Douglas Arthur Davies
Wing Commander Douglas Arthur Davies was an officer of the British Royal Air Force, who was credited with 10 aerial victories in World War I, and also served during World War II.
Early life
Davies was born in Harrow, England, the first-born son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Davies.World War I
On 17 October 1915, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Wiltshire Regiment. On 20 November 1917, he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as a lieutenant and a flying officer.By mid-1918, Davies was posted to 150 Squadron in Salonika as a Sopwith Camel pilot. He scored his first aerial victories on 12 June 1918, when he set one Albatros D.V afire and destroyed another. His second successful day saw him become an ace, as he destroyed two more Albatros D.Vs in one dogfight on 17 July, then drove another down out of control an hour and a half later. Six days later, he teamed with John Preston to destroy another. On 8 August, he drove down two enemy fighters out of control. Ten days later, he rounded off his victory string by driving down another pair of Albatros D.Vs out of control.
He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his prowess. It was announced in The London Gazette on 2 November 1918:
List of aerial victories
All victories gained while posted to No. 150 Squadron based at Salonika, Greece.| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
| 1 | 12 June 1918 @ 0600 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed by fire | North of Guevgueli | |
| 2 | 12 June 1918 @ 0800 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | North of Guevgueli | |
| 3 | 17 July 1918 @ 0735 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Hudova | |
| 4 | 17 July 1918 @ 0735 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Hudova | |
| 5 | 17 July 1918 @ approx. 0900 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | Balinge | |
| 6 | 23 July 1918 @ 0730 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Northeast of Boluntili | Shared with John Carbery Preston |
| 7 | 8 August 1918 @ approx. 0800 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Enemy fighter plane | Driven down out of control | Piravo | |
| 8 | 8 August 1918 @ 0810 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Enemy fighter | Driven down out of control | Boluntili | |
| 9 | 18 August 1918 @ 0745 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | North of Lake Doiran | |
| 10 | 18 August 1918 @ 0745 hours | Sopwith Camel No. C1599 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | North of Lake Doiran |
Between the wars
On 10 October 1919, Davies was awarded the French Croix de guerre avec Palme. On 17 December 1919, he transferred to the Royal Air Force's unemployed list. On 30 September 1921, he surrendered his commission in his regiment.In May 1923, his engagement to Muriel Wilson was announced in Flight magazine.
On 26 January 1937, he was commissioned as a pilot officer in the RAF Reserve.