Albert Ball VC

The Bold Sherwood Forester

Jan 9, 2009 Murray McLeod

The story of Albert Ball; surely the RFC's boldest ace, who blazed a fiery trail over the Western Front, only to crash fatally in May 1917.

Sherwood Forester

Future V.C. winner and fighter ace Albert Ball was born in Nottingham in August 1896, and from an early age he was involved in hobbies that were of a practical nature. At the outbreak of war Ball enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters and in October he received his commission, although he did not go on active service immediately. But his destiny was changed dramatically, when following a visit to Hendon Aerodrome; Ball became so enthusiastic about flying that he determined to become a pilot himself. On gaining his certificate he was posted to the R.F.C. and in February 1916 he joined No.13 Squadron.

First Success

His new squadron was a reconnaissance unit based in France, operating with the archaic BE2C 2-seater. Ball had little opportunity for combat with No.13, but in May 1916 he transferred to No. 11 Squadron, equipped with Nieuport Scouts. Ball developed an immediate rapport with the agile Nieuport and quickly established himself as an aggressive fighter pilot. After earlier unconfirmed combats, by July he was credited with the destruction of a balloon and also a Roland C2.

The Somme

The Battle of the Somme was launched on 1 July 1916 and to Ball’s disgust he was posted to a reconnaissance unit, No.8. Over the ensuing weeks he flew the outdated BE2d on photo/reconnaissance missions over a bitterly contested battleground. Ball’s tenure with No.8 was only for a short period and to his relief on 10 August he returned to No.11. In the course of a solo patrol Ball attacked a formation of 5 enemy machines, and in the ensuing combat he forced down four of them. On 21 August he attacked 7 Rolands, and once again ignoring the odds he shot down three of them. For a person of such an individualistic nature, Albert Ball was in his element on these roving commissions. During September, undeterred by the odds facing him, more Rolands fell to his guns; for these and earlier exploits, the buccaneering Albert Ball was awarded the DSO and bar.

The Introvert

Ball was seemingly unperturbed by the odds against him in his combats; although in retrospect his methods bordered on suicidal. He was a somewhat introverted character and preferred to isolate himself on his off-duty periods. Much of his time was spent in a self-contained hut set apart from the regular squadron accommodation. There he was able to play his violin and also tend a small vegetable garden beside his front door. The riotous mess parties were events from which he preferred to disassociate himself.

The Instructor

By early October 1916 the General Staff considered Ball had done more than enough operationally and he was sent back to England on instructional duties. At the time he had destroyed 10 enemy aircraft and forced down a further 20. He soon tired of instructing pupils and applied for a return to France. He was forced to wait until 7 April 1917 before his transfer was approved; and the move when it came was to No.56 squadron as a flight commander. It was already a famous unit, and the first to be equipped with the SE5 scout. Ball took some time to become reconciled to the SE5, and for a time his preference was to mostly operate with his faithful Nieuport scout.

The Last Combat

Ball alternated between the Nieuport and SE5, and scored further victories in both machines, taking his score to 44. But his tenure with 56 was destined to be tragically brief. On the evening of 7 May he was last seen in combat with a German scout near Lens; before he flew into heavy cloud. No trace of Albert Ball or his SE5 was ever found. Lothar Richtofen was at first credited with downing Ball but it proved to be groundless for Richtofen claimed to have brought down a Sopwith Triplane; while Ball was flying an SE5. One theory persists that Ball became disoriented in the heavy cloud and lost control.It was a tragic loss for Great Britain and in June 1917 the great Albert Ball was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

The copyright of the article Albert Ball VC in Military History is owned by Murray McLeod. Permission to republish Albert Ball VC in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Albert Ball