John Quested (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Major John Bowley Quested was an English World War I flying ace
credited with eight aerial victories, the most notable of which was over Gustav Leffers
.
.
Quested became a pilot on the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2bs of 11 Squadron, and scored his first aerial victory on 16 August 1916, driving a Roland
two-seater reconnaissance biplane down out of control. On 2 September, he repeated and doubled the feat, driving down two Rolands. On the 15th, he destroyed an enemy fighter plane. A week later, he became an ace by shooting down and destroying an Aviatik
two-seater.
On 20 December 1916, Quested drove an Albatros D.I
down out of control. A week later, at 1115 hours, he supposedly destroyed another, killing the pilot. However, his observer identified it as a Nieuport 16; it seems a captured French airplane was being used against them. This seventh victim of Quested was German ace Gustav Leffers
. In turn, Quested was forced down behind British lines by another German ace, Wilhelm Cymera, at 1230 hours.
On 27 January 1917, he drove down an opposing fighter for his eighth victory; his final tally was three enemy planes destroyed and five driven down. On 13 February, he was awarded the Military Cross. The Croix de Guerre followed on 1 May 1917. A crash in July 1917 ended Quested's flying career, although he continued to serve in nonflying command positions for the duration of the war.
that same year. Later, he retired to Anglia to farm.
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 eight aerial victories, the most notable of which was over Gustav Leffers
Gustav Leffers
Gustav Leffers was a German flying ace in World War I, credited with 9 victories.-Background:Leffers was born in Wilhelmshaven, the son of a naval engineer. He was educated in Wilhelmshaven and Stettin and went on to join the Holland America Line as an engineer candidate...
.
World War I service
Quested was commissioned in November 1914. In April 1915, he began flying as an observer/gunner in 11 Squadron of the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal 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...
.
Quested became a pilot on the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2bs of 11 Squadron, and scored his first aerial victory on 16 August 1916, driving a Roland
Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft
Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft, also referred to as LFG, was a German aircraft manufacturer during World War I. They are best known for their various "Roland" designs, notably the Roland C.II and Roland D.VI, although they also produced a number of airships and experimental...
two-seater reconnaissance biplane down out of control. On 2 September, he repeated and doubled the feat, driving down two Rolands. On the 15th, he destroyed an enemy fighter plane. A week later, he became an ace by shooting down and destroying an Aviatik
Aviatik
Automobil und Aviatik AG was a German aircraft manufacturer during World War I. The company was established at Mülhausen in 1910 and soon became one of the country's leading producers of aircraft, relocating to Freiburg in 1914 and establishing a subsidiary in Vienna as Österreichisch-Ungarische...
two-seater.
On 20 December 1916, Quested drove an Albatros D.I
Albatros D.I
|-See also:...
down out of control. A week later, at 1115 hours, he supposedly destroyed another, killing the pilot. However, his observer identified it as a Nieuport 16; it seems a captured French airplane was being used against them. This seventh victim of Quested was German ace Gustav Leffers
Gustav Leffers
Gustav Leffers was a German flying ace in World War I, credited with 9 victories.-Background:Leffers was born in Wilhelmshaven, the son of a naval engineer. He was educated in Wilhelmshaven and Stettin and went on to join the Holland America Line as an engineer candidate...
. In turn, Quested was forced down behind British lines by another German ace, Wilhelm Cymera, at 1230 hours.
On 27 January 1917, he drove down an opposing fighter for his eighth victory; his final tally was three enemy planes destroyed and five driven down. On 13 February, he was awarded the Military Cross. The Croix de Guerre followed on 1 May 1917. A crash in July 1917 ended Quested's flying career, although he continued to serve in nonflying command positions for the duration of the war.
Postwar
Quested reputedly served in Germany and India. Differing reports have him commanding 79 Squadron in 1919, or serving in 48 Squadron in QuettaQuetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...
that same year. Later, he retired to Anglia to farm.