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 World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. He singlehandedly shot down a Gotha G bomber.[1][2]

Rogers was appointed a Flying Officer on 25 April 1917.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5]

Rogers went on to two additional "out of control" victories, with his last win coming on 18 December 1917.[6]

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)[7][8][9]

Sources of information

  1. ↑ Nieuport Aces of World War I. p. 20.
  2. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/rogers2.php Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  3. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30078/supplements/4884 Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  4. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30414/supplements/12750 Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  5. ↑ Nieuport Aces of World War I. p. 20.
  6. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/rogers2.php Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  7. ↑ http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%200765.html Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  8. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30507/supplements/1602 Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  9. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30507/supplements/1604 Retrieved 27 February 2010.

Further reading


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