George Hackwill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Henry Hackwill
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|---|---|
| Born | 22 December 1892 Langtree, North Devon, England |
| Died | 4 July 1954 (aged 61) Southern Rhodesia |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Somerset Light Infantry No. 22 Squadron RFC No. 44 (HD) Squadron RFC No. 54 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Military Cross |
| Other work | Member of the Southern Rhodesian Legislative Assembly |
Captain George Henry Hackwill MC (December 22, 1892 – July 4, 1954) was an English pilot from World War I. He was known as a flying ace because he shot down nine enemy aircraft. His most famous victory happened on January 28, 1918. He helped shoot down a German Gotha G.V bomber over Essex, England. This was the first time an airplane was ever shot down during a night battle.
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Early Life and War Start
George Henry Hackwill was born in Langtree, North Devon, England. Before World War I began, he worked at the National Provincial Bank.
Joining the Royal Flying Corps
When the war started, George Hackwill first served in the Somerset Light Infantry. In the middle of 1915, he joined the Royal Flying Corps. This was the air force of Britain at the time. He earned his pilot's license on December 17, 1915. He learned to fly a Maurice Farman biplane at a military flying school in Shoreham, Sussex.
On April 21, 1916, he became a flying officer. This meant he had finished his flight training. He was then officially part of the Royal Flying Corps.
First Victories in the Air
Hackwill first flew with No. 22 Squadron. He piloted a two-seater plane called the F.E.2b. He achieved his first aerial victory on July 21, 1916. He was promoted to lieutenant on August 31. He then got his second victory on October 20.
After this, he spent some time in 1917 working as a flight instructor. Later, he joined No. 44 (Home Defence) Squadron. Here, he flew the Sopwith Camel, a famous fighter plane. On October 1, 1917, he became a flight commander and was given the temporary rank of captain.
The Famous Night Victory
His next aerial victory was very special. On January 28, 1918, Captain Hackwill was flying a Sopwith "Comic" Camel. This plane was specially changed for fighting at night. He and another pilot, Charles C. Banks, worked together. They shot down a Gotha G.V heavy bomber. This was the first time a German night bomber attacking Britain was shot down.
The Gotha bomber crashed near Wickford, Essex. The bodies of the three German crewmen were found in the wreckage. Only one, Leutnant Friedrick von Thomsen, could be identified. All three were given a military funeral on February 2.
On February 9, 1918, Hackwill and Banks received the Military Cross for their bravery. King George V presented them with the award. The official statement about their award said:
For conspicuous gallantry displayed when they engaged and shot down a Gotha raiding London. During the engagement, which lasted a considerable time, they were continually under fire from the enemy machine.
More Victories in France
In March 1918, Hackwill went back to France. He served in No. 54 Squadron. Between April 25 and September 15, 1918, he achieved six more victories. He also bombed and destroyed a German LVG plane on October 30, 1918. This happened while the plane was on a German airfield he was attacking.
List of Aerial Victories
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 July 1916 @ 2000 hours |
Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b Serial number 5214 |
Roland C reconnaissance plane | Destroyed | West of Beaulencourt | Observer/gunner: 2nd Lt W. B. Parsons |
| 2 | 20 October 1916 @ 0930 hours |
Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b s/n 4849 |
Albatros D.I | Driven down out of control | Grévillers | Observer/gunner: Air Mechanic 1st Class Edwards |
| 3 | 25 January 1918 @ 2210 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B2402 |
Gotha G.V | Shot down and destroyed | Wickford, Essex | Shared with Lt. Charles C. Banks |
| 4 | 25 April 1918 @ 0730 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n D6517 |
LVG reconnaissance plane | Driven down out of control | Southeast of Bailleul | |
| 5 | 4 July 1918 @ 1430 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n D6479 |
Hannover reconnaissance plane | Driven down out of control | Harbonnières | |
| 6 | 5 July 1918 @ 1045 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n D6479 |
Pfalz D.III | Driven down out of control | Chuignolles | |
| 7 | 25 July 1918 @ 1915 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n D9573 |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | South of Bazoches | |
| 8 | 7 September 1918 @ 1910 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n F2144 |
Halberstadt reconnaissance plane | Destroyed | Northeast of Marquion | Shared with Malcolm Burger & four other pilots |
| 9 | 15 September 1918 @ 1840 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n F2144 |
Fokker D.VII | Driven down out of control | Ferin |
Life After the War
On April 15, 1919, George Hackwill was removed from the active list of the Royal Air Force. This meant his military service ended.
Hackwill later moved to Southern Rhodesia (which is now Zimbabwe). He became involved in politics there. He was elected to the Southern Rhodesian Legislative Assembly in 1940. He represented the Lomagundi district for the United Party. He was re-elected in the elections of 1946 and 1948.
George Hackwill passed away on July 4, 1954.
