Cyril Babbage

Cyril Babbage, (25 June 1917 – 24 November 1976) was a British flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down eight aircraft.

From Ludlow, Benson trained as a pilot in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve from 1938. He was called up for service in the RAF on the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 and once his training was completed, was posted to No. 602 Squadron. Flying Supermarine Spitfire fighters, he achieved several aerial victories during the Battle of Britain. In 1941, he flew with No. 41 Squadron and in September was believed to be responsible for shooting down the Luftwaffe flying ace Walter Adolph. He later flew de Havilland Mosquito heavy fighters. Remaining in the RAF in the postwar period, he served until his retirement as wing commander in 1964. He died in 1976, aged 59.

Early life Cyril Frederick Babbage was born on 25 June 1917 in the Shropshire town of Ludlow in England. Once his education was completed, he worked in the Babbage family's butchery business. In October 1938, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve to train as a pilot.

Second World War On the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, Babbage was called up for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and commenced further training. He was posted to No. 602 Squadron the following year as a sergeant pilot.

Later war service Babbage was commissioned as a pilot officer on 1 December. Shortly afterwards, No. 602 Squadron ended its service in the south of England and shifted to Prestwick in Scotland. From here for the next few months, the squadron mostly carried out convoy patrols. After a period of rest from operations, in June 1941, Babbage was posted to No. 41 Squadron.

Babbage was promoted to flying officer in December 1941. Later in the war, he flew de Havilland Mosquito heavy fighters with No. 464 Squadron, part of No. 140 Wing of the Second Tactical Air Force, carrying out nighttime intruder missions. He flew sorties in support of the invasion of Normandy, and was shot down twice while on operations with Mosquitos. He was granted a permanent commission as a squadron leader in March 1949. His peacetime career involved instructing on the use of aircraft interception radar. Promoted to wing commander in July 1955, he retired from the RAF at that rank in June 1964. In his retirement he lived in Larkhall, Bath, where he died on 24 November 1976. His biography, written by Air Marshal G.A. 'Black' Robertson, was published by Grub Street in September 2025 as The Shy Assassin.

Babbage is credited with the destruction of eight aircraft, one of which was shared with other pilots. He also damaged two aircraft and is believed to have probably destroyed three others.