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Aviation History
1951
1951 - 0945.PDF
No. 7 SQUADRON were the squadron's main duties, for specialization had not yet been established. There was no real strategic bombing as we know it today, but on May 12th one of No. 7's aircraft did do a particularly valuable long-distance reconnaissance. This revealed a stream of traffic moving through Valenciennes towards Douai and Lens and gave the first indication of the intention of the Germans to relax their pressure on the Ypres salient and move south for the battle of Festubert. At this period the unit might easily have become one of our premier fighting squadrons because for a while it was detailed to patrol the line La Bassee-Lens, to provide protective cover for the artillery observation machines at the battle of Loos. One of the early casualties was Lt. Norman Spratt, well known as a demonstration pilot of Deperdussin and Breguet aircraft and a test pilot at Farnborough. Of him a story is told we quote it from Flight of September 18th, 1914:—"Mr. Spratt was recon- noitring at Montmorency, and, sighting a German airman, gave chase and rose above the enemy, making him understand that he A squadron group taken in 1919. Note the mixture ofR.F.C, R.N.A.S. and R.A.F. uniforms. Headgear is particularly varied. The Vickers ViVfoapias of No. 7 leading those of No fCKf. Display, held at Hendon Airfield in was covered by a gun. The German pilot, whose name is given as Heisden, offered (probably by means of one of those undescrib- able German gestures) to surrender, and planed downwards, but as he neared the ground he accelerated, and made a dash fur liberty. Spratt promptly dropped on him at a height of 100 ft. ... Of course, we are all confident that the Germans will be 'sat on' ultimately." The squadron's awards list opened with a Victoria Cross won by Capt. J. A. Liddell, who had been seconded to the R.F.C. from the 3rd Battn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The citation reads : "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on July 15th, 1915. When on a flying reconnaissance over Ostend— Bruges—Ghent, he was severely wounded (his right thigh being broken), which caused momentary unconsciousness, but by a great effort he recovered partial control after his machine had fallen nearly 3,000 ft, and notwithstanding his collapsed state, succeeded, although continually fired at, in completing his course, and brought the aeroplane into our lines—half an hour after he had been wounded. The difficulties experienced by this officer in saving his machine, and the life of his observer, cannot be readily expressed, but as the control wheel and throttle control were smashed, and also one of the undercarriage struts, it would seem incredible that he could have accomplished his task. The officer Officers and pilots with the Lawrence Minot trophy in 1932. Front row: F/O.s G. A. C. Foster, E. 0. Bishop, E. J. Finnegan, M. A. Platts, FjL R. A. Barlow, F/L W. J. Seward (now A.O.C. No. 61 Group), G/C. J. R. W. Smyth- Piggott, WJC. A. L Gregory, F/L R. A. A. Cole, FjL. J. R. Brown, F/O.S C. R. Crow, P.J.J. Cullinan, R. J. R. H. Makgill, M. R. D. Trewby. Back row: Sgts. J. R. Wott, C. F. C. Ridout, A. C. Wil- son, W. L Wade, P/O.s F. B. fir/stow. F. R. Newall, E. R. Berry, J. A. B. Begg, F/0. R. L West, Sgt. £. F. C. Worthy. FjS. F. N. Paxman, Sgts. A. Strugnell, C. J. E. Bollard and W V. Zreatesr
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