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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 1246.PDF
NOVEMBER 7, 1918 Lieut. STUART DOUOLAS CULLEY (Sea Patrol).—Ascended to a height of19,000 ft., at which altitude he attacked an enemy airsnip and brought it down in flames completely destroyed. This was a most difficult under-taking, involving great personal risk, and the highest praise is due to Lieut. Culley for the gallantry and skill which he displayed. Sec. Lieut. THOMAS BRIERLEY DODWELL.—On a recent occasion thisofficer, when acting as observer, performed a very gallant and meritorious action. In diving to the assistance of another machine, his own machinecommenced to fall out of control. Despite tnis, he continued to engage three enemy machines that were attacking him, and eventually drove themoff, an operation that called for great coolness and skill, as the shooting platform was most unsteady. Realising that the machine was out of controlowing to the loss of lift in the tail plane, half of this being shot away, he left his cockpit, and, climbing along the wing, lay down along the cowling infront of the pilot, enabling the latter to obtain partial control of the machine and head for home. When nearing the ground he climbed back into hiscockpit to allow the nose to rise, and the pilot succeeded in safely landing. The presence of mind and cool courage of this officer undoubtedly saved themachine, and deserves the highest praise. Lieut. (T. Capt.) CEDRIC ERNEST HOWELL, M.C., D.F.C.—This officerrecently attacked, in company with one other machine, an enemy forma- tion of 15 aeroplanes, and succeeded in destroying four of them and bringingone down out of control. Two days afterwards he destroyed another enemy machine, which fell In our lines, and on the following day he led three machinesagainst 16 enemy scouts, destroying two of them. Capt. Howell is a very gallant and determined fighter, who takes no account of the enemy's superiornumbers in his battles. (MX. gazetted September 16th, 1918 ; D.FX. gazetted September 21st, 1918.) Lieut. (T. Capt.) JAMES IRA THOMAS JONES, M.C., D.FX., M.M.—Since joining his present Brigade in May last this officer has destroyed 28 enemy machines. He combines skilful tactics and markmanship with highcourage. While engaged on wireless interception duty he followed a patrol of nine Fokker biplanes, and succeeded in joining their formation unobserved.After a while two Fokkers left the formation to attack one of our artillery observation machines Following them, Capt. Jones engaged the higher ofthe two, which fell on its companion, and both machines iell interlocked in flames. (MX. gazetted September 16th, 1918 ; D.F.C. gazetted August 3rd,1918 ; Bar to D.F.C., September 21st, 1918 ; M.M. gazetted August'loth, 1916.) Capt. ALFRED HAROLD WHISTLER, D.F.C. (Dorset Regt.).—During recentoperations this officer has rendered exceptionally brilliant service in attack- ing enemy aircraft and troops on the ground. On August 9th he droppedfour bombs on a hostile battery, engaged and threw into confusion a body of troops, and drove down a hostile balloon returning to his aerodrome aftera patrol of one and a-balf hours' duration with a most valuable report. He has in all destroyed 10 aircraft and driven down five others out of control.(D.F.C. gazetted July and, 1918.) Awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross Lieut. HARRY BOWEN DAVIES, D.F.C.—During recent operations thisofficer helped to silence an enemy ant -tank battery, and inflicted heavy casualties on troops and transport. On the following day while on contactpatrol his pilot was severely wounded. Lieut. Davies took control and brought the machine home safely, having obtained most valuable informationas to the position of our patrol. This officer is conspicuous for his courage and coolness in action. (D.F.C. gazetted July 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (T. Capt.) THOMAS FALCON HAZELL.'M.C, D.F.C.—This officer hasaccounted for 27 enemy machines and four kite balloons. On August 8fh he shot down two machines out of control, and destroyed a third in theair. In these combats he was so heavily engaged that all his instruments were wreaked, and only one strand of his elevator control cable was intact.Relentless in attack, Capt. Hazell displays disregard of personal danger in a marked degree. (The award of the D.F.C. to this officer is also announcedm this Gazette. MX. gazetted July 26th, rgi8.) Lieut. (T. Capt.) CHARLES ROBERT REEVES HICKEY, D.FX., Sea Patrol(Can. Mtd. Rifles).—A very determined air fighter who has destroyed seven enemy machines and brought down nine completely out of control during thepast three months. His skill and initiative as a flight commander have made his fiight very successful. Last month he destroyed two machinesand brought down two more out of control in one day, and the remainder of his flight, at the same time succeeded in disposing of several more enemyaircraft without. sustaining any casualties. (D.F.C. gazetted August 3rd, 1918.) Capt. RICHARD HTLTON, MX., D.F.C. (R.G.A.).—A most courageous anddetermined officer who has rendered valuable service on low reconnaissances. On August 8th, after dropping bombs to form smoke screens, he was attackedby five scouts: his observer was wounded, but Capt. Hilton, flying at an extremely low altitude, with great skill evaded his pursuers and landedsafely. His machine was so badly damaged that it had to be replaced. (D.F.C. gazetted September 21st, 1918 ; MX. gazetted June 3rd, 1916.) Lieut. (T. Capt.) SOLOMON CLIFFORD JOSEPH, D.F.C., Sea Patrol.