Charles Scherf
Encyclopedia
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 farm when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force
in 1941. Graduating as a pilot, he was transferred to the United Kingdom
for service in the European theatre
. Flying de Havilland Mosquito
s with No. 418 Squadron RCAF
, Scherf was credited with the destruction of 7½ aircraft, airborne and grounded, and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
. Afterward, he was posted for duties with Headquarters Air Defence Great Britain. Despite this posting, he occasionally returned to No. 418 Squadron and flew operational sorties with the unit. During this time, he destroyed a further 16 aircraft and was decorated twice more. By the end of the war, Scherf was credited with 14½ aerial victories spread over 38 operational sorties. In addition to this, he was attributed with destroying nine aircraft that were grounded and with damaging seven others.
, New South Wales
, on 17 May 1917, son of Charles Henry Scherf, a grazer, and his English
wife Susan Jane (née Curnow). An active sportsman, Scherf attended the local school where he obtain an Intermediate Certificate
. In 1934, he enlisted in the Citizens Military Force and was allotted to the 12th Light Horse Regiment as a private
. He later obtained the rank of corporal
, before taking his discharge in 1939. On 23 August 1939, Scherf married Florence Hope O'Hara in an Anglican ceremony at the Holy Trinity Church, Glen Innes
; the pair would later have a son and three daughters. During this time, he was working as a grazer on his father's property.
and later No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala
, he graduated as a pilot with an "above average" rating on 2 July 1942. Commissioned
as a pilot officer
on 17 September, Scherf embarked from Sydney
bound for the United Kingdom
the following month. Following a six-week voyage, he disembarked on 27 November and was attached to Royal Air Force
training units for "advanced flying and operational training". He was promoted to flying officer
during this time. On completion, Scherf was posted to No. 418 Squadron RCAF
on 13 July 1943, flying de Havilland Mosquito light bombers.
In August 1943, Scherf commenced flying operational sorties against Axis
airfields in France
. On 15 September, he flew as an escort to a group of eight Lancaster
bombers during a low level attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal
, Germany
. He was promoted to acting flight lieutenant
on 29 December. During this time, Scherf took part in several night operations and was credited with damaging a variety of targets as well as shooting down four German aircraft at night. Praised for his "exceptional keenness and ... courage", Scherf was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for his night time exploits. The announcement and accompanying citation for the award was published in a supplement to the London Gazette
on 4 April 1944.
During late February 1944, Scherf took part in a sortie over Axis occupied territory with Squadron Leader Howie Clevelend; Scherf flew the leading aircraft of the two. The pair attacked an Axis airfield at St Yan, France, and successfully destroyed three aircraft on the ground. Soon after, the two pilots spotted a Heinkel He 111Z
twin-fuselage glider tug towing two Gotha Go 242
gliders. Scherf and Clevelend attacked the party, with Clevelend firing first and destroying one of the gliders. Scherf then destroyed the second glider, before the pair assaulted the Heinkel. In the first pass, Scherf set the starboard engine ablaze while Clevelend hit the starboard side. Scherf made a second firing pass, before the Heinkel spiralled to the ground with three of its five engines on fire. This action was Scherf's final sortie of his tour. The pair were consequently credited with shooting down three aircraft for their efforts in the operation, with an additional three others damaged or destroyed on the ground.
On 13 March 1944, Scherf was promoted to acting squadron leader
and, with his operation tour at an end, was posted to Headquarters Air Defence Great Britain
as a controller of Intruder operations. By the time of this posting, Scherf had destroyed seven airborne or grounded German aircraft, with an additional shared victory. Despite his new position, Scherf's "impatient spirit was far from satisfied with a staff position", and he occasionally returned to No. 418 Squadron when he was off duty, taking part in operational sorties with the unit. On 5 April, Scherf joined the squadron in a sortie over Northern France. During the engagement, Scherf shot down two Axis aircraft in the air and damaged three more on the ground. For his actions on the two operations in February and April, Scherf was awarded a Bar
to his Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation for the decoration was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 12 May 1944, reading:
On 2 and 16 May 1944, Scherf took part in two further daylight sorties with No. 418 Squadron into "well-defended areas far into Germany". Leading a section of Mosquito aircraft in action against Luftwaffe
bases in the Baltic
area and over northern Germany, Scherf was ultimately credited with shooting down six aircraft in aerial combat, and damaging an additional three on the ground over the two operations. Commended for his "great skill, enterprise and fearlessness", Scherf was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order
. The notification and accompanying citation for the decoration was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 27 June 1944.
On 10 July 1944, Scherf embarked from the United Kingdom in order to return to Australia. Arriving in Brisbane
two months later, he was briefly posted to RAAF Station Sandgate
. During October, Scherf was posted to No. 5 Operational Training Unit
, Williamtown
, as chief flying instructor. He served in this position until late December, when he was posted for duties with RAAF Base Richmond
and later RAAF Bradfield Park
. On 11 April 1945, Scherf transferred to Royal Australian Air Force Reserve and returned to his home in Emmaville; thus ending his wartime service. By this time, Scherf had been officially credited with shooting down 14½ Axis aircraft in aerial combat, as well as nine aircraft destroyed on the ground and a further seven damaged from a total of 38 operational sorties.
