John Letts (RAF officer) facts for kids

Captain John Herbert Towne Letts was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down thirteen enemy aircraft. He was awarded the Military Cross for his courage and bravery.

Early Life

John Herbert Towne Letts was born on June 10, 1897, in Lincoln, England. He was the only child of Walter and Charlotte Letts.

He went to school at Aldeburgh Lodge and Roydon Hall. Later, he attended Lancing College in Sussex. At Lancing, he was very good at sports. He played for the school in swimming, football, and cricket. He was also a sergeant in the Officers' Training Corps, which prepared young people for military service.

Military Service

In the middle of 1915, John Letts left school to join the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This was a special college for training army officers. On January 26, 1916, he became a second lieutenant in the Lincolnshire Regiment.

Becoming a Pilot

Soon after, he joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), which was the air force at the time. He started his flying training at RAF Gosport. On March 19, he flew an airplane by himself for the first time. This was after only four hours of lessons with an instructor. His second solo flight that same day ended with a small crash into a shed.

Letts earned his pilot's license, called the Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate, on March 24. He flew a Maurice Farman biplane for his test. On May 4, 1916, he officially became a flying officer.

Fighting in France

After more training, Letts was sent to France on June 15. He joined No. 27 Squadron RFC. There, he flew a fighter-bomber plane called the Martinsyde G.100. He had to return to England on August 11 because of a knee injury.

After recovering, he became an instructor at RAF Waddington. On February 12, 1917, he joined No. 48 Squadron RFC. This squadron flew the new two-seater Bristol F.2 Fighter. In March, his squadron went to France. On April 5, Letts was promoted to temporary captain and became a flight commander. This meant he was in charge of a group of planes.

First Victories

On April 9, Letts and his observer, Lieutenant Harold Collins, were in a fierce air battle called a dogfight. They fought against five enemy planes from a famous German group known as Richthofen's "Flying Circus." Letts and his partner shot down two enemy planes. However, Letts' plane was badly damaged, and Collins was sadly killed.

Letts achieved his next victory on May 4. He and his observer, 2nd Lieutenant L. Speller, helped destroy an enemy Albatros D.III plane. On May 11, in another battle, Letts and his team shot down another Albatros D.III. Letts' plane was badly damaged again, but he managed to fly it back to safety before crashing. The next day, he shot down two more enemy planes. This brought his total victories to six.

Military Cross

On May 24, Letts and his observer, Allen, were attacked by four enemy planes. They managed to destroy one and drive the others away. Allen was wounded during this fight.

For his outstanding bravery, John Letts was awarded the Military Cross. This award was officially announced on August 16. The award citation praised his "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." It noted that he had helped destroy eight enemy machines and set a "splendid example."

More Air Battles

Letts continued to fight bravely. On May 27, he helped destroy another Albatros D.III. On June 5, he shot down another two-seater plane. On August 17, he and his observer were attacked by eight enemy planes. They managed to shoot one down, which broke apart in the air.

On August 22, Letts and his observer, Lieutenant Henry Power, intercepted ten large German Gotha bombers. These bombers were returning from a raid on England. During the battle, Power was hit by enemy fire. The barrel of his gun swung around and hit Letts on the head. Even though Letts had a concussion, he managed to fly his plane back to base. When he landed, he discovered that Power had died.

On September 4, Letts and his new observer, 2nd Lieutenant John Frost, destroyed two Albatros D.V planes. On September 15, they chased and shot down another enemy aircraft.

Final Days

Letts returned to England on September 19. He worked as an instructor for a while. However, he asked to return to active duty on the front lines. On October 10, 1918, he went back to France to join No. 64 Squadron RAF. But when he arrived, he was told to join No. 87 Squadron RAF instead, to fly a Sopwith Dolphin plane.

The very next day, Letts borrowed an SE.5a plane from another squadron. Shortly after taking off, the plane rolled over and crashed, killing him instantly.

John Herbert Towne Letts is buried in the Bac-du-Sud British Cemetery in Bailleulval, France.