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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 1398.PDF
DECEMBER 12, 1918 HONOURS IT was announced in a supplement to the London Gazette on December 3rd that the King has been pleased to confer the following rewards on officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force in recognition of gallantry in flying operations against the enemy ;— Distinguished Service Order Capt. E. J. MCCLAUGHRY, D.F.C. (Australian F.C.) (France).—A bold and fearless offieer, who has performed many gallant deeds of daring, .notably on September 24th, when attacking a train at 250 ft. altitude, he obtained a direct hit, cutting it in two, the rear portion being derailed. He then fired a number of rounds at the fore portion, which pulled up. Sighting a hostile two- seater he engaged it and drove it down. Proceeding home, he observed seven Fokker biplanes ; although he had expended the greater part of his ammunition, Capt. McClaughry never hesitated, but engaged the leader. During the combat that ensued he was severely wounded by fire from a scout that attacked him from behind ; turning, he drove this machine ofi badly damaged. His ammunition being now expended he endeavoured to drive off two hostile scouts by firing Very lights at them. Exhausted by his exertions, he temporarily lest consciousness, but recovered sufficiently to land his machine safely. This officer has destroyed 14 machines and four balloons, and has repeatedly displayed an utter disregard for danger in attack- ing ground targets. (D.F.C. gazetted September 21st, 1018 ; Bar to D.F.C. same date.) *•• Bar to the D.F.C. Lieut. (A. Capt.) O. M. BALDWIN, D.F.C. (France).—A galkjnt and deter- mined officer, conspicuous for his skill and daring in attack. Since he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross he has destroyed six enemy aircraft and driven down two out of control, accounting for four in one day. In all he has to his credit 13 machines destroyed and three driven down out of control. (D.F.C. gazetted September 21st, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) R, B. BANNERMAN, D.F.C. (France).—A bold and resolute leader, whose ability inspires confidence in those who serve with him. During the operations in September he accounted for six enemy machines, displaying marked courage and judgment. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) H. D. BARTON, D.F.C. (France).—An excellent patrol leader, combining in a marked degree coolness and courage. Since July 30th he has destroyed three enemy machines and driven down three out of control. He has also rendered most valuable service in attacking enemy troops on the ground, silencing, on August 30th, a hostile battery and causing the horses to stampede. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) R, C. B. BEADING, D.F.C. (France).—An exceptionally keen and daring patrol leader who has accounted for five enemy machines during the last month. On September 2nd, while leading his flight, he observed 12 Fokker biplanes, which he at once engaged, driving one down out of control. Later, on the same day, he engaged a formation of Fokkers that were harassing our corps machines, causing one to crash. This officer's skill and bravery have proved a great incentive to the other pilots of his squadron. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) C. P. BROWN, D.F.C. (Sea Patrol, Flanders).—A fine fighting pilot and brilliant leader who has destroyed 13 enemy aircraft. On October 4th he led his formation of 15 scouts to attack a superior number of the enemy. Nine of the latter were destroyed. Capt. Brown, single- handed, accounting for three. (D.F.C. gazetted September 21st, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) C. F. FALKENBERG, D.F.C. (Quebec R.) (France).—A gallant and skilful fighter who, since he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, has destroyed four enemy machines and one balloon, and has also driven down two more machines out of control, making in all 14 enemy aircraft and one balloon to his credit. He has further rendered gallant service in attacking ground targets and reconnoitring enemy lines. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) G. B. GATES, D.F.C. (France).—This officer sets a fine -sample to the other pilots of his squadron, being conspicuous for his cool courage and brilliant leadership. During the past month he has accounted tor six enemy two-seaters, five being driven down in flames and one crashed. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. T. S. HARRISON, D.F.C. (France). — Bold in attack, skilful in manoeuvre, this officer never hesitates to engage the enemy, however superior in number. On October 2nd he, with three other machines, took part in an engagement with eight Fokkers ; four of these were destroyed, Lieut. Harri- son accounting for one. On another occasion he, in company with four others, engaged a large formation of Fokkers ; three of these were destroyed, one by this officer. In all he has destroyed 20 enemy machines. (D.F.C. gazetted September 21st, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) W. F. J. HARVEY, D.F.C. (France).