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• Comment: Almost entirely unreferenced. DoubleGrazing (talk) 19:06, 18 March 2023 (UTC)

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Michael Henry Le Bas

Air Vice Marshal Michael Henry Le Bas, CB, CBE, DSO (awarded on 14 Nov1944) was nicknamed "Pancho"[3] (2 Sept 1916 –26 January 1988). Le Bas was a British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot who flew and fought during the Second World War in England, Malta and North Africa and continued a very successful career post war in the RAF.

Early life

Michael Le Bas was born in Rosario, Estado de Santa Fe, Argentina on the 2 Sept 1916 to Ricardo and “Minga”  Florence Le Bas who lived in the small village of Fisherton outside Rosario close to the Pampa. He spent his early years in Rosario, Argentina, where his father worked for a very successful Grain export company run by a British family, the Parrs. His father Ricardo had been educated at Downside School, Somerset before returning to Argentina. Micheal Le Bas travelled from Argentina to  England to be educated at Malvern College, Worcestershire (1929-1934). Like many members of the large British community in Argentina (the largest community outside the Commonwealth at this time) he returned to Britain to fight the Axis forces during World War II. His brother who was in the King’s Hussars was killed at the battle of El Alamein.

The Second World War in the RAF

After flying training he joined Squadron No 234 Sqn at Ibsley in September 1941 flying the Mark II Spitfire in Channel patrols. In March 1942 he was transferred to No 610 Squadron and looking for more front line fighting volunteered for service in the Middle East. No 601 Squadron which was re-equipping and embarking their Spitfires on the Air-Carrier USS Wasp in April 1942. On the 20 April they flew off from the carrier to reinforce the defences of Malta. After his stay in Malta in June 1942 which involved heavy dog fighting with German Squadrons flying from Sicily under the direction of General Kesselring [3], the squadron was transferred to the Western Desert where it took part in armed reconnaissance patrols and ground attack missions in support of the 8th Army advance from El Alamein.

Michael spent some time as a flight instructor in Abu Suweir in Egypt and then he was promoted and made Squadron Leader of No 241 Squadron which flew Spitfire VIII/IX's in Italy. Here his squadron supported 57th Bomb Wing, USAAF with Tactical Reconnaissance and Photographic Reconnaissance.  They were based at the US air bases for the results of their reconnaissance were input directly into bombing missions

The citation for Michael Le Bas’s Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

"LE BAS, Michael Henry, S/L (104423, Royal Air Force) - No.241 Squadron

Since this officer has been in command of his squadron he has taken part in a large number of operational sorties of a varied nature, including shipping and strategical reconnaissances. He has himself led his squadron on long-range low level missions and bomber escorts.  Under his fine leadership the squadron has recently achieved some brilliant successes and has inflicted considerable damage on the enemy's mechanical transport and rail and river communications."

(Source - Air Ministry Bulletin 16313)

Post-World War II

Le Bas was given a permanent commission by the RAF after the war and had various postings prior to the Suez Crisis[4]. In 1946 he was on the staff of the Directorate of Organisation (Forecasting & Planning). This was followed (1948-Jul 1951 on the Directing Staff at the RAF Staff College, Bracknell. Then from Jul 1951 to Apr 1952 on the Training Air Staff at the HQ of the 2^nd Tactical Air Force (TAF). From Apr 1952- 1954 he was Officer Commanding at RAF Wildenrath in North Rhine-Westphalia[4], Germany and then in 1954 to the staff at the School of Land/ Air Warfare till the Suez Crisis[4].

Suez Crisis and afterwards

In 1956 during the Suez Crisis he was Wing Commander, deputy officer commanding, No 215 Wing/RAF at El Gamil, Port Said[4], Suez, Egypt. Michael Le Bas’s commanding Officer was Group Captain Bill Crawford-Compton. Following the Suez Crisis he spent 1956-1957 returning to the School of Land/Air Warfare and then moved in 1957 to be the Officer Commanding the Administration Wing of RAF Cottesmore till early August 1959 when he became a Staff Office in the Department of the Chief of the Air Staff[4].

This was followed in late August 1959 by his appointment as the Officer commanding RAF Coningsby[4]. Then from late 1961 to late 1963 he was Group Captain[4] - Operations, Head Quarters at Bomber Command. Then for three years Senior Air Staff Office  HQ Air Forces Middle East till June 1966 when he was made Air Officer in charge of No 1 Group[4]. Then as Air Vice-Marshall his final position in 1969 he was Director-General of RAF Personal Services[4].

References