Francis Kitto
Encyclopedia
Captain Francis Mansel Kitto was a Welsh-born flying ace
credited with nine official aerial victories during World War I.
to the Royal Flying Corps
; he was commissioned a second lieutenant
and appointed a flying officer
. By early 1917, he was posted to 43 Squadron on the Western Front
. Using a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter, on 17 March 1917, he drove down a German Albatros D.II
east of Arras
for his first aerial victory. He repeated his feat on both 8 April and 17 August 1917. He then transferred to 54 Squadron as a Sopwith Camel
pilot. On 1 December 1917, temporary lieutenant
Kitto was appointed a Flight Commander, with the usual promotion to temporary captain. Between 15 March and 4 July 1918, he scored six more aerial victories, to bring his total to four German planes destroyed and five driven down out of control. On 22 June 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for his exploits.
and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. While engaged in attacking ground
targets with machine-gun fire and bombs he
observed a large party of troops, amongst
whom he dropped the remainder of his
bombs with the most excellent results. On
a later occasion he attacked a formation of
enemy scouts, and having caused one of these
to crash to the ground, he pursued another
and attacked it eleven miles behind the
enemy's lines, bringing it to the ground and
destroying it. In addition to these he has
shot down two other hostile machines, and
has shown throughout, the greatest determination
and dash.
bombers during 1919.
On 24 June 1924, Kitto was granted a Class A commission in the Royal Air Force as a Flying Officer
on probation. He was confirmed in his rank on 24 December 1924.
Francis Mansel Kitto died in Pontypridd Cottage Hospital, Wales on 25 June 1926.
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 nine official aerial victories during World War I.
Early life
Kitto was born at Pontypridd, Rhondda Cyon Taf, Wales on New Year's Day 1897. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Kitto.World War I
On 9 November 1916, Kitto was transferred from the Welch RegimentWelch Regiment
The Welch Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1969.-History:It was formed as the Welsh Regiment during the Childers Reforms of 1881, by the amalgamation of the 41st Regiment of Foot and the 69th Regiment of Foot...
to 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...
; he was commissioned a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
and appointed a flying officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
. By early 1917, he was posted to 43 Squadron on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
. Using a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter, on 17 March 1917, he drove down a German Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
east of Arras
Arras
Arras is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The historic centre of the Artois region, its local speech is characterized as a Picard dialect...
for his first aerial victory. He repeated his feat on both 8 April and 17 August 1917. He then transferred to 54 Squadron as a Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
pilot. On 1 December 1917, temporary lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Kitto was appointed a Flight Commander, with the usual promotion to temporary captain. Between 15 March and 4 July 1918, he scored six more aerial victories, to bring his total to four German planes destroyed and five driven down out of control. On 22 June 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for his exploits.
Award of the Military Cross
T. /Capt. Francis Mansel Kitto, Gen. List,and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. While engaged in attacking ground
targets with machine-gun fire and bombs he
observed a large party of troops, amongst
whom he dropped the remainder of his
bombs with the most excellent results. On
a later occasion he attacked a formation of
enemy scouts, and having caused one of these
to crash to the ground, he pursued another
and attacked it eleven miles behind the
enemy's lines, bringing it to the ground and
destroying it. In addition to these he has
shot down two other hostile machines, and
has shown throughout, the greatest determination
and dash.
Post World War I
Kitto transferred to piloting Airco DH.9Airco DH.9
The Airco DH.9 - also known after 1920 as the de Havilland DH.9 - was a British bomber used in the First World War...
bombers during 1919.
On 24 June 1924, Kitto was granted a Class A commission in the Royal Air Force as a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
on probation. He was confirmed in his rank on 24 December 1924.
Francis Mansel Kitto died in Pontypridd Cottage Hospital, Wales on 25 June 1926.
Reference
- Franks, NormanNorman FranksNorman Leslie Robert Franks is an English writer who specialises in aviation books on the pilots and squadrons of World Wars I and II.-Biography:...
, Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1: Volume 52 of Aircraft of the Aces. Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1841765341, 9781841765341.