—A brilliant fighting pilot, who has proved himself a capable leader in many offensive patrols. During the August operations he personally accounted for seven enemy machines, and, in company with another pilot, destroyed an eighth, display- ing courage and tenacity of high order. (D.F.C. gazetted July 2nd, 1918.) Capt. W. H. HUBBARD, D.F.C. (France).—This officer has shown great bravery and devotion to duty both in destroying enemy aircraft—10 of which he has accounted for—and in silencing anti-tank guns. On September 27th, flying at altitudes between 200 and 1,500 ft., he engaged and silenced many anti-tank guns, thereby rendering valuable service. He at the same time completed a detailed and accurate reconnaissance of the area, locating the position of our troops. (D.F.C. gazetted August 3rd, 1918.) . Lieut. (A. Capt.) W. R. IRWIN, D.F.C. (France).—This officer is an excep- tionally skillul pilot leader, combining fine fighting qualities with sound, clear judgment. On August 12th he led his patrol to attack a large forma- tion of Fokker biplanes ; he himself accounted for two of them. On a later date, attacking a formation of Fokker biplanes, he again destroyed two, the patrol accounting for two others. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. C. MCEWEN, M.C., D.F.C. (15th Res. Battn., Can. Infy.) (Italy).— A brilliant and courageous pilot, who has personally destroyed 20 enemy machines. Exhibiting entire disregard of personal danger, he never hesitates to engage the enemy, however superior in numbers, and never fails to inflict serious casualties. His fine fighting spirit and skilful leadership inspired all who serve with him. (M.C. gazetted September 10, 1918 ; D.F.C. gazetted July 2nd, 1918. Sec. Lieut. (A. Capt.) H. D. MCLAREN, D.F.C. (Sea Patrol, Flanders).—A very gallant officer and an exceptionally good flight commander. He has taken part in 65 raids, rendering on all occasions valuable service, notably on September 28th, when, in our advance, he carried out four raids on enemy railway junctions. During one of these he encountered a large formation of e l hih h d hti d t I th bt j g g y aeroplanes, whic e engaged, shooting down two. In the comba nis observer was wounded in both legs. (D.F.C. gazetted'November 2nd, Lieut. (A. Capt.) R. L. MANUEL, D.F.C. (Australian F.C.) (France).—On many occasions this officer has led his patrol with exceptional ability and courage, notably on September 16th, when, with a patrol of 11 machines, he engaged 15 hostile aircraft. By skilful manoeuvre he completely defeated 'He enemy in a combat that only lasted 20 minutes, at the expiration of which Period only four hostile machines remained in the air, and these retired. Six of the enemy machines were seen to fall in a manner that would justify the supposition that they would crash. (D.F.C. gazetted Tuly 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. A. E. REED, D.F.C. (France).—A bold and skilful scout pilot of un- daunted courage who has destroyed 11 enemy aircraft. On August 31st he, single-handed, attacked five Fokkers, shooting one down. And this is only one instance of several where he has successfully engaged the enemy in superior numbers. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) C. G. Ross, D.F.C. (France).—A fine fighting pilot and leader, who has destroyed 12 enemy machines. On October 2nd he, with three other machines, attacked eight Fokker biplanes ; in the engagement that followed four of these were destroyed, Capt. Ross accounting for one. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) W. E. STATION, M.C., D.F.C. (France).—This officer has already been awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Since his last award he has destroyed five enemy machines and driven down one out of control. His example of courage and resource is a fine incentive to the other pilots of bis squadron. (M.C. gazetted June 22nd, 1918 ; D.F.C. gazetted September 21st, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) E. SWALE, p.F.C. (Sea Patrol, Flanders).—A gallant and determined officer. On October 1st Capt. Swale led bis patrol to attack 11 Fokker biplanes; in the engagement that ensued he drove down the leader, which crashed and caused a second machine to fall out of control. In addition to the foregoing, this officer has destroyed nine hostile 'planes and driven down five out of control. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) A. J. B. TONKS, D.F.C. (Sea Patrol, Flanders).—Since September 28th this officer has led n low bombing raids, displaying con- spicuous courage and skill, and inflicting serious damage on enemy from low altitudes. During bombing raids Capt. Tonks has destroyed two enemy machines, proving himself a bold and daring fighter. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) F. R. WALKER, D.F.C. (Midd'x R.) (France).