Keith Caldwell
Encyclopedia
Air Commodore
Keith Logan "Grid" Caldwell CBE
, MC
, DFC & Bar
(16 October 1895 – 28 November 1980) was a New Zealand
fighter ace
of the Royal Flying Corps
in World War I
who also rose to the rank of Air Commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force
during World War II
.
, the son of David Robert Caldwell and his wife Mary Dunlop née McKerrow, Caldwell moved with his family to Auckland
as a child, where his father started a manufacturing and importing company. He was educated at King's College, Auckland
and Wanganui Collegiate School
. A tall slim man, noted for his grey eyes, Caldwell was also sporting minded, enjoying success at golf and tennis. After leaving school, on the eve of war, he worked as a bank clerk.
On the outbreak of war in 1914 Caldwell joined the territorial army, but when he attempted to enlist in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
destined for Gallipoli
he was declined. He paid £100 to join the first class at the New Zealand Flying School
in October 1915, where he learned to fly on the Walsh Brothers Flying Boats
. He referred to aircraft as "grids", or bicycles, a habit which earned him his nickname. A quick learner, he passed his flight tests in December 1915.
Caldwell sailed for England
in January 1916, being commissioned by the RFC in April. On 29 July 1916 he was posted to No. 8 Squadron RFC flying BE2
Cs and Ds on observation duty. On 18 September 1916, flying a BE2D, he and his observer shot down a Roland CII
.
fighters. In February 1917 he was promoted to Captain. By September when the unit converted to SE5As
Caldwell had scored further victories, all against Albatros scouts. He received the Military Cross on 17 September, by which time he had added his first victory in an SE5A. The citation read; "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when leading offensive patrols. On one occasion he led a patrol of five machines against twelve hostile aircraft, all of which he drove down out of control. He has personally destroyed five hostile machines, and has had over fifty contests in the air, in all of which he has displayed splendid skill and fearlessness, and has set an excellent example to his squadron."
In October 1917 he was posted back to England as an instructor.
In March 1918 he was promoted to Major and given command of 74 “Tiger” squadron equipped with the SE5A, which he took to France on 30 March. Under Caldwell's guidance the squadron claimed a creditable 140 aircraft destroyed and 85 'out of control' in the remaining eight months of the war, for a modest 15 pilots killed or prisoner. Caldwell fought his last combat on 30 October 1918, claiming his 9th Fokker D.VII
. Altogether he is credited with 11 aircraft destroyed, 2 shared destroyed, 1 shared captured, and 10 and 1 shared 'out of control'.. Virtually all of his victims were single-seat scouts. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in December 1918, the citation being "A fine fighting airman of courage and determination. On 4th September, when on offensive patrol, he, in company with another machine, attacked four Fokker biplanes; one of these was driven down by this officer. He has accounted for five enemy machines."
Although never shot down, he once survived a mid air collision with his 74 Sqn colleague Sydney Carlin, nursing his crippled aircraft to ground level before climbing out of the cockpit and jumping clear as it crashed. Caldwell fought inconclusive dogfights with German Aces Werner Voss
and Herman Becker. A natural pilot with excellent eyesight and a talent for finding enemy aircraft, Caldwell's weakness was that, as a poor shot, he frequently was unable to destroy the aircraft he engaged—a flaw that stopped him joining the ranks of top Allied aces in which he moved. He knew James McCudden
, flew with Albert Ball
in 60 Squadron and commanded Mick Mannock in 74 squadron.
A common story is that while an instructor, Caldwell disciplined Mannock for showboating in a DH2
—and then chose the talented pilot for his squadron. This appears chronologically implausible, although Caldwell obviously admired Mannock and may have hand-picked him. Caldwell also criticised Mannock for shooting two German airmen who had crash landed behind Allied lines. He wrote: The Hun crashed but not badly, and most people would have been content with this—but not Mick Mannock. He dived half a dozen times at the machine, spraying bullets at the pilot and observer, who were still showing signs of life…. On being questioned as to his wild behaviour after we had landed, he heatedly replied, "The swines are better dead—no prisoners for me!".
