Gladiator Ace (HB) - Description
Brian Cull's careful research provides a rare and unique insight into a
forgotten RAF fighter ace: Squadron Leader Bill 'Cherry' Vale DFC, AFC
(1914-81). Vale was one of the RAF's top ten fighter aces of the Second World
War, but surprisingly there is no published biography about him. He fought the
Luftwaffe and the Regia Aeronautica in the Western Desert and Greece
in 1940, flying antiquated Gloster Gladiator biplane fighters, then in Crete
flying Hawker Hurricanes against the Germans, and latterly in Egypt against Vichy French forces in Syria. Vale's
final score was 30 kills plus three shared.
