George R. Riley
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant George Raby Riley (born 23 February 1899, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was an ace balloon buster
, as well as an ace over enemy aircraft.
Riley was posted to 3 Squadron on his 19th birthday, 23 February 1918. He began his string of aerial successes on 22 March 1918, when he used his Sopwith Camel
to drive a German Albatros D.V
fighter down out of control. For his next victory five days later, he cooperated with fellow ace Douglas John Bell
in destroying a LVG
two-seater reconnaissance machine. After he destroyed his first observation balloon on 8 April and another Albatros D.V on the 12th, he was wounded on the 20th.
He would not score again until 8 August. In this second string of victories, he shared some credits with Hazel Wallace
and William Maxted. It was with the latter that he scored his fifth balloon victory, and twelfth win overall, by the unusual measure of bombing it into flames while it was on the ground. The day following that, on 28 September 1918, he scored his last victory. In summary, he had destroyed five balloons, two of which were shared with other pilots, as well as destroying two enemy airplanes. He also drove down five enemy planes out of control, and captured one.
"T./2nd Lt. George Raby Riley, R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He obtained four direct hits on a long line of enemy transport, and afterwards caused havoc among them with his machine gun. Several times he attacked troops and transport from low altitudes; also he brought down one enemy machine and drove another out of control."
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
"Lieut. (A./Capt.) George Raby Riley, M.C. (FRANCE)
An officer who shows the greatest dash and gallantry in leading low-bombing and defensive patrols. On 27th September he obtained two direct hits with bombs on an enemy balloon on the ground, which set it on fire. Later he attacked another balloon in the air, shooting it down in flames."
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. He was an ace balloon buster
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
, as well as an ace over enemy aircraft.
Riley was posted to 3 Squadron on his 19th birthday, 23 February 1918. He began his string of aerial successes on 22 March 1918, when he used his 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...
to drive a German Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
fighter down out of control. For his next victory five days later, he cooperated with fellow ace Douglas John Bell
Douglas John Bell
Captain Douglas John Bell was a World War I fighter ace credited with 20 aerial victories. He was one of the first fighter pilots to successfully engage an enemy multi-engine bomber. He became the leading ace of the nine in No. 3 Squadron RAF....
in destroying a LVG
LVG
Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.The raid on London in 1916 was...
two-seater reconnaissance machine. After he destroyed his first observation balloon on 8 April and another Albatros D.V on the 12th, he was wounded on the 20th.
He would not score again until 8 August. In this second string of victories, he shared some credits with Hazel Wallace
Hazel Wallace
Captain Hazel LeRoy Wallace DFC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 14 victories. His record shows him to have been a notable team player in squadron tactics....
and William Maxted. It was with the latter that he scored his fifth balloon victory, and twelfth win overall, by the unusual measure of bombing it into flames while it was on the ground. The day following that, on 28 September 1918, he scored his last victory. In summary, he had destroyed five balloons, two of which were shared with other pilots, as well as destroying two enemy airplanes. He also drove down five enemy planes out of control, and captured one.
Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)"T./2nd Lt. George Raby Riley, R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He obtained four direct hits on a long line of enemy transport, and afterwards caused havoc among them with his machine gun. Several times he attacked troops and transport from low altitudes; also he brought down one enemy machine and drove another out of control."
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
"Lieut. (A./Capt.) George Raby Riley, M.C. (FRANCE)
An officer who shows the greatest dash and gallantry in leading low-bombing and defensive patrols. On 27th September he obtained two direct hits with bombs on an enemy balloon on the ground, which set it on fire. Later he attacked another balloon in the air, shooting it down in flames."
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.