Douglas Graham Cooke
Encyclopedia
Captain Douglas Graham Cooke (born 26 July 1895, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories.
Cooke's string of victories began on 22 January 1918 and extended through 19 May 1918. His observers manning the guns in the rear seat of his Bristol F.2 Fighter
included fellow aces Henry Crowe
and Ernest Hardcastle
. His final tally was five enemy fighter planes destroyed and eight driven down out of control, with nine enemy planes falling to his pilot's gun. Cooke's successes earned him the post of Flight Commander with its concomitant promotion to Temporary Captain, as well as a Military Cross.
T./Lt. Douglas Graham Cooke, R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaged in many low bombing patrols and low reconnaissances. On one occasion, when important information was required, he flew along a front of ten miles at 100 feet, being subjected the whole way to heavy fire from the ground, and on the same day along another front of twelve miles at 300 feet, each time returning with the information and his machine much shot about. He has destroyed several hostile machines in air combats, and has invariably displayed the highest courage and a splendid fighting spirit.
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 thirteen aerial victories.
Cooke's string of victories began on 22 January 1918 and extended through 19 May 1918. His observers manning the guns in the rear seat of his Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
included fellow aces Henry Crowe
Henry Crowe
Lieutenant Henry George Crowe was a World War I flying ace credited with eight confirmed aerial victories. He also survived being shot down six times in 11 days at one point...
and Ernest Hardcastle
Ernest Hardcastle
Lieutenant Ernest Hardcastle was a World War I flying ace observer/gunner credited with twelve aerial victories. He would return to his nation's service during World War II.-Early life and service:...
. His final tally was five enemy fighter planes destroyed and eight driven down out of control, with nine enemy planes falling to his pilot's gun. Cooke's successes earned him the post of Flight Commander with its concomitant promotion to Temporary Captain, as well as a Military Cross.
Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)T./Lt. Douglas Graham Cooke, R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaged in many low bombing patrols and low reconnaissances. On one occasion, when important information was required, he flew along a front of ten miles at 100 feet, being subjected the whole way to heavy fire from the ground, and on the same day along another front of twelve miles at 300 feet, each time returning with the information and his machine much shot about. He has destroyed several hostile machines in air combats, and has invariably displayed the highest courage and a splendid fighting spirit.
Reference
- Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920 Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.