James McKinley Hargreaves
Encyclopedia
Sergeant James McKinley Hargreaves was a Scottish World War I flying ace
. Despite being an observer, he became one of the first flying aces in history because he flew with Lionel Rees
, VC
.
Hargreaves was assigned to the first British flying squadron to be equipped with a purpose-built fighter aircraft, the pusher
Vickers Gunbus. The squadron arrived in France on 25 July 1915, at approximately the time Adolphe Pegoud
became the first ace in history. Three days later, Hargreaves scored his first aerial victory while teamed with Rees in Gunbus Serial No. 1649, driving a Fokker Eindekker down out of control. On 31 August, they destroyed an LVG
two-seater reconnaissance plane. Hargreaves' third victory came on 21 September, when he drove down an AGO reconnaissance airplane over Herbecourt
. The next day, he repeated, driving down an Albatros two-seater southeast of Albert
. On the 30th, they forced down another Albatros, this one from the German artillery cooperation squadron, FFA23. The dying crew crashlanded behind British lines, and the aircraft captured. Hargreaves was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his valor, and Rees the Military Cross.
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...
. Despite being an observer, he became one of the first flying aces in history because he flew with Lionel Rees
Lionel Rees
Group Captain Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees VC OBE MC AFC RAF was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
Hargreaves was assigned to the first British flying squadron to be equipped with a purpose-built fighter aircraft, the pusher
Pusher configuration
In a craft with a pusher configuration the propeller are mounted behind their respective engine. According to Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind engine so that drive shaft is in compression...
Vickers Gunbus. The squadron arrived in France on 25 July 1915, at approximately the time Adolphe Pegoud
Adolphe Pegoud
Adolphe Célestin Pégoud was a well known pre-war French aviator who became the first fighter ace.Pégoud served in the French Army from 1907 to 1913...
became the first ace in history. Three days later, Hargreaves scored his first aerial victory while teamed with Rees in Gunbus Serial No. 1649, driving a Fokker Eindekker down out of control. On 31 August, they destroyed 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...
two-seater reconnaissance plane. Hargreaves' third victory came on 21 September, when he drove down an AGO reconnaissance airplane over Herbecourt
Herbécourt
Herbécourt is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:The commune is situated on the D1 road, some northwest of Saint-Quentin, alongside the A1 autoroute.-Population:-External links:*...
. The next day, he repeated, driving down an Albatros two-seater southeast of Albert
Albert
Albert may refer to:* Albert , a family name * Albert * Albertet, an Occitan diminutive of AlbertFictional characters:* Albert , minor character in Dario Argento's 1977 film Suspiria...
. On the 30th, they forced down another Albatros, this one from the German artillery cooperation squadron, FFA23. The dying crew crashlanded behind British lines, and the aircraft captured. Hargreaves was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his valor, and Rees the Military Cross.