Very Famous or King Cobras originating from WWI
Extraordinary men in an exceptional Squadron
Major P.O.A. Leask
First Commanding Officer of
92 Squadron
On the First of September 1917 a legend was born. Not an individual man but an entity under which a collection of men and women would continously change and continuously coalesce into the most extraordianlry fighting unit. The very first Commanding Officer of this amazing Squadron was Captain P.A.O. Leask'
Once formed, the Squadron began training on aircraft, which in themselves are now almost legendary, such as SE5As, Sopwith Pups, SPAD single-seat scouts and AVRO 504s. This embryonic Squadron would rapidly progress to became a feared and fearsome outfit and although it would be stood down and disbanded at Eil on 8 August 1919, they would rise again and become by many people's judgements, the world's premier Fighter Squadron.
Although the Squadron motto would not be resolved until early in the Second World War, the question of a suitable Squadron emblem was very soon solved by choosing the Maple leaf from their native country. The Maple leaf still exists in the Squadron badge today along side the Cobra representing our ties with East India company.
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Very little is known about Major Leask and we have not managed to find any pictures of him (yet) but his place in our history is guaranteed simply by being the first ever Cobra!
Air Vice-Marshal Sir Arthur ‘Mary’ Coningham, KCB DSO MC DFC AFC RAF
Sir Arthur Coningham (1895 – 1948) — nicknamed “Mary” after a popular comic strip character of the day, or some think because of his Kiwi upbringing, he was called Mauri whic was shortened to Mary, eihter way, Mary was a pioneering Royal Air Force officer and one of the architects of modern close air support.
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Early life: Born in Brisbane, Australia, on 19 January 1895, he grew up in New Zealand.
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First World War: Began as a trooper in the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, later transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. On 23rd March 1918, 92 squadron moved to Tangmere in West Sussex. Here the Squadron met their new commanding officer, Major A.E. Coningham DSO MC, who was to lead them through the remainder of the war. As a fighter pilot he scored 14 confirmed victories, earning the Military Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Inter-war years: Remained in the RAF, developing expertise in army-air cooperation and earning the Air Force Cross.​
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Second World War:
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Took command of No. 4 Group and then the Western Desert Air Force, where he perfected air-ground coordination with the British Eighth Army.
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Promoted to Air Marshal, he led the Northwest African Tactical Air Force in 1943 and later commanded the Second Tactical Air Force, supporting the Allied invasion of Normandy.
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Credited with shaping the flexible “cab-rank” system of fighter-bombers on call to ground forces.
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Post-war & death: Knighted (KCB) in 1945 and promoted Air Vice-Marshal. In January 1948 he was aboard an Avro Tudor IV that disappeared over the Atlantic while en route from Bermuda to Jamaica; no trace was ever found.
Coningham’s legacy lies in transforming tactical air power into a decisive arm of combined operations, a model still studied in air-land doctrine today.
Coningham (centre) with Montgomery (left) and Dempsey (right) prior to the British crossing of the Rhine
In a ceremony at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, President Harry S. Truman (third from left) presents the Army Distinguished Service Medal to (opposite the President, L to R:) General H. D. G. Crerar, Canadian Army, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham (92 Squadron), Air Marshal Sir James Robb, (92 Squadron)and Major General Sir F. W. Guingand.
Early Life & First World War Born 26 January 1895 in Hexham, Northumberland; third son of a draper, James Thomas Robb, and Mary Elizabeth (née Weir). Wikipedia+1 Educated at George Watson’s School in Edinburgh and at Durham University. Wikipedia+1 At the outbreak of the First World War he joined the 4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in November 1914. rafweb.org+1 In August 1916 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He was wounded in March 1917, returned to England, then later returned to France as a flight commander with No. 92 Squadron. Wikipedia+1 Credited with seven aerial victories, making him an ace. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in February 1919. Wikipedia+1 Between the Wars In 1919, Robb received a permanent commission in the RAF. rafweb.org+1 Served with No. 6 Squadron in Iraq, then commanded No. 30 Squadron during operations in Kurdistan, being awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1926. rafweb.org+1 He held instructional appointments, including at the Central Flying School, and staff/liaison roles (including with the Fleet), gaining promotion through the ranks. Second World War In 1939 he helped establish the Empire Air Training Scheme in Canada, a program crucial for training Commonwealth aircrew. Early in the war he commanded No. 2 Group (Bomber Command) and later No. 15 Group (Coastal Command). Wikipedia+1 In 1942 became Deputy Chief of Combined Operations, under Lord Louis Mountbatten. Wikipedia+1 During Operation Torch, he served as air advisor to Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower. Subsequently he was appointed Deputy Commander of the Northwest African Air Forces in 1943. Wikipedia+1 In 1944, he moved to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) as Deputy Chief of Staff (Air). Wikipedia+1 After hostilities in Europe, he became Commander-in-Chief of Fighter Command (in 1945), where he also flew the RAF’s new jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor. Wikipedia+1 Post-war Career & Honours After the war, Robb rose to senior RAF leadership: in 1947 he became Vice-Chief of the Air Staff; in 1948 he became Commander-in-Chief of the Western Union’s Air Forces; in 1951 he was appointed Inspector-General of the RAF. Wikipedia+1 He was promoted through honours: Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), later Knight Commander (KCB), eventually Knight Grand Cross (GCB). He also held other honours: Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, and foreign awards. Wikipedia+1 After retiring (on health grounds) he served as King of Arms of the Order of the Bath from 1952 until 1965. Death Sir James Milne Robb died on 18 December 1968 in Bognor Regis, Sussex
Captain Oren John (OJ) Rose DFC & Bar, RFC, RAF
Captain Oren John Rose, was born on 23 March 1892, in Platte County, Missouri, USA He died on 21 June 1971, in Sunnyvale, California, USA Military Career Rose joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and was posted to No. 92 Squadron RAF (formerly RFC). He flew the SE.5a, among other aircraft, and achieved 16 credited aerial victories in the First World War. His victories spanned from 30 July to 4 November 1918, making him the top-scoring ace of his squadron during that period. Decorations Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for conspicuous courage and skill, particularly noted for engagements where he destroyed enemy aircraft. Later received a Bar to his DFC, recognising further valor and leadership in the air. After the War In 1919, Rose reportedly participated in military operations associated with the Russian Civil War. He returned to the United States and entered the automotive business—becoming a car dealer in Marysville, Ohio.
