an a number of other Australian pilots tried to resign their commissions in protest at not being allowed y General MacArthur - and the RAAF - to take part in the main action. And then he was embroiled in the Barry inquiry into booze smuggling...Photographic illustrations.