Kenneth Barbour Montgomery
Encyclopedia
Captain Kenneth Barbour Montgomery was an English World War I flying ace
officially credited with 12 aerial victories. After gaining his first four wins flying a two-seater airplane, he switched to a single-seater fighter for his last eight triumphs.
on probation as of 29 May 1917. He joined 45 Squadron as a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 13 July 1917, driving a German Albatros D.III
fighter plane down out of control near Polygon Wood. By 23 August, he had driven down his fourth enemy airplane using the Sopwith Strutter. He then switched to a single-seat Sopwith Camel
, with which he drove down his fifth victim on 20 September 1917, and thus became an ace. He would score regularly throughout the rest of the year, sharing a triumph with future Air Vice Marshal Matthew Frew on 26 October. Montgomery racked up his tenth out of control win on 15 November 1917 over Langemarck, Belgium.
On 2 January 1918, temporary second lieutenant Montgomery was promoted to temporary captain when he was appointed a Flight Commander. The following day, he scored his final win with 45 Squadron, driving down another Albatros D.III. Montgomery then transferred to 66 Squadron; he scored his twelfth win with them on 12 January 1918, driving down an Albatros D.V
southeast of Fonzaso
, Italy.
Kenneth Barbour Montgomery was awarded the Military Cross for his exploits on 3 February 1918. He would be awarded the Croce di Guerra by a grateful Italian government in 1919.
T./2nd Lt. Kenneth Harbour Montgomery,
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He has on several occasions, during a period of three months shot down in flames four hostile machines, three of which were large high-powered two-seaters, and has
driven down out of control six enemy planes. He is a most determined scout pilot, his skill
and courage being of a very high order.
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...
officially credited with 12 aerial victories. After gaining his first four wins flying a two-seater airplane, he switched to a single-seater fighter for his last eight triumphs.
World War I
Montgomery was appointed a temporary second lieutenantSecond 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 probation as of 29 May 1917. He joined 45 Squadron as a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 13 July 1917, driving a German Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
fighter plane down out of control near Polygon Wood. By 23 August, he had driven down his fourth enemy airplane using the Sopwith Strutter. He then switched to a single-seat 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...
, with which he drove down his fifth victim on 20 September 1917, and thus became an ace. He would score regularly throughout the rest of the year, sharing a triumph with future Air Vice Marshal Matthew Frew on 26 October. Montgomery racked up his tenth out of control win on 15 November 1917 over Langemarck, Belgium.
On 2 January 1918, temporary second lieutenant Montgomery was promoted to temporary captain when he was appointed a Flight Commander. The following day, he scored his final win with 45 Squadron, driving down another Albatros D.III. Montgomery then transferred to 66 Squadron; he scored his twelfth win with them on 12 January 1918, driving down 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....
southeast of Fonzaso
Fonzaso
Fonzaso is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km northwest of Venice and about 35 km southwest of Belluno. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,412 and an area of 27.5 km².Fonzaso borders the following municipalities:...
, Italy.
Kenneth Barbour Montgomery was awarded the Military Cross for his exploits on 3 February 1918. He would be awarded the Croce di Guerra by a grateful Italian government in 1919.
Post World War I
Kenneth Barbour Montgomery was awarded the Croce di Guerra by Italian government on 8 February 1919. On 11 February 1919, he transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force.Honors and awards
Text of citation for the Military CrossT./2nd Lt. Kenneth Harbour Montgomery,
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He has on several occasions, during a period of three months shot down in flames four hostile machines, three of which were large high-powered two-seaters, and has
driven down out of control six enemy planes. He is a most determined scout pilot, his skill
and courage being of a very high order.