Richthofens Flying Circus by Nicholas Trudgian
In the history of aerial combat there is no more famous name than
Manfred von Richthofen, otherwise known as the Red Baron. Richthofen's
brightly coloured fighters were the scourge of the Royal Flying Corps, and
their antics up and down the Front earned them the famous nick-name
Richthofen's Flying Circus. In truth they were a highly respected fighting
unit, capable of sending up as many as 50 aircraft, and were involved in
many of the First World War's legendary dog-fights.
A mercurial leader, Richthofen was the premier German Ace. When
taking command of JG1 in 1917 he chose bright red paintwork to distinguish
his own squadron's aircraft from others in the wing - making easy and
quick identification possible during the turmoil of closely fought
dog-fights. Shunning the obvious target he made for himself, Richthofen
declared that the Commander's aircraft should be conspicuously painted so
that in the melee of large formation battles he could exert some control
over events.
The painting recreates the scene near Cambrai, northern France on
the morning of March 18, 1918. Aware of a build-up of forces for a massive
German offensive, many RFC squadrons attacked German positions at very low
altitude. Responding with as many squadrons as they could muster,
including Richthofen's JG1 wing, there followed one of the largest
dog-fights o the entire First World War. In the foreground are a Fokker
Triplane and an Albatros, having "winged" a Sopwith Camel from
54 Squadron, as another Camel, and a Bristol fighter of 11 Squadron RFC,
turn to engage the German fighters.
Knights of the Sky by Nicholas Trudgian
The dramatic scene depicts an aerial dog-fight between Sopwith Camels
and SE5A fighters of the Royal Flying Corps, and the bright red planes
of Baron von Richthofen's JG1 fighter wing. High over Northern France,
the highly manoeuvrable fighters wheel and turn in the cauldron of close
aerial combat, the artist bringing alive that evocative era when aerial
combat first began. Signed by Philip Bristow.
An Aerial Action In Which Corporal
Nott. Acting As Gunner, Drove Off A Hostile Aeroplane After Being
Seriously Wounded.
While acting as gunner on escort duty, Corporal C. H.
Nott, of
No. 15 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was hit in the eye and rendered
unconscious during an aerial action.
On recovering his senses he at once opened fire with his gun, and
succeeded in driving off the enemys aeroplane, which had pressed the
attack. His machine was
riddled with shot and otherwise damaged, but without his magnificent
pluck all would have been lost. For
his conspicuous gallantry Corporal Nott was awarded the D.C.M.
SE5
Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5.a D3540. The
Artful Dodger was the personal aircraft of Wing Commander G.H. Lewis
DFC and the aircraft in which he claimed four of his twelve victories.
Aircraft History: The third
S.E.5 produced (A4563) became, in effect, the prototype S.E.5a with a
200hp Hispano Suiza power plant and shorter span wings. The S.E.5.a went
to No56, No.40 and No.60 squadrons from June 1917, and by the end of the
year No's 24, 41, 68 and 84 squadron had taken them on charge. After
troubles with the reduction gear of the Hispano Suiza together with a
general shortage of these power plants, the direct drive Wolseley Viper
became the standard S.E.5a power unit. The S.E.5.a built a fine reputation
for strength, performance and general flying quality, which together with
the Sopwith Camel was the main reason for the Allies gaining and
maintaining air superiority during 1918. Some aircraft were fitted with
four 25lb (11kg) Cooper bombs on under fuselage racks. The S.E.5.a also
service in the Middle East and several home defence units in 1918. At the
end of World War I over 2,000 S.E.5.a aircraft were in service with the
RAF. The type had served with 24 British, 2 US and 1 Australian Squadrons.
After its 'demob' 50 of these aircraft were supplied to Australia, 12 to
Canada with several more to other countries including South Africa, Poland
and the United States of America. 50 came onto the British register and
were used for developing the art of sky-writing. The S.E.5.a will always
remain one of aviation's great warplanes. Wing Commander Gwilym H. Lewis,
DFC: Born 5th August, 1897, Gwilym Lewis qualified
for his aviators certificate number 2116 on 27th November 1915. He was
posted to France with 32 Squadron at he age of eighteen flying the DH2
single seater scout aircraft. Later after a period as an instructor he was
posted as a flight commander to 40 squadron flying the famous S.E.5.a. By
the end of the First World War, Gwilym Lewis had amassed a personal tally
of 12 enemy aircraft destroyed and had been awarded the DFC. After leaving
the RAF he went into insurance working for Lloyds Insurance Brokers,
Sedgwick, Collins & Company Ltd. Shortly before the outbreak of World
War II, he rejoined the RAF and became a member of Winston Churchill's
Joint Planning Staff in the underground Central War Room. After World War
II, he resumed his successful career in insurance and retired in 1974.
40 Squadron Royal Air Force: 40
squadron was formed at Gosport on 26th February 1916 as a scout squadron
equipped with the FE8. One flight went to France in early August and the
rest of the squadron at the end of the month. However, the FE8 was soon
obsolete and 40 squadron was unable to be effective in its task of
fighting when faced with a faster aircraft. In March 1917 the squadron
suffered heavy casualties when 9 aircraft were caught on patrol by Jasta
11 led by Manfred von Richthofen and all aircraft were brought down with
four pilots killed. Before the end of March they were re-equipped with
Nieuport Scouts and with these, 40 squadron began a successful career,
flying offensive patrols and developing its own tactics for observation
balloon attacks. During this period one of the 40 Squadron officers
Lieutenant Edward Manock (later Major Mannock VC) destroyed 6 enemy
aircraft and went on to a highly successful fighting career in command of
two other squadrons. Before the end of 1917, 40 Squadron replaced its
scouts with the highly successful S.E.5.a and continued offensive
operations against the German armed forces until the end of the First
World War. It ended the war with a squadron tally of 130 enemy aircraft
and 30 balloons destroyed. The squadron returned to the UK in February
1919 and was disbanded 4th July the same year. It was reformed on 1st
April 1931 as a bomber squadron and served in the UK and the Middle East
theatre. It was disbanded in Egypt during 1947 and reformed later that
year as a transport squadron until 1950. In 1953 it was again reformed as
a bomber squadron before being finally disbanded in 1956. (The badge shown
was issued in 1937 and reflects the role of the squadron at the time).
An Aerial Duel Between a
British Biplane and a Large German Biplane. While piloting a biplane near Poelcapelle on June 20th
1915, Flight-Lieutenant W. H. D Acland of the Royal First Devon Yeomanry
and the Royal Flying Corps was attacked by a large German biplane.
At less than two hundred yards distance the British observer
replied to the fire of the hostile aeroplane.
He, after whom the German biplane was seen to rock; fired fifty
rounds and on firing again it dived down, and then flattened its course
to continue slowly and erratically to the ground.
A bursting shell set alight the British biplane when returning,
and the two officers were severely burned.
With great courage and presence of mind, however, Lieutenant
Acland brought the aeroplane safely to the ground.
He was subsequently rewarded with the Military Cross, and the
Order of St. George (Fourth Class) was bestowed on him by the Czar of
Russia.
