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Fighter pilot (1895-1918), who was one of Britain’s most highly decorated First World War flying aces, credited with 57 aerial victories, ranking seventh among Allied pilots. Rare World War I-dated DS signed “J. B. McCudden Capt.,” one page, 8.25 x 11.75, official British Army “Combats in the Air” form, December 6, 1917. Typed report for Captain James McCudden of No. 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, recording an aerial engagement over the Western Front in France while flying an S.E.5 (No. B.535) armed with Vickers and Lewis guns, at a height of 11,000 feet, noting location as “N.W. of St Quentin.” The hostile aircraft is identified as a “2-seater. Rumpler.”
The report, in part: “Crossed lines at Ronnsoy at 10.0 a.m., and after a few minutes, Cpt Johnson and Lt Truccoett left the patrol. I now only had Lt Galley with me, and at 10.20 saw a 2-seater E.A. apparently doing photography over Vendelles. Was then joined by C Flight patrol. After some manoeuvring I attacked E.A. N.W. of St Quentin at 10.25 a.m. After a short burst from both guns a lot of loose material came from E.A., resembling maps etc., and then E.A. went down out of control with the observer hanging over the side of fuselage. At about 8000 feet E.A. right hand wings fell off, and the wreckage fell in our lines over Francilly.” Beneath, an additional typed confirmation reads: “Machine witnessed destroyed by remainder of patrol, and it fell inside our lines.” Signed at the conclusion by McCudden, and countersigned by Maj. Rainsford Balcombe-Brown, the commanding officer of No. 56 Squadron and the highest-ranking New Zealand airman to lose his life while flying during the war. In fine condition, with light staining along the left edge.
McCudden, one of Britain’s most celebrated flying aces, credited with 57 victories and awarded the Victoria Cross, was renowned for his precision, discipline, and methodical combat reports. This clear, firsthand record of aerial combat at the height of the First World War combines technical detail with vivid observation and is dated seven months before McCudden, at the age of 23, died in a non-combat flying accident while en route to assume a new command.
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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