Reginald Maxwell
Encyclopedia
Air Commodore Reginald Stuart Maxwell began his military career in aviation by becoming a flying ace
during World War I. He continued in service until 1941, arising to the flag rank of Air Commodore.
The younger Maxwell first appears in military records as a Temporary Lieutenant seconded to the 21st Divisional Cyclist Company on 25 January 1915. Moving onwards from the Army Cyclist Corps
, on 10 June 1915, Maxwell was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant. On 11 September 1915, "George" Maxwell was assigned to be a Flying Officer
.
" Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b; such an assignment usually shortly followed appointment as a Flying Officer.
He scored his first aerial victory on 27 April 1916, forcing a German Aviatik
two-seater reconnaissance plane to land at Herlies
. He then transferred to 20 Squadron, and still using a FE.2b, scored three more times; for two of those wins, he had future aces riding as his observers, in Herbert Hamilton
and David Stewart
. Maxwell's pioneering efforts at aerial combat were rewarded with a Military Cross. He had also been appointed a Flight Commander during this stretch, effective 11 May 1916, with a concomitant promotion to Temporary Captain. On 18 December 1916, Maxwell was promoted to Squadron Leader
.
Maxwell would return to combat almost two years later, when he was assigned to 54 Squadron to fly a Sopwith Camel
. On 18 January 1918, he used this single-seated fighter plane to destroy an Albatros D.V
and finally become an ace. He used a Camel for four more wins scattered throughout 1918, with his ninth and final victory coming just two days before war's end. His final tally for the war was five enemy planes destroyed, three driven down out of control, and one forced to land.
to Squadron Leader
effective 30 June 1921.
Maxwell was placed on the retired list of the RAF on 1 April 1941. He served as a Royal Navy Air Commander from 1941–1945. He died on 1 July 1960.
"Major Reginald Stuart Maxwell, M.C.
"On 16th November, on a low bombing raid
against a railway station, this officer led his
whole squadron to within 100 feet over the
objective, thus enabling them to drop their
bombs with the greatest possible effect on
the trains, transport, etc., in the station.
After dropping these bombs he led theformation
against troops, etc., crowded on
a main road, causing great confusion and inflicting
heavy casualties. His magnificent
example inspires all who serve in his.
squadron."
(M.C. gazetted 1 January 1917.)
"Flight Lieutenant
Reginald Stuart Maxwell,
M.C., D.F.O., R.A.F.
"For gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer has recently carried out 14 raids over
hostile country and 60 hours' flying. He
has at all times shown constant courage and
a very high, sense of devotion to duty. On
one occasion when forced to descend in hostile
territory owing to engine failure he displayed great coolness in endeavouring to
remedy it under fire, and only when, this was
found to be impossible did he take advantage
of the landing of another machine, and by
lying flat out on its lower plane and was carried
away to safety. He has always set a fine
example to the rest of his flight by keenness
and hard work in the air and on the ground.
(D.F.C. gazetted 8th February, 1919.)"
Squadron Leader
Maxwell was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Iraq in 1920 - 1921 on 10 October 1922.
Squadron Leader Reginald Stuart Maxwell was awarded the Air Force Cross on 5 April 1929 "in recognition of distinguished services rendered...during the recent evacuations from Kabul:–"
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...
during World War I. He continued in service until 1941, arising to the flag rank of Air Commodore.
Early life
Reginald Stuart Maxwell was born to Nellie and John A. Maxwell.The younger Maxwell first appears in military records as a Temporary Lieutenant seconded to the 21st Divisional Cyclist Company on 25 January 1915. Moving onwards from the Army Cyclist Corps
Army Cyclist Corps
The Army Cyclist Corps was a corps of the British Army active during the First World War, and controlling the Army's bicycle infantry.Volunteer cyclist units had been formed as early as the 1880s, with the first complete bicycle unit being raised in 1888...
, on 10 June 1915, Maxwell was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant. On 11 September 1915, "George" Maxwell was assigned to be 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...
