List of World War I aces from Canada
Encyclopedia
This is a list of flying ace
s in World War I
from Canada
. A flying ace
is a military aviator
credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft
during aerial combat. Canadians served in the British flying services–the Royal Flying Corps
, the Royal Naval Air Service
, and the Royal Air Force
, as Canada had no air arm until the formation of the Canadian Air Force
on September 19, 1918.
For a master list of victories during the conflict, see List of World War I flying aces.
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...
s in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. A flying ace
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...
is a military aviator
Military aviation
Military aviation is the use of aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare, including national airlift capacity to provide logistical supply to forces stationed in a theater or along a front. Air power includes the national means of conducting such...
credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
during aerial combat. Canadians served in the British flying services–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...
, the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
, and the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, as Canada had no air arm until the formation of the Canadian Air Force
Canadian Air Force (1918-1920)
The Canadian Air Force was a contingent of two Canadian air force squadrons - one fighter and one bomber - authorized by the British Air Ministry in August 1918 during the close of the First World War...
on September 19, 1918.
For a master list of victories during the conflict, see List of World War I flying aces.
More than 10 victories
| Name | Rank | Victories | Unit(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Colonel | 72 | 21, 60, 85 | VC Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... |
|
| Lieutenant Colonel | 60 | 10N, 13N, 3W (RNAS); 47, 203 (RAF) | ||
| Major | 54 | 46 | ||
| Major | 50 | 4, 9, 15, 28, 66 (RFC); 139, 201 (RAF) | VC Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... |
|
| Captain | 38 | 18, 22 | ||
| Captain | 37 | 41 | ||
| Flight Commander | 36 | 3N, 9N (RNAS) | ||
| Captain | 35 | 13, 41 | ||
| Captain | 33 | 70 | ||
| Lieutenant Colonel | 31 | 11 | ||
| Major | 28 | 19 | ||
| Captain | 28 | 1, 56 | ||
| Lieutenant | 27 | 28 | ||
| Captain | 27 | 41, 60 | ||
| Captain | 27 | 3N, 9N, 3W (RNAS); 203 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 26 | 20 | ||
| Captain | 25 | 1 Naval (RNAS); 201 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 24 | 41 | ||
| Captain | 22 | 10N, 3W (RNAS); 210 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 22 | 65 | ||
| 2nd Lieutenant | 21 | 20 | ||
| Captain | 21 | 4N (RNAS); 204 (RAF) | ||
| Lieutenant | 20 | 88 | ||
| Captain | 20 | 29 | ||
| Captain | 19 | 19, 23 | ||
| Flight Sub Lieutenant | 19 | 3W; 10N | ||
| Captain | 18 | 13N (RNAS); 213 (RAF) | ||
| Major | 17 | 3N, 10N, 3W (RNAS); 210 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 17 | 2N, 6N, 9N, 11N; 3W (RNAS); 209 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 17 | 84 | ||
| Captain | 16 | 17, 22, 47 (RFC); 150 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 16 | 56, 72, 85 | ||
| Captain | 15 | 3N, 10N (RNAS); 203 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 15 | 13N (RNAS); 213 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 14 | 22 | ||
| Captain | 14 | 10, 25, 40, 44, 78 | ||
| Captain | 14 | 84 | ||
| Lieutenant | 14 | 22 | ||
| Captain | 14 | 9N (RNAS); 3, 201 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 14 | 28, 45 | Founding member of RCAF; elected to Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, based in the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, commemorates and honours those whose accomplishments in aviation contributed so much to Canada's development as a nation... |
|
| Flight Commander | 13 | 3N; 3W (RNAS) | ||
| Flight Commander | 13 | 6N, 10N | Elected to Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, based in the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, commemorates and honours those whose accomplishments in aviation contributed so much to Canada's development as a nation... |
