Archie McKellar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Archibald Ashmore McKellar
Archie McKellar in October 1940
Nickname(s)	"Archie"
Born	(1912-04-10)10 April 1912 Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Died	1 November 1940(1940-11-01) (aged 28) near Adisham, Kent, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force
Years of service	1936–1940
Rank	Squadron Leader
Battles/wars	Second World War Battle of Britain   †
Awards	Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches

Squadron Leader Archibald Ashmore McKellar (born April 10, 1912 – died November 1, 1940) was a brave flying ace for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was known as "Archie" and earned several important awards for his courage.

McKellar grew up in Scotland and first joined his family's business. But in 1936, at age 24, he decided to join the RAF to become a pilot. He finished his training in 1938. He was assigned to No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron RAF, which was a special volunteer unit. In 1939, he started flying the fast Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane.

Archie McKellar had his first combat experiences with No. 602 Squadron. Soon after the war began in 1939, he shot down two German bombers. These bombers were attacking Royal Navy ships and bases in northern Britain. This time was called the "Phoney War" because there wasn't much fighting on the ground. McKellar's first victory was very special. He was the first pilot to shoot down a German aircraft over the British Isles during the war.

A year later, in 1940, he became famous during the Battle of Britain. He was part of, and later led, No. 605 Squadron RAF. This squadron flew the powerful Hawker Hurricane fighter. His unit moved to southern England and took part in huge air battles. McKellar's time fighting was very short, lasting just over a year. Most of his victories happened in the last two and a half months of his life.

On October 7, 1940, he shot down five Messerschmitt Bf 109s. This made him an "ace in a day". Only 24 Allied pilots achieved this amazing feat. By his last mission, he had claimed 21 aerial victories. This included 11 Bf 109s. McKellar was one of only three British pilots to become an "Ace in a Day" during the Battle of Britain.

On November 1, 1940, just one day after the Battle of Britain officially ended, he was killed in action. He took off and fought a group of German fighters. He might have shot down one more plane, which would have been his 22nd victory. But this victory was not officially counted. McKellar's plane was then shot down.

Early Life and Flying Dreams

Archibald Ashmore McKellar was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, on April 10, 1912. His parents were John and Margaret McKellar. He went to school at Shawlands Academy in Glasgow. After school, he worked for a company that dealt with stocks. But Archie didn't like being indoors. He preferred being outside.

He joined his father's construction business as a plasterer. He worked there for five years as an apprentice. Even though his father owned the company, Archie didn't get any special treatment.

McKellar loved staying fit and strong. Even though he was quite short (about 5 feet 3 inches), he was very strong. He kept himself in excellent physical shape. Even during the intense Battle of Britain, he always looked neat and well-dressed. In his free time, McKellar enjoyed reading about sports and First World War fighter pilots. Their stories inspired him to learn to fly.

He paid for his own flying lessons at the Scottish Flying Club. This club managed Renfrew Airport. McKellar quickly earned his pilot's licence. By the time he joined the military, he was already a very experienced pilot. This helped him get promoted quickly.

Joining the RAF and Becoming a Fighter Pilot

Archie's flying skills caught the attention of Lord Clydesdale. He was the leader of No. 602 Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF). The AAF was a volunteer air force unit. Clydesdale invited McKellar to join. Archie became a pilot officer in the RAF on November 8, 1936. He joined No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron RAF. His friends in the squadron nicknamed him "Shrimp" because he was short. McKellar stayed with the squadron and was promoted to flying officer on May 8, 1938.

His squadron was based at RAF Abbotsinch near Paisley. They first flew Hawker Hind light bomber planes. The pilots and ground crew were reservists. This meant they served part-time, usually in the evenings, on weekends, and during a two-week summer camp. As war became more likely, the squadron changed its role to fighter planes. They received the new Supermarine Spitfire. When the war started, they moved to RAF Grangemouth and then to RAF Drem. Their job was to protect Edinburgh and the ships in the Firth of Forth.

After his training, McKellar was found to have amazing eyesight. This made him a very good shot in air battles. But strangely, he was not very good at shooting with a rifle on the ground! McKellar believed that being physically fit was very important for air combat. He thought it helped a pilot stay alert and react quickly in a fast-moving battle.

McKellar was also seen as a strong leader in combat. He was aggressive and trusted his instincts. His fighting spirit inspired his squadron. He was very direct and confident. This made him a good choice for a leader. He was so dedicated that he refused to take any time off while the Battle of Britain was happening. McKellar always led his unit from the front. He spent a lot of time with his squadron practicing combat tactics. He was very loyal to his friends.

