Charles Curnow Scherf | |
|---|---|
 Charles Scherf c. 1944 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Last Trip"[1] |
| Born | 17 May 1917 Emmaville, New South Wales |
| Died | 13 July 1949 (aged 32) Emmaville, New South Wales |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service | Citizens Military Force Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1934–1939 1941–1947 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 418 Squadron RCAF |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Charles Curnow Scherf, DSO, DFC & Bar (17 May 1917 – 13 July 1949) was an Australian flying ace of the Second World War. Born in New South Wales, Scherf was working on his father's grazing property when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1941. On graduating as a pilot, he was sent to the United Kingdom for service in the European theatre. Flying de Havilland Mosquitos with No. 418 Squadron RCAF, Scherf was credited with the destruction of 7½ aircraft in the air and on the ground, and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Afterward, he was posted for duties with Headquarters Air Defence of Great Britain. He nevertheless returned occasionally to No. 418 Squadron and flew operational sorties with the unit, destroying a further 16 aircraft and earning two more decorations. By the end of the war, Scherf had achieved 14½ aerial victories in 38 operational sorties. He was also credited with destroying nine aircraft on the ground, and with damaging seven others.