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This great Canadian Air Force Ace became one of the legendary figures in 20th century air warfare. With his daring and dramatic dogfights in France, he achieved a record of 72 kills in his many encounters. His role on the ground during the Second World War training pilots changed and inspired a whole new generation of fighter pilots. This man is known as Billy Bishop, the legendary and great Canadian hero who captured and won the respect of his enemies, comrades and the world. William Avery Bishop was born in Owen Sound, Ontario on the 8th of February in 1894. Billy was accepted into the Royal Military College in August of 1911. He spent three years as a cadet, even though he failed his first year exams and broke the strict disciplinary code of behaviour on several occasions. Billy was near the point of being expelled, when he was commissioned on September 30th of 1914 and headed off to the European war. He didn’t make it to England that year since he was in the hospital suffering from pneumonia. When Billy recovered, he left on June 9th in 1915 to fight in the war. During his days in the Infantry he saw a Royal Flying Corps plane fly overhead. This possessed Billy to get away from fighting on the ground. He applied for a transfer as an observer to the RFC, because an application to be a pilot would have taken too long. “ The only way to fight a war, up there above the mud and the mist in the everlasting sunshine” (Canadian Air Force Office of Public Affairs, 1996) Billy said when he transferred out of the Calvary. On September 1st in 1915 Billy was sent to the 21st squadron at Netheravon for air instruction. On January 1st, he was transferred to France. From there he was accepted to Brasenose College, Oxford, for pilot and ground training on October 1st, 1916. In November he moved to Central Flying School at Upavon where he proved to be one that was able to grasp the “art” of flying. Billy didn’t give up; he soon achieved his wings after numerous crashes. His request for a transfer to France was granted and on March 9th, 1917 he arrived at Filescamp Farm where he joined the 60th squadron. Billy was to be sent back to England for additional training but before he was sent back he claimed his first victory. On March 25, Billy was out on patrol with 3 other pilots when the spotted 3 German Albatross DiII Scouts and engaged them. One of the scouts came across Billy’s path, and without hesitation Billy opened fire on the plane, where it went into a dive as Billy followed it until it was shot out of the sky. After his first victory came his long run of victories that put him in the spot of a legend and hero to Canadians. Billy almost died on the 8th of April when he claimed his fifth victory. His cockpit, which had a hole in it from a bullet, nearly hit Billy almost killing him. He was promoted to Captain and leader of C Flight later that month. Come the end of April, Captain Bishop had stacked a total of 17 kills and was awarded the Military Cross. Billy started going out on solo flights and patrols though he also went on formation patrols with is C Flight. “In May, awarded Distinguished Service Order for attacking three planes, sending two down while under attack by four other planes.” (Billy Bishop Heritage Museum, 2000). Billy was returned to England on his leave in May 7th, to return on May 22nd and discussed a lone attack on a German aerodrome. On June 1st Billy was given the go-a-head for the surprise attack on the aerodrome. On June 2nd, 1917 Billy wad called and at 3am set out in the rain and mist. He arrived at a deserted German airfield. Disappointed, he continued on and arrived at a second aerodrome where there were 5 planes warming up. Dropping 200 feet. Bishop started his first attack along the line of aircraft, spraying bullets as he streaked across the field through a barrage of small arms fire from the alert ground defences. Lifting over the edge of the airfield, the Nieuport executed a tight banked turn for its reverse run, and Bishop saw that one Albatross pilot had already started to taxi for takeoff. Concentrating on this machine, Bishop fired just 15 rounds as the Albatross rose to a height of ten feet. The Albatross dipped a wing, hit the grass and disintegrated, spewing wreckage in a long slide along the field. (Canadian Air Force Office of Public Affairs, 1996) That was Billy’s first kill on his raid of the aerodrome, and two more followed. He shot at the second Albatross as it was starting its take off run. Billy missed but caused the German plane to swerve and the plane hit a tree. Billy went in and fired at the wreckage finishing what he started. As he climbed with intent to head back, two more Albatross’s took off and went after Billy. As he engaged one of them the other one waited, Billy got behind the Albatross and fired knocking it out of the sky causing it to crash near his airfield. After the fourth attacker