James Dennis Payne

James Dennis Payne
Born 22 July 1897 or 22 July 1889
Leamington, Warwickshire, England
Allegiance England
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Captain
Unit No. 41 Squadron RFC, No. 29 Squadron RFC
Awards Military Cross

Captain James Dennis Payne was a World War I flying ace credited with fourteen aerial victories.[1][2]

World War I service

On 10 July 1915 Sergeant Payne was awarded flight certificate No. 1415 on Maurice Farman Biplane from the Military School in Birmingham.[3][4][5]

He was originally assigned to 41 Squadron on 12 June 1916, but was shipped out on 16 July, joining 29 Squadron on 6 August.[6] On 30 October 1916, Acting Sergeant Major Payne was commissioned a second lieutenant on duty with RFC.[7][8]

He scored his first victory on 12 August 1917, using a Nieuport fighter to destroy a German Albatros D.V near Houthoulst Forest. His run of triumphs would run until 9 January 1918. During November 1917, two notable events would occur. On the 9th, he would wound and drive down veteran ace Walter Göttsch for victory number nine.[9] On the 17th, he was awarded a Military Cross.[10][11] Also in the autumn, in November he was appointed a Flight Commander, which bore the concomitant rank of Captain.[12]

By the time he was done, on 9 January 1918, he had destroyed four enemy planes and driven down ten out of control; ten of his victories were over Albatros D.V fighters. All of his victories were scored while flying a Nieuport.[13] On 10 January 1918, he was withdrawn to Home Establishment.[14]

Post World War I

Postwar, Payne made a living for a while by barnstorming. After that, he lived in Belgium.[15]

Honors and awards

Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. James Dennis Payne, Gen. List, and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol with two other scouts he attacked a formation of seven enemy two-seaters, bringing down two himself while the two scouts brought down two more. Besides these, he has accounted for five other machines, and at all times shown the greatest gallantry.[16][17]

Sources of information

  1. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/payne1.php Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  2. ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 299.
  3. ↑ http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t119125.html Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  4. ↑ http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1915/1915%20-%200514.html Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  5. ↑ http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/Aviators_Certificates_-_UK_1915 Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  6. ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 299.
  7. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29871/supplements/12419 Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  8. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29871/supplements/12420 Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  9. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/payne1.php Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  10. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30399/supplements/12318 Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  11. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30399/supplements/12320 Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  12. ↑ Nieuport Aces of World War I. pp. 23–24.
  13. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/payne1.php Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  14. ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 299.
  15. ↑ Nieuport Aces of World War I. pp. 23–24.
  16. ↑ http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%200406.html Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  17. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 5 April 1918) http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/issues/30614/supplements/4223/page.pdf Retrieved 24 February 2010.

References

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