Alan Bott

Who was Alan Bott?

Captain Alan John Bott was a World War I flying ace who was credited with five aerial victories. He later became a journalist, and then founded Pan Books.

Bott served with the Royal Garrison Artillery before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. He flew as an observer/gunner in the rear seat of a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter in 1916, usually teamed with Awdry Vaucour. On one flight, he slapped out an inflight fire with his gloves; he was awarded his Military Cross partly for this action. He also scored three victories during September 1916, all while teamed with Valcour in Strutter no. A892.

In 1917, he learned to fly. He was promoted to captain. His first assignment as a pilot was to No. 111 Squadron, which was stationed in the Sinai Desert. He flew Nieuport fighter no. B3995 to destroy enemy reconnaissance machines on 14 and 15 April 1918. A week later, he was brought down in flames and taken prisoner. After four months in a Turkish prison, he escaped.

Bott later wrote several books under the pseudonym Contact. One of his books was "An Airman's Outing", since retitled "Cavalry of the Clouds". He was also a journalist drama critic, and publisher. In 1944, he helped found Pan Books.