one. The average British pilot lasted only eleven days! But the Germans had never seen
anyone like Billy Bishop in action.
Bishop would always lead the way and be the first to attack, no matter what the odds. He
frequently returned with his plane shot full of holes. Apart from his regular missions, he
would take off alone and fly deep into enemy territory to stage surprise attacks.
Soon, Bishop had shot down five enemy aircraft, then ten, twenty, thirty! His victories
kept mounting until the Germans nicknamed him “Hell’s Hand-maiden” and put a reward
out for anyone who could shoot him down.
No one ever did, and Bishop finished the war with a chest covered in medals and
seventy-two air victories, making him the top Canadian flying ace of World War I. He
had used his crazy courage and natural toughness to fight for his country and become a
national hero.
Billy Bishop ultimately became an air marshal, the highest rank possible, and head of the
Canadian Flying Corps.
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