Norman Roberts
Encyclopedia
Colonel Norman Roberts (born 1896, date of death unknown) was a World War I
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories.
Roberts flew a Bristol F.2 Fighter
for 48 Squadron. He scored five victories against first-line German fighters between 12 March and 27 June 1918. His final tally was two Fokker D.VII
s and a Fokker Dr. 1 triplane destroyed, and two triplanes driven down out of control.
Col. Norman Roberts.
This officer has destroyed three enemy machines and driven down two others out of control. He has also distinguished himself in attacking troops at low altitudes, and has carried out valuable reconnaissance service. Detailed to make a reconnaissance of an important area, he realised, on crossing our lines, that the wind was almost at hurricane strength, and that in face of such a wind his return journey would only be accomplished with extreme difficulty. However, knowing the urgency of his mission, he completed his reconnaissance, penetrating 12 miles behind the enemy lines. On the return journey, owing to the strength of the gale, he was forced to descend to a very low altitude, and was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire, which badly damaged his machine.
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...
flying 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...
credited with five aerial victories.
Roberts flew a Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
for 48 Squadron. He scored five victories against first-line German fighters between 12 March and 27 June 1918. His final tally was two Fokker D.VII
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...
s and a Fokker Dr. 1 triplane destroyed, and two triplanes driven down out of control.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Col. Norman Roberts.
This officer has destroyed three enemy machines and driven down two others out of control. He has also distinguished himself in attacking troops at low altitudes, and has carried out valuable reconnaissance service. Detailed to make a reconnaissance of an important area, he realised, on crossing our lines, that the wind was almost at hurricane strength, and that in face of such a wind his return journey would only be accomplished with extreme difficulty. However, knowing the urgency of his mission, he completed his reconnaissance, penetrating 12 miles behind the enemy lines. On the return journey, owing to the strength of the gale, he was forced to descend to a very low altitude, and was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire, which badly damaged his machine.