Alan Bott (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Captain Alan John Bott was a World War I
flying ace
who was credited with five aerial victories. He later became a journalist, and then founded Pan Books
.
Bott served with the Royal Garrison Artillery before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
. He flew as an observer/gunner in the rear seat of a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter in 1916, usually teamed with Awdry Vaucour
. On one flight, he slapped out an inflight fire with his gloves; he was awarded his Military Cross partly for this action. He also scored three victories during September 1916, all while teamed with Valcour in Strutter no. A892.
In 1917, he learned to fly. He was promoted to captain. His first assignment as a pilot was to No. 111 Squadron, which was stationed in the Sinai Desert. He flew Nieuport
fighter no. B3995 to destroy enemy reconnaissance machines on 14 and 15 April 1918. A week later, he was brought down in flames and taken prisoner. After four months in a Turkish prison, he escaped.
Bott later wrote several books under the pseudonym Contact. One of his books was "An Airman's Outing", since retitled "Cavalry of the Clouds". He was also a journalist drama critic, and publisher. In 1944, he helped found Pan Books
.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
who was credited with five aerial victories. He later became a journalist, and then founded Pan Books
Pan Books
Pan Books is an imprint which first became active in the 1940s and is now part of the British-based Macmillan Publishers owned by German publishers, Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group....
.
Bott served with the Royal Garrison Artillery before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
. He flew as an observer/gunner in the rear seat of a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter in 1916, usually teamed with Awdry Vaucour
Awdry Vaucour
Major Audry Morris Valcour was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.He was for part of his career teamed with Alan Bott as his observer/gunner. Bott would go on to become an ace in his own right....
. On one flight, he slapped out an inflight fire with his gloves; he was awarded his Military Cross partly for this action. He also scored three victories during September 1916, all while teamed with Valcour in Strutter no. A892.
In 1917, he learned to fly. He was promoted to captain. His first assignment as a pilot was to No. 111 Squadron, which was stationed in the Sinai Desert. He flew Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
fighter no. B3995 to destroy enemy reconnaissance machines on 14 and 15 April 1918. A week later, he was brought down in flames and taken prisoner. After four months in a Turkish prison, he escaped.
Bott later wrote several books under the pseudonym Contact. One of his books was "An Airman's Outing", since retitled "Cavalry of the Clouds". He was also a journalist drama critic, and publisher. In 1944, he helped found Pan Books
Pan Books
Pan Books is an imprint which first became active in the 1940s and is now part of the British-based Macmillan Publishers owned by German publishers, Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group....
.