Airco DH.2
Encyclopedia
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winner Lanoe Hawker
(eight victories), who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson
. The commander of No. 32 Squadron
, Lionel Rees
won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10 German two-seaters on 1 July 1916, destroying two. James McCudden
became an ace in DH.2s to start his career as the Commonwealth's fourth ranking ace of the war.
German ace and tactician Oswald Boelcke
was killed during a dogfight
with No. 24 Squadron D.H.2s, however, this was due to a collision with one of his own wingmen, Erwin Böhme
.
Fourteen aces scored five or more aerial victories using the DH.2; many went on to further success in later types also. They are listed below, followed by the number of their victories in the DH.2:
DH.2 aces
Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria CrossVictoria 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....
winner Lanoe Hawker
Lanoe Hawker
Lanoe George Hawker VC, DSO was a British flying ace, with seven credited victories, during the First World War. He was the first British flying ace, and the third pilot to receive the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded...
(eight victories), who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson
Alan Wilkinson (aviator)
Lieutenant Colonel Alan Machin Wilkinson became a flying ace early in World War I.-Early life and service:...
. The commander of No. 32 Squadron
No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF
No. 32 Squadron of the Royal Air Force at present operates from RAF Northolt, west London, in the VIP and general air transport roles.-Formation:...
, Lionel Rees
Lionel Rees
Group Captain Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees VC OBE MC AFC RAF was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10 German two-seaters on 1 July 1916, destroying two. James McCudden
James McCudden
James Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
became an ace in DH.2s to start his career as the Commonwealth's fourth ranking ace of the war.
German ace and tactician Oswald Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke was a German flying ace of the First World War and one of the most influential patrol leaders and tacticians of the early years of air combat. Boelcke is considered the father of the German fighter air force, as well as the "Father of Air Fighting Tactics"; he was the first to...
was killed during a dogfight
Dogfight
A dogfight, or dog fight, is a form of aerial combat between fighter aircraft; in particular, combat of maneuver at short range, where each side is aware of the other's presence. Dogfighting first appeared during World War I, shortly after the invention of the airplane...
with No. 24 Squadron D.H.2s, however, this was due to a collision with one of his own wingmen, Erwin Böhme
Erwin Böhme
Erwin Böhme , Pour le Mérite, was a German pilot during World War I. He was born in Holzminden, grew into an athletic sportsman, and became a flying ace during the war credited with 24 victories. He was a both a close friend and a military subordinate of Oswald Boelcke and was inadvertently...
.
Fourteen aces scored five or more aerial victories using the DH.2; many went on to further success in later types also. They are listed below, followed by the number of their victories in the DH.2:
- Patrick Anthony Langan-ByrnePatrick Anthony Langan-ByrneLieutenant Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne was a pioneering Irish World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Langan-Bryne began his victories on 31 August 1916, when he used Airco DH.2 No. 6011 to force an enemy plane to land. Three days later, he drove a German fighter plane down out...
-->10 victories - Alan WilkinsonAlan Wilkinson (aviator)Lieutenant Colonel Alan Machin Wilkinson became a flying ace early in World War I.-Early life and service:...
--> 10 victories - Selden LongSelden LongMajor Selden Herbert Long was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine confirmed aerial victories. He was also noted for the audacity of his trench strafing missions–an early form of close air support....
--> 9 victories - Arthur Gerald KnightArthur Gerald KnightCaptain Arthur Gerald Knight DSO MC was a British-born Canadian World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He was under attack by Oswald Boelcke and Erwin Böhme when they collided, causing Boelcke's death...
--> 8 victories - Eric C. Pashley --> 8 victories
- John Oliver AndrewsJohn Oliver AndrewsAir Vice Marshal John Oliver Andrews was an English flying ace of World War I. He was credited with twelve aerial victories. His most significant victory was over German ace Stefan Kirmaier, although he also enjoyed some success against Max Immelmann and Manfred von Richthofen...
--> 7 victories - Sidney CowanSidney CowanCaptain Sidney Edward Cowan was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.Cowan was a charter member of 24 Squadron from its 1 September 1915 formation. Between 4 May and 16 September 1916, Cowan used an Airco DH.2 to destroy four enemy planes and drive down two more out of...
--> 7 victories - Hubert JonesHubert JonesHubert William Godfrey Jones , also known as Hubert Wilson Godfrey Jones Penderel, was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories....
--> 7 victories - William CurpheyWilliam CurpheyCaptain William George Sellar Curphey was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Early life and entry into military:Curphey was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Salvador Curphey, residing at 87 Canfield Gardens, Hampstead, Middlesex, England; the elder William Curphey was a civil...
--> 6 victories - Stanley CockerellStanley CockerellCaptain Stanley Cockerell was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-World War I aerial success:...
--> 5 victories - Henry EvansHenry Evans (aviator)Second Lieutenant Henry Cope Evans was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories, all while flying the Airco DH.2.Evans emigrated from England to Canada in his youth to become an orchardist. He served in the Canadian Artillery during the Second Boer War. After that, he was a...
--> 5 victories - James McCudden --> 5 victories
- Robert SaundbyRobert SaundbyAir Marshal Sir Robert Henry Magnus Spencer Saundby KCB, KBE, MC, DFC, AFC was an RAF officer whose career spanned both World War I and World War II...
--> 5 victories - Harry WoodHarry Wood (aviator)Major Harry Alison Wood was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He studied civil engineering prewar at Toronto University. After joining the Corps of Guides as a lieutenant, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He trained in the United Kingdom, and joined No. 34...
--> 5 victories