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British-Irish flying ace (1887-1918) who served in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during the First World War and was a pioneer of fighter aircraft tactics in aerial warfare. At the time of his death, he had amassed 61 aerial victories, making him the fifth-highest-scoring pilot of the war. Mannock was among the most decorated men in the British Armed Forces; he was honored with the Military Cross twice, was one of the rare three-time recipients of the Distinguished Service Order, and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Rare World War I-dated DS signed “E. Mannock,” one page, 8.25 x 11.75, official British Army “Combats in the Air” form, April 29, 1918. Typed report for Captain Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock of No. 74 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, recording an aerial engagement in Belgium while flying an S.E.5a (No. D.278) armed with Vickers and Lewis guns, at a height of 5,000 feet, noting location as “South of Dickebusche Lake.” The hostile aircraft is identified as a “Strange type of single seater. Very long fuselage, swept back wing, very pronounced mackerel shaped tail.”
The report: “Engagement formation of approx. 10 E.A. S. of Dickebushe Lake. Fired approx. 40 rounds at close range from front, when E.A. burst into flames and was destroyed. This E.A. was observed to flame and descend in pieces by Capt. Glynn & Lt. Dolan.” Signed at the conclusion by Mannock, and countersigned by Major Keith Logan ‘Grid’ Caldwell (1895–1980), the commanding officer of No. 74 Squadron, who was a New Zealand fighter ace in the First World War, who rose to the rank of air commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War. In very good to fine condition, with paper loss to the edge.
Born at Aldershot in 1887, Edward Mannock was working in Turkey at the outbreak of World War I, where he was interned before being repatriated in 1915. He joined the R.A.M.C., was later commissioned into the Royal Engineers, and transferred to the RFC in 1916. Trained in part by James McCudden, he joined 19 Squadron in 1917 flying Nieuports; after an uncertain start, he quickly proved his ability, downing a balloon and an Albatros, and by late 1917 had earned the MC and Bar with 15 victories.
In 1918, serving with 74 Squadron and later commanding 85 Squadron, Mannock emerged as one of Britain’s leading aces and an exceptional combat leader, adding 36 further victories and earning the DSO and Bar. Known for instilling discipline and teamwork, he transformed 85 Squadron into a highly effective unit. On July 26, 1918, at the age of 31, shortly after achieving his 61st victory, he was shot down by ground fire and killed behind German lines, less than three months after signing this form.
From the personal collection of a lifelong collector, teacher, and traveler with a passion for world history. His collecting years ranged from the 1970s to the present day, meaning that several of the premier pieces have not been on the market in decades.
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