Francis James Davies
Encyclopedia
Captain Francis James Davies was a World War I flying ace
credited with twelve aerial victories during this war. He would return to his country's service during World War II.
during May 1917. He had trained as a pilot by August 1917. By March 1918, he was assigned to 29 Squadron, which was the last British squadron operating French Nieuport
s. On the 18th, Davies used a Nieuport
to drive down a German Pfalz D.III
fighter out of control. By 19 May, he was seated in a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a, which he used to destroy an Albatros D.V
. On the 26th, he teamed with fellow aces Charles G. Ross and Reginald H. Rusby
to destroy a DFW
reconnaissance two-seater. Davies would score regularly with his SE.5a until 11 August 1918. On that day, for his final victory, he destroyed an observation balloon
at Courtrai.
The following day, he flew his last mission of the war, being wounded in action and crash-landing. He fainted as a result of his wound, and fell 100 feet. The accident removed him from combat. His tally of victories was a balloon busted
, two enemy planes set on fire, five other planes destroyed, and four planes sent down out of control.
on probation as of 9 July 1940.
Flight Lieutenant
Davies died on 7 March 1941.
Lieut. (T./Capt.) Francis James Davies.
During recent operations this officer has accounted for five enemy aeroplanes. Bold in attack and skilful in manoeuvre, he is a valuable airman who sets a fine example to all.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11250)
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 twelve aerial victories during this war. He would return to his country's service during World War II.
World War I service
Davies joined the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal 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...
during May 1917. He had trained as a pilot by August 1917. By March 1918, he was assigned to 29 Squadron, which was the last British squadron operating French Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
s. On the 18th, Davies used a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
to drive down a German Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
fighter out of control. By 19 May, he was seated in a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a, which he used to destroy 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....
. On the 26th, he teamed with fellow aces Charles G. Ross and Reginald H. Rusby
Reginald H. Rusby
Captain Reginald Howard Rusby was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Rusby was appointed Second Lieutenant from Flying Officer Observer on 16 September 1916. However, his seniority dated from 29 September 1916...
to destroy a DFW
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke, usually known as DFW was a German aircraft manufacturer of the early twentieth century. It was established by Bernhard Meyer and Erich Thiele at Lindenthal in 1910, and initially produced Farman designs under licence, later moving on to the Etrich Taube and eventually to...
reconnaissance two-seater. Davies would score regularly with his SE.5a until 11 August 1918. On that day, for his final victory, he destroyed an observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
at Courtrai.
The following day, he flew his last mission of the war, being wounded in action and crash-landing. He fainted as a result of his wound, and fell 100 feet. The accident removed him from combat. His tally of victories was a balloon busted
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
, two enemy planes set on fire, five other planes destroyed, and four planes sent down out of control.
Post World War I service
Acting Captain Davies resigned his commission on account of ill health caused by wounds on 5 April 1919. At the beginning of World War II, Davies was granted a commission as a Pilot OfficerPilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
on probation as of 9 July 1940.
Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
Davies died on 7 March 1941.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Lieut. (T./Capt.) Francis James Davies.
During recent operations this officer has accounted for five enemy aeroplanes. Bold in attack and skilful in manoeuvre, he is a valuable airman who sets a fine example to all.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11250)
Reference
- Franks, Norman. SE 5/5a Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN 184603180X, 9781846031809.
- Shores, Christopher F. et al. Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0948817194, 9780948817199.