Harold Mellings
Encyclopedia
Captain Harold Thomas Mellings was a World War I flying ace
credited with 15 aerial victories.
biplane on 11 November 1915.
to victory over an LVG
near Smyrna
. He sent the observation plane spinning down out of control. It would be exactly a year until victory number two. This second action was a clash between polyglot forces. Mellings was flying a recently rebuilt Sopwith Triplane
equipped with an extra gun, and was accompanied by John Alcock
in a Sopwith Camel
and a third pilot in a Sopwith Pup
. The opposing Germans were a two-seater observation plane escorted by two Albatros W4
s. The ensuing dogfight resulted in Melling shooting away the upper left wing of Walter Kreuger's W4; Kreuger crashed into the Aegean sea. In November, Mellings destroyed enemy planes on the 19th, 25th, and 29th, becoming an ace while still flying Sopwith Triplane No. N5431. Soon afterwards, he was transferred out of No. 2 Wing to No. 10 Naval Squadron on the Western Front
in France.
. He used it to score his sixth triumph on 28 February 1918. He tallied four more wins in March, including a double victory on 24 March, to become a double ace. After one more win, on 9 April, he was wounded in action on the 15th. He would not score again until 9 July 1918. He then notched two victories each on 20 and 24 July. Later in the day of the 24th, he was killed in action by Ludwig Beckmann
.
Mellings's final tally was ten enemy airplanes confirmed destroyed, five driven down out of control, and two unconfirmed victories.
Flt. Sub-Lieut. Harold Thomas Mellings, R.N.A.S.
In recognition of his services on the 19th March, 1917, when he attacked a hostile aeroplane with great gallantry at heights varying from 12,000 to 2,000 feet.
Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in lieu of a second award
Fit. Lieut. Harold Thomas Mellings, D.S:C., R.N.A.S.
For the great skill, judgment and dash displayed by him off Mudros on the 30th September,
1917, in a successful attack on three enemy seaplanes, two of which were brought down in the sea.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (Hon. Capt.) Harold Thomas Mellings, D.S.C. (Sea Patrol).
A very gallant officer who, on a recent patrol, attacked and caused to crash an enemy two-seater. Later, on the same patrol, he was attacked by four Fokkers, one of which he shot down at a range of ten yards; this machine was seen to crash. A second was driven down smoking. Since he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross Captain Mellings has, in addition to the above, accounted for eleven enemy machines—seven destroyed, and four driven down out of control.
The Hellenic Royal Order of the Redeemer awarded on 21 September 1916.
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.
Early life and career
Mellings earned Aviator's Certificate No. 2028 at the Beatty Flying School in Hendon on a CaudronCaudron
The Caudron Airplane Company was a French aircraft company founded in 1909 by brothers Gaston Caudron and René Caudron . It was one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in France and produced planes for the military in both World War I and World War II...
biplane on 11 November 1915.
Service on the Aegean Front
Mellings began his career as a fighter ace on 30 September 1916, when he flew a Bristol ScoutBristol Scout
The Bristol Scout was a simple, single seat, rotary-engined biplane originally intended as a civilian racing aircraft. Like other similar fast, light aircraft of the period - it was acquired by the RNAS and the RFC as a "scout", or fast reconnaissance type...
to victory over an LVG
LVG
Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.The raid on London in 1916 was...
near Smyrna
Smyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
. He sent the observation plane spinning down out of control. It would be exactly a year until victory number two. This second action was a clash between polyglot forces. Mellings was flying a recently rebuilt Sopwith Triplane
Sopwith Triplane
The Sopwith Triplane was a British single seat fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War. Pilots nicknamed it the Tripehound or simply the Tripe. The Triplane became operational with the Royal Naval Air Service in early 1917 and was...
equipped with an extra gun, and was accompanied by John Alcock
John Alcock
John Alcock may refer to:*John Alcock , British Royal Air Force officer*John Alcock , English churchman*John Alcock , English organist and composer...
in 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...
and a third pilot in a Sopwith Pup
Sopwith Pup
The Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
. The opposing Germans were a two-seater observation plane escorted by two Albatros W4
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
s. The ensuing dogfight resulted in Melling shooting away the upper left wing of Walter Kreuger's W4; Kreuger crashed into the Aegean sea. In November, Mellings destroyed enemy planes on the 19th, 25th, and 29th, becoming an ace while still flying Sopwith Triplane No. N5431. Soon afterwards, he was transferred out of No. 2 Wing to No. 10 Naval 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...
in France.
Service on the Western Front
Mellings's new assignment put him in the cockpit of a Sopwith CamelSopwith 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...
. He used it to score his sixth triumph on 28 February 1918. He tallied four more wins in March, including a double victory on 24 March, to become a double ace. After one more win, on 9 April, he was wounded in action on the 15th. He would not score again until 9 July 1918. He then notched two victories each on 20 and 24 July. Later in the day of the 24th, he was killed in action by Ludwig Beckmann
Ludwig Beckmann
Ludwig "Lutz" Beckmann was a German Luftstreitkräfte ace during World War I and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
.
Mellings's final tally was ten enemy airplanes confirmed destroyed, five driven down out of control, and two unconfirmed victories.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)Flt. Sub-Lieut. Harold Thomas Mellings, R.N.A.S.
In recognition of his services on the 19th March, 1917, when he attacked a hostile aeroplane with great gallantry at heights varying from 12,000 to 2,000 feet.
Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in lieu of a second award
Fit. Lieut. Harold Thomas Mellings, D.S:C., R.N.A.S.
For the great skill, judgment and dash displayed by him off Mudros on the 30th September,
1917, in a successful attack on three enemy seaplanes, two of which were brought down in the sea.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (Hon. Capt.) Harold Thomas Mellings, D.S.C. (Sea Patrol).
A very gallant officer who, on a recent patrol, attacked and caused to crash an enemy two-seater. Later, on the same patrol, he was attacked by four Fokkers, one of which he shot down at a range of ten yards; this machine was seen to crash. A second was driven down smoking. Since he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross Captain Mellings has, in addition to the above, accounted for eleven enemy machines—seven destroyed, and four driven down out of control.
The Hellenic Royal Order of the Redeemer awarded on 21 September 1916.