Over the Front—The League of WWI Aviation Historians
The Aerodrome Home Page
Aces of WWI
Aircraft of WWI
Books and Videos
The Aerodrome Forum
Sign the Guestbook
Help
WWI Web Sites
Medals & Decorations
The Aerodrome News
Search The Aerodrome
Today in History

 
Name: Brian Edmund Baker
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Military Cross (MC)
Air Force Cross (AFC)
Croix de Guerre [France]		 Brian Edmund Baker
Country: England
Rank: Major
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Units: 48, 141
Victories: 12
Born: 31 August 1896
Place of Birth: Hertford, Hertfordshire
Died: 08 October 1979
Place of Death:  
 
After serving with the Rifle Brigade, Baker transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1915. With only 12 hours of flight time in his log book, he was posted to 13 Squadron in France. In 1917, Baker was posted to 48 Squadron as a flight commander. That year, he downed a Gotha bomber and was credited with 12 victories flying the Bristol Fighter.
 
Military Cross (MC)
"2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Brian Edmund Baker, Rif. Bde., and R.F.C.
   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his patrol with great skill against a hostile formation, which he attacked, accounting for five enemy machines out of six. Later, he drove a hostile machine down in flames, and attacked and destroyed another one by diving 7,000 feet on to it and firing at such close range as to nearly collide with it. His gallantry has been at all times of great value to his squadron."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 25 August 1917 (30251/8806)
 
 
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
"T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Brian Edmund Baker, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.
   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst on patrol he engaged nine Albatross scouts, five of these being driven down, two of which he accounted for. On another occasion, whilst leading his flight on an offensive patrol, he dived alone on a formation of six enemy scouts, driving one down out of control. During the course of his patrol work he has brought down ten enemy machines, and his work on all occasions has been magnificent. He is a dashing patrol leader, and inspires all with the greatest keenness."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 August 1918 (30845/9560)
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 15 Jun 1917 2020 48 Bristol Fighter (A7149) Albatros D.III (DESF) N of Vitry
2 21 Jul 1917 1800 48 Bristol Fighter (A7107) Albatros D.V (OOC) Slype
3 22 Jul 1917 1040 48 Bristol Fighter (A7146) Gotha (DES) NW of Ostend
4 27 Jul 1917 1710 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) Albatros D.III (DESF) NE of Nieuport
5 28 Jul 1917 0815 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) Albatros D.III (DESF) Ghistelles-Zevecote
6 19 Aug 1917 0650 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) Albatros D.V (OOC) Ostend
7 21 Oct 1917 1300 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) Albatros D.III (OOC) Ostend
8 31 Oct 1917 1615 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) Pfalz D.III (OOC) NE of Dixmude
9 11 Nov 1917 1710 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) 1 Albatros D.III (OOC) NE of Dixmude
10 11 Nov 1917 1710 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) 1 Albatros D.III (OOC) NE of Dixmude
11 29 Nov 1917 1445 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) 1 Albatros D.III (OOC) Houthoulst Wood
12 29 Nov 1917 1530 48 Bristol Fighter (A7170) 1 Albatros D.III (CAP) Armesvelde-Zarren
1 Observer AM2 Bruce Jackman
 
Aces · Aircraft · Books · Forum · Guests · Help · Links · Medals · News · Search · Today