Owen Vincent Tracey (15 March 1915 – 8 December 1941) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and flying ace who flew in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was officially credited with the destruction of at least six enemy aircraft.
Born in Dunedin, Tracey joined the RAF in early 1939. After completing flight training, he was posted to No. 79 Squadron in July 1940. He flew extensively during the Battle of Britain, shooting down a number of German aircraft. In April 1941, he was sent to the Middle East where he flew with No. 274 Squadron. During his time with the squadron, he was involved in the Battle of Crete and in Operation Crusader, in Libya. He was killed when he was shot down during a dogfight with Italian fighters.
Early life
Born on 15 March 1915 in Dunedin, New Zealand, Owen Vincent Tracey was the son of Owen Tracey and Margaret Tracey. He went to school in Auckland, at Monte Cecilia College, and in Oamaru, at St Kevin's College. After completing his education, he worked as a storeman for a firm in Dunedin.
Interested in aviation, Tracey learnt to fly at the Otago Aero Club and in 1937 obtained his 'A' licence with some financial assistance from his mother. He applied twice that year for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force (RAF) but was declined, supposedly due to a lack of vacancies. Another application, made in April 1938, was also unsuccessful and he discovered that his school grades were insufficient. He received private tuition from the headmaster of Mosgiel District High School and following this, a subsequent application made later in the year was successful. A scheduled departure in February 1939 for the United Kingdom had to be postponed for health reasons and it was not until the middle of the year that he left New Zealand aboard the SS Rimutaka. Arriving in England on 1 August, he proceeded to No. 19 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School at RAF Fairoaks shortly afterwards, where he flew de Havilland Tiger Moths.
Second World War
Having proceeded to No. 3 Initial Training Wing, the Second World War had broken out by the time Tracey gained his wings. He was granted a short service commission, for four years, and was made an acting pilot officer with effect from 9 October 1939. He went on to No. 3 Service Flying Training School at South Cerney for further training and in late April 1940 was assigned to an instructors course. The following month he went to No. 60 Operational Training Unit to convert to the Hawker Hurricane fighter.
Battle of Britain
On 6 July, Tracey was posted to No. 79 Squadron. At the time, his squadron, which operated the Hurricane, was based at Biggin Hill but shortly afterwards moved to RAF Acklington, in the Midlands, forming part of the area's aerial defences. Under the control No. 13 Group, it fought in a number of engagements over the North Sea and in one of these, an interception on 15 August of a large Luftwaffe raid heading for Newcastle, Tracey destroyed a Heinkel He 111 medium bomber.
No. 79 Squadron returned to Biggin Hill on 26 August and was promptly heavily engaged in the aerial battles over London as the Luftwaffe began to focus its efforts on the city. On 28 August, Tracey claimed a He 111 as probably destroyed and also damaged a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter. His Hurricane was damaged in the encounter and he landed back at Biggin Hill, just as it was being bombed. Attempting to take off, he had to abort his effort to do so due to his aircraft receiving shrapnel damage from nearby bomb blasts. Although he was unhurt, other RAF personnel were killed in the bombing raid. Two days later, about south of Biggin Hill, he destroyed another He 111. The following day, 31 August, he shot down a Dornier Do 17 medium bomber over Dungeness.
On 5 September Biggin Hill was again targeted by an incoming bomber raid, but No. 79 Squadron was able to intercept it. Tracey claimed a Do 17 as probably destroyed. A few days afterwards the squadron was sent to Pembrey for a rest and refit and from here it resumed operational flying, mostly convoy patrols with the occasional interception of bombing raids on the area around the Bristol Channel. On 21 September, Tracey claimed a Do 17 as probably destroyed west of St David's Head. He was confirmed in his pilot officer rank in November.
Middle East
In early 1941, Tracey was assigned to service overseas and, in March, was posted to No. 274 Squadron, at the time based at El Amriya in Egypt. At the time the squadron was resting, having been previously engaged in operations against Italian forces in Libya. The month after his arrival at the squadron, Tracey was promoted to flying officer.