Alfred Mills (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Alfred Stanley Mills (born 26 June 1899, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with 15 aerial victories.
Mills graduated from Campbell College, Belfast before joining the service. After being assigned to No. 20 Squadron RAF
as an observer gunner, he won his first dogfight by setting afire a Fokker Dr.I
on 9 May 1918. By the end of May, he had eight wins to his credit. He tallied a kill in July, on the 24th. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
on 3 August 1918. His last six victories came in September, 1918. In summary, only three of his victories were the "soft" out of control sort, and all but two were over enemy fighter planes.
Mills won nine times while being piloted by Captain Thomas Middleton
, and three while Lieutenant Paul Iaccaci
was at the helm.
2nd Lt, (Hon. Lt.) Alfred Mills.
A capable and gallant observer who has been very successful in destroying enemy machines by reason of excellent marksmanship.
He has accounted for many enemy aircraft in a short period of time, and has generally fought against larger formations than his own.
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 15 aerial victories.
Mills graduated from Campbell College, Belfast before joining the service. After being assigned to No. 20 Squadron RAF
No. 20 Squadron RAF
No. 20 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was until March 2010, the OCU for the BAE Harrier GR9, and T12, operating from RAF Wittering...
as an observer gunner, he won his first dogfight by setting afire a Fokker Dr.I
Fokker Dr.I
The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
on 9 May 1918. By the end of May, he had eight wins to his credit. He tallied a kill in July, on the 24th. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
on 3 August 1918. His last six victories came in September, 1918. In summary, only three of his victories were the "soft" out of control sort, and all but two were over enemy fighter planes.
Mills won nine times while being piloted by Captain Thomas Middleton
Thomas Middleton
Thomas Middleton was an English Jacobean playwright and poet. Middleton stands with John Fletcher and Ben Jonson as among the most successful and prolific of playwrights who wrote their best plays during the Jacobean period. He was one of the few Renaissance dramatists to achieve equal success in...
, and three while Lieutenant Paul Iaccaci
Paul Iaccaci
Captain Paul Thayer Iaccaci was a World War I flying ace credited with 17 aerial victories. He was born to Auguste Florian and Mabel Thayer Iaccaci on 6 June 1893. He attended Harvard College from 1910 to 1911. He went to Canada and joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. His brother August...
was at the helm.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)2nd Lt, (Hon. Lt.) Alfred Mills.
A capable and gallant observer who has been very successful in destroying enemy machines by reason of excellent marksmanship.
He has accounted for many enemy aircraft in a short period of time, and has generally fought against larger formations than his own.