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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 0309.PDF
MARCH 21, 1918. ..T. HONOURS. Honours for the R.N.A.S. > • , ' " IT was announced in a supplement to the London Gazette on March 16th that the King has been pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations, and medals to Officers and Men of the Royal Naval Air Service :— Bar to the D.S.O.Squadron Commander E. R. MOON, D.S.O., R.N.A.S.— In recognition of the resource and gallantry displayed byhim in the following circumstances :—On January 6th, 1917, whilst on a reconnaissance flight over the Rufiji Delta withCommander the Hon. R. O. B. Bridgeman, D.S.O., R.N., as observer, he was obliged by engine trouble to descend in oneof the creeks, where it became necessary to destroy the seaplane to avoid the possibility of its being captured. For three wholedays the two officers wandered about the delta in.their efforts to avoid capture and to rejoin their ship. During this timethey had little or nothing to eat, and were continually obliged to swim across the creeks, the bush on the banks being im-penetrable. On the morning of January 7th they constructed a raft of three spars and some latticed window frames.After paddling and drifting on this for the whole of January 7th and 8th, they were finally carried out to sea on the morningof the 9th, when Commander Bridgeman, who was not a strong swimmer, died of exhaustion and exposure. In thelate afternoon Flight Commander Moon managed to reach the shore, and was taken prisoner by the Germans, he wasreleased from captivity on November 21st, 1917. He displayed the greatest gallantry in attempting to save the life of hiscompanion. Distinguished Service Cross.Flight Commander R. B. MUNDAY, R.N.A.S.—For courageand initiative. Offensive patrols under his able and determined leadership have consistently engaged enemy aircraft, and hehas displayed the utmost courage in carrying out special missions alone, both by day and by night. On February 21st,1918, he attacked a new type enemy two-seater machine. The enemy machine dived steeply east, and Flight CommanderMunday followed and closed in, firing a long burst at close range, after which the enemy went down vertically out ofcontrol. On other occasions he has brought down enemy machines completely out of control, and has set fire to anddestroyed enemy kite balloons both by day and night. On one occasion he attacked an enemy kite balloon at night,and destroyed both the balloon and its shed by fire. Flight Lieutenant (acting Flight Commander) M. J. G.DAY, R.N.A.S. (since killed).—For great skill and bravery as a fighting pilot. On January 25th he attacked single-handed, six enemy triplanes, one of which he shot down. On February 2nd, 1918, he attacked and destroyed an enemytwo-seater machine on reconnaissance at 18,000 ft. He destroyed several enemy machines in a short space of time,and, in addition, had numerous indecisive engagements. Flight Lieutenant E. E. DEANS, R.N.A.S.—In recognitionof great skill and bravery in flying machines of an old type in East Africa. He has carried out some very useful and longflights, and has completed his reconnaissances even when the machine has been practically uncontrollable through "bumps."He has been eager and ready to go up at all times, and has shown no thought of personal danger. Flight Sub-Lieutenant E. G. JOHNSTONE, R.N.A.S.—For the pluck and determination shown by him in engaging enemy aircraft. On January 19th, 1918, he attacked fiveAlbatros scDUfcs, and engaged one nose on, opening fire at 75 yards range. The enemy aircraft turned on its side andspun. He followed, and engaged again at 30 yards range. The enemy aircraft went down completely out of control.Later in the day, in a general engagement with 14 Albatros scouts, he followed one down to 8,000 ft., fir ng all the time.This is confirmed by other pilots of the patrol to have fallen completely out of control. On several other occasions hehas destroyed enemy machines or brought them down completely out of control. Bar to the D.S.C.Flight Commander G. W. PRICE, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.—Forconsistency and determination in attacking enemy aircraft, often in superior numbers. On January 22nd, 1918, whenon offensive patrol, he observed seven Albatros scouts. He dived and fired into one of the enemy aircraft, whichstalled, side-slipped, and eventually fell over on its back, disappearing through a thick bank of clouds, and was observedby others of our machines to fall completely out of control. On several other occasions he has destroyed enemy machinesor brought them down completely out of control. Flight Lieutenant (acting Flight Commander) W. A. CURTIS, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.