Roy Manzer
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Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Royal Canadian Artillery
Roy Manzer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 August 1896 Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Died | 26 August 1956 (aged 59) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service | Royal Flying Corps Royal Canadian Artillery |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 84 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Captain Roy Manzer, DFC QC was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with 12 official aerial victories. After his aerial military service, he returned to Canada and a long and distinguished legal and civic career.
There is dispute about where Roy Manzer was born. One report insists on Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada on 31 August 1896.[1] Another unattributed report says Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and gives the same birthdate.[citation needed]
World War I
On 24 October 1917, Manzer was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps.[2]
He scored his first aerial victory as a pilot of Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a serial number D259 with No. 84 Squadron RAF. On 25 April 1918, he destroyed a German Albatros D.V east of Abancourt. Next to fall in ruins was a Fokker triplane, on 16 May 1918. On the 28th, he doubled up, driving one Albatros D.V down out of control over Warfusée and destroying another. Manzer knocked down the latter in a midair collision that smashed his opponent's top wing with the SE.5s landing gear in an unusual maneuver. On 18 June, he switched to SE.5a number C8171 and destroyed another Triplane to become an ace.[1]
Manzer would switch to SE.5a serial number C8732 for the remainder of his wins. He would drive down a new Fokker D.VII on 29 June 1918. On 19 July, he would join the ranks of the balloon busters, burning a German observation balloon near Le Quesnel. On 28 and 29 July, he would share victories with George Vaughn, as they destroyed Rumplers both days. Manzer set another Fokker D.VII afire on 3 August 1918. The next day, he destroyed another Albatros D.V. He also scored his final victory that day, destroying a Pfalz D.III. The following day, he would be brought down by ground fire while on a trench strafing mission. He sat out the remaining months of the war in captivity.[1]
Lieutenant Manzer was promoted to the rank of temporary captain on 7 August 1918.[3]