|
| Captain | 13 | 43, 70 | Retired as Air Vice-Marshal of RCAF | |
| Captain | 13 | 29 | Made the first airmail flight over the Canadian Rockies 7 August 1919 | |
| Lieutenant | 13 | 28, 45 | ||
| Captain | 13 | 4N (RNAS); 204 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 13 | 10N, 12N (RNAS); 210 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 13 | 209 | ||
| Captain | 13 | 28, 66 | ||
| Lieutenant | 12 | 66 | ||
| Lieutenant | 12 | 22 | ||
| Captain | 12 | 1, 40 | ||
| Captain | 12 | 5, 7, 73 | ||
| Captain | 12 | 19 | ||
| Captain | 12 | 210 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 12 | 84 | ||
| Douglas McGregor Douglas McGregor (aviator) Captain Douglas Urquhart McGregor was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with 12 official aerial victories.-Early life:Douglas Urquhart McGregor was the son of Doctor John O. McGregor. The younger McGregor attended McGill University and played on their Redmen football team during the early... |
Captain | 12 | 23 | |
| Lieutenant | 12 | 29 | ||
| Major | 12 | 4N (RNAS); 204 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 12 | 73 | Head of British Intelligence in the Western Hemisphere during World War II | |
| Lieutenant | 12 | 20 | ||
| Captain | 12 | 8N (RNAS); 208 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 11 | 9N (RNAS) | ||
| Flight Commander | 11 | 4N, 5W (RNAS) | ||
| Lieutenant | 11 | 22 | ||
| Captain | 11 | 60 | ||
| Lieutenant | 11 | 47 (RFC); 150 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 11 | 56 | ||
| Captain | 11 | 45 | ||
| Captain | 11 | 24, 84 | ||
| Captain | 11 | 48 | Elected to Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, based in the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, commemorates and honours those whose accomplishments in aviation contributed so much to Canada's development as a nation... |
|
| Captain | 10 | 66 | ||
| Major | 10 | 3W, 3N (RNAS); 204 (RAF) | Air Chief Marshal Breadner achieved the highest rank ever awarded in the RCAF | |
| Captain | 10 | 4N, 9N, 11N (RNAS); 209 (RAF) | Credited with shooting down Manfred von Richthofen Manfred von Richthofen Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I... (the Red Baron) |
|
| Captain | 10 | 2, 84 | ||
| Captain | 10 | 48 | ||
| Lieutenant | 10 | 1, 6, 70 | ||
| Flight Sub-Lieutenant | 10 | 3N, 3W (RNAS) | ||
| Captain | 10 | 23, 24 | ||
| Captain | 10 | 1 | ||
| Lieutenant | 10 | 41, 84 | ||
| Captain | 10 | 40 |
Fewer than 10 victories
| Name | Rank | Victories | Unit(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | 9 | 24, 70 | ||
| Lieutenant | 9 | 84 | ||
| Captain | 9 | 22 | ||
| Lieutenant | 9 | 6N (RNAS); 206 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 9 | 28, 45 | ||
| Captain | 9 | 13, 19 | ||
| Captain | 9 | 40, 43, 85 | ||
| Captain | 9 | 1N, 6N (RNAS); 70, 201 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 9 | 17 (RFC); 150 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 9 | 3N, 9N, 3W (RNAS); Walmer HD | ||
| Captain | 9 | 20, 22 | ||
| Captain | 9 | 1 | ||
| Captain | 9 | 54 | ||
| Lieutenant | 9 | 1N (RNAS); 201 (RAF) | ||
| Lieutenant | 9 | 62 | ||
| Lieutenant | 9 | 28, 70 | ||
| Lieutenant | 8 | 4N (RNAS); 204 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 8 | 19 (RFC); 12 (RAF) | ||
| Lieutenant | 8 | 20 | ||
| Captain | 8 | 46, 111 | ||
| Lieutenant | 8 | 29 | ||
| Major | 8 | 49, 57 (RFC); 205 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 8 | 56 | ||
| Captain | 8 | 4, 24, 29 | Manfred von Richthofen Manfred von Richthofen Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I... (the Red Baron)'s 13th victim. |
|
| Lieutenant | 8 | 66 | ||
| Captain | 8 | 25 | ||
| Lieutenant | 8 | 23 | ||
| Captain | 8 | 8N (RNAS); 208 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 8 | 60 | ||
| Flight Commander | 8 | 3W, 10N | ||
| Lieutenant | 8 | 46 | ||
| Flight Sub Lieutenant | 8 | 4N (RNAS) | ||
| Lieutenant | 8 | 25, 29, 93 | ||
| Captain | 7 | 7, 60 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 22 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 1N, 9N (RNAS); 3, 209 (RAF) | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 25 | ||
