Alan Duncan Bell-Irving
Encyclopedia
Air Commodore Alan Duncan Bell-Irving began his military aviation career as a Canadian flying ace
in the Royal Flying Corps
during World War I. He served in the RCAF during World War II.
Bell-Irving was originally assigned as an observer/gunner. He was shot down during September 1915 but escaped unscathed. In December, he was wounded in action. After becoming a pilot, he was assigned to 60 Squadron and shot down his first enemy plane on his twenty-second birthday, 28 August 1916. He was flying a Morane
for 60 Squadron when he destroyed a Roland
reconnaissance plane over Bapaume
. Re-equipped with a Nieuport 17
, he followed up by destroying an observation balloon on 16 September and reeling off five more victories over enemy recon aircraft in the next month, bringing his total to a balloon and five planes destroyed, and one plane driven down out of control. He was shot down again on 21 October 1916, but was unhurt. Being wounded in action on 9 November 1916 removed him from combat. Bell-Irving later served at, then commanded the School of Special Flying at RAF Gosport.
2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Alan Duncan Bell-Irving, Gord. Highrs., Spec. Res. and R.F.C.
For gallantry and skill in attacking a hostile balloon at 1,000 feet under heavy fire and bringing it down in flames. On a previous occasion he brought down a hostile machine.
Military Cross (MC) Bar
2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Alan Duncan Bell-Irving, M.C., Gord. Highrs., S.R. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and skill when escorting a bombing raid. He engaged several enemy machines and drove them off. Afterwards, although his own machine was damaged, he continued to fight against superior numbers of the enemy.
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...
in 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...
during World War I. He served in the RCAF during World War II.
Bell-Irving was originally assigned as an observer/gunner. He was shot down during September 1915 but escaped unscathed. In December, he was wounded in action. After becoming a pilot, he was assigned to 60 Squadron and shot down his first enemy plane on his twenty-second birthday, 28 August 1916. He was flying a Morane
Morane-Saulnier
Aéroplanes Morane-Saulnier is a French aircraft manufacturing company formed in October 1911 by Raymond Saulnier and the Morane brothers, Leon and Robert...
for 60 Squadron when he destroyed a Roland
Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft
Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft, also referred to as LFG, was a German aircraft manufacturer during World War I. They are best known for their various "Roland" designs, notably the Roland C.II and Roland D.VI, although they also produced a number of airships and experimental...
reconnaissance plane over Bapaume
Bapaume
Bapaume is a commune and the seat of a canton in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming and light industrial town located 10 miles south of Arras at the junction of the A1 autoroute and the N17 and N30 national roads its location is...
. Re-equipped with a Nieuport 17
Nieuport 17
|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
, he followed up by destroying an observation balloon on 16 September and reeling off five more victories over enemy recon aircraft in the next month, bringing his total to a balloon and five planes destroyed, and one plane driven down out of control. He was shot down again on 21 October 1916, but was unhurt. Being wounded in action on 9 November 1916 removed him from combat. Bell-Irving later served at, then commanded the School of Special Flying at RAF Gosport.
Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Alan Duncan Bell-Irving, Gord. Highrs., Spec. Res. and R.F.C.
For gallantry and skill in attacking a hostile balloon at 1,000 feet under heavy fire and bringing it down in flames. On a previous occasion he brought down a hostile machine.
Military Cross (MC) Bar
2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Alan Duncan Bell-Irving, M.C., Gord. Highrs., S.R. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and skill when escorting a bombing raid. He engaged several enemy machines and drove them off. Afterwards, although his own machine was damaged, he continued to fight against superior numbers of the enemy.
Reference
- Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1-85532-961-1, 9781855329614.