14 Facts About Francis Soper

Francis Soper is credited with the destruction of at least fourteen aircraft.

From Devonport in England, Soper was a sergeant pilot with No 1 Squadron at the time of the outbreak of the Second World War.

Francis Soper spent the next several months on instructing duties before returning to operations with a posting as a flight commander with No 257 Squadron in June 1941.

Francis Joseph Soper was born at Devonport, England, on 29 July 1912, the son of John and Minnie Soper.

Francis Soper joined the Royal Air Force as an Halton aircraft apprentice in the prewar period but by the time of the outbreak of the Second World War in early September 1939, was a sergeant pilot with No 1 Squadron.

The next day Francis Soper shared in the destruction of a Heinkel He 111 medium bomber to the southeast of Etain.

Francis Soper was well known for his large mustache, and this accounted for his nickname of Marshal Budenny, after the impressively mustachioed Russian cavalryman.

Francis Soper missed the Battle of Britain on account of being commissioned as a pilot officer and assigned to instructing duties at an Operational Training Unit.

Francis Soper became commander of No 257 Squadron at some point during the month, with the rank of acting squadron leader.

Francis Soper failed to return to Coltishall and is presumed to have been killed.

In September, 1941, whilst patrolling over a convoy at dusk, Squadron Leader Francis Soper observed a Junkers 88 diving to attack the convoy.

Squadron Leader Francis Soper has now destroyed fourteen enemy aircraft of which two have been destroyed at night.

Francis Soper is credited with the shooting down of fourteen aircraft, four of which were shared with other pilots, as well as a share in one unconfirmed destroyed aircraft.

Francis Soper damaged three aircraft, one of these shared with another pilot.