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Name: Olaus Charles Wilhelm "William" Johnsen
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Croix de Guerre avec Palmes[France]		 Olaus Johnsen
Country: England
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Unit: 98
Victories: 5
Born: 25 October 1889
Place of Birth: Bromley, Kent, England
Died: 02 April 1960
Place of Death: England
Cemetery: St. Mary's, Balcombe, West Sussex, England Image
 
 
The son of Wilhelm Martin and Eliza Johnsen, Olaus Charles Wilhelm Johnsen, a married man from Bromley, served with the Royal Field Artillery. Posted to France on 3 October 1915, he was wounded on 1 November 1916. Upon recovery, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 28 February 1917. Following pilot training, he served as an instructor and flight commander before being posted to 98 Squadron in 1918. Captain Johnsen scored five victories flying the D.H.9 and was awarded the Croix de Guerre and D.F.C. He resigned his commission from the 4th London Brigade on 17 November 1920.

Also appears as Olans Charles William Johnsen in the London Gazette.
London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 Record for Olaus Charles Wilhelm Johnsen
Olaus Johnsen with his father in Bromley, 1918 (Photo courtesy his grandson, William Martin Johnsen)
 
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Olans Charles William Johnsen. (FRANCE)
   A brilliant leader and gallant fighter. On 1st October this officer led a bombing formation against a railway junction, and, owing to his skilful leadership, serious damage was caused. Three big explosions occurred in the station, wrecking a number of trucks, and a factory near by was demolished. He has taken part in thirty-four raids, eighteen of which he has led. He has accounted for five enemy aeroplanes.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919 (31170/2041)
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 11 Jul 1918 0730 98 D.H.9 (D1731) 1 Pfalz D.III (OOC) Don
2 18 Jul 1918 0805 98 D.H.9 (C6349) 1 Albatros D.V (DES) Fère-en-Tardenois
3 20 Jul 1918 1950 98 D.H.9 (C6349) 1 Fokker DR.I (DESF)  
4 30 Aug 1918 1815 98 D.H.9 (D3169) 2 Fokker D.VII (OOC) Somain
5 16 Sep 1918 1045 98 D.H.9 (D3169) 3 Fokker D.VII (OOC) Oisy
1 Observer Capt G H P Whitfeld
2 Observer 2Lt A H Fuller
3 Observer 2Lt C H Thompson
 
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