Dennis Latimer
Encyclopedia
Captain Dennis Latimer was a World War I
flying ace
notable for achieving 28 aerial victories, all against enemy fighter planes.
Dennis Latimer was born in Withington
, Ireland to James D. and Ida L. Latimer.
He was assigned to Number 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps
as a pilot flying a Bristol F.2B two-seat fighters in early 1918.
On 13 March 1918, teamed with observer/gunner Lieutenant James John Scaramanga, he scored his first victory, which was the only one he scored in the Royal Flying Corps
.
After the Royal Air Force
was founded on 1 April, Latimer went on to 27 more victories. His observer/gunner for victories 2 to 22 was Lieutenant Tom Cecil Noel
, and his final victories were with Sergeant Arthur Ernest Newland
as observer. All three of these observers became aces in their own right.
On 22 August 1918, Latimer was flying again with Noel, when they were shot down by Leutnant Willi Nebgen of Jagdstaffel 7. Noel was killed and Latimer was captured.
Latimer's final total claimed in conjunction with his gunners was 1 aircraft captured, 17 aircraft destroyed (including one shared victory), and 10 'out of control' wins (2 shared).
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
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...
notable for achieving 28 aerial victories, all against enemy fighter planes.
Dennis Latimer was born in Withington
Withington
Withington is a suburban area of the City of Manchester, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies south of Manchester city centre, about south of Fallowfield, north-east of Didsbury, and east of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, near the centre-to-south edges of the Greater Manchester Urban Area; in the...
, Ireland to James D. and Ida L. Latimer.
He was assigned to Number 20 Squadron 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...
as a pilot flying a Bristol F.2B two-seat fighters in early 1918.
On 13 March 1918, teamed with observer/gunner Lieutenant James John Scaramanga, he scored his first victory, which was the only one he scored in 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...
.
After the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
was founded on 1 April, Latimer went on to 27 more victories. His observer/gunner for victories 2 to 22 was Lieutenant Tom Cecil Noel
Tom Cecil Noel
Lieutenant Tom Cecil Noel, , Military Cross with Bar, was a World War I infantry officer turned aerial observer, notable for winning a Military Cross for bravery on both land and air....
, and his final victories were with Sergeant Arthur Ernest Newland
Arthur Ernest Newland
Sergeant Arthur Ernest Newland DFM & Bar was a World War I observer ace credited with 22 victories.-Early life:Newland was born about 1882 to Jane Newland, who was from Clerkenwell. His father William was a laborer from Westminster.-Aerial service:...
as observer. All three of these observers became aces in their own right.
On 22 August 1918, Latimer was flying again with Noel, when they were shot down by Leutnant Willi Nebgen of Jagdstaffel 7. Noel was killed and Latimer was captured.
Latimer's final total claimed in conjunction with his gunners was 1 aircraft captured, 17 aircraft destroyed (including one shared victory), and 10 'out of control' wins (2 shared).
Awards and decorations
- Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
awarded for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on offensive patrol. He and his observer in four days' fighting destroyed 7 enemy machines and drove down three. They did magnificent service." - Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished 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...
. The citation was: "When leading an offensive patrol this officer displayed great skill and bravery. Having shot down a scout in flames, he immediately engaged a second, which he destroyed after a short combat. In addition, he has accounted for four other machines."