. On 16 May 1923 he married Dorothy Helen Gordon, (the sister of ace Frederick Gordon), and had two daughters and two sons.
Caldwell maintained his interest in aviation, being a founding member and first club captain of the Auckland Aero Club, and commanding the part time territorial division of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (renamed the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1934) from 1930 to 1937 .
near Blenheim
and later Wigram
at Christchurch
, before being posted to India
in 1944 and England in 1945, where he was promoted to acting Air Commodore, achieving full rank in 1946. Caldwell was awarded a bar to his DFC, and in addition to his MC was twice mentioned in despatches and received the Croix de Guerre
from Belgium
. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Keith Logan "Grid" Caldwell CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, DFC & Bar
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(16 October 1895 – 28 November 1980) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
fighter 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 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...
in 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...
who also rose to the rank of Air Commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Early life
Born in WellingtonWellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, the son of David Robert Caldwell and his wife Mary Dunlop née McKerrow, Caldwell moved with his family to Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
as a child, where his father started a manufacturing and importing company. He was educated at King's College, Auckland
King's College, Auckland
King's College is an independent secondary school in New Zealand. It was originally a boys-only school but now also admits girls in the sixth and seventh forms . The school has strong links to the Anglican church; the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, and the Dean of Auckland are permanent members of...
and Wanganui Collegiate School
Wanganui Collegiate School
Wanganui Collegiate School is an independent, coeducational, day and boarding secondary school in Wanganui, New Zealand. The school is affiliated to the Anglican church.-About:...
. A tall slim man, noted for his grey eyes, Caldwell was also sporting minded, enjoying success at golf and tennis. After leaving school, on the eve of war, he worked as a bank clerk.
World War I
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain during World War I and World War II. Ultimately, the NZEF of World War I was known as the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force...
destined for Gallipoli
Gallipoli
The Gallipoli peninsula is located in Turkish Thrace , the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles straits to the east. Gallipoli derives its name from the Greek "Καλλίπολις" , meaning "Beautiful City"...
he was declined. He paid £100 to join the first class at the New Zealand Flying School
New Zealand Flying School
The New Zealand Flying School was formed in 1915, by the Walsh Brothers, Leo and Vivian, to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps. The school flew a fleet of home-built and imported flying boats from Mission Bay on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, near where a sculpture now stands to commemorate...
in October 1915, where he learned to fly on the Walsh Brothers Flying Boats
Walsh Brothers Flying Boats
The Walsh Brothers Flying boats were World War I pilot training aircraft from New Zealand.-Walsh Brothers:Brothers Leo and Vivian Walsh built and flew a Howard Wright biplane in 1910 and flew it on 5 February 1911...
. He referred to aircraft as "grids", or bicycles, a habit which earned him his nickname. A quick learner, he passed his flight tests in December 1915.
Caldwell sailed for England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in January 1916, being commissioned by the RFC in April. On 29 July 1916 he was posted to No. 8 Squadron RFC flying BE2
Be2
The online matchmaking company be2 is one of the leading matchmakers worldwide. Internationally, be2 is represented in 37 countries..-History:...
Cs and Ds on observation duty. On 18 September 1916, flying a BE2D, he and his observer shot down a Roland CII
LFG Roland C.II
-Armament:A centrally mounted synchronized Spandau 7.92mm gun was provided for the pilot on later models. The observer had a Parabellum gun on a ring mounting...
.
No. 60 Squadron RFC
In November he transferred to 60 squadron flying Nieuport 17Nieuport 17
|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
fighters. In February 1917 he was promoted to Captain. By September when the unit converted to SE5As
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. Although the first examples reached the Western Front before the Sopwith Camel and it had a much better overall performance, problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S...
Caldwell had scored further victories, all against Albatros scouts. He received the Military Cross on 17 September, by which time he had added his first victory in an SE5A. The citation read; "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when leading offensive patrols. On one occasion he led a patrol of five machines against twelve hostile aircraft, all of which he drove down out of control. He has personally destroyed five hostile machines, and has had over fifty contests in the air, in all of which he has displayed splendid skill and fearlessness, and has set an excellent example to his squadron."
