Andrew Cowper - First World War

First World War

On the completion of his secondary studies in 1916, Cowper enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment for service in the First World War. On 10 May 1917, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was selected for flight training as a temporary second lieutenant. Gaining his wings, Cowper was posted to No. 24 Squadron RFC in France during August, piloting Airco DH.5s. The squadron operated over the Dunkirk and Amiens sectors, with Cowper working against German aerial and ground forces in the area.

Cowper claimed his first aerial victories in November 1917, shooting down two German Albatros D.IIIs. The following month, No. 24 Squadron was re-equipped with S.E.5as. Cowper achieved flying ace status on the new aircraft, being credited with his fifth victory on 19 February 1918. Seven days later, he led a formation of six aircraft out on a patrol. While airborne, the group intercepted a party of four German triplanes. Closing in for an attack, Cowper managed to destroy one of the machines, while the remaining three were shot down by the other men in his patrol. Heading back to base, Cowper spoted a Pfalz D.III scout and "shepherding it by the most skilful piloting west of the lines" forced the aircraft to land, undamaged, at a British aerodrome. Thus during the period of 18 February to 6 March, he had been credited with shooting down six hostile aircraft, bringing his tally to nine. For his "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty" coupled with displaying the "greatest courage and determination" in the destruction of these aircraft, Cowper was awarded the Military Cross. The announcement and accompanying citation for the decoration was announced in a supplement to the London Gazette on 22 April 1918.

Throughout the remainder of March 1918, Cowper was credited with shooting down a further ten German aircraft, either destroying the machines in aerial combat or forcing them down as out of control. These proved to be Cowper's final victories of the war, bringing his ultimate score to nineteen aircraft shot down and making him No. 24 Squadron's fourth highest scoring ace. Cited for his "gallantry and skill ... of the highest order" in bringing these aircraft down, Cowper was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross. On 24 March, he was made a flight commander within No. 24 Squadron and promoted to temporary captain.

In addition to working against German airborne elements, Cowper carried out twenty ground-attack sorties between 21 March and 1 April 1918. On one particular day during this period, he executed four separate attacks on entrenched German infantry and transport. In the first raid, Cowper bombed a unit of troops in their trench, causing "great havoc and confusion" despite being subject to heavy gunfire himself and consequently forced the men to abandon their trench. After returning to his aerodrome for further bombs and ammunition, he set off a second time and successfully assaulted troops and transport forces, before carrying out two further raids that day. Cowper was awarded a second Bar to his Military Cross for his "magnificent dash and determination" in his attacks on land forces. The awards of both Bars were promogulated in a supplement to the London Gazette on 22 June 1918, along with the full citations for the decorations.

In April 1918, Cowper returned to the United Kingdom for duties with the Home Establishment. Transferring to the newly established Royal Air Force later that month, he spent the remainder or the war in England. The following year, he was posted to No. 79 Squadron RAF and served with the unit as part of the British occupation of Germany. He was later posted to India, before retiring from the Royal Air Force on 13 February 1920.