Description:

'BILLY' BISHOP FLIES ALONE AND GETS A 'KILL'
WILLIAM A. 'BILLY' BISHOP (1894-1956) Canadian aviator of World War I, officially credited with bringing down 72 enemy aircraft. However, Bishop often flew alone and today many of his supposed 'kills" are disputed. Historians including Hugh Halliday and Brereton Greenhous (both of whom were official historians for the Royal Canadian Air Force) suggested that the actual total was far lower. Greenhous felt the actual total of enemy aircraft destroyed was only 27. Fine content war-date typed D.S. signed by one 'H. W. Guy Lt.' for the major commanding No. 60 Squadron, a combat report submitted by Bishop (not signed) for action on June 8, 1917 while flying his Nieuport Scout. Bishop mentions that he has encountered 'Albatross Scouts and two-seaters', and reports on four encounters within 37 minutes. In the third battle, he describes jumping six scouts: '...I got on the tail of one and fired the remainder of my drum, about 45 rounds, at him. He fell out of control. I watched him and he kept spinning, all the way down and seemed to go straight into the ground...' Most interestingly, Lt. Guy adds a typed note at bottom: 'Capt. Bishop was out alone.' Slightly trimmed at top, else very good.

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December 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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