Lot 832

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Description:

DOUGLAS CAMPBELL
(1896-1990) American aviator, the first ace of World War I. A group of three fine content T.L.S. and one A.L.S., each to prominent military collector Dr. John Lattimer. The first, 3pp. 4to., Jan. 14, 1981 reads, in small part: "...I was credited with shooting down 6 enemy aircraft during the seven weeks I was in active combat duty from April until I was wounded getting the last one in June, 1918. During that period I flew only the Nieuport type 28. In training and afterward, I flew four earlier types of Nieuports, Spads, and after the Armistice I took one flight in a Fokker D 7 to satisfy my curiosity...". He then lists members of the 94th Squadron, continuing with a transcription of a 1918 letter he wrote describing in detail the downing of a "Boche" plane: "...The first 2 1/2 hours were slow...I took off, and had made a round of the field at 500 meters altitude when Winslow got into the air. He was to lead, and when he reached 200 meters I was just getting into position behind him...I saw him chase a plane...It had black crosses on it!...I finally found myself right under him. I pulled my nose straight up into the air and let him have the bullets...The next thing I knew, he was diving at about 45 degrees...a streak of flame came shooting out of his fuselage...I ceased firing, and watched him land and crash...", more. On Jan. 23, 1981, Campbell offers more insight: "...Of the American squadrons, the 28th's insignia was an Indian's head wearing one feather...the plunging eagle was the insignia of the 27th...; then in an A.L.S. Feb. 26, 1981: "...The Nieuport '28' was a rotary engined plane, a new model which the French let the 94th be supplied with in March 1918...The 94th, perhaps because more Spads became available or perhaps because the squadron had proved the ability of American pilots, changed to Spads in July or August 1918...I flew the Fokker D VIII only about 15 minutes, not long enough to really form an opinion...". Finally, on June 19, 1981 Campbell writes: "...I have very few mementos of W. W. I (I went in and out of too many attics in the '20s and '30s), and there are two groups of prior claimants ahead of you - my children (6) and grandchildren (9), and the Air Force Museum...". With a reprint of a vintage photograph showing Campbell and his crew, and copies of Lattimer's accompanying correspondence. Very good.

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June 4, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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