In October 1917 he was posted back to England as an instructor.
No. 74 Squadron RAF
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
. Altogether he is credited with 11 aircraft destroyed, 2 shared destroyed, 1 shared captured, and 10 and 1 shared 'out of control'.. Virtually all of his victims were single-seat scouts. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in December 1918, the citation being "A fine fighting airman of courage and determination. On 4th September, when on offensive patrol, he, in company with another machine, attacked four Fokker biplanes; one of these was driven down by this officer. He has accounted for five enemy machines."
Although never shot down, he once survived a mid air collision with his 74 Sqn colleague Sydney Carlin, nursing his crippled aircraft to ground level before climbing out of the cockpit and jumping clear as it crashed. Caldwell fought inconclusive dogfights with German Aces Werner Voss
Werner Voss
Werner Voss was a World War I German flying ace, a friend and rival of the famous Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen....
and Herman Becker. A natural pilot with excellent eyesight and a talent for finding enemy aircraft, Caldwell's weakness was that, as a poor shot, he frequently was unable to destroy the aircraft he engaged—a flaw that stopped him joining the ranks of top Allied aces in which he moved. He knew James McCudden
James McCudden
James Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, flew with Albert Ball
Albert Ball
Albert Ball VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC was an English fighter pilot of the First World War and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British or Commonwealth armed forces...
in 60 Squadron and commanded Mick Mannock in 74 squadron.
A common story is that while an instructor, Caldwell disciplined Mannock for showboating in a DH2
Airco DH.2
|-DH.2 aces:Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker , who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10...
—and then chose the talented pilot for his squadron. This appears chronologically implausible, although Caldwell obviously admired Mannock and may have hand-picked him. Caldwell also criticised Mannock for shooting two German airmen who had crash landed behind Allied lines. He wrote: The Hun crashed but not badly, and most people would have been content with this—but not Mick Mannock. He dived half a dozen times at the machine, spraying bullets at the pilot and observer, who were still showing signs of life…. On being questioned as to his wild behaviour after we had landed, he heatedly replied, "The swines are better dead—no prisoners for me!".
Post War life
Transferred to the Unemployed List of the RAF on 17 July 1919, Caldwell returned to New Zealand in August 1919. After a year working for his father he bought a farm at Glen Murray in the WaikatoWaikato
The Waikato Region is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupo District, and parts of Rotorua District...
. On 16 May 1923 he married Dorothy Helen Gordon, (the sister of ace Frederick Gordon), and had two daughters and two sons.
Caldwell maintained his interest in aviation, being a founding member and first club captain of the Auckland Aero Club, and commanding the part time territorial division of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (renamed the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1934) from 1930 to 1937 .
World War II
During the Second World War he served in the RNZAF, as station commander at WoodbourneRNZAF Base Woodbourne
RNZAF Base Woodbourne is a base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, located 8 km west of Blenheim.Woodbourne was established in 1939 as the base for No. 2 Service Flying Training School . Also located nearby during WWII were the ground training camps of the Delta. In 1942-43, Nos 16 and 18...
near Blenheim
Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim is the most populous town in the region of Marlborough, in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the regional council. It has a population of The area which surrounds the town is well known as a centre of New Zealand's wine industry...
and later Wigram
Wigram
Wigram is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. Technically called Wigram Park, the second half of its name is rarely if ever heard. The suburb lies close to the industrial estates of Sockburn and the satellite retail and residential zone of Hornby...
at Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, before being posted to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1944 and England in 1945, where he was promoted to acting Air Commodore, achieving full rank in 1946. Caldwell was awarded a bar to his DFC, and in addition to his MC was twice mentioned in despatches and received the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
from Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Later life
Caldwell retired from the RNZAF in 1956. After the war he farmed in the South Auckland area, retiring to live in Auckland in 1970. He died of cancer at Auckland on 28 November 1980.External links
- http://www.nzfpm.co.nz/aces/caldwell.htmNew Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum, WanakaWanakaWanaka is a town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka, adjacent to the outflow of the lake to the Clutha River. It is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Wanaka is primarily a resort town but has both summer and winter...
]. - Biography
- Dictionary of New Zealand Biography