, where he was presented with his Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar by the Governor-General of Australia
, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
. Scherf was discharged from the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve on 1 July 1947.
Scherf found it difficult to re-adjust to civilian life, and began to have nightmare
s about the Germans he had shot down and killed during the war. This consequently led him to drink heavily. On 13 July 1949, Scherf was driving his car along the Inverell road approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Emmaville when he struck a tree and the vehicle overturned; he died later that day from his injuries sustained during the crash. Survived by his wife, their three daughters and son, Scherf was buried in the local cemetery.
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
& Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(17 May 1917 – 13 July 1949) was an Australian flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of the Second World War. Born in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Scherf was working on his father's grazing farm when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
in 1941. Graduating as a pilot, he was transferred to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
for service in the European theatre
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
. Flying de Havilland Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
s with No. 418 Squadron RCAF
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
, Scherf was credited with the destruction of 7½ aircraft, airborne and grounded, and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
. Afterward, he was posted for duties with Headquarters Air Defence Great Britain. Despite this posting, he occasionally returned to No. 418 Squadron and flew operational sorties with the unit. During this time, he destroyed a further 16 aircraft and was decorated twice more. By the end of the war, Scherf was credited with 14½ aerial victories spread over 38 operational sorties. In addition to this, he was attributed with destroying nine aircraft that were grounded and with damaging seven others.
Early life
Scherf was born at EmmavilleEmmaville, New South Wales
Emmaville is a village on the Northern Tablelands in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. It is in the Glen Innes Severn Council district.Emmaville is at an elevation of 890 metres AHD...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, on 17 May 1917, son of Charles Henry Scherf, a grazer, and his English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
wife Susan Jane (née Curnow). An active sportsman, Scherf attended the local school where he obtain an Intermediate Certificate
Intermediate Certificate
The Intermediate Certificate was a certificate awarded in Australia for the successful completion of three years of high school. This was at around age 14 — what is called Year 9 today. Currently students in New South Wales can leave school at age 15. Apparently this has been the case since...
. In 1934, he enlisted in the Citizens Military Force and was allotted to the 12th Light Horse Regiment as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
. He later obtained the rank of corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
, before taking his discharge in 1939. On 23 August 1939, Scherf married Florence Hope O'Hara in an Anglican ceremony at the Holy Trinity Church, Glen Innes
Glen Innes, New South Wales
Glen Innes is a parish and town on the Northern Tablelands, in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. It is the centre of the Glen Innes Severn Shire Council. The town is located at the intersection of the New England Highway and the Gwydir Highway...
; the pair would later have a son and three daughters. During this time, he was working as a grazer on his father's property.
Second World War
On 12 September 1941, Scherf enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force for service during the Second World War. Posted for flight training at No. 10 Empire Flight Training School, TemoraTemora, New South Wales
Temora is a town located in north east part of the Riverina area of New South Wales, south-west of the state capital, Sydney. At the 2006 census the population of Temora was 4,086.-History:...
and later No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala
Mallala, South Australia
Mallala is a small town about 58 kilometres north of Adelaide in South Australia. The name Mallala is thought to be derived from the local Aboriginal word 'madlola' which supposedly meant 'place of the ground frog'. At the 2006 census, Mallala had a population of 737.In 1939 the Royal Australian...
, he graduated as a pilot with an "above average" rating on 2 July 1942. Commissioned
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
as a pilot officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
on 17 September, Scherf embarked from Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
bound for the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the following month. Following a six-week voyage, he disembarked on 27 November and was attached to Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
training units for "advanced flying and operational training". He was promoted to flying officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
during this time. On completion, Scherf was posted to No. 418 Squadron RCAF
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
on 13 July 1943, flying de Havilland Mosquito light bombers.
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
airfields in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. On 15 September, he flew as an escort to a group of eight Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
bombers during a low level attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal
Dortmund-Ems Canal
The Dortmund–Ems Canal is a 269 km long canal in Germany between the inland port of the city of Dortmund and the sea port of Emden. The artificial southern part of the canal ends after 215 km at the lock of Herbrum near Meppen. From there, the route goes over a length of 45 km over...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He was promoted to acting flight lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
on 29 December. During this time, Scherf took part in several night operations and was credited with damaging a variety of targets as well as shooting down four German aircraft at night. Praised for his "exceptional keenness and ... courage", Scherf was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
for his night time exploits. The announcement and accompanying citation for the award was published in a supplement to the London Gazette
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
on 4 April 1944.
