Lot 909

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Description:

JAMES MCCUDDEN
(1895 – 1918) VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM. 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. 6, 1917, his "Combats in the Air" report for his 25th "kill". Flying an S.E. 5 northwest of St. Quentin at 11,000 feet, McCudden engagegd a "2-seater. Rumpler". He relates: "...at 10.20 saw a 2-seater E[nemey]. A[ircraft]. apparently doing photography over Vendelles...I attacked...After a short burst from both guns, a lot of loose material came from the E.A. , resembling maps, etc., and then E.A. went down out of control with the observer hanging over the side of the fuselage.At about 8000 feet E.A. right hand wings fell off, and the wreckage fell in our lines..." Boldly signed. At bottom, the document is further signed by Major RAINSFORD BALCOMBE-BROWN (1895-1918), commander of McCudden's No. 56 Squadron. The New Zealander would also die in air combat, on May 2, 1918. His brother, William, would be lost in the war as well. File holes at left margin, else near fine.

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August 1, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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