Norman Mawle
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Norman William Reginald Mawle (27 February 1897–28 December 1971) was a British World War I flying ace
. He was credited with 12 official aerial victories during the First World War. During World War II, he returned to his country's service, not retiring until 1954.
Officers Training Corps
was commissioned as a second lieutenant
on 5 September 1916. He was seconded as a Flying Officer
to the Royal Flying Corps
on 27 December 1917. Mawle was promoted to lieutenant
on 25 March 1918.
On 22 May 1918, Mawle was assigned to 84 Squadron as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 pilot. His original assigned airplane was substandard, and he would not have success until it was wrecked by another pilot, and replaced.
Using SE.5 serial number D6917, he destroyed a German observation balloon
at Proyart
for his first victory, on 17 July 1918. Three days later, he busted another balloon
and destroyed a Fokker D.VII
. A broken connecting rod in the engine moved Mawle out of his customary plane into SE.5 serial number C1868; on 24 July, he used it to team with Captain John Ralston
to destroy a Fokker D.VII over Warfusée
.
Once back in his familiar machine, he helped destroy an LVG
reconnaissance plane on 29 July 1918 for his fifth win. The following day, he destroyed two more Fokker D.VIIs, and drove one down out of control. On 4 August, he destroyed another balloon. Three days later, Mawle destroyed a Fokker D.VII and drove another down out of control. The following day, he burned a German balloon for his twelfth and final victory. While strafing two horse-drawn German balloons, Mawle was severely wounded in the stomach and arm. He managed to return to base, but was removed from combat duty.
On 2 November 1918, Mawle received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits.
; his address was given as Oadby
, Leicestershire.
to Squadron Leader
and simultaneously transferred from No. 913 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF to command of No. 911 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF on 6 June 1939.
On 1 September 1941, Mawle was promoted to temporary Wing Commander
in the Balloon Branch of the Auxiliary Air Force of the Royal Air Force. As of 1 July 1942, he dropped the "temporary" designation.
On 24 April 1944, Mawle transferred to administrative duties.
Mawle retired from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 10 February 1954, as a Wing Commander retaining the rank of Group Captain
.
(Lond. R.)
A courageous and skillful leader, who has
destroyed nine enemy machines and four
kite balloons. While leading his patrol of
five scouts, he observed a hostile formation of
fifteen scouts. Nothing daunted by the disparity
in numbers, he at once engaged them,
driving down three himself. During a
recent patrol he engaged two kite balloons,
one of which he shot down in flames at 25 feet
altitude. Later, he attacked an anti-tank
gun, stampeding the horses and causing tho
gun to overturn in a ditch. In this patrol
he was seriously wounded, but flew his
machine back to his aerodrome.
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...
. He was credited with 12 official aerial victories during the First World War. During World War II, he returned to his country's service, not retiring until 1954.
World War I
Cadet Norman Mawle of the Inns of CourtInns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
Officers Training Corps
Officers Training Corps
The Officer Training Corps is a part of the British Army which provides military leadership training to students at UK universities...
was commissioned as a second lieutenant
Second 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 5 September 1916. He was seconded as a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
to 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...
on 27 December 1917. Mawle was promoted to lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
on 25 March 1918.
On 22 May 1918, Mawle was assigned to 84 Squadron as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 pilot. His original assigned airplane was substandard, and he would not have success until it was wrecked by another pilot, and replaced.
Using SE.5 serial number D6917, he destroyed a German observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
at Proyart
Proyart
Proyart is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Population:-External links:*...
for his first victory, on 17 July 1918. Three days later, he busted another balloon
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
and destroyed a 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...
. A broken connecting rod in the engine moved Mawle out of his customary plane into SE.5 serial number C1868; on 24 July, he used it to team with Captain John Ralston
John Steele Ralston
Captain John Steele Ralston was a Scots World War I war hero and flying ace. After winning a Military Cross in 1916 for lifesaving gallantry during his infantry service, he was credited with 12 official aerial victories as a fighter pilot before he was killed in action.-World War I:John Steele...
to destroy a Fokker D.VII over Warfusée
Lamotte-Warfusée
Lamotte-Warfusée is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:The commune is situated on the N29 road, some east of Amiens....
.
Once back in his familiar machine, he helped destroy an LVG
LVG
Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.The raid on London in 1916 was...
reconnaissance plane on 29 July 1918 for his fifth win. The following day, he destroyed two more Fokker D.VIIs, and drove one down out of control. On 4 August, he destroyed another balloon. Three days later, Mawle destroyed a Fokker D.VII and drove another down out of control. The following day, he burned a German balloon for his twelfth and final victory. While strafing two horse-drawn German balloons, Mawle was severely wounded in the stomach and arm. He managed to return to base, but was removed from combat duty.
On 2 November 1918, Mawle received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits.
Between the World Wars
In November 1934, Mawle was executor on an estate in HounslowHounslow
Hounslow is the principal town in the London Borough of Hounslow. It is a suburban development situated 10.6 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. It forms a post town in the TW postcode area.-Etymology:...
; his address was given as Oadby
Oadby
Oadby is a town within the borough of Oadby and Wigston, in Leicestershire, England. It is to the east of Wigston Magna, and to the southeast of Leicester. Oadby forms part of the Leicester Urban Area, and is situated on the A6 road....
, Leicestershire.
World War II and beyond
Mawle was promoted from Flight LieutenantFlight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
to Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
and simultaneously transferred from No. 913 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF to command of No. 911 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF on 6 June 1939.
On 1 September 1941, Mawle was promoted to temporary Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
in the Balloon Branch of the Auxiliary Air Force of the Royal Air Force. As of 1 July 1942, he dropped the "temporary" designation.
On 24 April 1944, Mawle transferred to administrative duties.
Mawle retired from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 10 February 1954, as a Wing Commander retaining the rank of Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
.
Honours and awards
Lieut/ Norman William Reginald Mawle(Lond. R.)
A courageous and skillful leader, who has
destroyed nine enemy machines and four
kite balloons. While leading his patrol of
five scouts, he observed a hostile formation of
fifteen scouts. Nothing daunted by the disparity
in numbers, he at once engaged them,
driving down three himself. During a
recent patrol he engaged two kite balloons,
one of which he shot down in flames at 25 feet
altitude. Later, he attacked an anti-tank
gun, stampeding the horses and causing tho
gun to overturn in a ditch. In this patrol
he was seriously wounded, but flew his
machine back to his aerodrome.