Pruett Mullens Dennett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pruett Mullens Dennett
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Pruett Mullens Dennett 21 May 1917
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| Born | 21 January 1899 New Southgate, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 2 June 1918 (aged 19) near Estaires, Nord, France |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1917–1918 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 8 (Naval) Squadron RNAS, No. 208 Squadron RAF |
Lieutenant Pruett Mullens Dennett (born January 21, 1899 – died June 2, 1918) was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was known as a "flying ace." This means he shot down at least five enemy aircraft. Pruett Dennett achieved ten victories in the air. His last victory happened on the very day he died in battle.
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Early Life and Family
Pruett Mullens Dennett was born in New Southgate, Middlesex, England. This was on January 21, 1899. His parents were Ralph Mullens Dennett and Ethel Lavinia Gilburd Dennett. Sadly, his father passed away in 1901. Later, his mother remarried and her new last name was Sandy. The family then lived in Brighton, East Sussex, England.
Becoming a Pilot
Pruett Dennett joined the Royal Naval Air Service on March 25, 1917. This was the air branch of the British Navy. He earned his pilot's license on May 21, 1917. He learned to fly an Avro biplane at Redcar, England.
In August 1917, he became an officer. He was sent to fly with No. 8 (Naval) Squadron. This squadron was also called "Naval Eight" by its members. It was made up of pilots who volunteered to fly. In September 1917, Pruett was promoted to Flight Sub-Lieutenant.
On April 1, 1918, something big happened. The Royal Naval Air Service joined with the Royal Flying Corps. Together, they formed the new Royal Air Force (RAF). His squadron then became No. 208 Squadron of the RAF.
His Aerial Victories
Pruett Dennett was very skilled in the air. He achieved all ten of his victories flying a Sopwith Camel. This was a single-seat biplane. A biplane has two main wings.
- First Victories: His first six victories happened when he was with No. 8 Squadron.
- On December 6, 1917, he won his first battle. He sent an enemy two-seater plane out of control over Hénin-Liétard, France.
- His second victory was on January 3, 1918. He destroyed a German Hannover C plane over Arras, France.
- The next day, he defeated a DFW C plane over Oppy-Monchy, France.
- On January 19, 1918, he had a double victory! He sent two Albatros D.V planes out of control. One was over Wingles and the other over Hénin-Liétard.
- His sixth victory was another Albatros D.V. This happened on January 29, 1918, over Hénin-Liétard.
- Later Victories with No. 208 Squadron: After two months, he got his next victory. This was with No. 208 Squadron.
- On April 17, 1918, he defeated an Albatros D.V near Merville, France.
- His eighth victory was on May 22, 1918. He sent an unknown two-seater plane out of control near Lens, France.
- On May 31, 1918, he defeated a Fokker Dr.I triplane over Merville. A triplane has three main wings.
- Pruett Dennett's final victory was on June 2, 1918. He destroyed an Albatros D.V north of Lestrem, France.
Gallery of Planes
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Albatros D.V, a type of plane Dennett often defeated.
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Dennett scored all ten of his victories from a Sopwith Camel.
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Fokker Dr.I, a type of plane Dennett defeated.
His Final Flight
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Lieutenant Pruett Mullens Dennett was killed in action on June 2, 1918. He was flying near Estaires, Nord, France. His Sopwith Camel plane was shot down by Kurt Schönfelder. Schönfelder was a German flying ace. He had 13 victories himself. (Interestingly, the German pilot was shot down weeks later, on June 26, 1918.)
Pruett Dennett was only 19 years old when he died. He is remembered at the Arras Flying Services Memorial in France. He is also honored on the Brighton War Memorial in Brighton, England.
