Harold Day (aviator)

Harold Day
Born 17 April 1897
Abergavenny
Died 5 February 1918
Vicinity of Harnes
St. Mary's A.D.S Cemetery Haisnes, Pas de Calais, France
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Flight Sub-Lieutenant
Unit No. 10 Squadron RNAS, No. 8 Squadron RNAS
Awards Distinguished Service Cross

Flight Sub-Lieutenant Harold Day (17 April 1897–5 February 1918), DSC was a Welsh-born World War I flying ace credited with 11 confirmed aerial victories.[1]

Contents

World War I

Harold Day originally served as a Sopwith Triplane pilot for 10 Naval Squadron. He scored his first aerial victory with them, sending an Albatros D.V down out of control on 12 August 1917. He then switched to 8 Naval Squadron and a Sopwith Camel for his remaining ten victories. During December 1917, he teamed with Guy William Price to drive down DFW two-seater reconnaissance planes on three different days. Fighting solo, Day destroyed one enemy plane and drove down three others during January 1918. On 2 February 1918, he joined Robert J. O. Compston and three other RNAS pilots in destroying a German recon plane, and in driving down an Albatros D.V later in the day. On 5 February, he joined three other RNAS pilots in destroying a reconnaissance machine; that brought his total to one enemy plane destroyed solo, two more shared, and eight driven down out of control. He then dived on another German plane.[2] Day's Camel came to pieces during the dive, plummeting him to his death.[3] Günther Schuster of Jasta 29 was credited with the victory over Day.[4]

Day was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, which was gazetted 22 February 1918.[5]

Reference

Honors and awards

Text of citation accompanying award of the Distinguished Service Cross

Fit. Sub-Lieut. Harold Day, R.N.A.S.

In recognition of the skill and determination shown by him in aerial combats, in the course of which he has done much to stop enemy artillery machines from working. On the 6th January, 1918, he observed a new type enemy aeroplane. He immediately dived to attack, and after a short combat the enemy machine went down very steeply, and was seen to crash. On several other occasions he has brought down enemy machines out of control.[6]

Endnotes

  1. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/wales/day1.php Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  2. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/wales/day1.php Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  3. ^ Franks, page 23
  4. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/wales/day1.php Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  5. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 February 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30536/supplements/2305 Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  6. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 February 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30536/supplements/2305 Retrieved 13 February 2011.
People and aircraft
Campaigns and battles
Entente Powers air services
Central Powers air services