He joined 92 Squadron and went into action in May 1940. He recorded his first victory (a Me 109) over St. Omer, France. The same day he forced a Me 110 to crash land but to his surprise the pilot jumped out and opened fire on Tuck's Spitfire with a pistol and actually put a bullet through the windscreen: he was not allowed to repeat the action...

After Squadron Leader of 92, Roger Bushell, was shot down, Tuck was promoted to Squadron Leader the following day.
Early in September 1940, Tuck was given command of the celebrated 257 Burma Squadron, who flew Hurricanes. In his first action with his new Squadron he shot down a Me 109. By the end of the year Tuck had eighteen confirmed victories and was promptly awarded the Distinguished Service Order. During March 1941 Tuck was flying a cannon-armed Spitfire and quickly shot down another Dornier 17. On the last day of the month he was awarded a second Bar to his D.F.C.

In July Tuck was promoted to lead the Duxford Wing flying Spitfires. By now the war was being taken to the enemy over France and Tuck destroyed another Me 109 on his first outing with the Wing. In the October, however, Tuck was taken off operational flying and sent to the U.S.A. to give lectures on air fighting and on his return in December took command of the Biggin Hill Spitfire Wing. His tally had grown to twenty-nine aircraft destroyed, eight probables and six damaged.