William Wendell Rogers
Encyclopedia
Captain William Wendell Rogers (10 November 1896 – 11 January 1967) was a World War I flying ace
credited with nine aerial victories. He singlehandedly shot down a Gotha G
bomber.
Rogers was appointed a Flying Officer
on 25 April 1917. On 12 July 1917, he scored the first of a run of six "out of control" victories over enemy Albatros
fighter planes, with the string ending 29 October 1917. On 18 November 1917 he was appointed Flight Commander.
On 12 December 1917, he shot down a huge Gotha G
bomber piloted by German Blue Max
winner Hauptmann Rudolf Kleine, killing Kleine and his three crew members.
Rogers went on to two additional "out of control" victories, with his last win coming on 18 December 1917.
2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) William Wendell Rogers, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in shooting down seven enemy aeroplanes, and on two occasions attacking enemy troops with machine gun fire from very low altitudes. He proved himself a daring patrol leader. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 5 July 1918) (30780/7922)
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 nine aerial victories. He singlehandedly shot down a Gotha G
Gotha G
|-See also:-References:* The Complete Encyclopedia of Flight 1848-1939 by John Batchelor and Malcolm V. Lowe-External links:*...
bomber.
Rogers 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...
on 25 April 1917. On 12 July 1917, he scored the first of a run of six "out of control" victories over enemy Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
fighter planes, with the string ending 29 October 1917. On 18 November 1917 he was appointed Flight Commander.
On 12 December 1917, he shot down a huge Gotha G
Gotha G
|-See also:-References:* The Complete Encyclopedia of Flight 1848-1939 by John Batchelor and Malcolm V. Lowe-External links:*...
bomber piloted by German Blue Max
Pour le Mérite
The Pour le Mérite, known informally as the Blue Max , was the Kingdom of Prussia's highest military order for German soldiers until the end of World War I....
winner Hauptmann Rudolf Kleine, killing Kleine and his three crew members.
Rogers went on to two additional "out of control" victories, with his last win coming on 18 December 1917.
Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) William Wendell Rogers, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in shooting down seven enemy aeroplanes, and on two occasions attacking enemy troops with machine gun fire from very low altitudes. He proved himself a daring patrol leader. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 5 July 1918) (30780/7922)
Further reading
- Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329611, 9781855329614.