"Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943" Squadron Leader Billy Drake photographed while Officer Commanding No. 112 Squadron RAF at Gambut, Libya. After commanding No. 128 Squadron RAF in West Africa, Drake took command of 112 Squadron, and enjoyed a period of considerable success in North Africa, shooting down 14 enemy aircraft before he was taken off operations in December 1943 to serve on the staff at RAF Headquarters Middle East. From June until November 1943 he led the Krendi fighter Wing in Malta, with whom he scored the last of his 20 confirmed victories. This was followed by six months as Wing Leader of No. 20 Wing in the United Kingdom, flying Hawker Typhoons, and a spell as Chief Flying Instructor at the Fighter Leaders School at Milfield, before he attended the United States Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. He then served on the Operations Staff of SHAEF for the rest of the war, after which he continued his RAF service, retiring as the Station Commander of RAF Chivenor, Devon, in July 1963. His final victory score was at least 20, and possibly more.