Bruno De Roeper
Encyclopedia
Major Bruno Philip Henry De Roeper AFC
(born 22 March 1892, date of death unknown) was a World War I
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories.
De Roeper's first duty with the Royal Naval Air Service
was anti-Zeppelin patrols flown in a Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
c during 1916. From there, he progressed to No. 6 Squadron RNAS, where he flew Nieuport
s. On 20 May 1917, he scored his first victory,driving down an Albatros
two-seater out of control. Five days later, he swooped down on a German two-seater, only to be wounded in the jaw by the observer. The wound kept De Roeper out of action until July. As he recuperated, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant
and the squadron converted to Sopwith Camel
s. Between 22 July and 20 August 1917, he drove down four more enemy airplanes out of control. He was then assigned instructor duty, which he carried out for the rest of the war. In January 1918, he succeeded to squadron command.
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
(born 22 March 1892, date of death unknown) was a World War I
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...
credited with five aerial victories.
De Roeper's first duty with the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
was anti-Zeppelin patrols flown in a Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 was a British single-engine two-seat biplane which was in service with the Royal Flying Corps from 1912 until the end of World War I. The "Bleriot" in its designation refers to the fact that, like the Bleriot types it was of tractor configuration, with the...
c during 1916. From there, he progressed to No. 6 Squadron RNAS, where 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:...
s. On 20 May 1917, he scored his first victory,driving down an Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
two-seater out of control. Five days later, he swooped down on a German two-seater, only to be wounded in the jaw by the observer. The wound kept De Roeper out of action until July. As he recuperated, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
and the squadron converted to Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
s. Between 22 July and 20 August 1917, he drove down four more enemy airplanes out of control. He was then assigned instructor duty, which he carried out for the rest of the war. In January 1918, he succeeded to squadron command.