Harry Robinson (aviator)

Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson
Born 25 December 1898
West Hartlepool, Durham, England
Died Late 1923 or afterwards
Allegiance England
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Captain
Unit No. 46 Squadron RAF, No. 70 Squadron RAF
Awards Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, French Croix de guerre
Other work Remained in Royal Air Force postwar

Captain Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson was a World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. After winning the Military Cross and Croix de guerre, he remained in service postwar, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross in Iraq.

World War I

Robinson joined the Royal Flying Corps in March 1917. He was posted to 46 Squadron, and began his combat career with ground attack missions in France. It would be 28 December before he scored his first victory, being responsible for capturing a German reconnaissance plane.[1]

After scoring six more victories during four days in March,[2] on 28 March 1918 temporary second lieutenant H. N. C. Robinson was appointed a Flight Commander, with an accompanying promotion to temporary captain.[3] He was also awarded the Military Cross that day.[4] His MC was gazetted on 3 May 1918:

...While on an offensive patrol he had trouble with his petrol pressure and was forced to turn back towards our lines. On his way back he saw seven enemy scouts attacking two of our artillery machines. He immediately dived on to the enemy and drove one of them down. During this operation one of his guns jammed. The enemy still continued the attack and he again dived on them, but his remaining gun also jammed. Though both his guns were out of action and he had very little petrol left, he continued to dive on the enemy repeatedly and eventually drove them away. He showed splendid courage and resource.[5]

He scored two more victories as a Flight Commander after being reassigned to 70 Squadron.[6]

Post World War I

Robinson remained in the Royal Air Force after the war, and was one of the fliers posted to maintain control in Iraq. For his actions there, on 28 October 1921, Robinson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross:

...A gallant and daring pilot, especially while operating round Samawah and Nasiriyeh. His keenness at all times has been marked.[7]

On 24 October 1923, Robinson was granted a permanent commission as a Flying Officer.[8] After that, he disappears into the mists of time.

List of aerial victories

All but the last two victories were won while with 46 Squadron; the remainder were won while with 70 Squadron.

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 28 December 1917 @ 1200 hours Sopwith Camel fighter serial number B2429 German reconnaissance plane Captured West of Havrincourt, France
2 11 March 1918 @ 1645 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B5425 Albatros D.V fighter Driven down out of control Dury, France
3 21 March 1918 @ 1200 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B9158 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Map grid 57C E20
4 22 March 1918 @ 1730 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B9158 Albatros reconnaissance plane Destroyed Hendecourt, France
5 22 March 1918 @ 1800 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B9158 LVG reconnaissance plane Driven down out of control Bullecourt, France
6 23 March 1918 @ 1000 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B5425 LVG reconnaissance plane Destroyed Vaulx, France
7 23 March 1918 @ 1005 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B5425 LVG reconnaissance plane Driven down out of control Vaulx, France
8 24 March 1918 @ 1600 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B5425 Albatros reconnaissance plane Destroyed Sailly-Saillisel, France
9 6 April 1918 @ 1545 hours Sopwith Camel s/n C8217 Albatros reconnaissance plane Driven down out of control Bray
10 15 May 1918 @ 0700 hours Sopwith Camel s/n C8217 Pfalz D.III fighter Driven down out of control Map grid 57D R4 [9]

See also

Aerial victory standards of World War I

Endnotes

  1. ↑ http://members.megapipe.net/droops/rfc46/hncrob.html Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  2. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/robinson2.php Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  3. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 17 April 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30634/supplements/4628 T./2nd Lt. Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson, Gen. List and R.F.C. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  4. ↑ http://members.megapipe.net/droops/rfc46/hncrob.html Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  5. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 13 May 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30681/supplements/5702; http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30681/supplements/5703 Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  6. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/robinson2.php Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  7. ↑ (Flight, 3 November 1921) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1921/1921%20-%200712.html Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  8. ↑ (The London Gazette, 23 October 1923) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32873/pages/7118 Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  9. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/robinson2.php Retrieved 10 June 2011.