Russell Winnicott
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Russell Winnicott was an English World War I flying ace
credited with ten aerial victories.
Richard Weeks Winnicott and Anne Smith Winnicott.
attached to the Royal Flying Corps
on 10 November 1916.
On 12 April 1917, Winnicott relinguished his temporary rank of lieutenant.
He scored his first aerial victory on 6 September 1917; he used an Airco DH.5
to drive down an Albatros reconnaissance plane out of control. He scored throughout September; victories five and six on 30 September made him an ace. He scored again in mid October, on the 18th. Then, on 26 October 1917, Winnicott was awarded the Military Cross for his valorous actions. There was a pause in his scoring while he upgraded to a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a. On 29 November, Winnicott shared a triumph with fellow ace Loudoun MacLean
and a couple of other pilots. The next day, Winnicott destroyed an Albatros D.V
at 1340 hours; 20 minutes later, he teamed with MacLean, Meredith Thomas
, and Frank Harold Taylor
to drive a German two-seater down out of control over Rumilly
to become a double ace. His final tally was two enemy airplanes destroyed, eight driven down out of control.
Russell Winnicott was killed in action on 6 December 1917. On 29 January 1918, he was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant, effective 1 July 1917.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats. In a fight against enemy scouts; he drove down two out of control. On another occasion, he destroyed an enemy scout, and on three previous occasions, he drove down enemy machines out of control. His dash and determination were of the highest 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...
credited with ten aerial victories.
Early life
Winnicot was the son of Plymouth AldermanAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
Richard Weeks Winnicott and Anne Smith Winnicott.
World War I
Winnicott originally served in the Devonshire Regiment. He 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...
attached 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 10 November 1916.
On 12 April 1917, Winnicott relinguished his temporary rank of lieutenant.
He scored his first aerial victory on 6 September 1917; he used an Airco DH.5
Airco DH.5
-Bibliography:* Bruce, J.M. Warplanes of the First World War, Vol. 1. London: MacDonald, 1965, pp. 128–132.* Jackson, A.J. De Havilland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1962....
to drive down an Albatros reconnaissance plane out of control. He scored throughout September; victories five and six on 30 September made him an ace. He scored again in mid October, on the 18th. Then, on 26 October 1917, Winnicott was awarded the Military Cross for his valorous actions. There was a pause in his scoring while he upgraded to a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a. On 29 November, Winnicott shared a triumph with fellow ace Loudoun MacLean
Loudoun MacLean
Captain Loudoun James MacLean was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.MacLean was commissioned on 1 April 1914, just before the start of World War I. He entered the war in the 57th Company, Royal Engineers, and won a Military Cross in September 1917. He was posted to the...
and a couple of other pilots. The next day, Winnicott destroyed 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....
at 1340 hours; 20 minutes later, he teamed with MacLean, Meredith Thomas
Meredith Thomas
Air Vice-Marshal Meredith Thomas CSI, CBE, DFC, AFC RAF was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He began his career as a flying ace during World War I, credited with five aerial victories....
, and Frank Harold Taylor
Frank Harold Taylor
Lieutenant Frank Harold Taylor was a Canadian-born flying ace. During World War I, he was credited with ten aerial victories.-Early life and service:...
to drive a German two-seater down out of control over Rumilly
Rumilly
Rumilly is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Rumilly, in the Pas-de-Calais département* Rumilly, in the Haute-Savoie département* Rumilly-en-Cambrésis, in the Nord département...
to become a double ace. His final tally was two enemy airplanes destroyed, eight driven down out of control.
Russell Winnicott was killed in action on 6 December 1917. On 29 January 1918, he was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant, effective 1 July 1917.
Honors and awards
The text of Winnicott's Military Cross citation:"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats. In a fight against enemy scouts; he drove down two out of control. On another occasion, he destroyed an enemy scout, and on three previous occasions, he drove down enemy machines out of control. His dash and determination were of the highest order."