—This officer displays conspicuous skill and resolute determination in carrying out low reconnaissances and contact patrols, often under very adverse weather con- ditions and in face of heavy machine gun and rifle fire, notably on September 30th, when he penetrated four times to about 5,000 yards behind the enemy lines in order to locale certain troops with whom all touch had been lost. He obtained the necessary information and carried out an exhaustive and most valuable reconnaissance of the area. On his return his machine was found to be riddled with bullets. (D.F.C. gazetted November 2nd, 1918.) Lieut. C. B. PITHEY, D.F.C. (France).—Sec. Lieut. (A. Lieut.) H. RHODES, D.F.C. (York. R.) (France).—Lieut. Pithey and his observer, Lieut. Rhodes, have crashed five enemy aeroplanes and driven down five out of control ; in addition they have shot down two balloons in flames, displaying conspicuous courage and skill on all occasions. On September they attacked an enemy two-seater on contact patrol; this machine at first retired east but returned, accompanied by six scouts, to the attack ; after a short engage- ment they were driven off, and Lieut. Pithey, although his machine was badly shot about, continued his patrol and brought back a most valuable and accurate report. (Both D.F.C.'s gazetted August 3rd, 1918.) Distinguished Flying Cross Lieut. (A. Capt.) E. J. ADDIS (Sea Patrol, North Sea).—A bold and deter- mined officer who during the last 10 months has displayed conspicuous zeal in tracking and engaging hostile submarines, carrying out this service fre- quently in most adverse weather conditions. He sets a fine example to others in his flight. Lieut. C. E. H. ALLEN (France).—This officer has carried out many long- distance photographic flights and reconnaissances. In these operations he has invariably shown marked determination, and has proved himself a gallant and skilful fighter. On August 8th he undertook a photographic reconnais- sance which was urgently required ; several previous attempts had been made to carry it out without success owing to adverse weather conditions. Lieut. Allen, flying through clouds and handicapped by a high wind, successfully reached the objective and completed the reconnaissance. His return journey was an especially noteworthy flight, owing to the great banks of clouds, in one of which he spun from 18,000 ft. to 4,000 ft. Lieut. E. O. AMM (France).—A gallant and dashing airman who has destroyed four enemy machines and a balloon. On September 17th, in com- pany with six other machines, this officer took part in an engagement with 17 hostile aircraft ; eight of these were destroyed, Lieut. Amm accounting for one. Lieut. (A. Capt.) D. V. ARMSTRONG (France).—A brilliant pilot of excep- tional skill. His success in night operations has been phenomenal; and the services he renders in training other pilots is of the greatest value, personally supervising their flying and demonstrating the only successful method of attack by night. On the night of September loth-nth, learning that an enemy aeroplane was over onr front, he volunteered to go up. The weather conditions were such as to render flying almost impossible, the wind blowing about 50 miles an hour, accompanied by driving rainstorms ; despite this, Capt. Armstrong remained on patrol for over an hour, his machine at times being practically out of control. The foregoing is only one of many instances of this officer's skill and resolution^ in night operations. Lieut. (A. Capt.) J. AUSTIN-SPARKS (France).—An officer distinguished for gallantry and fine leadership. On September 29th Capt. Austin-Sparks rendered exceptionally fine service. Detailed to carry out an important reconnaissance, he succeeded in reaching his objective and obtaining the necessary information. The opposition he had to encounter was excep- tionally heavy, and concentrated ; his machine was badly damaged, and his observer's gun, with its mounting, was carried away by shell fire. Even- tually, both he and his observer were wounded, Capt. Austin-Sparks being rendered temporarily unconstious, and unable to control his aeroplane. He, however, recovered sufficiently to land his machine safely with the aid of bis observer. Ssc. Lieut. T. H. BARKELL (Australian F.C.) (France).—Although this officer only joined his squadron some two months ago, his outstanding ability soon qualified him for the leadership of a patrol; and he has already acted as leader in 23 offensive flights. His conduct of these patrols, and the results he has achieved, testify to his exceptional enterprise, and fully justifies bis early appointment to the responsible position of leader. Lieut. B. E. BARNUM (Sea Patrol, Flanders).—In the absence of his flight commander, Lieut. Barnum has since September 38th acted as leader in 11 successful low bombing raids. In these he has shown marked courage and devotion to duty, descending at times to 50 ft. altitude. In addition, this officer has destroyed four enemy machines. Lieut. (A. Capt.) A. BECK (France).—A bold and skilful leader, who has himself shot down four enemy aeroplanes. His personal courage and able leadership have had a marked influence in maintaining the officiency of the squadron. Lieu ready 1 repeatedly brought back most valuable information regarding 1399 M
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