7/31/2019 Albert Ball

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Albert Ball was probably the Royal Flying Corps most famous ace in World War One though other aces shot down more German aeroplanes by the time war ended. Ballseemed to represent all that a fighter ace should be young, handsome, modest andbrave. His death in combat at an early age did have an impact on the RFC at the timecausing much despondency such was his status among other pilots.

Albert Ball was born on August 14th 1896 to the son of a successful Nottinghamshirebusinessman. He had an average education in terms of success and joined the SherwoodForesters Regiment when World War One broke out. After taking private flying lessons inEngland, Ball joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. He was awarded his wings in January1916. In February Ball was sent to France. Here he found that he had a natural ability forflying single-seat fighter aeroplanes. Combined with a natural aggression, he became aformidable opponent. Ball was seen as being a lone wolf pilot in that he tended to attackGerman aeroplanes by himself rather than as a team. He epitomised all that HughTrenchard wanted for the RFC a move away from reconnaissance missions to one ofopen and aggressive combat with the Germans.

Balls success was such that on June 27th 1916, he was awarded the Military Cross. Bythe end of October he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and twobars the first person in the British Army to be so awarded. He became a national herothough this was something he was far from comfortable with.

In April 1917, Ball returned to France at the head of his own squadron No 56.

Albert Ball was killed in combat on May 7th 1917. There is a degree of doubt as to why Ballcrashed behind German lines but Lothar von Richthofen claimed the kill. He was buriedwith full military honours.

Albert Ball was credited with 1 balloon shot down, 28 aircraft including one shared, 6 out

of control and 9 forced to land. On June 8th 1917, Ball was awarded a posthumous

Victoria Cross for his deeds. The citation for his Victoria Cross read:

For most conspicuous and consistent bravery from the 25th of April to the 6th of May,1917, during which period Capt. Ball took part in twenty-six combats in the air anddestroyed eleven hostile aeroplanes, drove down two out of control, and forced severalothers to land. In these combats Capt. Ball, flying alone, on one occasion fought six hostilemachines, twice he fought five and once four. When leading two other British aeroplaneshe attacked an enemy formation of eight. On each of these occasions he brought down atleast one enemy. Several times his aeroplane was badly damaged, once so seriously thatbut for the most delicate handling his machine would have collapsed, as nearly all thecontrol wires had been shot away. On returning with a damaged machine he had always to

be restrained from immediately going out on another. In all, Capt. Ball has destroyed forty-three German aeroplanes and one balloon, and has always displayed most exceptionalcourage, determination and skill.