# Richard Milne

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British flying ace of WWII (1919–2004)

Richard Milne Milne in the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire, February 1943 Born 8 July 1919 Edinburgh, Scotland Died 2004 (aged 84–85) Andorra Allegiance United Kingdom Branch Royal Air Force Rank Wing Commander Commands No. 92 Squadron No. 222 Squadron Biggin Hill Wing Conflicts Second World War Battle of France Battle of Britain Circus offensive Awards Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Other work Aviation industry

**Richard Milne**, [DFC](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)) & [Bar](/source/Medal_bar) (8 July 1919 – 2004) was a British [flying ace](/source/Flying_ace) of the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) during the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War). He is credited with the destruction of at least fifteen aircraft.

Born in [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh), Milne joined the RAF in 1937. At the time of the outbreak of the Second World War, he was serving with [No. 151 Squadron](/source/No._151_Squadron_RAF). With this unit, he flew [Hawker Hurricane](/source/Hawker_Hurricane) fighters during the [Battle of France](/source/Battle_of_France) and then in the subsequent [Battle of Britain](/source/Battle_of_Britain). He claimed several aerial victories during this period, and was awarded the [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)) (DFC). In 1941 he commanded [No. 92 Squadron](/source/No._92_Squadron_RAF) and achieved further successes during the RAF's [Circus offensive](/source/Circus_offensive) for which he was awarded a [Bar](/source/Medal_Bar) to his DFC. He was appointed the leader of the [Biggin Hill Wing](/source/RAF_Biggin_Hill) in January 1943, but was shot down two months later and spent the remainder of the war as a captive of the Germans. Briefly serving in the RAF in the postwar period, he later worked in the aviation industry. He retired to [Andorra](/source/Andorra), where he died in 2004.

## Early life

Richard Maxwell Milne was born on 8 July 1919 in [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh), Scotland. He went to school at [Cheltenham College](/source/Cheltenham_College), leaving at the end of 1935. Eighteen months later he joined the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) on a short service [commission](/source/Commission_(document)). He trained at [No. 11 Flying Training School](/source/No._215_Advanced_Flying_School_RAF), where he was a particularly proficient student, finishing top in flying and air gunnery. He was posted as a [pilot officer](/source/Pilot_officer) to No. 8 Armament Training Station at [Evanton](/source/RAF_Evanton) in May 1938, where he served as a staff pilot. In early 1939, he was assigned to [No. 151 Squadron](/source/No._151_Squadron_RAF).[1][2] This was based at [North Weald](/source/RAF_North_Weald), from where it operated [Hawker Hurricane](/source/Hawker_Hurricane) [fighters](/source/Fighter_aircraft) as part of [London](/source/London)'s aerial defences.[3]

## Second World War

For the first several months of the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War), No. 151 Squadron was tasked with intercepting unidentified aircraft and pursuing stray [barrage balloons](/source/Barrage_balloon).[3] During this period, Milne was promoted to [flying officer](/source/Flying_officer).[4] Following the [invasion of France](/source/Battle_of_France) on 10 May 1940, the squadron began operating from [Vitry](/source/Vitry-en-Artois) in France and was heavily engaged.[3] Milne destroyed a [Junkers Ju 87](/source/Junkers_Ju_87) [dive bomber](/source/Dive_bomber) 50 miles (80 km) to the east of [Valenciennes](/source/Valenciennes) on 17 May and then the next day shot down a [Messerschmitt Bf 110](/source/Messerschmitt_Bf_110) [heavy fighter](/source/Heavy_fighter) over Vitry although this latter aerial victory was not confirmed. On 22 May he destroyed a Ju 87 near [Merville](/source/Merville%2C_Nord).[2] The squadron was withdrawn to [Martlesham Heath](/source/RAF_Martlesham_Heath) in England following the end of its campaign in France in late May. From here it provided cover for the [British Expeditionary Force](/source/British_Expeditionary_Force_(World_War_II)) as it was evacuated from [Dunkirk](/source/Dunkirk) and was then drawn into aerial engagements with the [Luftwaffe](/source/Luftwaffe) over the [Thames estuary](/source/Thames_estuary) in the opening stages of the [Battle of Britain](/source/Battle_of_Britain).[3]

