Alan Bott facts for kids

Captain Alan John Bott (born January 14, 1893 – died September 17, 1952) was a brave pilot during World War I. He was known as a flying ace because he shot down five enemy planes. After the war, he became a writer, editor, and started the famous book company, Pan Books.

Early Life and Journalism

Before World War I began, Alan Bott worked as a journalist. He was a "special correspondent" for the Daily Chronicle newspaper. This meant he was a reporter sent to cover important events. He was based in Basle, Switzerland, at the time.

Reporting from Switzerland

In November 1914, Bott reported on a British air raid. This raid targeted a German Zeppelin factory in Friedrichshafen. To get a better view, he traveled to Romanshorn, a Swiss town across Lake Constance. He even went out onto the lake in a boat to see the action up close.

A Hero in the Air

In early 1915, Bott returned to England. He trained to become an officer in the army. On July 22, 1915, he officially joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a junior officer.

Joining the Army and Air Force

Later, on September 1, 1916, he moved to the Royal Flying Corps. This was the air force of the time. He became an "observer," which meant he flew with a pilot. His job was to spot enemy planes and help with navigation.

Flying as an Observer

Bott was assigned to No. 70 Squadron RFC. He flew in a Sopwith 1½ Strutter plane with pilot Second Lieutenant Awdry Vaucour. On August 24, 1916, their plane was damaged by an enemy pilot. They had to land safely.

Despite this, Bott and Vaucour shot down three Fokker E enemy planes in September. During one flight, his plane caught fire in the air. He bravely used his gloves to put out the flames! For his courage, he was awarded his first Military Cross medal.

Becoming a Pilot and Escaping

Bott then trained to become a pilot himself. He officially became a pilot on June 1, 1917. He was sent to No. 111 Squadron RFC in the Sinai Desert. By December 22, he was promoted to an acting captain and became a flight commander.

Flying a Nieuport 23 plane, he shot down two enemy spy planes. This happened on April 14 and 15, 1918. However, on April 22, his plane was shot down. He was captured by Turkish forces and became a prisoner of war.

He was taken to Constantinople by train. While there, Bott and another captured pilot, Captain Thomas W. White, managed to escape! They traveled by ship to Odessa, Ukraine. From there, they went to Varna, Bulgaria, and then overland to Salonika, Greece. They arrived just as the war ended.

For his bravery in escaping, Bott received another Bar to his Military Cross. After the war, he left the Royal Air Force on February 18, 1919.

After the War

Even while serving in the war, Alan Bott had started writing. His first book, An Airman's Outings, was published in 1917. It was about the life of a British flying officer. He wrote it under the pen name "Contact." In the US, it was called The Flying Ace or Cavalry of the Clouds.

Writing Books

In 1920, he published another book called Eastern Nights and Flights. This book told the exciting story of his capture, imprisonment, and escape. From 1920 to 1926, he went back to journalism. He worked as a special reporter and a drama critic for different newspapers.

Still Flying

Bott never lost his love for flying. In May 1923, he joined the Air Force reserves as a pilot. He stayed in the reserves until May 1926. On June 3, 1928, he earned his pilot's license (Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 8309). He got it flying a de Havilland DH.60 Moth plane.

Alan Bott passed away in a hospital in Westminster, London, on September 17, 1952.

Family Life

In June 1930, Alan Bott married Josephine Blumenfeld. Her father, R. D. Blumenfeld, was the editor of the Daily Express newspaper. Alan and Josephine had three children: Simon (born 1931), Annabel (born 1933), and Susannah (born 1935).