William Wendell Rogers

William Wendell Rogers
Born (1896-11-10)10 November 1896
Alberton, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Died 11 January 1967(1967-01-11) (aged 70)
St. John, New Brunswick, Canada
Allegiance George V of the British Empire
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Captain
Unit No. 1 Squadron RFC
Awards Military Cross

Captain William Wendell Rogers MC (10 November 1896 – 11 January 1967) was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. He singlehandedly shot down a Gotha G bomber.[1][2]

Early life

William Wendell Rogers was born in Alberton, Prince Edward Island, Canada.[3]

First World War service

Rogers was appointed a Flying Officer on 25 April 1917.[4] 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.[5]

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.[1]

Rogers went on to two additional "out of control" victories, with his last win coming on 18 December 1917.[2]

Postwar life

He returned to Saint John, Canada to operate an automobile concern. He became active in the local flying club.[3]

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)[6][7]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Franks, Norman (25 April 2000). Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Osprey Publishing. p. 20. ISBN 978-1855329614.
  2. 1 2 "William Rogers". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  3. 1 2 Shores, et al, p. 324.
  4. ↑ "No. 30078". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 May 1917. p. 4884.
  5. ↑ "No. 30414". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 December 1917. p. 12750.
  6. ↑ Spooner, Stanley, ed. (11 July 1918). "Honours". Flight. Vol. X no. 28. p. 763. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "No. 30507". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 February 1918. pp. 1602, 1604.

References

  • Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.


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