### Battle of Britain

In the afternoon of 9 July, Milne's [flight](/source/Flight_(military_unit)) intercepted a large group of Luftwaffe bombers and their escorting fighters. In the resulting engagement, he shot down a [Messerschmitt Bf 109](/source/Messerschmitt_Bf_109) fighter near [Margate](/source/Margate).[2][5] He shared in the destruction of a [Dornier Do 17](/source/Dornier_Do_17) [medium bomber](/source/Medium_bomber) that was attacking shipping near [Harwich](/source/Harwich) on 12 July.[2][6] On 29 July Milne damaged a Bf 110, part of a group of aircraft attacking a convoy off Harwich.[2][7] Milne destroyed a pair of Do 17s on 13 August and two days later shot down a Bf 109 near [Dover](/source/Dover).[2]

On 18 August, what is now known as [The Hardest Day](/source/The_Hardest_Day), Milne destroyed a [Heinkel He 111](/source/Heinkel_He_111) medium bomber off the mouth of the [River Crouch](/source/River_Crouch). He reported seeing the aircraft explode and it crashed into the sea.[2][8] This was his final aerial victory of the battle over the southeast of England for No. 213 Squadron was dispatched to [Digby](/source/RAF_Digby), part of [No. 12 Group](/source/No._12_Group_RAF), for a rest from intensive operations.[3] Prior to this, and in recognition of his successes of the preceding months, Milne was awarded the [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)).[1] The citation, published in *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* on 30 August, read:

Flying Officer Milne has personally destroyed seven enemy aircraft, and seriously damaged a number of others. He has led his section throughout with skill and courage, and has set an example to other members of the squadron.

— *The London Gazette*, No. 34935, 30 August 1940[9]

In November, Milne was sent to the [Central Flying School](/source/Central_Flying_School) at [Upavon](/source/RAF_Upavon) for training as an instructor. Following this he instructed at [No. 8 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School](/source/List_of_Reserve_flying_schools) for a time. In January 1941 he was promoted to [flight lieutenant](/source/Flight_lieutenant) and returned to Upavon to serve as an instructor on the staff there.[1][10] In mid-1941 he returned to operational flying with a posting to [No. 92 Squadron](/source/No._92_Squadron_RAF).[2] This was engaged in the RAF's [Circus offensive](/source/Circus_offensive), flying its [Supermarine Spitfire](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) fighters from [Biggin Hill](/source/RAF_Biggin_Hill) on sorties to German-occupied France.[11]

### Squadron command

Milne at the controls of his Supermarine Spitfire fighter, 1942

Initially a [flight commander](/source/Flight_commander) with No. 92 Squadron, Milne was appointed acting [squadron leader](/source/Squadron_leader) and became its commander in September. He probably destroyed a Bf 109 to the southwest of [Saint-Omer](/source/Saint-Omer) on 27 September, also damaging a second Bf 109. On 13 October he was flying on his own at low altitude to Saint-Omer due to problems with his oxygen supply and encountered a Bf 109 which he was able to evade. He broke off his sortie and was on his return flight to the squadron's new airfield at [Gravesend](/source/RAF_Gravesend) when he engaged and destroyed one Bf 109 and damaged a second. He was then attacked by two more Bf 109s but managed to shoot down one of these, which collided with the other Bf 109 causing it to crash as well. A few days later he was rested with a brief posting to the [Middle East](/source/Middle_East) as part of a mission to advise on tactics and strategy in the [Western Desert campaign](/source/Western_Desert_campaign).[2][12] Milne was awarded a [Bar](/source/Medal_bar) to his DFC in November. The published citation read:

Since assuming command in September 1941, this officer has led the squadron on 19 offensive operations over enemy territory. In the course of these operations, Squadron Leader Milne has destroyed at least 3 and damaged 2 enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to 11 destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 11 damaged. His leadership has been characterised by dash and good judgment.