During late February 1944, Scherf took part in a sortie over Axis occupied territory with Squadron Leader Howie Clevelend; Scherf flew the leading aircraft of the two. The pair attacked an Axis airfield at St Yan, France, and successfully destroyed three aircraft on the ground. Soon after, the two pilots spotted a Heinkel He 111Z
Heinkel He 111
The Heinkel He 111 was a German aircraft designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter in the early 1930s in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Often described as a "Wolf in sheep's clothing", it masqueraded as a transport aircraft, but its purpose was to provide the Luftwaffe with a fast medium...
twin-fuselage glider tug towing two Gotha Go 242
Gotha Go 242
-External Links:* FLIGHT, 12th February 1942, p. 130, early intelligence photo of Go 242, bottom of page....
gliders. Scherf and Clevelend attacked the party, with Clevelend firing first and destroying one of the gliders. Scherf then destroyed the second glider, before the pair assaulted the Heinkel. In the first pass, Scherf set the starboard engine ablaze while Clevelend hit the starboard side. Scherf made a second firing pass, before the Heinkel spiralled to the ground with three of its five engines on fire. This action was Scherf's final sortie of his tour. The pair were consequently credited with shooting down three aircraft for their efforts in the operation, with an additional three others damaged or destroyed on the ground.
On 13 March 1944, Scherf was promoted to acting squadron leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
and, with his operation tour at an end, was posted to Headquarters Air Defence Great Britain
Air Defence of Great Britain
The Air Defence of Great Britain was a RAF command comprising substantial Army and RAF elements responsible for the air defence of the British Isles...
as a controller of Intruder operations. By the time of this posting, Scherf had destroyed seven airborne or grounded German aircraft, with an additional shared victory. Despite his new position, Scherf's "impatient spirit was far from satisfied with a staff position", and he occasionally returned to No. 418 Squadron when he was off duty, taking part in operational sorties with the unit. On 5 April, Scherf joined the squadron in a sortie over Northern France. During the engagement, Scherf shot down two Axis aircraft in the air and damaged three more on the ground. For his actions on the two operations in February and April, Scherf was awarded a Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
to his Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation for the decoration was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 12 May 1944, reading:
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
bases in the Baltic
Baltic region
The terms Baltic region, Baltic Rim countries, and Baltic Rim refer to slightly different combinations of countries in the general area surrounding the Baltic Sea.- Etymology :...
area and over northern Germany, Scherf was ultimately credited with shooting down six aircraft in aerial combat, and damaging an additional three on the ground over the two operations. Commended for his "great skill, enterprise and fearlessness", Scherf was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
. The notification and accompanying citation for the decoration was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 27 June 1944.
On 10 July 1944, Scherf embarked from the United Kingdom in order to return to Australia. Arriving in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
two months later, he was briefly posted to RAAF Station Sandgate
RAAF Station Sandgate
RAAF Station Sandgate was a Royal Australian Air Force station located at Brighton, Queensland during World War II.The Station was formed on 16 December 1940 under the command of Squadron Leader H.A. Rigby, MC. An advance party arrived at Sandgate prior to the Station's formation and found that...
. During October, Scherf was posted to No. 5 Operational Training Unit
No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF
No. 5 Operational Training Unit was an operational training unit of the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.-History:5OTU was formed at formed at RAAF Base Forest Hill, Wagga Wagga on 26 October 1942 as a light bomber training unit equipped with Beaufort and Beaufighter aircraft...
, Williamtown
RAAF Base Williamtown
RAAF Base Williamtown is a Royal Australian Air Force base and headquarters to Australia's Tactical Fighter group. The base is located north of the coastal city of Newcastle, New South Wales in the Local Government Area of Port Stephens. The military base shares its runway facilities with...
, as chief flying instructor. He served in this position until late December, when he was posted for duties with RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
and later RAAF Bradfield Park
RAAF Bradfield Park
RAAF Bradfield Park was a Royal Australian Air Force station located at Lindfield, New South Wales during World War II.-History:The station was built on the grounds of Bradfield Park in 1940 and housed a number of RAAF and WAAAF units...
. On 11 April 1945, Scherf transferred to Royal Australian Air Force Reserve and returned to his home in Emmaville; thus ending his wartime service. By this time, Scherf had been officially credited with shooting down 14½ Axis aircraft in aerial combat, as well as nine aircraft destroyed on the ground and a further seven damaged from a total of 38 operational sorties.
Later life
On 16 February 1946, Scherf attended an investiture ceremony at Government House, SydneyGovernment House, Sydney
Government House is located in Sydney, Australia alongside the Royal Botanic Gardens, overlooking Sydney Harbour, just south of the Sydney Opera House...
, where he was presented with his Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar by the Governor-General of Australia
Governor-General of Australia
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia at federal/national level of the Australian monarch . He or she exercises the supreme executive power of the Commonwealth...
, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary....
. Scherf was discharged from the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve on 1 July 1947.
Scherf found it difficult to re-adjust to civilian life, and began to have nightmare
Nightmare
A nightmare is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong negative emotional response from the mind, typically fear or horror, but also despair, anxiety and great sadness. The dream may contain situations of danger, discomfort, psychological or physical terror...
s about the Germans he had shot down and killed during the war. This consequently led him to drink heavily. On 13 July 1949, Scherf was driving his car along the Inverell road approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Emmaville when he struck a tree and the vehicle overturned; he died later that day from his injuries sustained during the crash. Survived by his wife, their three daughters and son, Scherf was buried in the local cemetery.