Frederick Powell
Encyclopedia
Major Frederick James Powell was a World War I
flying ace
credited with six confirmed and nine unconfirmed aerial victories.
Powell began his military career with the Manchester Regiment. After being granted Royal Aero Club
Certificate No. 1130 on 2 March 1915, he was posted to 5 Squadron. He staked his first two claims for aerial victories on 19 September 1915 while flying a Vickers Gunbus, one claim being confirmed. After a string of four unconfirmed claims during October and November 1915, he scored number two exactly three months after the first win, on 19 December. He had one more unconfirmed claim while flying the FB.5, on the second day of the new year. He was awarded the Military Cross a week later.
As B Flight Commander, he then flew the first Royal Aircraft Factory FE.8 to go into action in France, No. 7457. He was rather proprietarian about it, supposedly refusing leave time to monopolize flying it on a daily basis. He scored his first win with the new plane on 17 January 1916; by 12 March, he had three unconfirmed wins, and three more triumphs credited to him, including one with Gilbert W. M. Green
serving as his gunner/observer.
He was transferred into 40 Squadron as one of its founding flight commanders; the squadron, formed in February 1916 and sent to France in August of that year, was the first unit to be equipped with the RE.8. On 2 August 1917, he was appointed to command of 41 Squadron. He served in this capacity until 2 February 1918, when he survived being shot down by Max Kuhn of Jasta 10
. He spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war
.
Postwar, Powell was stationed with 28 Squadron in India. He went on to win the Order of the British Empire. In his later years, he lived in Dorset.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
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 six confirmed and nine unconfirmed aerial victories.
Powell began his military career with the Manchester Regiment. After being granted Royal Aero Club
Royal Aero Club
The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls , partly inspired by the Aero Club of France...
Certificate No. 1130 on 2 March 1915, he was posted to 5 Squadron. He staked his first two claims for aerial victories on 19 September 1915 while flying a Vickers Gunbus, one claim being confirmed. After a string of four unconfirmed claims during October and November 1915, he scored number two exactly three months after the first win, on 19 December. He had one more unconfirmed claim while flying the FB.5, on the second day of the new year. He was awarded the Military Cross a week later.
As B Flight Commander, he then flew the first Royal Aircraft Factory FE.8 to go into action in France, No. 7457. He was rather proprietarian about it, supposedly refusing leave time to monopolize flying it on a daily basis. He scored his first win with the new plane on 17 January 1916; by 12 March, he had three unconfirmed wins, and three more triumphs credited to him, including one with Gilbert W. M. Green
Gilbert W. M. Green
Group Captain Gilbert Ware Murlis Green DSO* MC** was a Royal Air Force career officer credited with eight aerial victories. He was a pioneer among fighter aces, and his victories were scored in a variety of theaters and flying environments. He was successful on both the Western Front, in Greece,...
serving as his gunner/observer.
He was transferred into 40 Squadron as one of its founding flight commanders; the squadron, formed in February 1916 and sent to France in August of that year, was the first unit to be equipped with the RE.8. On 2 August 1917, he was appointed to command of 41 Squadron. He served in this capacity until 2 February 1918, when he survived being shot down by Max Kuhn of Jasta 10
Jasta 10
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 10 was a World War I "hunting group" of the Luftstreitkräfte, which was the forerunner to the Luftwaffe. Jasta 10, in its brief existence, was credited with 118 enemy planes and 33 enemy observation balloons destroyed...
. He spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
.
Postwar, Powell was stationed with 28 Squadron in India. He went on to win the Order of the British Empire. In his later years, he lived in Dorset.