— *London Gazette*, No. 35341, 11 November 1941[13]

In January 1942, Milne was appointed to command of [No. 222 Squadron](/source/No._222_Squadron_RAF).[2] Stationed at North Weald and operating Spitfires, his new unit carried out sorties to France.[14] In May Milne was tasked with establishing an Fighter Command Air Gunnery School at [Ipswich](/source/RAF_Ipswich) for the training of fighter squadrons.[2]

### Wing leader

Milne (left) stands next to Squadron Leader [Hugo Armstrong](/source/Hugo_Armstrong), January 1943

At the start of 1943, he was promoted to temporary [wing commander](/source/Wing_commander) and appointed [wing leader](/source/Wing_leader) of the Biggin Hill Wing. On one of his earliest sorties as wing leader, carried out on 20 January, he destroyed a [Focke Wulf 190](/source/Focke_Wulf_190) fighter to the south of [Dungeness](/source/Dungeness) and a Bf 109 near [Pevensey](/source/Pevensey). On 10 March he shot down a Fw 190 near [Béthune](/source/B%C3%A9thune) in France. His final sortie as wing leader was on 14 March. On this occasion he destroyed a Fw 190 in the vicinity of [Berck](/source/Berck) but his Spitfire was damaged in a subsequent engagement with German fighters near [Hardelot](/source/Neufch%C3%A2tel-Hardelot). With his engine leaking coolant, he baled out into the English Channel. Collected by a German vessel he spent the remainder of the conflict in a [Prisoner-of-war camp](/source/Prisoner-of-war_camp).[1][2] During his captivity, his squadron leader rank was made substantive.[15]

## Postwar period

Repatriated to the United Kingdom after the end of the war, Milne continued to serve in the RAF. He was a staff officer at the headquarters of [No. 13 Group](/source/No._13_Group_RAF) for a period of time, then was appointed wing leader at North Weald. He ended his service in the RAF in 1946, holding the rank of wing commander.[2]

Returning to civilian life, Milne was employed by the [English Electric Company](/source/English_Electric) (EEC), working in its aircraft manufacturing division. His role included liaising with the [Royal Australian Air Force](/source/Royal_Australian_Air_Force) and the [United States Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force) in relation to the building under licence of EEC's [Canberra bomber](/source/English_Electric_Canberra) as well as sales of the aircraft to South American countries. After EEC was subsumed to form the [British Aircraft Corporation](/source/British_Aircraft_Corporation) in 1960, Milne subsequently worked for the Military Aircraft Sales Organisation. He retired to [Andorra](/source/Andorra), where he died in 2004.[1][2]

Milne is credited with having destroyed fifteen aircraft, one being shared with another pilot. In addition, a sixteenth aircraft destroyed was unconfirmed. He is also believed to have probably destroyed one more aircraft. He damaged eleven aircraft although details of eight of these are not available.[2]

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bbm_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bbm_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bbm_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-bbm_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-bbm_1-4) ["The Airmen's Stories - F/O R M Milne"](https://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/MilneRM.htm). Retrieved 29 December 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994446–447_2-14) [Shores & Williams 1994](#CITEREFShoresWilliams1994), pp. 446–447.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976287–288_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976287–288_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976287–288_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976287–288_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976287–288_3-4) [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), pp. 287–288.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["No. 34776"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34776/page/378). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 19 January 1940. p. 378.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2013182_5-0)** [Cull 2013](#CITEREFCull2013), p. 182.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull201763–64,_68_6-0)** [Cull 2017](#CITEREFCull2017), pp. 63–64, 68.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECull2017208,_212_7-0)** [Cull 2017](#CITEREFCull2017), pp. 208, 212.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPrice1988147_8-0)** [Price 1988](#CITEREFPrice1988), p. 147.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["No. 34860"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34860/page/5289). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 30 August 1940. p. 5289.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["No. 35083"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35083/supplement/1078). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 21 February 1941. p. 1078.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976219–220_11-0)** [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), pp. 219–220.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranks2016216_12-0)** [Franks 2016](#CITEREFFranks2016), p. 216.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["No. 35341"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35341/supplement/6491). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 11 November 1941. p. 6491.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976330–331_14-0)** [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), pp. 330–331.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["No. 36104"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36104/supplement/3328). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 23 July 1943. p. 3328.

## References

- Cull, Brian (2013). *First of the Few: 5 June – 9 July 1940*. Stroud, United Kingdom: Fonthill. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-78155-116-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-78155-116-5).

- Cull, Brian (2017). *Battle for the Channel: The First Month of the Battle of Britain, 10 July – 10 August 1940*. Stroud: Fonthill. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-78155-625-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-78155-625-2).

