Giles Blennerhasset
Encyclopedia
Second Lieutenant Giles Noble Blennerhasset was a World War I
flying ace
credited with eight aerial victories.
Blennerhasset served originally in the Irish Rifles
before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
on 24 March 1916. On the last day of the year, he was posted to 18 Squadron as an observer/gunner. On 4 February 1917, while manning the guns for fellow ace Robert Farquhar, he drove a German Albatros D.II
down out of control north of Le Sars
. Two months later, on 5 April, while flying with Victor Huston
, he drove down two more D.IIs at Inchy
. He shared in the destruction of a fourth D.II the following day. Ten days later, he forced another D.II down out of control to become an ace. On 3 May 1917, he drove down an Albatros D.III
into Bourlon Wood. Twenty days later, he destroyed a D.III and drove another out of control. The young Irishman was posted to Home Establishment on 19 July 1917, and received the Military Cross a week later.
He subsequently qualified as a pilot, being appointed a Flying Officer
on 24 October 1919. As a pilot, he served in a number of squadrons. After postwar service in India, Blennerhasset resigned his commission on 22 January 1922.
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 eight aerial victories.
Blennerhasset served originally in the Irish Rifles
Royal Ulster Rifles
The Royal Ulster Rifles was a British Army infantry regiment. It saw service in the Second Boer War, Great War, the Second World War and the Korean War, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968.-History:...
before transferring 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...
on 24 March 1916. On the last day of the year, he was posted to 18 Squadron as an observer/gunner. On 4 February 1917, while manning the guns for fellow ace Robert Farquhar, he drove a German Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
down out of control north of Le Sars
Le Sars
Le Sars is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Le Sars is situated south of Arras, at the junction of the D11 and the D929 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
. Two months later, on 5 April, while flying with Victor Huston
Victor Huston
Major Victor Henry Huston was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He was the only ace in his squadron.-Early life and service:...
, he drove down two more D.IIs at Inchy
Inchy
Inchy is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
. He shared in the destruction of a fourth D.II the following day. Ten days later, he forced another D.II down out of control to become an ace. On 3 May 1917, he drove down 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...
into Bourlon Wood. Twenty days later, he destroyed a D.III and drove another out of control. The young Irishman was posted to Home Establishment on 19 July 1917, and received the Military Cross a week later.
He subsequently qualified as a pilot, being 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...
on 24 October 1919. As a pilot, he served in a number of squadrons. After postwar service in India, Blennerhasset resigned his commission on 22 January 1922.