Edwin Benbow
Encyclopedia
Captain Edwin Louis Benbow (10 December 1895 – 30 May 1918) was an English flying ace
during the First World War, credited with eight victories, comprising six destroyed and one shared destroyed, and one 'out of control'. He was the only pilot to gain 'ace' status flying the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.8 exclusively. His aerial encounters with German leading ace Manfred von Richthofen
, the Red Baron, were renowned.
in February 1915, and served for a year being commissioned a Second lieutenant
on 27 May 1915. He was appointed to be a Flying Officer (Observer)
, effective 10 March 1916, before being seconded to the Royal Flying Corps
on 15 April 1916. He served his first eight months in aviation as an observer/gunner. He then trained as a pilot, was appointed a Flying Officer
on 7 July 1916, and was assigned to 40 Squadron
as an FE.8 pilot. He achieved all his successes while with this squadron; on 20 October 1916, using FE.8 Serial No. 7627, he destroyed an Albatros D.II
for his first win. Two days later he set a German two-seater afire over Vimy
.
On 16 November 1916 Benbow shot down an Albatros
two-seater. On 4 December he downed another Albatros D.II. On the 20th, he felled another Albatros two-seater; Benbow thus became the only FE.8 ace, and No. 7627 the only FE.8 to be involved in the shooting down of five or more enemy aircraft.
On the early afternoon of 23 January 1917, Benbow was in the midst of a dogfight when his gun jammed. While clearing his weapon, he evaded a head-on assault by the Red Baron, who went on to down Benbow's squadron comrade Lt. J. Hay for Jasta 11
's first victory. Benbow did not succeed in returning to the attack on that occasion, but on 14 February using FE.8 Serial No. A4871, he destroyed another Albatros D.II. His seventh win came the following day, with Benbow's only "out of control" victory.
On 6 March, Benbow and the Red Baron clashed again.
Nine F.E.8s of 40 Squadron clashed with five Jasta 11 aircraft led by Richthofen. While Richthofen was attacking a Sopwith 1½ Strutter
, Benbow attacked him. Richthofen's plane dropped out of combat and force landed near Henin Lietard with a damaged engine, spraying fuel from holed tanks, and seemingly on fire, for Benbow's eighth victory. On 12 March, 40 Squadron–including "Lobo" Benbow"–began the transition to Nieuport
. A week later, Benbow was wounded in action
by anti-aircraft shrapnel and removed from action.
Benbow would serve as an instructor in his time away from the front. He was appointed a Flight Commander with the concomitant rank of Temporary Captain on 31 March 1917, and posted to Billy Bishop
's No. 85 Squadron in May 1918. On the 30th while piloting Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a S.No.C1861, he was shot down and killed by Hans-Eberhardt Gandert
of Jasta 51.
pleased to confer the Military Cross on
the undermentioned Officer..."
2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Edwin Louis Benbow,
R.F.A. and R.F:C.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He
has on several occasions displayed great
courage and skill, and has destroyed four
enemy machines under difficult conditions.
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...
during the First World War, credited with eight victories, comprising six destroyed and one shared destroyed, and one 'out of control'. He was the only pilot to gain 'ace' status flying the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.8 exclusively. His aerial encounters with German leading ace Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
, the Red Baron, were renowned.
Wartime career
Benbow joined the Royal Field ArtilleryRoyal Field Artillery
The Royal Field Artillery of the British Army provided artillery support for the British Army. It came into being when the Royal Artillery was divided on 1 July 1899, it was reamalgamated back into the Royal Artillery in 1924....
in February 1915, and served for a year being commissioned a Second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on 27 May 1915. He was appointed to be a Flying Officer (Observer)
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
, effective 10 March 1916, before being seconded 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...
on 15 April 1916. He served his first eight months in aviation as an observer/gunner. He then trained as a pilot, was appointed a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
on 7 July 1916, and was assigned to 40 Squadron
No. 40 Squadron RAF
No. 40 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1916 at Gosport as No 40 Squadron RFC and was disbanded for the last time in 1957.Edward Mannock gained 16 of his 73 victories while with 40 Squadron, 15 of which he shot down while flying a Nieuport Scout...
as an FE.8 pilot. He achieved all his successes while with this squadron; on 20 October 1916, using FE.8 Serial No. 7627, he destroyed an Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
for his first win. Two days later he set a German two-seater afire over Vimy
Vimy
Vimy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography and history:Vimy is a farming town, situated some north of Arras, at the junction of the D51 and the N17 roads....
.
On 16 November 1916 Benbow shot 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. On 4 December he downed another Albatros D.II. On the 20th, he felled another Albatros two-seater; Benbow thus became the only FE.8 ace, and No. 7627 the only FE.8 to be involved in the shooting down of five or more enemy aircraft.
On the early afternoon of 23 January 1917, Benbow was in the midst of a dogfight when his gun jammed. While clearing his weapon, he evaded a head-on assault by the Red Baron, who went on to down Benbow's squadron comrade Lt. J. Hay for Jasta 11
Jasta 11
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 11 was founded on 28 September 1916 from elements of 4 armee's Keks 1, 2 and 3 and mobilized on 11 October as part of the German Air Service's expansion program, forming permanent specialised fighter squadrons, or "Jastas"...
's first victory. Benbow did not succeed in returning to the attack on that occasion, but on 14 February using FE.8 Serial No. A4871, he destroyed another Albatros D.II. His seventh win came the following day, with Benbow's only "out of control" victory.
On 6 March, Benbow and the Red Baron clashed again.
Nine F.E.8s of 40 Squadron clashed with five Jasta 11 aircraft led by Richthofen. While Richthofen was attacking a Sopwith 1½ Strutter
Sopwith 1½ Strutter
The Sopwith 1½ Strutter was a British one or two-seat biplane multi-role aircraft of the First World War. It is significant as the first British-designed two seater tractor fighter, and the first British aircraft to enter service with a synchronised machine gun...
, Benbow attacked him. Richthofen's plane dropped out of combat and force landed near Henin Lietard with a damaged engine, spraying fuel from holed tanks, and seemingly on fire, for Benbow's eighth victory. On 12 March, 40 Squadron–including "Lobo" Benbow"–began the transition to 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:...
. A week later, Benbow was wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
by anti-aircraft shrapnel and removed from action.
Benbow would serve as an instructor in his time away from the front. He was appointed a Flight Commander with the concomitant rank of Temporary Captain on 31 March 1917, and posted to Billy Bishop
Billy Bishop
Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
's No. 85 Squadron in May 1918. On the 30th while piloting Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a S.No.C1861, he was shot down and killed by Hans-Eberhardt Gandert
Hans-Eberhardt Gandert
General-major Hans-Eberhardt Gandert was a German professional soldier who began his 33 year military career in 1912. He learned to fly in the early days of World War I, went on to become a flying ace credited with eight aerial victories, including killing British ace Edwin Benbow, and ended the...
of Jasta 51.
Honours and awards
"His Majesty the KING has been graciouslypleased to confer the Military Cross on
the undermentioned Officer..."
2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Edwin Louis Benbow,
R.F.A. and R.F:C.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He
has on several occasions displayed great
courage and skill, and has destroyed four
enemy machines under difficult conditions.
Reference
- Pusher Aces of World War 1" Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Pub Co, 2009. ISBN 1846034175, 9781846034176.