Description:

JAMES B. MCCUDDEN
(1895 - 1918) English flying ace of World War I and among the most highly decorated airmen in British military history. On July 9, 1918, McCudden was killed in a flying accident when his aircraft crashed following an engine failure. At his death he had achieved 57 aerial victories. Just under two-thirds of his victims can be identified by name since a substantial proportion of his 'kills' were made over Allied-held territory. Very rare and fine content war-date D.S., 1p. 4to., [France], Nov. 30, 1917, his 'Combats in the Air' report for his 23rd 'kill' - in which the enemy plane was allowed to land and its crew were taken prisoner by Allied forces. Flying his S.E. 5 on patrol from Gouzeaucourt to Bourlon, McCudden details that at 10.45 he 'drove several E.A. Scouts away from Bourdon...' and that enemy aircraft were 'very active and accurate'. He later witnessed two enemy two-seaters coming over Fontaine, and he '...secured good position behind front E.A. and fired a good burst from both guns...'. He concludes: '...E.A's engine stopped and water streamed from radiator. As E.A. glided W[est], I let him land O.K. and then landed myself, as E.A. gunner had hit my radiator with explosive bullets. E.A. landed S.E of Havrincourt intact with exception of bullet holes. The pilot badly wounded. Placed guard on E.A....Occupants were made prisoner by 59th Div. H.Q.' McCudden signs at the conclusion in black ink, adding rank. At bottom, the document is further signed by Major RAINSFORD BALCOMBE-BROWN (1895-1918), commander of McCudden's No. 56 Squadron who and the highest-ranking New Zealand airman killed on active operations during the First World War. Two file holes, light chip to upper-left corner, very small tear at lower-right, archivally repaired on the verso. . Still very good condition and entirely acceptable.

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August 25, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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