Henry Coyle Rath
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Henry Coyle Rath was a World War I flying ace
credited with twelve aerial victories.
Rath joined the Royal Flying Corps
in September 1917. He was assigned to 29 Squadron on 5 June 1918 as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot.
He scored his first victory on 28 July, helping fellow ace Robert Holme
drive down a German two-seater reconnaissance plane out of control. Three days later, they again cooperated, destroying a similar plane; Rath also drove down a third recon plane in the same dogfight. After driving down a fourth recce craft on 1 August, Rath became an ace on 8 August. In conjunction with fellow aces Claude Melnot Wilson
, Arthur Reed
, and a couple of other pilots, Rath destroyed a Hannover reconnaissance craft.
During the remainder of August, he destroyed three more enemy airplanes and drove two down out of control. On 14 October 1918, apparently in the same combat that resulted in Wilson's death, Rath destroyed two Fokker D.VII
s, bringing his tally to seven enemy planes destroyed and five driven down out of battle. On 26 October, Rath collided with Roderic MacLean while they were flying at 12,000 feet over Tournai
. Both pilots died, though MacLean lingered for a day before succumbing to injuries. Rath was buried in Grave VC.8 in the Tournai cemetery.
Lieut. Henry Coyle Rath. (FRANCE)
A bold and resolute fighter in the air who has six enemy aeroplanes to his credit. On 14 October he, with three other machines, engaged a large number of enemy scouts; five were shot down, Lieut. Rath destroying two.
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 twelve aerial victories.
Rath joined 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 September 1917. He was assigned to 29 Squadron on 5 June 1918 as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot.
He scored his first victory on 28 July, helping fellow ace Robert Holme
Robert Holme
Captain Robert Charles Lyon Holme was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...
drive down a German two-seater reconnaissance plane out of control. Three days later, they again cooperated, destroying a similar plane; Rath also drove down a third recon plane in the same dogfight. After driving down a fourth recce craft on 1 August, Rath became an ace on 8 August. In conjunction with fellow aces Claude Melnot Wilson
Claude Melnot Wilson
Lieutenant Claude Melnot Wilson was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Military service:Wilson transferred from artillery to the Royal Flying Corps, and was assigned to 29 Squadron on 4 May 1918. He used a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a for all his victories. He scored his...
, Arthur Reed
Arthur Reed (aviator)
Lieutenant Arthur Eden Reed was a World War I flying ace credited with 19 aerial victories.He began his service with the army in German East Africa between June 1915 and August 1916. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in April 1917. He was posted to duty to fly RAF SE.5as with 29 Squadron...
, and a couple of other pilots, Rath destroyed a Hannover reconnaissance craft.
During the remainder of August, he destroyed three more enemy airplanes and drove two down out of control. On 14 October 1918, apparently in the same combat that resulted in Wilson's death, Rath destroyed two 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...
s, bringing his tally to seven enemy planes destroyed and five driven down out of battle. On 26 October, Rath collided with Roderic MacLean while they were flying at 12,000 feet over Tournai
Tournai
Tournai is a Walloon city and municipality of Belgium located 85 kilometres southwest of Brussels, on the river Scheldt, in the province of Hainaut....
. Both pilots died, though MacLean lingered for a day before succumbing to injuries. Rath was buried in Grave VC.8 in the Tournai cemetery.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Lieut. Henry Coyle Rath. (FRANCE)
A bold and resolute fighter in the air who has six enemy aeroplanes to his credit. On 14 October he, with three other machines, engaged a large number of enemy scouts; five were shot down, Lieut. Rath destroying two.