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| | Name: | William "Billy" Avery Bishop | | Country: | Canada | | Rank: | Lieutenant Colonel | | Service: | Royal Flying Corps | | Squadrons: | 21, 60, 85 | | Victories: | 72 | | Born: | 8 February 1894 | | Place of Birth: | Owen Sound, Ontario | | Died: | 11 September 1956 | | Place of Death: | Palm Beach, Florida |
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| | | Bishop attended the Royal Military College before joining the 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles at the beginning of the war. After serving overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in December 1915 and received his pilot's certificate in 1917. "The Lone Hawk" was considered by some to be a mediocre pilot, but his extraordinary eyesight and consistent practice earned him a reputation as a crack shot. When the Germans placed a price on his head, he had the spinner of his Nieuport 17 painted bright blue to make his aircraft easier to identify. Bishop later scored a significant number of victories flying the S.E.5a. As the commanding officer of the "Flying Foxes," Bishop was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) after he shot down 25 planes in only twelve days. Before the war ended, he found time to write "Winged Warfare," an autobiographical account of his exploits in the air over France. Because Bishop flew many of his patrols alone, most of his victories were never witnessed. After years of controversy, a television broadcast entitled "The Kid Who Couldn't Miss" led to an inquiry by the Canadian government in 1985. In conclusion, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology discredited the film, finding it to be an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of Bishop. |
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| | "The most important thing in fighting was shooting, next the various tactics in coming into a fight and last of all flying ability itself." William Bishop
"In nearly all cases where machines have been downed, it was during a fight which had been very short, and the successful burst of fire had occurred within the space of a minute after the beginning of actual hostilities." William Bishop |
| | | "For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and skill. Captain Bishop, who had been sent out to work independently, flew first of all to an enemy aerodrome; finding no machines about, he flew on to another aerodrome about 3 miles southeast, which was at least 12 miles the other side of the line. Seven machines, some with their engines running, were on the ground. He attacked these from about fifty feet, and a mechanic, who was starting one of the engines, was seen to fall. One of the machines got off the ground, but at a height of 60 feet, Captain Bishop fired 15 rounds into it at very close range, and it crashed to the ground. A second machine got off the ground, into which he fired 30 rounds at 150 yards range, and it fell into a tree. Two more machines then rose from the aerodrome. One of these he engaged at a height of 1,000 feet, emptying the rest of his drum of ammunition. This machine crashed 300 yards from the aerodrome, after which Captain Bishop emptied a whole drum into the fourth hostile machine, and then flew back to his station. Four hostile scouts were about 1,000 feet above him for about a mile of his return journey, but they would not attack. His machine was very badly shot about by machine-gun fire from the ground." VC citation, London Gazette, 11 August 1917 |
| | | "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attacked a hostile balloon on the ground, dispersed the crew and destroyed the balloon, and also drove down a hostile machine which attacked him. He has on several other occasions brought down hostile machines." MC citation, London Gazette, 26 May 1917 |
| | Distinguished Service Order (DSO) |
| | "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While in a single-seater, he attacked three hostile machines, two of which he brought down, although in the meantime he was himself attacked by four other hostile machines. His courage and determination have set a fine example to others." DSO citation, London Gazette, 18 June 1917 |
| | Distinguished Service Order (DSO) Bar |
| | "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaging hostile aircraft. His consistent dash and great fearlessness have set a magnificent example to the pilots of his squadron. He has destroyed no less than 45 hostile machines within the past five months, frequently attacking enemy formations single-handed, and on all occasions displaying a fighting spirit and determination to get to close quarters with his opponents which have earned the admiration of all in contact with him." DSO Bar citation, London Gazette, 9 January 1918 |
| | Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) |
| | "A most successful and fearless fighter in the air, whose acts of outstanding bravery have already been recognized by the awards of the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Bar to the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross. For the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross now bestowed upon him, he has rendered singly valuable services in personally destroying twenty five enemy machines in twelve days, five of which he destroyed on his last day of service at the front. The total number of machines destroyed by this distinguished officer is seventy two, and his value as a moral factor to the Royal Air Force cannot be overestimated." DFC citation, London Gazette, 3 August 1918 |
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![William Bishop [Canada]](/file/35821/Datatid-1998-07&08.iso/net-tema/aerodrom/images/aces/canada/bishop.gif){kind=small}