World War II Battles

First Victories with 602 Squadron

On October 16, 1939, the German Luftwaffe attacked Great Britain for the first time. German bombers aimed for Royal Navy ships in the Firth of Forth. They attacked the cruiser HMS Southampton and the destroyer HMS Mohawk. No bombs exploded, but Mohawk's commander was killed. Spitfires from 603 Squadron and 602 Squadron intercepted the raid.

During one attack, the cockpit of a German Junkers Ju 88 bomber opened up. This bomber was flown by an experienced pilot named Helmut Pohl. The Ju 88 was hit by fire from Spitfires flown by George Pinkerton and McKellar. The German plane crashed into the sea. Pohl was the only one of his crew to survive. McKellar was given credit for this victory. This means McKellar is officially recognized for shooting down the first enemy aircraft in British waters during the war.

After this success, the head of Fighter Command, Air Marshal Hugh Dowding, sent a message to 602 Squadron saying, "Well done, first blood to the auxiliaries."

On October 28, 1939, McKellar intercepted a Heinkel He 111 bomber. The German pilot tried to fly into the clouds for cover, but the clouds disappeared. The German gunners were killed, and the pilot was wounded. The plane crashed. Experts still debate which pilot shot it down. But after the war, McKellar was credited with this victory. It was also the first German aircraft shot down onto British soil since 1918.

Leading 605 Squadron

In early 1940, 605 Squadron moved to RAF Drem. They started flying Hurricanes. McKellar was transferred to No. 605 and promoted to flight lieutenant on June 21, 1940. He became a flight leader. McKellar was very strict about discipline, both on the ground and in the air. But he was highly respected because he wanted to help his unit become a strong fighting team.

Hawker Hurricane I R4118 of No 605 Squadron. This plane was flown by Bob Foster, who was with McKellar on his last mission.

On August 15, 1940, No. 605 intercepted a German raid against Tyneside. German He 111 bombers from Norway were attacking. McKellar was credited with destroying three He 111s during this fight. For this brave action, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The official announcement praised his "outstanding leadership and courage."

On September 7, 1940, No. 605 moved to Croydon Aerodrome. McKellar scored four more victories in a single mission on September 9. McKellar attacked with the sun behind him. He destroyed three He 111s with one 12-second burst of fire. The first He 111 exploded. It damaged a second, which crashed. McKellar then fired at a third, and its wing broke off. Later that afternoon, he destroyed a Bf 109, making it his fourth success of the day.

McKellar took over as Squadron Leader on September 11. He achieved three more victories on September 15. The German raids that day were very large. This day became known as Battle of Britain Day. McKellar led 605 into combat twice that day. He claimed two Bf 109s and one Do 17 bomber. That night, after midnight on September 16, he claimed another He 111 shot down. He then received a Medal bar to his DFC. This award praised his "excellent fighting spirit" and called him a "brilliant tactician."

On October 3, McKellar had his portrait drawn by Cuthbert Orde, a famous artist. On October 7, his score increased by five victories, all Bf 109s. This made him an "Ace in a day."

Thirteen days later, on October 20, 1940, McKellar shot down another Bf 109. Its pilot, Adolf Iburg, was slightly wounded and captured. McKellar was credited with another Bf 109 victory that day.

Archie McKellar's Death

By November 1, 1940, McKellar had claimed 21 victories. He took a part of No. 605 Squadron, including Flight Lieutenant Bob Foster, to meet a group of Bf 109s that were carrying bombs. His section climbed high to meet the enemy planes. It is believed McKellar was shot down by a German pilot named Wolfgang Lippert. McKellar's Hurricane crashed near Adisham, Kent.

On November 8, 1940, he received a final award: the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). This award was given after his death. It again praised his "outstanding courage and determination" in leading his squadron. He also received a Mention in Despatches on December 31, 1940.

McKellar died just after the official end date for the Battle of Britain (July 10 – October 31, 1940). Because of this, his name is not on the Battle of Britain roll of honor at The RAF Chapel, Westminster Abbey. McKellar is buried at New Eastwood Cemetery, Thornliebank, near Glasgow. A street in Bushey, McKellar Close, is named in his honor. Many streets in that area are named after Battle of Britain pilots.

McKellar's headstone

McKellar's Victories

Historians have different numbers for McKellar's total victories. Some say he had 17 air victories, while others credit him with 21. In his last fight, he might have shot down a 22nd plane, a Bf 109, which crashed near him. But no other RAF pilot claimed it.

Between August 15 and October 7, 1940, McKellar scored 13 victories while flying Hurricane P3308. This plane became known as the Hurricane with the most kills during the Battle of Britain. It was later given to a Czech unit and was damaged in an accident in 1941.