Squadron Leader Leslie "Les" D. Jackson
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), No. 75 Squadron

Background
Leslie Douglas Jackson was born February 24, 1917 to parents William James Jackson and Edith Annie Jackson in Clayfield a northern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland in Australia. Nickanmed "Les". On November 6, 1939 enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Point Cook Airfield with serial number 270520 and earned his wings and became a fighter pilot.

Wartime History
On March 4, 1942 Flight Lieutenant Les Jackson was assigned to No. 75 Squadron activated at Garbutt Field at Townsville. His older brother, Squadron Leader John F. Jackson was the Commanding Officer (C. O.) and a pilot in the same squadron. Later that month moved to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby in New Guinea.


As a member of the squadron, he nicknamed P-40E Kittyhawk A29-41, "Schuftie" an Arabic slang for 'hurry up" in white stenciled capital letters on the each side of the engine cowling and often flew this aircraft but during the first months of combat, pilots flew any available aircraft.

On April 18, 1942 took off piloting P-40E Kittyhawk A29-30 leading seven P-40Es on a mission to intercept enemy fighters reported to be approaching the area. The formation proceed northward to roughly 40 miles north of Port Moresby and engaged three Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai.

On April 24, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome on a patrol with P-40E Kittyhawk A29-76 piloted by F/Sgt Robert William Crawford. Around noon flying at 5,000' over 7 Mile Drome, a Japanese air raid commenced. Both P-40s dived to assist B-26 "Hell's Angel" 40-1428 being attacked by A6M2 Zeros. Their attack forced away the Zeros, but one turned onto Crawford's tail ad damaged the fuel tank and port rudder, forcing him to ditch in the sea. The P-40 bounced three times before finally sinking in roughly six feet of water.

On April 28, 1942 his brother S/L John F. Jackson was Killed In Action (KIA) piloting P-40E Kittyhawk A29-8. Afterwards, Les Jackson was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader and became Commanding Officer (C. O.) of No. 75 Squadron.

On August 28, 1942 between 4:21pm to 5:18pm took off from Milne Bay leading a flight of twelve P-40s a flight bound for 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby. The pilots included Cowe, Piper, Crawford, Gullifer, Mountseer, Holt, Atherton, Pettet, Johnston, Wilkinson, Watson, Jones, and Cowe. Arriving over Port Moresby, there was a low cloud and in the dark and P-40E Kittyhawk A29-109 pilot Cowe flew into the valley and crashed. Also lost was Les Jackson who forced landed at Paramana Point, returning to Moresby aboard a lugger and Lakatoi a few days later.

On February 8, 1946 discharged from the RAAF with the rank of Squadron Leader from Air Defense Headquarters Madang.

Awards
Jackson earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and bar.

Relatives
Relatives
William James Jackson (father)
Edith Annie Jackson (mother)
Elizabeth Jackson (wife)
John F. Jackson (brother)

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - Leslie Douglas Jackson, 270520

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