Edwin Benbow

Captain Edwin Louis Benbow MC (10 December 1895 – 30 May 1918) was an English flying ace during the First World War, credited with eight victories, comprising six destroyed and one shared destroyed, and one 'out of control'. He was the only pilot to gain 'ace' status flying the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.8 exclusively. His aerial encounters with German leading ace Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron, were renowned.^[1]

Wartime career

Benbow joined the Royal Field Artillery in February 1915, and served for a year^[2] being commissioned a second lieutenant on 27 May 1915.^[3] He was appointed to be a flying officer (observer), effective 10 March 1916, before being seconded to the Royal Flying Corps on 15 April 1916.^[4] He served his first eight months in aviation as an observer/gunner. He then trained as a pilot,^[2] was appointed a flying officer on 7 July 1916,^[5] and was assigned to 40 Squadron as an FE.8 pilot. He achieved all his successes while with this squadron; on 20 October 1916, using FE.8, Serial No. 7627, he destroyed an Albatros D.II for his first win. Two days later he set a German two-seater afire over Vimy.^[2]

On 16 November 1916 Benbow shot down an Albatros two-seater. On 4 December he downed another Albatros D.II. On the 20th, he felled another Albatros two-seater; Benbow thus became the only FE.8 ace, and No. 7627 the only FE.8 to be involved in the shooting down of five or more enemy aircraft.

On the early afternoon of 23 January 1917, Benbow was in the midst of a dogfight when his gun jammed. While clearing his weapon, he evaded a head-on assault by the Red Baron, who went on to down Benbow's squadron comrade Lt. J. Hay for Jasta 11's first victory.^[2] Benbow did not succeed in returning to the attack on that occasion, but on 14 February using FE.8 Serial No. A4871, he destroyed another Albatros D.II. His seventh win came the following day, with Benbow's only "out of control" victory.^[6]

On 6 March, Benbow and the Red Baron clashed again.^[7] Nine F.E.8s of 40 Squadron clashed with five Jasta 11 aircraft led by Richthofen. While Richthofen was attacking a Sopwith 1½ Strutter, Benbow attacked him. Richthofen's plane dropped out of combat and force landed near Hénin-Liétard with a damaged engine, spraying fuel from holed tanks, and seemingly on fire, for Benbow's eighth victory (although Richthofen survived).^[7] On 12 March, 40 Squadron—including "Lobo" Benbow"—began the transition to Nieuport. A week later, Benbow was wounded in action by anti-aircraft shrapnel and removed from action.^[8]

Benbow would serve as an instructor in his time away from the front. He was appointed a Flight Commander with the concomitant rank of Temporary Captain on 31 March 1917,^[9] and posted to Billy Bishop's No. 85 Squadron in May 1918. On the 30th while piloting Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a, Serial No.C1861, he was shot down and killed by Hans-Eberhardt Gandert of Jasta 51.^[10]

Honours and awards

Military Cross

2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Edwin Louis Benbow, Royal Field Artillery and Royal Flying Corps.

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He has on several occasions displayed great courage and skill, and has destroyed four enemy machines under difficult conditions.^[11]

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Guttman, Jon; Dempsey, Harry (2009). Pusher Aces of World War I. Osprey Pub. Co. ISBN 978-1-84603-417-6. 

External links

• "Edwin Louis Benbow". theaerodrome.com. 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014. 
• Sapsed, Brian (2010). "Abbotsbury War Memorial, Dorset". Roll of Honour. Retrieved 26 August 2014.