Willie McKnight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William McKnight
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| Nickname(s) | "Willie" |
| Born | 18 November 1918 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | 12 January 1941 (aged 22) English Channel |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1941 |
| Rank | Flying Officer |
| Unit | No. 242 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
William Lidstone McKnight (November 18, 1918 – January 12, 1941) was a brave Canadian pilot and a top "flying ace" during World War II. Flying aces are pilots who shoot down five or more enemy aircraft. He was one of Canada's best pilots in the war. McKnight joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1939. He flew with No. 242 Squadron RAF during the end of the Battle of France, helping Allied soldiers retreat safely. Later, he fought in the famous Battle of Britain.
McKnight's plane had special drawings on it. One side showed a cartoon of a boot kicking Adolf Hitler. His plane also had a picture of a human skeleton holding a sickle under the cockpit. McKnight shot down 17 enemy planes by himself. He also helped shoot down two others and had three more possible victories. Sadly, McKnight was shot down and died on January 12, 1941, during a flight over Calais, France.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the RAF
William Lidstone McKnight, known as "Willie," was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on November 18, 1918. He grew up in Calgary. At school, he was known for being a bit of a rebel. He played quarterback on his high school football team.
In 1939, Willie was studying medicine at the University of Alberta. He was almost kicked out of school when the Royal Air Force came looking for new pilots in Calgary. Seeing a chance for excitement, he signed up to become a fighter pilot in February 1939. He then sailed to England to begin his training.
Willie started his pilot training on April 15, 1939. He was still a bit wild during his training. He was disciplined a few times for causing trouble. But when Germany invaded Poland, training ended quickly. Willie and other recruits became fighter pilots right away.
He joined No. 242 Squadron on May 6, 1940. This squadron had many Canadian pilots. They first flew Blenheim planes, but later got faster Hawker Hurricane fighters. The squadron was ready for combat by March 24, 1940.
World War II Battles
Battle of France
McKnight and 242 Squadron began flying missions over France on May 14, 1940. They were part of the British Expeditionary Force. McKnight flew with another unit, No. 615 Squadron. As the Allied forces had to retreat, his base moved three times in six days.
On May 19, 1940, McKnight got his first victory. He was on patrol over Cambrai when 19 enemy Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters attacked his group of four Hurricanes. McKnight warned his team and quickly turned his plane. He got behind one of the diving enemy planes and shot it down. This was his squadron's first victory in France.
On May 21, 242 Squadron pilots returned to Britain. But their break was cut short when Allied armies were pushed into Dunkirk. The squadron rushed to RAF Manston and flew missions over Dunkirk during the day. McKnight shot down a Bf 109 on May 28. His Hurricane was hit, but he managed to fly it back home. Over Dunkirk, McKnight shot down six enemy planes in four days. By June 7, 1940, he had 10 victories.
The constant fighting was very hard on McKnight. In July 1940, he had to go to the hospital to rest. He had lost a lot of weight and was very tired.
Battle of Britain
No. 242 Squadron had lost many pilots in France. It was rebuilt with a new leader, Squadron Leader Douglas Bader. Bader was a famous pilot who had lost both his legs but still flew. He worked hard to make the squadron strong again. He chose McKnight as his wingman, meaning McKnight flew beside him to protect him. Bader saw McKnight as a very talented pilot.
By mid-July, 242 Squadron was ready for action again. They joined the fight in the Battle of Britain. On August 30, 1940, the squadron moved to RAF Duxford. They fought a large group of German bombers and their escort fighters. Bader shot down two planes, and McKnight shot down two enemy Bf 110s and one He 111 bomber.
On September 9, McKnight scored two more victories. His Hurricane was hit during this fight, and part of its wing was shot away. He barely made it back to his base.
He got two more kills on September 18, shooting down a Dornier Do 17 and sharing in the destruction of a Junkers Ju 88. His last victory was on November 5, 1940. McKnight damaged a Bf 109 and signaled the enemy pilot to land. Instead, the German pilot parachuted out over the Thames River.
McKnight was promoted to Flying Officer. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross on August 30, 1940, and another award bar in September 1940 for his bravery.
Death and Legacy
In November 1940, No. 242 Squadron moved to Coltishall, then to Martlesham Heath in December. On January 12, 1941, the squadron began flying new types of missions. They escorted bombers and also carried out "Rhubarbs," which were low-level attacks on targets they found.
During one of these missions, McKnight was attacking an E-boat (a type of German patrol boat) in the English Channel. He was under fire from anti-aircraft guns on the French coast when an enemy Bf 109 attacked. His fellow pilot made it back, but McKnight was listed as "missing." It is believed he was shot down by a German pilot named Fw. Brugelmann. Douglas Bader was very sad about losing McKnight. McKnight's body was never found.
Before he died in January 1941, McKnight had 17 confirmed victories. He also shared in two others and had three unconfirmed kills. Here is a list of his victories:
- May 19, 1940: one Bf 109
- May 28, 1940: one Bf 109
- May 29, 1940: two Bf 109s (one unconfirmed) and one Do 17
- May 31, 1940: two Bf 110s and one Bf 109
- June 1, 1940: two Ju 87s (two more unconfirmed)
- June 14, 1940: two Bf 109s
- August 30, 1940: two Bf 110s and one He 111
- September 9, 1940: two Bf 109s
- September 18, 1940: one Do 17 and half a Ju 88 (shared)
- November 5, 1940: forced down a Bf 109 (shared)
Flying Officer McKnight has no known grave. His name is written on the Runnymede Memorial in Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom.
In his hometown of Calgary, a street called McKnight Boulevard is named after him, honoring his bravery and service.
