Youngest aviation squadron commander of WWI
Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny (1897 – 1969)
The Great War Forum (https://www.greatwarforum.org/), established in 2002, is a large Internet forum for discussing the Great War of 1914–1918 (World War 1).
On the forum in 14 April 2021 at https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/290153-who-was-the-youngest-squadron-commander-of-wwi/ , it was suggested that Keith Caldwell (16.10.1895–28.11.1980) was the youngest aviation squadron commander of WWI. When he took over 74 Squadron in March 1918 Caldwell was only twenty-two years old.
Another contributor noted, however, that “Hugh DeCrepsigny [sic. Properly, de Crespigny.] was CO of 29 sqn when he was NINETEEN.” No other names were put forward.
A photograph of his service record shared on the forum seems to show that de Crespigny had been appointed Squadron Commander and temporary major on 21 March 1917. He was born on 8 April 1897. On his appointment on 21 March 1917 he was 19 years 11 months old, two and a half years younger than Caldwell.
Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny (1897 – 1969) was my great great uncle.
On 30 August 1914 Hugh enlisted in the 7th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force. He had previously served as 2nd Lieutenant in the 46th Battalion of the Senior Cadets from 1 January 1914 resigning on 14 October 1914. He was discharged to the 2nd Expeditionary Force in October 1914. (NAA: B2455, DE CRESPIGNY H V C)
Hugh Champion de Crespigny enlisted in the British Army on 16 July 1915 as a Flying Officer in the Special Reserve RFC (Royal Flying Corps). He had gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator Certificate No 1099 on 26 February 1915.
In 1916 Hugh sent a letter to his parents describing two fights he was involved in and a photo of him with an aeroplane.
R. F. C.
FRANCE
3rd. April 1916.
I have just received both yours and Mother's letters and am glad you are pleased at my promotion - I am very pleased myself and if I survive this year shall probably be made Major.
1st.Fight:-
The last month has been the most exciting I have ever had at the front Chamberlain (my Observer) and I have had 16. aerial fights and brought down three German machines Three days ago we met two German Aviated planes five miles away outside of the lines We attacked the first at about 11,000. feet and chased after him firing our two machine guns into him at about 40.yards range. The Hun was so frightened that he almost lost control of his machine - We continued to dive repeatedly after him at about 120. miles an hour till we were within 2,500. feet of the German trenches and under the concentrated fire of dozens of machine guns from the Germans We then had to abandon the fight after making the Hun land in a wrecked state- Both Chamberlain and I were congratulated by the General commanding the 3rd.Brigade.
2nd Fight :-
Yesterday morning while we were out on patrol over Arras at 7.30.a.m. Chamberlain and I saw 5. hostile Aeroplanes coming towards us at a height of about 10,000. feet - they were about three miles away We turned at once and attacked the first machine at a range of about 80. yards = We drove him off and I turned on to the next nearest machine (a Foker) We got close to this, but after a few hundred rounds our controls were almost shot away. We managed
(OVER):-
to keep on after him however and fired another 200. rounds at him at a range of about 30.yards - I dropped straight down and was soon out of sight -The other four machines had by this time come all around us and we were attacked by all and received the fire of four machine guns at 100. yards rare- Our machine was shot to atoms -all our controls were cut by bullets and our tanks pierced - The planes were all torn by 200. bullets (we counted the holes afterwards) = Our engines were hit in several places and stopped - We then simply fluttered to the earth from 9000. feet - Poor old Chamberlain and I thought we had not the slightest chance of coming through it alive - My beautiful machine flew itself to earth and landed without hurting either of us, but was shot away beyond repair This has been the most exciting experience I have ever had - The odds were too great against us - 5. to 1. but we came out alive. The General came out to our Aerodrome as soon as we returned and though I hate telling you Pa. he looked at us and said he was proud of us and congratulated us several times - I was hoping C. would get the D.S.O. for it, but am afraid it is impossible -Our beautiful machine had become quite famous and was the first fightinh aeroplane in France - We have no machine now, so are taking a rest.From RFC Communique No 24 (13 December 1915):
2nd Lt De Crespigny and Lt Insall (Vickers Fighter, 11 Sqn) while patrolling over Bienvillers, sighted an LVG [German reconnaissance two-seater]. They chased the hostile machine which crossed the lines and made off in the direction of Bapaume.(http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/40951-hugh-champion-de-crespigny.html)
From RFC Communique No 27 (14 January 1916):
2nd Lt De Crespigny and 2nd Lt Hughes Chamberlain (Vickers F.B, 11 Sqn) sighted a Fokker near Bertincourt at about 8,000 feet. The German immediately began to dive, the Vickers following and firing nearly one drum of tracer bullets. The Fokker was seen to descend with great speed to earth and was last seen in a field. As the day was hazy it was impossible to ascertain if the hostile machine was completely wrecked. An Albatros and another Fokker were sighted at about 2,000 feet, but owing to engine trouble the Vickers was unable to attack and recrossed the lines.(http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/40951-hugh-champion-de-crespigny.html)
From RFC Communique No 32 (2 April 1916):
Capt de Crespigny on a machine of 11 Sqn (observer, 2nd Lt J Hughes Chamberlain) while on patrol attacked five LVG biplanes over Lens. He fired three drums at the first at about 11 yards range and three drums at the second at about 40 yards. The latter dived steeply towards the German lines. The other three machines made off. Capt de Crespigny’s machine was now completely out of control, the engine having stopped, the propellor being smashed and the control wire shot away. Capt de Crespigny, however, with great skill brought his machine to the ground behind our own lines without any casualty to himself or his observer. (http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/40951-hugh-champion-de-crespigny.html)
Hugh was awarded the Military Cross in 1916:
“2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny, Suff. R. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and skill, notably when he attacked five enemy machines over the enemy’s lines. He drove away one, and brought another to the ground badly hit. His own machine was thencrippled by the fire of the remaining three, but, after emptying one more drum at them, he brought his machine down safely in our lines.” (London Gazette – 16 May 1916)
In 1918 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
“Maj. Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny, M.C. (Suff. R.). (FRANCE)
A brilliant and gallant officer who displays high initiative in night flying, in which service his example has been invaluable to those under his command. On the night of 23rd-24th. September Major Champion de Crespigny carried out a long distance bombing raid. Flying a machine unsuitable for night duty, and in face of adverse weather conditions, he reached, and successfully bombed, his objective. A fine performance, calling for cool courage and determination.
(M.C. gazetted 16th May, 1916.)” (London Gazette – 3 December 1918)
After the war he was promoted to captain and then posted to India.
During the Second World War he served as AOC, AHQ Iraq and Persia in 1942 and 1943. He retired from the Airforce in November 1945 as an Air Vice-Marshall (the equivalent of an army Major General). (http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Champion.htm)
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First posted at https://anneyoungau.wordpress.com/2024/11/14/youngest-aviation-squadron-commander-of-wwi/