Sopwith Ace

Air Classics, Mar 2004 by Pahl, Gerard

He had a new machine to fly, a Sopwith Snipe. Although it had a more powerful engine than the Camel, its performance was only slightly better and it was not as maneuverable. Poor weather kept Barker grounded and he was to return the aircraft 27 October 1918. Barker just could not give up the hunt - he had to fly one more time over the enemy's lines. It was almost his last flight. Barker had made a sophomoric decision in the literal meaning of the term "wise fool." It was foolish in that, for him, the war was over. he could have gone home with an amazing record in combat. The farm boy from Dauphin could have used his credentials for position and esteem in the high society of which he so wanted to he a part, and he could possibly have rescued his family from their financial difficulties. But instead he not only almost lost his life, but he also shattered both his body and his future. In this impulsive action, Barker also secured the fame he desired because as a result of his magnificent flying ability, valor, and sheer audacity he would receive Great Britain's highest military award, the Victoria Cross.

One improvement the Snipe did have was that it could fly higher than most Allied aircraft and Barker used this to his advantage hy shooting down a Gemian Rumpler ohservation plane, the pilot of which did not expect a British craft at his altitude of 21,000-ft. But victory turned to disaster when hunter became prey. The Germans had developed some new techniques - one of which was to have several layers of scouts flying in close fomiation, one on top of another. A Fokker Dr.I snuck up on its quarry and put several 7.92mm rounds through the Snipe, one of which smashed into Barker's thigh. Throwing the Sopwith into a spin, Barker pulled around finding the Fokker in his sight, which he subsequently dispatched. he continued the spin and recovered only to find himself in the midst of an entire gaggle of D. VlIs, one of the best if not the best German fighter of the war. This was Jagdgeschwader 3's full strength of four Jagdsiaffein - over 60 enemy aircraft. A high velocity round lodged in his hip as he fought the brightly colored craft. A third copper-jacketed bullet blew apart his left elbow. he was completely surrounded and, being unable to run, he could only fight back, knocking down another blackcrossed machine. Smoke pouring from his engine; he even tried to ram a German machine.

Swirling like a dervish with frantic German machines nipping at his heals, he lost altitude. The whole melee looked like a tornado of color and machine gun fire with more than 300 rounds penetrating the hapless Snipe. Barker shot down another Fokker and then noticed a British observation balloon near by he ran for it, perhaps hoping the white flak of British ack-ack would protect him, scaring away his relentless pursuers. The barely conscious pilot crashed at the base of No. 29 Kite Balloon section, shearing his landing gear off and flipping the Snipe over onto its back. Pulsing blood gushed out of his groin while his left arm dangled in tatters, useless to the battered pilot - his only injury from the actual crash was a broken nose. Balloonist Frank Woolley Smith ran to the wrecked Snipe, extracted the pilot and applied pressure to Bill's wounds. It is amazing he did not bleed to death, which he surely would have had he not landed so near the British lines.