Alexander Beck
Encyclopedia
Captain Alexander Beck was an Anglo-Argentinian aviator during World War I. He was an underage enlistee who went on to become a flying ace
credited with 11 official aerial victories.
. He was anxious enough to serve in British uniform that he fibbed his way into the Royal Flying Corps
while still underage. As he was born on 3 November 1899, his graduation from pilot training in July 1917 saw him pitched into battle before his "legal" 18th birthday.
A. Beck was appointed a Flying Officer
in the Royal Flying Corps
. His seniority of rank was then back-dated to 1 June 1916. He then flew 13 combat patrols with 60 Squadron before his parents apprised the RFC of his true age. Once it was known he was younger than 18 years old, he was withdrawn from both combat duty and France.
He returned to 60 Squadron in March 1918, and scored his first win in August; flying a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a, he destroyed a German Fokker D.VII
fighter plane on the 8th. He followed this up by destroying a Hannover reconnaissance plane over Riencourt
in the early morning of 14 August, and an Albatros over Guemappe
in mid-morning. On 31 August, he shared in the destruction of an LVG
two-seater recon plane over Inchy
.
On 28 September 1918, he destroyed another LVG two-seater over Cambrai
to become an ace. Then, in October 1918, he scored five more times: a Fokker D.VII out of control over Esnes
on the 3rd; an LVG captured at Bohain-en-Vermandois
on the 9th; a Halberstadt
recon plane captured on the 22nd at Orvillers-Sorel
; a share in an LVG destroyed over Le Quesnoy
on the 26th; another Fokker D.VII out of control over Mormal on the 29th.
On 1 November, he helped shoot down a Fokker D.VII over Mormal Woods
for his and his squadron's final victory.
, gazetted 3 December 1918. The accompanying award citation read:
A bold and skilful leader, who has himself shot down four enemy aeroplanes. His personal courage and able leadership have had a marked influence in maintaining the efficiency of the squadron.
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 11 official aerial victories.
Early life
Beck's parents had emigrated to Argentina from CumbriaCumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
. He was anxious enough to serve in British uniform that he fibbed his way into 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...
while still underage. As he was born on 3 November 1899, his graduation from pilot training in July 1917 saw him pitched into battle before his "legal" 18th birthday.
World War I
On 21 June 1917 temporary Second LieutenantSecond Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
A. Beck was appointed a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
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...
. His seniority of rank was then back-dated to 1 June 1916. He then flew 13 combat patrols with 60 Squadron before his parents apprised the RFC of his true age. Once it was known he was younger than 18 years old, he was withdrawn from both combat duty and France.
He returned to 60 Squadron in March 1918, and scored his first win in August; flying a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a, he destroyed a German Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
fighter plane on the 8th. He followed this up by destroying a Hannover reconnaissance plane over Riencourt
Riencourt
Riencourt is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Riencourt is situated northwest of Amiens, on the D121 and D69 crossroads.-Population:-External links:*...
in the early morning of 14 August, and an Albatros over Guemappe
Guémappe
Guémappe is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A small farming village situated southeast of Arras, at the junction of the D34 and the D38 roads.-History:...
in mid-morning. On 31 August, he shared in the destruction of an LVG
LVG
Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.The raid on London in 1916 was...
two-seater recon plane over Inchy
Inchy
Inchy is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
.
On 28 September 1918, he destroyed another LVG two-seater over Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
to become an ace. Then, in October 1918, he scored five more times: a Fokker D.VII out of control over Esnes
Esnes
-References:*...
on the 3rd; an LVG captured at Bohain-en-Vermandois
Bohain-en-Vermandois
Bohain-en-Vermandois is a commune in the department of Aisne in Picardy in northern France.It is the place where the painter Henri Matisse grew up.-History:...
on the 9th; a Halberstadt
Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke
Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke or Halberstadt was a German aircraft manufacturer. It was formed in April 1912 as a British-German joint venture under the name German Bristol works Flugzeuggesellschaft mbH in Halberstadt. Initially the plant produced Bristol Boxkites and Bristol Prier monoplanes, but...
recon plane captured on the 22nd at Orvillers-Sorel
Orvillers-Sorel
Orvillers-Sorel is a small village in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise....
; a share in an LVG destroyed over Le Quesnoy
Le Quesnoy
Le Quesnoy is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.Le Quesnoy's inhabitants are known as Quercitains.- Economy :The town of Le Quesnoy has somehow missed much of the Industrial Revolution. Unlike the neighboring towns of Valenciennes or Maubeuge, iron/steel works did not take hold...
on the 26th; another Fokker D.VII out of control over Mormal on the 29th.
On 1 November, he helped shoot down a Fokker D.VII over Mormal Woods
Forêt de Mormal
The Forêt de Mormal is a forest in France, near the Franco-Belgian border. It is best known to the British for its role in the retreat from Mons in August 1914. Its lack of passable roads forced I and II Corps of the British army to divide and the two corps did not reunite for some days.- External...
for his and his squadron's final victory.
Post World War I
He won a Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, gazetted 3 December 1918. The accompanying award citation read:
A bold and skilful leader, who has himself shot down four enemy aeroplanes. His personal courage and able leadership have had a marked influence in maintaining the efficiency of the squadron.