—Avery gallant and skilful officer. He led his formation under a large force of enemy aircraft with a view to inducing them to descend to attack him. Inthis ruse de guerre he was successful, and, in accordance with arrangements previously made, another formation of our machines then appeared on thescene, and a combined attack was .made on the enemy, resulting in the destruction of four aeroplanes and three more being brought down completelyout of control. Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross was con- ferred on this officer less than two months ago he has personally destroyedone enemy machine, brought down another out of control, and has helped to destroy a third. Capt. Joseph was wounded on the occasion of the com-bined attack. (D.F.C. gazetted September 21st, 1918.) Lieut. (T. Capt.) SAMUEL MARCUS KINKEAD, D.S.C., D.F.C.—On a recentdate this officer engaged a large party of troops in a wood. The engagement lasted for an hour, but so persistent was his attack that the enemy finallyBroke and dispersed. During this attack he was harassed by six hostile sc°u's- . later on he shot down an enemy two-seater in our lines. A bold and daring airman. (D.S.C. gazetted February 22nd, 1918. D.F.C. gazettedJuly 2nd, 1918.) Sec. Lieut. (Hon. Lieut.) GRAHAM NOBLE THOMSON, D.F.C. (H.L.I.),•this officer showed great daring during a recent counter-attack by the enemy. Flying at a height of 100 ft., be engaged the advancing troopsand rendered the greatest assistance in bringing this attack to a standstill and inflicting very heavy casualties. On the conclusion of this engagementoe continued his patrol along the corps front, obtaining most valuable infor- ™*r?n- (Tne award of the Distinguished Flying Cross is also announcedn this Gazette.) Lieut. (T. Capt.) CHRISTOFFKL JOHANNES VENTER, D.F.C.—A brilliantpatrol leader, who has since May last destroyed 11 enemy machines. In ~ engagement between six of our machines and nine of the enemy, five of'ne latter were destroyed, Capt. Venter accounting for one. Later on the Intl y i>e' m co>npany with three other officers, engaged four Fokkers.«> tne combat that followed all four enemy machines were destroyed, this •mcer shooting down one. (D.F.C. gazetted August 3rd, 191?.) "eut. (T. Capt.) JOSEPH LEONARD MARIES WHITE, D.F.C. (Can. M.G.C.).—« company with another pilot this officer recently attacked a hostile •naation of 14 scouts. One of these be shot down in flames, and a second out of control. Capt. White not only displays courage and skill of a highorder in attacking machines in the air and troops on the gicund, nut he lias rendered excellent service on reconnaissance duty, obtaining most valuableinformation. (D.F.C. gazetted August 3rd, 1918.) Lieut. HORACE NORMAN YOUNG, D.FX.—In a recent engagement thisofficer displayed marked courage and deteiminaticn. He bcmbfd and silenced an anti-tank battery, and then attacked seme motor transport,destroying four lorries. Later on he engaged with machine guns enemy troops and transport, causing a stampede, returning to cur lines with a nitstvaluable report as to the position of our troops. Unfortunately, on the following day he was seriously wounded. (D.F.C. gazetted July 2nd, 1918.) Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Sec. Lieut. CYRIL FREDERICK AMBLER (R. Ir. Fus.).—This officer hasrendered most valuable service on photographic and other reconnaissance duty. He displays indomitable courage and perseverance, notably on arecent photographic reconnaissance when his machine was fiercely attacked by seven Fokker biplanes. In the face of intense fire he continued to servehis guns with coolness and precision, but was compelled twice to retire from the area ; exhibiting dogged determination, he returned in each occasionand eventually drove off the enemy aircraft and obtained the requisite photo- graphs. His machine was riddled with bullets. Sec. Lieut. ALEXANDER MELVIN ANDERSON (Observer, No. 6 Sqdn.).—This officer performed most gallant and meritorious service on August 21st when on contact patrol. In the morning, flying in the mist at 2co it., andsubjected to heavy hostile fire, he located our cavalry and the enemy Tosi- tions. In the afternoon he made a most valuable and accurate report andsituation map. While on this duty his pilot was wounded and forced to land just west of our lines ; Lieut. Anderson extricated him frcm the machineunder heavy fire and carried him to a dressing station. Lieut. RODERICK CHARLES ARMSTRONG (Australian Flying Corps).—Duringrecent operations this officer was engaged in reconnoitring a certain area at low altitude ; receiving no response to his repeated calls to our infantryfor flares, owing to the supply being exhausted, he descended to an even lower altitude in order to recognise and locate our troops, and so ccmpletedan accurate and detailed report of the area, displaying gallantry and deter- mination of a high order, for he was subjected to intense machine-gun firtduring the whole time. Capt. RUPERT NORMAN GOULD ATKINSON, MX.