Frank Ormond Soden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Soden
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|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Mongoose |
| Born | 3 November 1895 Petitcodiac, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Died | 12 February 1961 (aged 65) London, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit | Royal Flying Corps |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Frank Ormond "Mongoose" Soden was a brave pilot and leader. He was a "flying ace" in the First World War, meaning he shot down many enemy planes. He also served as a commander in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.
Frank started his military career in the British Army. Later, he joined the Royal Flying Corps, which became the Royal Air Force. He stayed in the RAF after World War I, serving in places like Iraq and leading airfields during World War II. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) twice for his bravery.
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Frank Soden's Early Life and World War I Adventures
Frank Soden was born in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick, Canada, in 1895. When he was nine years old, his family moved to England. He went to Woodbridge School.
Frank joined the military in 1914, becoming an officer in the South Staffordshire Regiment. He first went to war in July 1915. In 1916, he started flying with the Royal Flying Corps, which was the air force before the RAF. He officially became a pilot in April 1917.
Becoming a Flying Ace
Frank began his career as a fighter pilot with No. 60 Squadron. On June 25, 1917, flying a Nieuport 17, he shot down an enemy Albatros D.III plane. By September 1917, he was flying the newer Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a. He became a "flying ace" on September 21, 1917, by shooting down his fifth enemy plane. Later that day, he helped destroy another enemy aircraft.
In December 1917, Frank was put in charge of a group of planes called a flight. He was also promoted to temporary captain. He continued to shoot down enemy planes regularly, sometimes up to four a month.
A Famous Victory
One of Frank's most famous victories happened on January 9, 1918. He faced Max Müller, a German pilot who had already shot down 36 planes, including five British aces. Frank, along with another pilot, Captain Robert Chidlaw-Roberts, managed to set Müller's Albatros D.V on fire in the sky over Belgium. Müller fell from his burning plane.
By February 5, Frank had achieved 16 victories. In August, he was a flight commander with No. 41 Squadron, still flying the S.E.5a. He shot down a Fokker D.VII in flames and scored two more victories that month. On September 15, he bravely shot down an enemy observation balloon by himself, making his total 20 kills.
October 1918 was his busiest month. He destroyed several more German planes, including two more Fokker D.VIIs. On October 25, he shot down another balloon. Three days later, he was responsible for capturing a Fokker D.VII plane. His 27th and final victory came on October 31, when he forced another Fokker D.VII down.
Frank Soden's final count included 13 German aircraft forced down "out of control," 11 destroyed, 2 observation balloons destroyed by himself, and one Fokker D.VII captured. At least 19 of his victories were against German fighter planes. Nine of his victories were shared with other pilots from his squadron.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on February 8, 1919. The award recognized him as a "bold and skilful officer" who had accounted for "three enemy aeroplanes and two balloons during recent operations."
After the main part of the war, in 1919, Frank volunteered to join a British mission to Russia. This mission was part of efforts to support certain Russian forces during their civil war.
Life After World War I
Frank Soden stayed in the Royal Air Force after World War I. He was given a permanent position as a captain in August 1919. His first role was in a campaign in Waziristan. He then joined the RAF in Iraq, serving in Kurdistan (northern Iraq). For his service there, he received a Bar to his DFC on December 19, 1922, meaning he had earned the award twice. By then, he held the rank of flight lieutenant.
Frank was promoted to squadron leader in December 1928. He then took command of No. 111 (Fighter) Squadron. In 1929, he was sent to Palestine to command No. 14 (Bomber) Squadron. He also worked at the RAF headquarters in Jerusalem. He returned to the UK in 1934 to command No. 65 Squadron. He was promoted to wing commander in July 1935 and to Group Captain in April 1939. During this time, he also commanded No. 7 (Bomber) Squadron and a training camp.
World War II Service
During the Second World War, Frank was initially the commander of RAF Upper Heyford airfield. He then took command of RAF Biggin Hill, one of the most important airfields for RAF Fighter Command. He served there from December 1940 to June 1941. Later, he served in the Middle East, commanding RAF Castel Benito airfield and training units.
Frank retired from the RAF on May 21, 1945. He married Wanda Holden and moved to Kenya. In 1953, during the Mau Mau Uprising, he bravely defended his house near Timau from an attack by 20 armed Mau Mau fighters. Later, he helped evacuate refugees from Congo using small aircraft. He was held by Congolese forces for a short time during this effort.
Frank Soden passed away in a hospital in London on February 12, 1961. A memorial service was held for him at St Clement Danes, the RAF church, on March 15, 1961.
