Albert Ball

Albert Ball, VC, DSO & 2 Bars, MC, Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, Order of St. George (4th class) (August 14 1896 - May 7 1917) was an English WWI fighter pilot and recipient of the Victoria Cross.

Related Topics:
VC - DSO - MC - Légion d'honneur - Order of St. George - August 14 - 1896 - May 7 - 1917 - English

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Born in Nottingham and educated at Grantham Grammar School, Ball joined the 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) at the start of the First World War. He transfered to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915 after learning to fly privately. He was awarded his wings on January 26 1916 and was sent to France three weeks later.

Related Topics:
Nottingham - Grantham Grammar School - 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion - The Sherwood Foresters (The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) - First World War - Royal Flying Corps - 1915 - January 26 - 1916

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He was awarded his first decoration, the Military Cross, on June 27 1916. By October Ball had become the first person in the British Army to have a DSO and two bars.

Related Topics:
Military Cross - June 27 - 1916

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Ball's aircraft was easy to recognise as he always had the tips of the propellor painted red.

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He was 20 years old, and a Temporary Captain when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC.

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From 26 April to 6 May 1917 flying over France, Captain Ball took part in 26 combats in the course of which he destroyed 11 hostile aircraft, brought down two out of control and forced several others to land. Flying alone, on one occasion he fought six hostile machines, twice he fought five and once four. When leading two other British planes he attacked an enemy formation of eight - on each of these occasions he brought down at least one enemy plane, and several times his plane was badly damaged. On returning with a damaged plane he had always to be restrained from immediately going out in another.

Related Topics:
France - Flying

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On the evening of 7 May near Douai, eleven British aircraft from the "elite" No. 56 Squadron RFC, including Albert Ball, encountered German fighters from Jasta 11. In a running battle fought in deteriorating visibility, the aircraft became scattered and Lothar von Richthofen was engaged in a one-on-one dog fight with Ball, which ended with both aircraft crashing behind German lines. Ball was killed but Lothar survived and was credited by the Germans with the victory, though it was likely Ball became disoriented and lost control.

Related Topics:
Douai - Jasta 11 - Lothar von Richthofen

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His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Sherwood Foresters Museum (The Castle, Nottingham, England).

Related Topics:
Sherwood Foresters Museum - The Castle

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