Colin Falkland Gray

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Group Captain Colin Falkland Gray DSO, DFC and Two Bars (November 9, 1914 - August 1, 1995) was the top New Zealand fighter ace in World War II.

He and his twin brother Ken were born in Christchurch. Both joined the Royal Air Force. Bomber pilot Ken died in a flying accident on May 1, 1940.

Colin Gray joined 54 Squadron in November, 1939 and downed his first plane, a Bf 109, on May 25, 1940, though his Spitfire was badly shot up. On July 13, 1940, he shot down his second 109. Over the next two months, Gray claimed 14½ planes, as his squadron was heavily engaged in the Battle of Britain. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in mid-August. After a brief stay with 43 Squadron, he returned to his old squadron as a flight commander in January 1941. In mid-July, he was posted to 1 Squadron, again as a flight commander. A month later, he took charge of 616 Squadron. On September 20, 1941, with a total of 17 confirmed victories, he was awarded the Bar to his DFC. Other postings followed.

In December 1942, he commanded 81 Squadron in the Middle East. On May 13, 1943, Gray was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) after increasing his tally by five. He was promoted to Wing Commander and took over 222 Wing for the Italian campaign, where he recorded five more victories. He was awarded a second bar to the DFC. In early September, he returned to England, with a final total of 27½ confirmed victories and many probables. In July 1944, he was appointed Wing Commander Flying of the Detling Wing.

After the war, he continued in various command and staff posts, and was involved in the fighting in the Malayan Emergency. He retired as a Group Captain in 1961 and returned to New Zealand.

In 1945, he married Betty Cook, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. He also wrote Spitfire Patrol, an autobiography detailing his time in the RAF. Gray died in Waikanae on August 1, 1995.

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