| Captain | 7 | 62 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 41 | ||
| 2nd Lieutenant | 7 | 211 | Named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions... in 1935, an Officer of the Order of Canada Order of Canada The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit... in 1968 |
|
| Captain | 7 | 24, 56 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 24 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 11 | ||
| Captain | 7 | 28, 45, 66 | ||
| Captain | 7 | 53, 104 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 17 (RFC); 150 (RAF) | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 20 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 20 | ||
| Captain | 7 | 43, 65 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 41 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 46 | ||
| Captain | 7 | 62 | ||
| Flight Lieutenant | 7 | 3N, 10N | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 41 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 19 | ||
| Lieutenant | 7 | 45 | Shot down by Joachim von Busse Joachim von Busse Leutnant Joachim von Busse was a World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.Busse joined the King's Jager Regiment No. 1 in May 1912. He transferred to aviation in March 1915. He served with an artillery cooperation unit, FFA 12, before transferring to Kasta 22... of Jasta 3 on 26 October 1917, captured. |
|
| Lieutenant | 7 | 9N (RNAS); 209 (RAF) | ||
| Lieutenant | 6 | 104 | ||
| Captain | 6 | 4N (RNAS); 204 (RAF) | ||
| 2nd Lieutenant | 6 | 103 | ||
| Lieutenant | 6 | 92 | ||
| Captain | 6 | 22, 48 | ||
| Herbert Howard Snowden Fowler | Lieutenant | 6 | 8N, 12N (RNAS); 208 (RAF) | Discharged from the RAF when it was determined that he was almost completely deaf. |
| Captain | 6 | 8N, 1W | ||
| 2nd Lieutenant | 6 | 1 | ||
| Captain | 6 | 29 | ||
| Captain | 6 | 48 | ||
| Flight Lieutenant | 6 | 10N | Shot down by Karl Allmenröder Karl Allmenröder Leutnant Karl Allmenröder , Pour le Merite, Knights Cross of Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross First and Second Class, was a German World War I flying ace.-Early life:... of Jasta 11, captured |
|
| 2nd Lieutenant | 6 | 22 | ||
| Lieutenant | 6 | 62 | ||
| Captain | 6 | 65 | ||
| Flight Sub-Lieutenant | 6 | 10N | ||
| Lieutenant | 6 | 41 | ||
| Major | 6 | 24 | ||
| Flight Lieutenant | 5 | 3N, 3W (RNAS) | ||
| Captain | 5 | 3N (RNAS); 203 (RAF) | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 45 | ||
| Captain | 5 | 11, 56, 92 | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 70 | ||
| 2nd Lieutenant | 5 | 104 | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 23 | ||
| Captain | 5 | 60 | ||
| Captain | 5 | 1 | ||
| Major | 5 | 22, 25 | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 65 | ||
| Captain | 5 | 103 (RFC); 205 (RAF) | ||
| Flight Sub Lieutenant | 5 | 4N (RNAS) | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 74 | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 18, 103 | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 41 | ||
| Flight Lieutenant | 5 | 8N, 1W (RNAS); 208 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 5 | 11, 20, 48 | ||
| Captain | 5 | 9N (RNAS); 203 (RAF) | ||
| Captain | 5 | 28 | ||
| Captain | 5 | 45, 71, 73 | Shot down and captured on 1 June 1918 | |
| Captain | 5 | 25 | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 20, 48 | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 15, 87 | Shot down and captured on 29 September 1918 | |
| Lieutenant | 5 | 23 | ||
| 2nd Lieutenant | 5 | 62 | Shot down and captured on 27 September 1918 | |
| Captain | 5 | 25 | ||
| Captain | 5 | 79 | Only Canadian ace in 79 Squadron | |
| Lieutenant | 5 | 4 (AFC); 46 (RFC) | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 56, 60 | ||
| Captain | 5 | 9N (RNAS) | ||
| Colonel | 5 | 3N, 1W, 82W | First Canadian and first RNAS ace of the war | |
| Captain | 5 | 25 | ||
| 2nd Lieutenant | 5 | 103 | ||
| 2nd Lieutenant | 5 | 18, 33, 51, 78 | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 210 (RAF) | ||
| Lieutenant | 5 | 60 |
External links
- Canadian Aces of World War I
- Canadian aces of WWI. Accessed 12 June 2008.
- Fighter Pilot Aces List. Accessed 12 June 2008.
- Canada - World War One. Accessed 12 June 2008.