List of World War II aces from the United Kingdom

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This is a list of fighter aces in World War II from the United Kingdom and the British Empire (Country names as per name at the time of World War II). For other countries see List of World War II aces by country.

Contents

For "turret fighters" such as the Boulton Paul Defiant, the pilot put the aircraft into position with the enemy and it was the gunner who controlled the armament, air victories are credited to both.

List

Abbreviations

Awards

Awards
AwardTitleNotes
AE Air Efficiency Award Awarded for ten years' efficient service in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
AFC Air Force Cross At this time, awarded "for acts of courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy" to commissioned officers and warrant officers. [76] Extended to all ranks in 1993.
CdeG Croix de Guerre A military decoration of both France and Belgium, also commonly bestowed to foreign military forces allied to France and Belgium.
DFC Distinguished Flying Cross At this time, awarded "for acts of gallantry when flying in active operations against the enemy" to commissioned officers and warrant officers. [76] Extended to all ranks in 1993.
DFC* Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar A bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DFC who receive a second award.
DFC** Distinguished Flying Cross and two Bars A second bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DFC and Bar who receive a third award.
DFM Distinguished Flying Medal At this time, awarded "for acts of gallantry when flying in active operations against the enemy" to non-commissioned officers and men. [76] Discontinued in 1993.
DSO Distinguished Service Order Awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.
DSO* Distinguished Service Order and Bar A bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DSO who receive a second award.
DSO** Distinguished Service Order and two Bars A second bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DSO and Bar who receive a third award.
MC Military Cross At this time, awarded for "distinguished and meritorious services" to officers of the rank of Captain or below, and warrant officers. [77] Extended to all ranks in 1993.
MiD Mentioned in despatches Awarded for gallantry or otherwise commendable service.
VC Victoria Cross Highest British military decoration, awarded for valour in the face of the enemy.
VM Virtuti Militari Highest Polish military award for courage in the face of the enemy

See also

Notes

  1. N/RO = Navigator/Radar Operator
  2. 1 2 The four aces in a day were Archie McKellar, Ronald Hamlyn, New Zealander Brian Carbury and Antoni Głowacki of Poland.
  3. Van der Stok scored his first two victories in the Fokker D.XXI during the German invasion in the Netherlands, when he flew a Fokker D.XXI fighter as a member of the 1 JaVA (1st Fighter Sqn) of the Dutch LVA (Army Aviation Bde).
  4. One of Van der Stok’s Dutch Fokker D.XXI victory claims and two of his Supermarine Spitfire victory claims are disputed
  5. Van der Stok is the only soldier who won all four Dutch bravery awards that were set during WW2 for bravery and valour: the Bronze Lion (awarded 15 June 1946), the Bronze Cross (Netherlands) (5 October 1944), the Dutch Airman's Cross (21 September 1942) and the Cross of Merit (Netherlands) (3 September 1942). He also won the Officer’s Cross w. palm of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) (24 March 1947), the Belgian CdeG w palm, 3 British campaign medals (1939–1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; France and Germany Star [ verification needed ]), the Cross of Valour (Poland) (9 May 1945), the Dutch Resistance Memorial Cross. He was made an Officer in the Orde van Oranje-Nassau and a (Honorary) Member of the Order of the British Empire (19 November 1947).
  6. BCRF = Beaufighter Coastal Reconnaissance Flight

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Bibliography