Geoffrey Hornblower Cock
Encyclopedia
Captain Geoffrey Hornblower Cock was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was the highest scoring ace to fly the Sopwith 1½ Strutter
.
Cock joined the 28th Battalion of The Artists Rifles Officers Training Corps in December 1915. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
in June 1916. He trained with 25 Squadron until receiving Pilot's Certificate No. 2157 in September; then he was forwarded to 45 Squadron. The unit moved to France on 14 October 1916 to operate Sopwith 1½ Strutters.
Cock's first victories came on 6 April 1917, when he destroyed an Albatros D.III
and drove another down out of control. He then used his two-seater for a string of successful combats lasting through 22 July; he flew with no fewer than seven different observers manning his guns, the most notable of whom was Victor White
. On 22 July, on his 97th combat sortie, he set an Albatros D.V
afire, then was himself shot down by Hauptmann
Wilhelm Reinhard
of Jasta 11
to start Reinhard's career. Cock was the last survivor of the 45 Squadron pilots who had come to France nine months prior. He also survived being shot down, becoming a prisoner of war. His attempt to escape was unsuccessful, and he was not repatriated until December 1918. The final tally of his victories was five Albatros D.Vs destroyed, including one shared with fellow ace William Wright
and his observer Edward Caufield-Kelly, and eight driven down out of control.
Cock remained in the Royal Air Force postwar. He commanded 9 Squadron at RAF Boscombe Down in 1935. He retired in 1943 as a Group Captain
.
Temp 2nd Lt. Geoffrey Hornblower Cock, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On many occasions he showed great courage and determination in attacking and destroying hostile aircraft, and in dispersing hostile troops from a low altitude. His skill as a formation leader has set a fine example to the other pilots of his 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 thirteen aerial victories. He was the highest scoring ace to fly the Sopwith 1½ Strutter
Sopwith 1½ Strutter
The Sopwith 1½ Strutter was a British one or two-seat biplane multi-role aircraft of the First World War. It is significant as the first British-designed two seater tractor fighter, and the first British aircraft to enter service with a synchronised machine gun...
.
Cock joined the 28th Battalion of The Artists Rifles Officers Training Corps in December 1915. He transferred to 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...
in June 1916. He trained with 25 Squadron until receiving Pilot's Certificate No. 2157 in September; then he was forwarded to 45 Squadron. The unit moved to France on 14 October 1916 to operate Sopwith 1½ Strutters.
Cock's first victories came on 6 April 1917, when he destroyed an Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
and drove another down out of control. He then used his two-seater for a string of successful combats lasting through 22 July; he flew with no fewer than seven different observers manning his guns, the most notable of whom was Victor White
Victor White (aviator)
Lieutenant Victor Rodney Stokes White was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...
. On 22 July, on his 97th combat sortie, he set an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
afire, then was himself shot down by Hauptmann
Hauptmann
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
Wilhelm Reinhard
Wilhelm Reinhard
Wilhelm "Willi" Reinhard was a German pilot during World War I. Reinhard was born in Düsseldorf and became a flying ace during the war, credited with 20 victories....
of Jasta 11
Jasta 11
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 11 was founded on 28 September 1916 from elements of 4 armee's Keks 1, 2 and 3 and mobilized on 11 October as part of the German Air Service's expansion program, forming permanent specialised fighter squadrons, or "Jastas"...
to start Reinhard's career. Cock was the last survivor of the 45 Squadron pilots who had come to France nine months prior. He also survived being shot down, becoming a prisoner of war. His attempt to escape was unsuccessful, and he was not repatriated until December 1918. The final tally of his victories was five Albatros D.Vs destroyed, including one shared with fellow ace William Wright
William Wright (aviator)
Captain William Alan Wright was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-References:...
and his observer Edward Caufield-Kelly, and eight driven down out of control.
Cock remained in the Royal Air Force postwar. He commanded 9 Squadron at RAF Boscombe Down in 1935. He retired in 1943 as a Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
.
Honors and awards
Text of the citation for Military Cross (MC)Temp 2nd Lt. Geoffrey Hornblower Cock, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On many occasions he showed great courage and determination in attacking and destroying hostile aircraft, and in dispersing hostile troops from a low altitude. His skill as a formation leader has set a fine example to the other pilots of his squadron.