Gilbert W. M. Green

Group Captain Gilbert Ware Murlis Green DSO* MC** was a Royal Air Force career officer credited with eight aerial victories. He was a pioneer among fighter aces, and his victories were scored in a variety of theaters and flying environments. He was successful on both the Western Front, in Greece, and on his home soil. He also commanded two of the original night fighter squadrons.

World War I service
Green's military career started humbly; on 9 September 1914, just after World War I began, he was promoted from Rifleman to Temporary Second Lieutenant. By 22 November 1915, he was a Flying Officer Observer. He was assigned to 5 Squadron on the Western Front. Manning the guns in a two-seater aircraft piloted by Frederick Powell, Green set a DFW two-seater aflame on 29 February 1916. He was then transferred from Flying Officer Observer to the Royal Flying Corps's General List on 19 June 1916 and sent to pilot training. By 13 December 1916, he was scoring his second victory, destroying another DFW while flying a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12 for 17 Squadron in Salonika, Greece.

On 4 January 1917, he captured an Albatros D.V fighter despite being overmatched; the German craft was faster, more maneuverable, and had two guns instead of one. Ten days later, he would repeat the feat, although his victim this time was an Albatros two-seater reconnaissance plane, and Green had help from fellow ace Franklin Saunders. On 18 February 1917, Green battled German ace Rudolf von Eschwege in a dogfight during which Green's gun jammed, and wingman J. C. F. Owen was shot down. Green returned to form on 18 and 19 March, destroying a Friedrichshafen G seaplane and driving another down out of control on the 18th, and flaming an Albatros recon craft on the 19th. Green thus became the only pilot to become an ace flying the B.E. 12. These latest three successes earned him the Distinguished Service Order.

For his next victory, Green borrowed a Spad fighter; he flamed an Albatros recon plane with it on 13 July 1917. He was then rotated home to England and to command of a Home Defence unit, 44 Squadron, that operated Sopwith Camels as night fighters. Once there, Green closed out his year by shooting down a Gotha Giant bomber piloted by German Oberleutnant Gerhard Von Stachelsky on 18 December 1917. It was the first German airplane to be shot down at night over Britain.

In June 1918, Green took command of 151 Squadron and led it to France, where it engaged the Germans in night fighter operations. Later in the war, he moved on to command 70 Squadron in daylight combat.

Postwar career
Green continued serving in the Royal Air Force after the war. On 1 July 1928, he was promoted from Squadron Leader to Wing Commander. On 1 July 1934, he was promoted again, from Wing Commander to Group Captain.

Honors and awards
Mentioned in Dispatches 6 December 1916, 28 November 1917, 20 December 1917.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Temp. 2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) Gilbert Ware M. Green, M.C., R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has set a magnificent example by his gallant conduct in attacking the enemy's aeroplanes when in superior numbers. He brought down three enemy machines within twenty-four hours. (Text from Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 June 1917) (30135/5981)

Green also won two Bars to the DSO in lieu of a second and third award.

After being awarded the Military Cross on 1 January 1917, Green won a Bar in lieu of a second award.

Military Cross (MC) First Bar

2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) Gilbert Ware Murlis Green, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He brought down two enemy machines on successive days under adverse circumstances. He has displayed great dash and courage at every opportunity. (The M.C. was awarded in London Gazette dated 1 January 1917.)

Military Cross (MC) Second Bar (awarded 8 January 1918)

Temp. Sec. Lieut. (Temp. Capt.) Gilbert Ware Murlis Green, D.S.O., M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.

While flying at night on patrol duty he encountered an enemy aeroplane, which he attacked with great determination and skill, and although there was very little light he succeeded in hitting one of the engines of the machine, which, by reason of the damage, was forced to come down in the sea off a South Coast port, where two of the occupants of the machine ware made prisoners.

Serbian Order of the White Eagle 4th Class, with Swords, was awarded 3 October 1917.

French Croix de Guerre was awarded 2 June 1917.

Belgian Croix de Guerre awarded 15 July 1919.