—A gallant and deter-mined officer whose services over the lines since May last in long-distance and photographic reconnaissances, and as leader of bomb raids, have beenof a very high order. On a recent occasion, when on solitary photographic reconnaissance at 15,000 ft., his machine was attacked by eight Fokkerbiplanes ; one of these he shot down. (MX. gazetted October 18th, xoi7.)fe: Lieut. HERBERT AXFORD (Can. Inf.).—On August 16th this officer led hisformation to bomb certain docks ; these docks were exceptionally well guarded, and our planes were heavily handicapped by adverse weatherconditions ; moreover, the formation had suffered casualties, and his own machine was badly damaged ; he nevertheless succeeded in reaching andbombing his objective in the face of an intense barrage. On the following day he again successfully bombed the same objective. Lieut. Axford hastaken part in 34 successful bomb raids, inspiring all who serve with him by his personal courage and intense devotion to duty. Lieut. THOMAS LATHAM BAILLIEU (Australian Flying Corps).—On a recentreconnaissance this officer, owing to a low visibility, was compelled to descend to a height of from 20 to 100 f t. in order to locate our troops ; this he succeededin doing, and, after flying for an hour and a half at this low altitude, he returned with an accurate report of the situation in that area. Returning afew hours later, he obtained further information regarding the line in that locality, though exposed to heavy machine-gun fire. Lieut. LEO. KINGSLEY BAKER.—Whilst engaged in making a reconnais-sance of our advanced line, this officer was severely wounded in the thigh. Fearing, on his return journey, that he would be unable to reach his aero-drome owing to exhaustion due to loss of blood, he landed near a main road. He refused to allow his wounds to be attended to until he had written anddespatched by motor-cyclist a clear and concise report of the position^of our lines, showing devotion to duty worthy of high praise. Lieut. RONALD BURNS BANNERMAN.—During recent operations thisofficer has done gallant service. While on an oflensive patrol with two other machines he was attacked by several Fokker biplanes, and, in the engage-ment, he shot down one. In addition, he has destroyed four other enemy machines. Lient. HORACE DALE BARTON.—A courageous and dashing officer who hasaccounted for 14 enemy machines, destroying two, forcing two to land in our lines, and driving 10 down out of control. In addition, he has destroyeda kite balloon which was flying at a height of 500 ft.; engaging it at close range he drove it down in flames. Lieut. (T. Capt.) GERALD GORDON BELL (E. Ontario R.).—This officerhas bad numerous engagements with hostile aircraft, invariably displaying marked gallantry and leadership of a high order, notably on June 1st, whenhe, accompanied by another pilot, attacked a formation of 12 enemy scouts ; he shot down one in flames and disove down others out of control, enly break-ing off the engagement when all Ms ammunition bad been expended. - r «. Lieut. REGINALD CALVERT BENNETT.—This officer has carried out 37bomb raids, 12 photographic flights and n reconnaissances. In many of these operations he has met with serious opposition, and frequently adverseweather conditions have greatly interfered with his work. Gallantly and doggedly he has faced all difficulties and has rendered most valuable service.Capt. FRANK BILLINCE (Manch. R.).—A gallant officer who display* determination and judgment. When on a night reconnaissance bis enginesuddenly failed and he was compelled to head for home. At this moment be was attacked by an enemy aeroplane. Owing to engine trouble he wwforced to avoid an engagement, and only escaped by the exercise of marked skill and resource. With great difficulty he managed to cress our trenches ata height of 200 ft., crashing into the reserve trenches behind. Although considerably shaken and bruised be and his observer proceeded to the nearestsignal station and sent in their reconnaissance report. Lieut. (T. Capt.) WILLIAM OTWAY BOGER (Strathcona's Horse).—Thteofficer has taken part in 28 offensive patrols and 12 combats, accounting fcr four enemy aeroplanes—two destroyed in flames and two driven down out ofcontrol. As a leader he shows marked coolness and bravery, notably on a recent patrol when, as he was leading his four machines, he saw nine Pfalxscouts. Unable to rise to their height he led his patrol just beneath them in order to tempt them to attack. As the enemy did not respond he repeatedthe manoeuvre ; the scouts then came down, and in the engagement one was shot down out of control. Reforming his patrol he met two more scouts,one of which he destroyed in flames. Lieut. (T. Capt.) CLIFFORD BOWMAN.—A fine leader, conspicuous for hiscourage and cool judgment, who has taken part in ov, 1 50 bembing raids, in the majority as leader. On one occasion the lonnatioi J ( was leading wasattacked by 15 Fokkers. In spite of determined efforts rn the part of these hostile machines the objective was successfully bombed, direct hits beingobtained. By skilful manoeuvring the formation returred safely, having destroyed four enemy aeroplanes during the flight. On the evening of thesame day when again leading an attack on the same objective the formation was attacked by 20 hostile machines ; 1 aving destroyed four of them be-brought the formation safely back over onr lines. k L_ 1247
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