left, Billy headed back to Allied territory at low altitudes because of the scouts he saw flying above. He made it back in one piece. Throughout July and August, Billy’s kill record became bigger and he was awarded a medal. Billy Bishop was awarded the Victoria Cross on August 9th that year. He was presented the award for his bravery on the solo raid of the aerodrome. “General Trenchard, General-Officer Commanding Royal Flying Corps who defined Bishop’s solo sortie as, “the greatest single show of the war”” (Canadian Air Force Office of Public Affairs, 1996). He was informed that he would be given an instructor job in England, which shocked Billy. He wanted to obtain the highest score ever in victories than any other fighter pilot. He left the 60th squadron with a confirmed 50 victories, including the Victory Cross, Distinguished Service Order, and Military Cross, these achievements were made during intense fighting period of 5 months. Billy returned home to Canada on the extended leave he was given before he had to return to his new job as instructor. During his leave in Canada, he married his fiancée, Margaret Burden on October 17th, 1917 in Toronto. Thousands of citizens gathered on the streets of Toronto to catch a glimpse of the Canadian hero, Billy Bishop, who had captured their attention and hearts. Billy returned to England expecting to be attending his appointment for the instructor position but was promoted to Major instead. He was given his own squadron, the No. 88 squadron at Hounslow, Middlesex on March 13th, 1918. Billy was allowed to select his own pilots for his Squadron. He gathered pilots from British, Canadian, New Zealand, and American pilots. His new Squadron headed back to France on May 22nd, 1918 where his record of victories grew. Through his last days fighting in the war, he achieved his dream and goal to be the only fighter pilot with the most victories in combat. During his last 12 days of combat his victory record jumped another 25 from 50, which brought him to a total of 75 confirmed victories. The last five aircraft shot down by Billy was on his last day of combat when he wanted one last flight of what he was born to do. He survived the war and an encounter with the Red Baron. On his return to England he was recognized for his achievements. Billy was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on August 5th and was given the position Officer-in-charge of bringing the Canadian Air Force up to speed for the war. On the way back to Canada, Billy was informed of the armistice with Germany, and that the war was over. Billy was released from military service in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was returned to his homeland, Canada. “1928 Bishop was the guest of honour at a gathering of German Air Aces in Berlin. He was made an Honorary Member of the Association.” (Billy Bishop Heritage Museum, 2000). A few years have passed with Billy in the oil business and in 1931 Billy was appointed an honorary Croup Captain in the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force). In 1936 with the growing threat of the Nazi movement, Billy was made the honorary Air Vice-Marshal for the RCAF his main task in this position was the enlargement of the RCAF. In 1938 he was further promoted to Honorary Air Marshal and the head of the Air Advisory Committee. He started recruiting and expanding the RCAF when in 1944 Billy requested that he be relieved of his position since he had devoted so many years of service to the RCAF. His request was granted, “the award of a Companion of the Order of the Birth in the King’s Birthday Honours List of June 1944.” (Canadian Air Force Office of Public Affairs, 1996). Billy Bishop has attained legend status to Fighter pilots and remains a Canadian hero who captured our interest and our hearts. He passed away on September 11th, 1956 at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. He was born a hero and died a hero. He achieved the highest honours and greatest victories like no other individual. Billy Bishop emerged from Owen Sound, Ontario and struggled through his training days. He proved himself as a great war hero and earned his spot among those most honoured and remembered. Bibliography: Bishop, W. A. (1965). The Courage of The Early Morning. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart. McCaffery, D. (1990). Canadian Hero. Halifax: Formac Publishing Canadian Air Force Office of Public Affairs. (1996). The Flying Career of William Avery Bishop. [WWW Document] Retrieved May 2nd, 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ukans.edu/~kansite/ww_one/comment/bishop.html Lowe, A. (1998). Air Marshal William Avery Bishop. [WWW Document]. Retrieved May 2nd, 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.billybishop.net/zone/bishop.html Taylor, C. J. (March 1987) Knights of the Air. Horizon Canada, 54 (5), 1280-1285 Word Count: 1768
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