Sydney Philip Smith (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Captain Sydney Philip Smith was a World War I flying ace
credited with five aerial victories.
Smith served with the Wessex Division Training until he was posted to the Royal Flying Corps
in early 1916. He qualified as a pilot in June; by December, he was a captain flying a Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2d in 6 Squadron. Despite piloting a grossly obsolescent two-seater reconnaissance plane, Smith scored his first victory on 17 March 1917, destroying a German Albatros D.II
fighter. After a transfer to 46 Squadron and a Sopwith Camel
, he shared a pair of wins on 16 March 1918, being aided by George Thomson
. After another triumph on 24 March, he shared his final victory on 2 April with Donald MacLaren
, Roy McConnell
, and two other pilots. Four days later, he fell under the guns of Manfred von Richthofen
. The Red Baron's combat report read, "...The English plane which I attacked started to burn after only a few shots from my guns. Then it crashed, burning near the little wood northeast of Villers Bretonneux
, where it continued burning on the ground."
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.
Smith served with the Wessex Division Training until he was posted 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...
in early 1916. He qualified as a pilot in June; by December, he was a captain flying a Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2d in 6 Squadron. Despite piloting a grossly obsolescent two-seater reconnaissance plane, Smith scored his first victory on 17 March 1917, destroying a German Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
fighter. After a transfer to 46 Squadron and 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...
, he shared a pair of wins on 16 March 1918, being aided by George Thomson
George Thomson
George Thomson , born at Limekilns, Fife, Scotland, was a noted collector of the music of Scotland, a music publisher, and a friend of Robert Burns. He was clerk to the Board of Trustees in Edinburgh for sixty years...
. After another triumph on 24 March, he shared his final victory on 2 April with Donald MacLaren
Donald MacLaren
Donald Roderick MacLaren DSO, MC & Bar, DFC was a Canadian World War I flying ace. He was credited with 54 victories and, after the war, helped found the Royal Canadian Air Force....
, Roy McConnell
Roy McConnell
Roy McConnell was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .-External links:*-References:**...
, and two other pilots. Four days later, he fell under the guns of Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
. The Red Baron's combat report read, "...The English plane which I attacked started to burn after only a few shots from my guns. Then it crashed, burning near the little wood northeast of Villers Bretonneux
Villers-Bretonneux
Villers-Bretonneux is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Villers-Bretonneux is situated some 19 km due east of Amiens, on the D1029 road and the A29 motorway.-History - World War I:...
, where it continued burning on the ground."