—For continuous skill and courageas a fighting pilot. On January 23rd, 1918, whilst on offensive patrol, he followed three two-seater enemy machines and anenemy scout through the clouds. The enemy were then joined by five other scouts. He dived and fired into an enemy two-seater from about 40 ft. behind. The enemy machine fell over on its side and started to spin, and was observed byanother pilot to break up in the air while spinning down. Since the award of the Distinguished Service Cross thisofficer has destroyed several enemy machines and driven down others absolutely out of control. Flight Lieutenant W. L. JORDAN, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.—Forskill and determination when leading offensive patrols. On January 6th, 1918, when on offensive patrol, he observedten Albatros scouts. The enemy dived and spread out, and Flight Lieutenant Jordan, in conjunction with anotherpilot, attacked one, into which he fired at close range, sending it down in a side-slipping dive. On numerous other occasionshe has attacked enemy aircraft with great dash and gallantry, and has destroyed or sent them down out of control. Second Bar to the D.S.C. Flight Commander R. J. O. COMPSTON, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.—For ability and determination when leading offensive patrols, in which he displays entire disregard of personal danger.On January 1st, 1918, he observed a new type twin-tailed two-seater enemy machine, which he attacked, firing a good .,many rounds at point blank range. The enemy machine dived, but was again attacked and went down vertically with hisengine full on. The wings came off, and the machine was observed to crash. Later in the day Flight CommanderCompston observed two formations of ten and five Albatros scouts respectively. He attacked one of the enemy machinesand sent it down in a flat spin and falling over sideways completely out of control. On numerous other occasionsFlight Commander Compston has destroyed or driven down enemy machines completely out of control, and has frequentlyhad more than one successful engagement in the same day, Distinguished Service Medal. C.P.O. 1st Cl. (now Warrant Officer, 2nd Gr.), W. DICKISON,O.N. 272318 (Ch.) Air-Mech. 2nd Gr.. G. H. ROBINSON,O.N. F.26879. The following officers have been mentioned in despatches :— Wing Commander R. H. MULOCK, D.S.O., R.N.A.S. ; Flight Commander C. E. WOOD, R.N.A.S. (killed). It was also announced that the following decoration has been conferred by the King of the Hellenes for distinguished services rendered during the war. • Order of the Redeemer. r Commander. Capt. F. R. SCARLETT, D.S.O., R.N. ' '" Corrections.In Gazette of February 22nd, under Decorations conferred by the King of the Belgians, for Order of the Crown—Commander, read Order of the Crown—Chevalier, and for Flight Lieut. E. J. K. Buckley, R.N.A.S. (since killed),read Flight Sub-Lieut. E. J. K. Buckley, R.N.A.S. (since killed). ' • . ' . .- - \ ..;.:,.. ',.-. "Mentioned in Despatches."IN the list of names mentioned for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty by the late Lieut.-Gen. Sir Stanley Maude, K.C.B., Commanding-in-Chief, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force, in his despatch datedNovember 2nd, 1917, and published in the London Gazette on March 13th, the following are included : ... Staff and Headquarters. *-. *, "2SS Lieut.-Col. Gordon, R.F.C., C.I.E., Ind. Army. ' : ;' , Royal Flying Corps. " " Lieut, (temp. Capt.) L. J. Bayly, R.A. ; Lieut, (temp.Capt.) V. Buxton (Capt., Leic. R.) ; Capt. (temp. Major) H. de Havilland, D.S.O. (Spec. Res.) ; Lieut, (temp. Capt.)P. L. Hunting, Northumberland Fus. (T.F.) ; Temp. Capt. L. M. Lilley ; Temp. Lieut. R. K. Morris, Gen. List ; Capt.W. H. L. O'Neill, Sikhs, Ind. Army ; 2nd Lieut. L. S. M Page, E. Kent Yeo. ; Lieut. A. E. L. Skinner, Norf. Yeo.Bt. Maj. (temp. Lieut.-Col.) J. E. Tennant, M.C., S. Gds. Temp. 2nd Lieut. A. E. Young.No. 36678 2nd Class Air-Mech. J. Cagliari; No. 3834 Sergt. F. W. Curtis ; No. 5551 1st Class Air-Mech. F. Kiel; No.35507 Corpl. F. E. Smith. Belgian Honours for the R.F.C.IT was announced in the London Gazette on March 11th that the following decorations have been awarded by the Kingof the Belgians for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign. The King has given unrestrictedpermission to wear the decorations in question. 3OS H
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