McElroy

[JoaoMVM]

Can anyone help me with the service record of George McElroy, the Irish ace?
I want to know in wich period did he fly with 24 and 40 squadrons.
Regards
Joao

[Shredward]

From Above the Trenches , Shores, Franks, and Guest.
"George McElroy joined the Royal Irish Regiment on the outbreak of war and in October 1914 was posted to France, where he was commissioned in May, 1915. He was badly gassed in subsequent service and posted to garrison duty in Ireland. Eager to return to action, he transferred to the RFC in February 1917, and after training, joined 40 Squadron in France to fly Nieuport Scouts. I was not until the squadron had received SE5as that he gained his first victory, claimin a two-seater on 28 December; all his other victories were to be achieved in 1918. During the next two months he claimed 10 more, and was then posted as a flight commander to 24 Squadron, claiming a further 16 victories by early April. This string of successes brought an MC in February, a Bar in March and a second Bar in April. While landing on 7 April after shooting down three enemy aircraft, he crashed into a tree and was badly shaken. On recovery late in June, he rejoined his old squadron, 40, and once again showed his virtuosity; three victories in quick succession during the last four days of June were followed by 17 more during July, the awards of both a DFC and Bar being made that month. On 20 July his aircraft suffered engine trouble while he was engaging two two-seaters and he crash-landed unhurt. That evening at a farewell party for Captain G H Lewis, whe had been posted to Home Establishment, ha and Mick Mannock admonished each other for being too aggressive and for going too low in pursuit of German aircraft. Six days later Mannock was to die soing just that, while on 31 July, only five days after the loss of Mannock, the man who had been his star pupil in 40 Squadron was to be lost in the same way. "McIrish" as he was known, took off in SE5a E1310 and did not return; he had shot down a two-seater at low altitude over Laventie, but had then been hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed to his death. The Germans reported this when to dropped a message to this effect."
This book, as do the others in the series, has excellent ace biographies, as well as details of their claims.
cheers,
shredward

[JoaoMVM]

Thanks alot!

Im actually thinking of getting one of those books, but i´m quite indecisive about three.

- Jasta Pilots
- Jasta War Cronology
-Above the Trenches

My main interest is to find records of all victories claimed during the war, ace and non ace, and the pilots service records and squadron stories...

So whatever the best ook for that, thats the one i´ll buy.

Joao

[Barrett]

If you're severely serious about collecting all available info (a vicious virus for which there is no known cure) you'll want all the Grub Street volumes FOR STARTERS.

Welcome to the GWAR ward (Great War Aviation Research)!