Horace Barton
Encyclopedia
Captain Horace Dale Barton (born 22 November 1891, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with 19 aerial victories.
He originally spent 1914–1916 with the army in German Southwest and East Africa. He then joined the Royal Flying Corps
in England. His first assignment after pilot's training was 84 Squadron. On 3 January 1918, he moved on to 24 Squadron. On 18 February, he scored his first victory, sending a DFW reconnaissance plane down out of control. On 16 May, he scored his fourth; it is likely he was the one who killed German ace Hans Wolff
. His steady accumulation of single victories saw him become an ace on 6 June, when he defeated an Albatros D.V
. His next victory, on 17 June 1918, was his most important, as he helped force down and capture 27-victory ace Kurt Wüsthoff
in a new Fokker D.VII
. Eventually, scoring single triumphs (except for 15 September, when he scored twice), he raised his count to 19. He single-handedly destroyed five enemies, including one set afire. He shared victories in three cases of destroyed enemy craft. He sent down seven foes out of control, though two of those were shared victories. He aided in the capture of two enemy planes. He shot down one balloon by himself, and had help on a second.
During World War II, Barton returned to service as an intelligence officer for the South African Air Force.
Lient. HORACE DALE BARTON.—A courageous and dashing officer who has accounted for 14 enemy machines, destroying two, forcing two to land in our lines, and driving 10 down out of control. In addition, he has destroyed a kite balloon which was flying at a height of 500 ft.; engaging it at close range he drove it down in flames.
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Horace Dale Barton, D.F.C. (FRANCE)
An excellent patrol leader, combining in a marked degree coolness and courage. Since 30 July he has destroyed three enemy machines and driven down three out of control. He has also rendered most valuable service in attacking enemy troops on the ground, silencing, on August 30, a hostile battery and causing the horses to stampede. Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 (31046/14316)
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 19 aerial victories.
He originally spent 1914–1916 with the army in German Southwest and East Africa. He then joined 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...
in England. His first assignment after pilot's training was 84 Squadron. On 3 January 1918, he moved on to 24 Squadron. On 18 February, he scored his first victory, sending a DFW reconnaissance plane down out of control. On 16 May, he scored his fourth; it is likely he was the one who killed German ace Hans Wolff
Hans Wolff
Leutnant Hanns Joachim Wolff was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Wolff served with FA 216 until 6 July 1917, when he was reassigned to Jasta 11. He was wounded in action on 14 August, and again on 23 November. On 18 March 1918, Wolff shot down and killed his first...
. His steady accumulation of single victories saw him become an ace on 6 June, when he defeated an 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....
. His next victory, on 17 June 1918, was his most important, as he helped force down and capture 27-victory ace Kurt Wüsthoff
Kurt Wusthoff
Leutnant Kurt Wüsthoff was a German fighter pilot credited with 27 victories during World War I. He was the second youngest winner of Germany's highest decoration for valor, the Pour le Merite or Blue Max.-Early life:...
in a new Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
. Eventually, scoring single triumphs (except for 15 September, when he scored twice), he raised his count to 19. He single-handedly destroyed five enemies, including one set afire. He shared victories in three cases of destroyed enemy craft. He sent down seven foes out of control, though two of those were shared victories. He aided in the capture of two enemy planes. He shot down one balloon by himself, and had help on a second.
During World War II, Barton returned to service as an intelligence officer for the South African Air Force.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying CrossLient. HORACE DALE BARTON.—A courageous and dashing officer who has accounted for 14 enemy machines, destroying two, forcing two to land in our lines, and driving 10 down out of control. In addition, he has destroyed a kite balloon which was flying at a height of 500 ft.; engaging it at close range he drove it down in flames.
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Horace Dale Barton, D.F.C. (FRANCE)
An excellent patrol leader, combining in a marked degree coolness and courage. Since 30 July he has destroyed three enemy machines and driven down three out of control. He has also rendered most valuable service in attacking enemy troops on the ground, silencing, on August 30, a hostile battery and causing the horses to stampede. Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 (31046/14316)
Reference
- SE 5/5a Aces of World War I Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN 1-84603-180-X, 978-1-84603-180-9.