John E. L. Hunter
Encyclopedia
Captain John Ellis Langford Hunter was a World War I flying ace
credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories.
Hunter joined 4 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service as a Sopwith Camel
pilot in July 1917. On 3 September, he teamed with another British pilot to drive down a German observation plane out of control. On the 22nd, he shared one of his two victories when he shot down two seaplanes northeast of Ostend
. There was a six month lull; then he destroyed a Pfalz D.III
on 21 March 1918, and continued to score sporadically until 12 August 1918. On the latter day, he flamed one Fokker D.VII
, destroyed another, and drove a third down out of control, to bring his total to 12. He suffered a leg wound in the process. His final tally was eight destroyed, four brought down out of control.
Flt. Sub-Lieut. John Ellis Langford Hunter, R.N.A.S.
In recognition of his services with a Wing of the R.N.A.S. at Dunkirk between July and September, 1917, during which time he has carried out continuous work on offensive patrols. On the 22nd September, 1917, he destroyed two enemy aircraft which were attempting to interfere with our spotting machines.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (T./Capt.) John Ellis Langford Hunter, D.S.C. (Sea Patrol).
A fine fighting pilot and flight leader. On the 12th of September, whilst leading his formation on escort duty, he engaged nine Fokker biplanes. He destroyed two and drove a third down out of control. In this combat he was severely wounded in the leg.
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 12 confirmed aerial victories.
Hunter joined 4 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service as a 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...
pilot in July 1917. On 3 September, he teamed with another British pilot to drive down a German observation plane out of control. On the 22nd, he shared one of his two victories when he shot down two seaplanes northeast of Ostend
Ostend
Ostend is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. It comprises the boroughs of Mariakerke , Stene and Zandvoorde, and the city of Ostend proper – the largest on the Belgian coast....
. There was a six month lull; then he destroyed a Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
on 21 March 1918, and continued to score sporadically until 12 August 1918. On the latter day, he flamed one 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...
, destroyed another, and drove a third down out of control, to bring his total to 12. He suffered a leg wound in the process. His final tally was eight destroyed, four brought down out of control.
Honours and awards
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)Flt. Sub-Lieut. John Ellis Langford Hunter, R.N.A.S.
In recognition of his services with a Wing of the R.N.A.S. at Dunkirk between July and September, 1917, during which time he has carried out continuous work on offensive patrols. On the 22nd September, 1917, he destroyed two enemy aircraft which were attempting to interfere with our spotting machines.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (T./Capt.) John Ellis Langford Hunter, D.S.C. (Sea Patrol).
A fine fighting pilot and flight leader. On the 12th of September, whilst leading his formation on escort duty, he engaged nine Fokker biplanes. He destroyed two and drove a third down out of control. In this combat he was severely wounded in the leg.
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.