James Benson

James Benson, (17 July 1914 – 12 July 1987) was a British flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down ten aircraft and six V-1 flying bombs.

From London, Benson was training as a pilot in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve when he was called up for service in the RAF on the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. After his training was completed in July 1940, he was posted to No. 141 Squadron and flew Boulton Paul Defiant night fighters during the latter stages of the Battle of Britain. Paired with Lewis Brandon as his radar operator, with whom he flew operationally for much of his wartime service, he claimed his first aerial victory in December 1940 and further successes followed, resulting in an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). In February 1943, he and Brandon were posted to No. 157 Squadron, another night fighter unit. Flying de Havilland Mosquito heavy fighters, he destroyed several more German aircraft, as well as V-1 flying bombs when his squadron was involved in the RAF's campaign against these. Benson went on to be awarded a Bar to his DFC and the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his successes. Leaving the RAF after the end of the war, he subsequently worked for Esso Petroleum. He died in 1987, aged 72.

Early life James Gillies Benson was born on 17 July 1914 in London, England. He went to Westminster School and once his education was completed, found employment with Esso Petroleum. In June 1939, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve to train as a pilot. His initial flight training was at No. 15 Elementary & Reserve Training School at Redhill.

Second World War On the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, Benson was called up for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and commenced further training. After a period at No. 1 Initial Training Wing he went to No. 6 EFTS at Sywell in October before going onto No. 8 Flying Training School at Montrose the following March. Commissioned as a pilot officer on the completion of his training, he went to Aston Down for familiarisation on the Boulton Paul Defiant fighter. In late July he was posted to No. 141 Squadron.

Service with No. 141 Squadron No. 141 Squadron was based at Grangemouth with its Defiants, having been withdrawn there after it incurred heavy losses during the early stages of the Battle of Britain. It was now engaged in patrols over shipping convoys but in September began training in night fighting duties with a detachment operating from Biggin Hill. The entire squadron moved south to Gravesend in November. In the evening of 22 December, he engaged and destroyed a Heinkel He 111 medium bomber to the east of Etchingham. In early 1941 he was posted to an Operational Conversion Unit and then took up instructing duties at No. 62 Operational Training Unit at Usworth.

In October Benson rejoined No. 141 Squadron, which had been reequipped with the Bristol Beaufighter heavy fighter, and was assigned Lewis Brandon as his navigator and radar operator; the pair would fly together for much of their operational service in the Second World War.

Service with No. 157 Squadron A de Havilland Mosquito heavy fighter of No. 157 Squadron being refueled at Hunsdon, June 1943 Benson and Brandon performed instructing duties until February 1943, at which time they were posted to No. 157 Squadron. On a sortie to Frankfurt on the night of 10 November, Benson shot down a Ju 88. He damaged Ju 88s on 17 and 23 December respectively and then on 24 December, destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter. This was one of four aircraft shot down by the squadron's pilots that night, the most successful of its existence. Benson destroyed a Heinkel He 219 heavy fighter over the airfield at Wesendorf on the night of 5 January 1945, his final aerial victory. At the end of the month, he and Brandon were rested. He was promoted to acting wing commander and sent to Great Massingham where he was to establish and lead No. 1692 Bomber Support Training Unit. Brandon joined him as chief ground instructor. In March, they were awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of their successes as night fighters. Benson's substantive rank was made up to squadron leader in April, and in October, with the war concluded, was released from the RAF.

Later life Benson resumed working for Esso Petroleum but joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAAF) when it was reconstituted in June 1946, retaining his wing commander rank. He served with No. 613 Squadron at Ringway in Manchester. Brandon wrote an account of his and Benson's wartime service; this was published as Night Flyer in 1961. Benson died on 12 July 1987, at the age of 72.

Benson is credited with the destruction of ten aircraft, as well as six V-1 flying bombs. He also damaged four aircraft. All but one of these were achieved with Brandon as his radar operator.