Charles Arbuthnot Crombie | |
|---|---|
 Flight Lieutenant Charles Crombie c.1943 | |
| Born | 16 March 1914 Brisbane, Queensland |
| Died | 26 August 1945 (aged 31) Williamtown, New South Wales |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/ | Citizens Military Force Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1934–1938 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Relations | Lieutenant General Sir Charles Arbuthnot (grandfather) |
Charles Arbuthnot Crombie, DSO, DFC (16 March 1914 – 26 August 1945) was an Australian aviator and flying ace of the Second World War. Born in Brisbane, he was working as a jackeroo when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in May 1940. Completing flight training in Australia and Canada, he flew in the European, Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre and South-East Asian theatres, amassing a tally of 12 Axis aircraft shot down, with an additional four probables. In a particular attack on 19 January 1943, Crombie intercepted a formation of four Japanese bombers over India. Despite his aircraft being set alight early in the engagement, he shot down two of the bombers and severely damaged a third before he was forced to bail out. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for this action. Returning to Australia late in 1943, he was promoted to squadron leader and posted as a flight instructor with No. 5 Operational Training Unit. Crombie was killed in a flying accident in August 1945.