The Great War - Flying Aces

1890, Hampshire, a boy named Lanoe Hawker was born. Years later, at the outbreak of the first world war, Lanoe joined the Royal Flying Corp and was flying the BE-2. During April 1915, Lanoe attacked the Zeppelin Plant at Gontrobe and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order. In July that same year, Lanoe became the first fighter pilot ever to be awarded the Victoria Cross and was also promoted to the rank of Major. 

On the 23rd Novemeber 1916, Lanoe was flying an Airco DH-2, whilst taking part in what would be known as one of the longest dogfights of the first world war, was shot down and killed by German flying ace Manfred Von Richthofen.

The Great War - Flying Aces

Ontario, 1894 a boy named William Bishop was born. Years later in 1914, this young man joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, but by 1915, he had transferred to the British Royal Flying Corp. He high skills meant that he was soon promoted to Commander of the Flying Foxes. In twelve days he had scored 25 victories and so was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

On the 2nd June 1917, William single handedly attacked a German aerodrome and was awarded the Victoria Cross. By the end of the war, William had a staggering 72 victories to his name and continued his service in the Canadian Airforce.

The Great War - Flying Aces

In this next mini series I thought I would share with you some of the brave flying aces that fought on the Allies side during the First World War. In the previous mini series, you will have learnt about that types of aircraft that were used, so I thought it would be only fair to share with you some of the stories of the men that actually used them.

The first Ace I would like to share with you is unfortunately one of many that never saw the end of the war. He died aged just twenty years old and had the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and the Croix De Guerre medals to his name. This is the story of Albert Ball...

Albert was born in Nottingham, England on 14th August 1896. At the outbreak of the war Albert had been studying Engineering but stopped to instead join the Sherwood Foresters. These were men that fought on the ground and were sent to many countries including France and India at the start of the war. But Albert was restless and so transferred to the new Royal Flying Corps in May 1916 and became just one of many pilots to provide air support during the Battle of the Somme.

By October that year, Albert had an astounding thirty victories to his name and was written about in newspapers back on the home front where he was hailed a hero. He was then promoted to Flight Commander of 56 Squadron where he became well respected amongst the other pilots.

But Albert's story comes to an abrupt end. On 6th May 1917, he engages in a dogfight with a German plane. The planes collided mid air and his body was later discovered in the wreckage. He had seen more than a boy his age should ever see and had carried out his role as fighter pilot to his best ability. 

Albert's story continued to be written about back home but many people never knew about his death. Through the newspapers he had become an inspiration to aspiring pilots and a few men that were to become flying Aces themselves, joined up after hearing about one Albert Ball. To tell the public of his death would have lowered morale and would probably have stopped many of the pilots from joining up. It would have shown the true danger of flying aircraft on the Front Line.