Why He is a Hero
This is the German Albatros that was shot down by Billy Bishop
William Avery Billy bishop was a WWI fighter pilot from Canada but fought for Britain. Billy bishop was known as a true Canadian hero because he was the best fighter pilot in Canada with 72 victories. He was also known as a hero because of his rank as a Lieutenant Colonel. The Canadian Sources Investigated says “In March 1917, on his first flight as a pilot in Britain’s royal flying corps, Bishop made his first kill, shooting down a German Albatros. During the next few months, he shot down another 46 planes.” (Freeman, 14) This quote made people think he was a hero because he claimed he brought down 46 planes in a few months, which is a huge accomplishment.
Billy Bishop in his Nieuport 17 fighter
People also thought of him as a hero because on June 2, 1917, this is when one of his most famous attacks took place, when he fought against seven machines in the aerodrome alone. In the Canadian Sources Investigated textbook, it says “Bishop returned safely to French territory, landing his badly damaged plane at 5:40 a.m.” (Freeman, 15) this quote means that after fighting against the seven machines he returned safely which made people see that he could fight alone and make it back which showed that he was a hero. Billy Bishop was awarded medals such as the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross and many more. All these medals that were awarded to him made people think he was an amazing pilot and hero.