Description:

(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 fine content war-date D.S., 1p. 4to., [France], Dec. 29, 1917, his "Combats in the Air" report for his 36th "kill". Flying an S.E. 5 near Havrincourt at 15,500 thousand feet, McCudden and his patrol engaged a group of three two-seaters. He relates:"...drove an L.V.G. down from 15,500 to the ground, then E.A. made a pretense of landing in our lines, but put his engine on again and made N.E. at about 10 feet. I headed him W again, but he again turned E, so I fired another burst into him...he got into a flat spin and crashed..." Signed at bottom. The bottom margin of the document reads"Occupants made prisoners.", as the downed pilot named"Gershel" died from his wounds while the observer"Lehnert" was captured. File holes at left margin, else fine

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April 1, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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