.
World War I aerial service
Maxwell was assigned to 25 Squadron as a pilot for the "pusherPusher configuration
In a craft with a pusher configuration the propeller are mounted behind their respective engine. According to Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind engine so that drive shaft is in compression...
" Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b; such an assignment usually shortly followed appointment as a Flying Officer.
He scored his first aerial victory on 27 April 1916, forcing a German 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 reconnaissance plane to land at Herlies
Herlies
-References:*...
. He then transferred to 20 Squadron, and still using a FE.2b, scored three more times; for two of those wins, he had future aces riding as his observers, in Herbert Hamilton
Herbert Hamilton
Captain Herbert James Hamilton was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.Hamilton died in a flying accident in Yorkshire, England, on 13 June 1918, when his airplane shed a wing.-Reference:...
and David Stewart
David Stewart (aviator)
Captain David Arthur Stewart was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. Remarkably, they were all scored while he was flying bombers instead of fighters.-World War I flying service:...
. Maxwell's pioneering efforts at aerial combat were rewarded with a Military Cross. He had also been appointed a Flight Commander during this stretch, effective 11 May 1916, with a concomitant promotion to Temporary Captain. On 18 December 1916, Maxwell was promoted 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...
.
Maxwell would return to combat almost two years later, when he was assigned to 54 Squadron to fly 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...
. On 18 January 1918, he used this single-seated fighter plane to destroy 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....
and finally become an ace. He used a Camel for four more wins scattered throughout 1918, with his ninth and final victory coming just two days before war's end. His final tally for the war was five enemy planes destroyed, three driven down out of control, and one forced to land.
Post World War I service
When permanent commissions for postwar service were announced on 1 August 1919, Maxwell was appointed a Captain. He served in Iraq during 1920 and 1921. He 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...
effective 30 June 1921.
Maxwell was placed on the retired list of the RAF on 1 April 1941. He served as a Royal Navy Air Commander from 1941–1945. He died on 1 July 1960.
Military Honors
- Awarded Military Cross in late 1916 (gazetted 1 January 1917).
- Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross (gazetted 8 February 1919):
"Major Reginald Stuart Maxwell, M.C.
"On 16th November, on a low bombing raid
against a railway station, this officer led his
whole squadron to within 100 feet over the
objective, thus enabling them to drop their
bombs with the greatest possible effect on
the trains, transport, etc., in the station.
After dropping these bombs he led theformation
against troops, etc., crowded on
a main road, causing great confusion and inflicting
heavy casualties. His magnificent
example inspires all who serve in his.
squadron."
(M.C. gazetted 1 January 1917.)
- Awarded a BarMedal barA medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
to the Distinguished Flying Cross in lieu of a second award on 28 October 1921:
"Flight Lieutenant
Flight 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"...
Reginald Stuart Maxwell,
M.C., D.F.O., R.A.F.
"For gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer has recently carried out 14 raids over
hostile country and 60 hours' flying. He
has at all times shown constant courage and
a very high, sense of devotion to duty. On
one occasion when forced to descend in hostile
territory owing to engine failure he displayed great coolness in endeavouring to
remedy it under fire, and only when, this was
found to be impossible did he take advantage
of the landing of another machine, and by
lying flat out on its lower plane and was carried
away to safety. He has always set a fine
example to the rest of his flight by keenness
and hard work in the air and on the ground.
(D.F.C. gazetted 8th February, 1919.)"
- Mentioned in Despatches (gazetted 10 October 1922):
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...
Maxwell was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Iraq in 1920 - 1921 on 10 October 1922.
- Awarded the Air Force Cross (gazetted 5 April 1929):
Squadron Leader Reginald Stuart Maxwell was awarded the Air Force Cross on 5 April 1929 "in recognition of distinguished services rendered...during the recent evacuations from Kabul:–"
Reference
- Pusher Aces of World War 1" Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Pub Co, 2009. ISBN 1846034175, 9781846034176.