William Benger
Encyclopedia
Sergeant William Joseph Benger was a World War I flying ace
credited with five aerial victories over German Albatros D.V
fighters.
Rifleman Benger was from Ewell
, Surrey
before military service. He served as an observer/gunner in the Bristol Two-Seater Fighters
of 20 Squadron in 1917. He was injured in action in a crashlanding caused by anti-aaircraft fire on 25 June 1917. He scored his first aerial victory on 25 September 1917, in a win shared with Leslie William Burbidge. Two days later, piloted by William Durrand
, he set an Albatros D.V aflame over Moorslede
. On 3 October, Benger scored an "out of control" victory. Eight days later, he set a D.V afire and drove another one down out of control. On 17 October 1917, William Benger and his pilot, Harry G. E. Luchford were shot down by Theodor Quandt
of Jasta 36. They were prisoners of war for the short time it took them to die of their wounds. William Joseph Benger's final resting place is unknown.
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 over German Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
fighters.
Rifleman Benger was from Ewell
Ewell
Ewell is a village in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, close to the southern boundary of Greater London. It is located 14 miles south-south-west of Charing Cross and forms part of the suburbia that surrounds Greater London. Despite its growing population it is still referred to as a...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
before military service. He served as an observer/gunner in the Bristol Two-Seater Fighters
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...
of 20 Squadron in 1917. He was injured in action in a crashlanding caused by anti-aaircraft fire on 25 June 1917. He scored his first aerial victory on 25 September 1917, in a win shared with Leslie William Burbidge. Two days later, piloted by William Durrand
William Durrand
Lieutenant William Durrand, Jr. was a Canadian flying ace from World War I. He was credited with eight aerial victories.Durrand enlisted in the Canadian military on 11 March 1916...
, he set an Albatros D.V aflame over Moorslede
Moorslede
Moorslede is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Dadizele and Moorslede proper. On 1 January 2006, Moorslede had a total population of 10,618...
. On 3 October, Benger scored an "out of control" victory. Eight days later, he set a D.V afire and drove another one down out of control. On 17 October 1917, William Benger and his pilot, Harry G. E. Luchford were shot down by Theodor Quandt
Theodor Quandt
-World War I flying service:Quant began his victory roll as a balloon buster, setting a pair of observation balloons on fire on 21 May 1917. This string of wins ran until the eighth on 8 November 1917, the seventh being over British aces Arthur Taylor and William Benger. There would almost a ten...
of Jasta 36. They were prisoners of war for the short time it took them to die of their wounds. William Joseph Benger's final resting place is unknown.