Elliott White Springs
Encyclopedia
Elliott White Springs was a South Carolina
businessman and an American flying ace
of World War I
, credited with shooting down 16 enemy aircraft.
.
in 1917. He was sent to England to train with the Royal Air Force
, and was selected by the Canadian flying ace Maj. William Avery Bishop
to fly the SE-5 with 85 Squadron
over France
.
After 4 claims with 85 Squadron, and after recovering from wounds received in action on 27 June 1918, he was reassigned to the U.S. Air Service's
148th Aero Squadron under the operational control of the RAF.
On 3 August 1918, while escorting DH9s bombers, Springs shot down three Fokker DVII scouts in flames. On 22 August 1918, he attacked five Fokker DVIIs, shooting down one into a wood near Velu. He sent another enemy aircraft 'out of control'. On 22 August 1918, he engaged three Fokker DVII scouts, and Lieutenant Springs shot down 'out of control'.
By 24 September 1918, Springs had claimed 12 victories destroyed and 4 driven down 'out of control'. He had shared three wins with such squadronmates as Lieutenants Henry Clay
and Orville Ralston
. Also, late in the war, at about this time, Springs rose to command of the 148th as it and the 17th Aero Squadron joined the 4th Pursuit Group.
He also did some barnstorming
after his return.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
businessman and an American 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...
of World War I
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...
, credited with shooting down 16 enemy aircraft.
Early life
Springs was born to Col. Leroy Springs and Grace Allison White Springs. His father was a noted South Carolina textiles manufacturer. Springs attended Culver Military Academy, and then Princeton UniversityPrinceton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
.
World War I service
Springs enlisted in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1917. He was sent to England to train with 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...
, and was selected by the Canadian flying ace Maj. William Avery Bishop
Billy Bishop
Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
to fly the SE-5 with 85 Squadron
No. 85 Squadron RAF
No. 85 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It most recently served as No. 85 Squadron based at RAF Church Fenton.-In World War I:...
over France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
After 4 claims with 85 Squadron, and after recovering from wounds received in action on 27 June 1918, he was reassigned to the U.S. Air Service's
United States Army Air Service
The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation...
148th Aero Squadron under the operational control of the RAF.
On 3 August 1918, while escorting DH9s bombers, Springs shot down three Fokker DVII scouts in flames. On 22 August 1918, he attacked five Fokker DVIIs, shooting down one into a wood near Velu. He sent another enemy aircraft 'out of control'. On 22 August 1918, he engaged three Fokker DVII scouts, and Lieutenant Springs shot down 'out of control'.
By 24 September 1918, Springs had claimed 12 victories destroyed and 4 driven down 'out of control'. He had shared three wins with such squadronmates as Lieutenants Henry Clay
Henry Clay (aviator)
Captain Henry Robinson Clay, Jr. was a World War I flying ace credited with eight confirmed aerial victories.Though born in Plattsburg, Missouri on 27 November 1895, Clay later lived in Fort Worth, Texas. Clay was one of the first contingent of American fliers shipped to England to gain seasoning...
and Orville Ralston
Orville Ralston
Lieutenant Orville Alfred Ralston was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He returned to service for World War II, only to die in a B-17 crash....
. Also, late in the war, at about this time, Springs rose to command of the 148th as it and the 17th Aero Squadron joined the 4th Pursuit Group.
Return to civilian life
Upon his return to the United States, Springs wrote numerous books, short stories, and articles. Many of these were about his experiences in combat aviation. The most notable of these was Warbirds: The Diary of an Unknown Aviator, which was based the correspondence of John McGavock Grider, a friend and comrade of his who did not survive the war.He also did some barnstorming
Barnstorming
Barnstorming was a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s in which stunt pilots would perform tricks with airplanes, either individually or in groups called a flying circus. Barnstorming was the first major form of civil aviation in the history of flight...
after his return.