- [Franks, Norman](/source/Norman_Franks) (2016). *Fighter Command's Air War 1941: RAF Circus Operations and Fighter Sweeps Against the Luftwaffe*. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-47384-722-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-47384-722-4).

- [Price, Alfred](/source/Alfred_Price_(author)) (1988) [1979]. *Battle of Britain: The Hardest Day, 18 August*. London: Arms and Armour Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85368-831-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85368-831-1).

- Rawlings, John (1976). *Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft*. London: MacDonald & James. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-354-01028-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-354-01028-X).

- Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). *Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII*. London: Grub Street. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-8-9869-7000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-8-9869-7000).

v t e British World War II flying aces with 10+ aerial victories 30+ Pat Pattle (40+) Johnnie Johnson (34) George Beurling (31) William Vale (30) Brendan Finucane (28–32) 25–29 Robert Stanford Tuck (29) John Braham (29) Frank Carey (28) James Lacey (28) Neville Duke (27) Adolph Malan (27) Colin Gray (27) Eric Lock (26) 20–24 Lance Wade (23) Donald Kingaby (23) Bill Crawford-Compton (21) Branse Burbridge (21) Bobby Oxspring (21) Archie McKellar (21) John Cunningham (20) Douglas Bader (20) Billy Drake (20) Michael Crossley (20) Gerald Edge (20) 15–19 Geoffrey Allard (19) Roy Dutton (19) Manfred Czernin (18) Vernon Woodward (18) Karel Kuttelwascher (18) Albert Lewis (18) Desmond McMullen (17 & 5 shared) Herbert Hallowes (17 & 2 shared) William Rolls (17 & 1 shared) Mark Brown (17) Thomas Dalton-Morgan (17) Al Deere (17) Josef František (17) Willie McKnight (17) Stanley Orr (17) Newell Orton (17) James Rankin (17) Maurice Stephens (17) Witold Urbanowicz (17) Tony Lovell (16 & 6 shared) Alfred Marshall (16 & 2 shared) Alexander Rabagliati (16 & 1 shared) James Sanders (16 & 1 shared) Peter Brothers (16) Nigel Cullen (16) Bob Doe (16) Eugeniusz Horbaczewski (16) Edgar Kain (16) James MacLachlan (16) Michael Robinson (16) Raymond Harries (15 & 5 shared) Adrian Boyd (15 & 3 shared) William Dennis David (15 & 2 shared) Max Aitken (15) John Baldwin (15) Bunny Currant (15) Ernest Mason (15) Alan Owen (15) 10–14 Ronald Berry (14 & 10 shared) George Gilroy (14 & 10 shared) Robert Boyd (14 & 7 shared) Richard Milne (14 & 1 shared) Richard Stevens (14 & 1 shared) John Kilmartin (14) Donald McKay (14) Peter Wykeham (14) John Villa (13 & 4 shared) George Unwin (13 & 2 shared) John Ellis (13 & 1 shared) Ian Gleed (13) Harry Broadhurst (13) Ronald Hay (13) Joseph Kayll (13) John Mungo-Park (13) James O'Meara (13) John Topham (13) Jefferson Wedgwood (13) James Storrar (12 & 2 shared) Harold Atkinson (12) George Bennions (12) Stanley Connors (12) John Dundas (12) John Gibson (12) Arthur Hodgkinson (12) Geoffrey Page (12) Harold White (12) Andrew McDowall (11 & 2 shared) John Webster (11 & 2 shared) Harold Howes (11 & 1 shared) Frederick Robertson (11 & 1 shared) Harold Walmsley (11 & 1 shared) Osgood Hanbury (11) George Palliser (11) Allan Wright (11) John Freeborn (11) Ian Allan (11) Francis Soper (10 & 4 shared) Kenneth Mackenzie (10 & 3 shared) Patrick Woods-Scawen (10 & 3 shared) William Dymond (10 & 1 shared) Ronald Hamlyn (10 & 1 shared) Paul Richey (10 & 1 shared) Victor Beamish (10) James Benson (10) Minden Blake (10) Archie Boyd (10) John Thompson (10) Trevor Wade (10) List of British and Commonwealth World War II aces Lists of World War II flying aces

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Richard Milne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Milne) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Milne?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.