Quick Facts
Biography
Wing Commander Douglas Arthur Davies DFC (12 January 1896 – 1992) was an officer of the British Royal Air Force, who was credited with 10 aerial victories in World War I, and also served during World War II.
Early life
Davies was born in Harrow, England, the first-born son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Davies.
World War I
On 17 October 1915, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Wiltshire Regiment. On 20 November 1917, he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as a lieutenant and a flying officer.
By mid-1918, Davies was posted to 150 Squadron in Salonika as a Sopwith Camel pilot. He scored his first aerial victories on 12 June 1918, when he set one Albatros D.V afire and destroyed another. His second successful day saw him become an ace, as he destroyed two more Albatros D.Vs in one dogfight on 17 July, then drove another down out of control an hour and a half later. Six days later, he teamed with John Preston to destroy another. On 8 August, he drove down two enemy fighters out of control. Ten days later, he rounded off his victory string by driving down another pair of Albatros D.Vs out of control.
He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his prowess. It was announced in The London Gazette on 2 November 1918:
"This officer sets a fine example of gallantry and courage, notably on two occasions. On the 12th of June he, single-handed, engaged four enemy scouts, one of which he shot down in flames and a second out of control; the latter was seen to catch fire on reaching the ground. Some weeks later he led his patrol of four scouts against a formation of eleven hostile machines; two of these were shot down in flames, the wings fell off another, and the remainder dispersed."
List of aerial victories
All victories gained while posted to No. 150 Squadron based at Salonika, Greece.
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 June 1918 @ 0600 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed by fire | North of Guevgueli | |
| 2 | 12 June 1918 @ 0800 hours | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | North of Guevgueli | ||
| 3 | 17 July 1918 @ 0735 hours | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Hudova | ||
| 4 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | ||||
| 5 | 17 July 1918 @ approx. 0900 hours | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | Balinge | ||
| 6 | 23 July 1918 @ 0730 hours | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Northeast of Boluntili | Shared with John Carbery Preston | |
| 7 | 8 August 1918 @ approx. 0800 hours | Enemy fighter plane | Driven down out of control | Piravo | ||
| 8 | 8 August 1918 @ 0810 hours | Enemy fighter | Driven down out of control | Boluntili | ||
| 9 | 18 August 1918 @ 0745 hours | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | North of Lake Doiran | ||
| 10 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control |
Between the wars
On 10 October 1919, Davies was awarded the French Croix de guerre avec Palme. On 17 December 1919, he transferred to the Royal Air Force's unemployed list. On 30 September 1921, he surrendered his commission in his regiment.
In May 1923, his engagement to Muriel Wilson was announced in Flight magazine.
On 26 January 1937, he was commissioned as a pilot officer (Class BB) in the RAF Reserve.
World War II
On 12 October 1940, Davies was confirmed in rank as a pilot officer. He later was granted the war substantive rank of flight lieutenant, dating from 28 September 1940. On 1 January 1944, he was promoted to squadron leader in the Administration & Special Duties Branch of RAF.
Post World War II
On 1 November 1947, Davies relinquished his commission as a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. On 1 January 1948, he surrendered his war substantive rank of squadron leader in the RAF Volunteer Reserve while retaining the rank of flight lieutenant. On 10 February 1954, Flight Lieutenant Davies relinguished his commission in RAF Volunteer Reserve, retaining the rank of wing commander.