19 Facts About Harry Cobby

Harry Cobby was credited with 29 aerial victories, and his achievements were recognised with the Distinguished Service Order, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two bars, and a mention in despatches.

Harry Cobby left the Permanent Air Force in 1936 to join the Civil Aviation Board, but remained in the RAAF reserve.

Arthur Henry Harry Cobby was born in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran to Arthur Edward Stanley Harry Cobby, a tram conductor, and his wife Alice.

When World War I broke out, Harry Cobby attempted to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force but his employer, the Commonwealth Bank, refused to release him as his position of clerk was considered an essential occupation.

Harry Cobby later admitted to being so nervous about the prospect of going into battle that "if anything could have been done by me to delay that hour, I would have left nothing undone to bring it about".

Harry Cobby claimed an early victory, over a DFW reconnaissance plane, in February 1918, but this was credited only as "driven down" and not confirmed.

In September 1918, Harry Cobby was transferred to a training unit in England, where he found the strain of instructing pupils "much worse than flying in France".

Harry Cobby later said that this was: "probably the most foolish thing I have ever done".

Restless in the inter-war years, Harry Cobby retired from the Air Force to join the Civil Aviation Board as Controller of Operations in 1936; he contributed to aviation magazines such as Australian Airmen and Popular Flying.

Harry Cobby was promoted to temporary air commodore in July 1943.

Harry Cobby handed over command of North-Eastern Area in November 1943, and the following month was posted to Mount Martha, Victoria, as the Commandant of the RAAF Staff School, remaining in the post until he was fully recovered from his injuries.

Harry Cobby believed this required him to "try and serve two masters", a situation he found "unworkable".

All made their way to Morotai and interviewed the pilots involved, and all concluded that Harry Cobby should be relieved of his command.

Harry Cobby's departure was greeted with relief by Australian Army commanders, who were frustrated by the poor working relationship between 1st TAF and the Army units at Tarakan.

Harry Cobby defended his leadership of 1st TAF at the subsequent inquiry before Judge John Vincent Barry.

Harry Cobby believed that his forces had played a significant part in making safe General MacArthur's flank during the Philippines campaign.

Barry nevertheless found that Harry Cobby had "failed to maintain proper control over his command", and that his removal as 1st TAF commander was justified.

Harry Cobby had rejoined the Civil Aviation Board after leaving the RAAF and served as Regional Director, New South Wales, from 1947 to 1954.

Harry Cobby was appointed Director of Flying Operations early the following year.