Forthcoming Title: Clive Caldwell, Air Ace (kr

[Don Clark]

Clive Caldwell, Air Ace (Kristen Alexander)

Group Captain Clive Robertson Caldwell DSO, DFC & Bar, officially attributed 27½ victories, was Australia's highest scoring fighter pilot of World War II and the only Australian to become an "ace" in both Mediterranean and Pacific theatres. Caldwell flew Tomahawks (250 Squadron RAF), Kittyhawks (112 Squadron RAF) and Spitfires (1 Fighter Wing RAAF). In the Middle East, AOCinC AM Tedder endorsed his Logbook with this assessment: "An excellent leader and a first-class shot".

Caldwell, widely admired if not always liked, himself heartily disliked the nickname usually applied to him - and out of respect, I'll not use it here. A significant figure in the RAAF, and a man not afraid to stick his neck out in more ways than one, he died in 1994 at the age of 84.

Kristen Alexander, a Canberra researcher, is a member of the Spitfire Society and the Military Historical Society of Australia (and with her husband David Fax, operates Alexander Fax Booksellers, a mainly military bookshop). In a new biography to be published in July 2006 by Allen and Unwin, Kristen has toiled over the past four years to compile a warts-and-all account of Caldwell's war-time career from start to finish. In calling on official records, his own papers and photo collection, and Mrs Jean Caldwell's scrapbook spanning 60 years, Kristen's fully-referenced work aims provide a definitive study of scope and depth not previously attempted.

Advance orders (for payment later) for "Clive Caldwell, Air Ace" (300+ pages, paperback, two maps, fifty photos, price $A35 +p&p) can be placed through www.alexanderfaxbooks.com.au, or by email direct to alexfax@alexanderfaxbooks.com.au

I should declare some personal interest here: in the Middle East in mid May 1941, the then P/O Caldwell with F/O Wolsey of 250 Squadron flew their two Tomahawks on detachment from Palestine for duty in Cyprus. The navigation escort for the pair on the 200 mile over-water leg from Aquir to Nicosia was flown by 211 Squadron Blenheim I L4910, crew: Sgt Pilot Jock Marshall DFM, Sgt Observer CFR Clark (my late father) and WOp/AG Sgt Bill Baird. Kristen and David are personal friends - and I've seen some of Kristen's papers and presentations on Caldwell - fine stuff.

Australian War Memorial bio:
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/18265.asp

Allen and Unwin blurb
http://www.allenandunwin.com/Exports/product.asp?ISBN=1741147050

[Demon50]

I wonder how this new book will compare to Jeffrey Watson's autobiography of Clive Caldwell published in 2005 ?

[Don Clark]

Speaking entirely personally I did not like Watson's approach, which I thought shallow, having browsed at some length.

I decided I'd rather wait for a more thorough treatment, knowing that Kristen had very full access to Caldwell's papers and etc. The depth of her approach I was able to judge from her articles on Spitfires over Darwin and the Morotai affair, in the Journal of the MHSA.

Looking forward to this one.

[gordon]

Much better than Watson's book. An except from the book appeared in AHSA journal last year and if that is anything to go by it is better researched and covers the Morotai Mutiny well.

Watson's book is more in the 'boys own' sort of style.

Gordon