Bowyer, Chaz Albert Ball VC

The Story of the 1st World War Ace

One of the first flying aces in history's first aerial war, pilot Albert Ball's daring exploits in World War I captured public attention, making him perhaps the first celebrity ace, with nearly every other pilot vying to match or surpass his growing kill count. Albert Ball received his wings in January 1916 in the Royal Flying Corps and was first deployed to France in February of the same year. He joined the 13th squadron and in March 1916 was in action almost non-stop for six weeks, flying the Bristol Scout. When he transferred to the 11th Squadron in May 1916, Ball quickly amassed aerial victories. He had earned a reputation as a tenacious reconnaissance pilot who often flew alone in his Nieuport and always returned to base with an almost empty fuel tank. He rejoined 11 Squadron in August and soon became the most credited reconnaissance pilot of the time. Ball fought his lonely air war and became an inspiration to the RFC at a time when its squadrons were severely depleted. He ultimately shot down 44 German aircraft and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. This book is a gripping and carefully researched account of this tragic hero, who almost seemed destined to die young and thus immortalize his own legend as one of the first flying aces.