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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 885

A Combat in the Air Report to Lieutenant W. G. Claxton Royal Air Force, on 28 June 1918 in an S.E.5a from Bray to Perchee

Whilst on O.P. at 8-10pm., at 15,000ft., Lt.McCall & I dived on one E.A. 2-str., Halberstadt, at 10,000ft over BRAY which went down out of control after Lt.McCall had engaged it. We climbed and at 11,000ft we were attacked by about 20 E.A., Phalz & albatri. We got into a dog-fight with them, I fired about 100 Vickers and 20 Lewis into one Phalz at 50 yards range, which turned on its back and did a vertical dive for about 5,000ft & then went into a spin & was still spinning very near the ground when last seen. We were obliged to retire now on account of the E.A. getting too numerous. Climbing through the clouds we renewed the attack. I dived on another Phalz firing a good burst at close range whereupon he did a series of half-rolls until out of control. While we were engaged with these E.A. another formation of E.A. composed of Phalz and Fokker Biplanes got between us and the lines & we were obliged to dog-fight them to get back. In this encounter I fired about 100 Vickers & 1 drum of Lewis at 25 yards range into a Fokker, he did an Immelman & I dived on him again firing about 50 Vickers, he pulled up and stalled & then dived vertically. I saw him last at about 1,000ft from the ground diving straight into a wood W. of PERONNE, I was forced to leave him for a moment on account of the E. A. on my tail. On looking again I could not see him. Climbing W. I met Lt.McCall, we climbed through the clouds & going back found E.A. had disappeared so we returned.

[D.S.O.] London Gazette 2 November 1918.

[D.F.C.] London Gazette 3 August 1918.

[Bar to the D.F.C.] London Gazette 21 September 1918.

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Estimate
£300 to £400

Starting price
£300