Norman Roberts

Norman Roberts
Norman Roberts
Born 1896
Broughton, Lancashire, England
Died Unknown
Allegiance England
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Lieutenant
Unit No. 48 Squadron RAF
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross

Colonel Norman Roberts (born 1896, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]

Roberts flew a Bristol F.2 Fighter for 48 Squadron. He scored five victories against first-line German fighters between 12 March and 27 June 1918. His final tally was two Fokker D.VIIs and a Fokker Dr. 1 triplane destroyed, and two triplanes driven down out of control.[2]

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Col. Norman Roberts.

This officer has destroyed three enemy machines and driven down two others out of control. He has also distinguished himself in attacking troops at low altitudes, and has carried out valuable reconnaissance service. Detailed to make a reconnaissance of an important area, he realised, on crossing our lines, that the wind was almost at hurricane strength, and that in face of such a wind his return journey would only be accomplished with extreme difficulty. However, knowing the urgency of his mission, he completed his reconnaissance, penetrating 12 miles behind the enemy lines. On the return journey, owing to the strength of the gale, he was forced to descend to a very low altitude, and was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire, which badly damaged his machine.[3]

Sources of information

  1. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/roberts.php Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  2. ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 322. 
  3. ^ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30913/supplements/11254 Retrieved 9 February 2010.

References

Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.


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