Geoffrey Forrest Hughes

Name:

Country:

Australia

Rank:

Captain

Service:

Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force

Unit:

Victories:

Born:

12 July 1895

Place of Birth:

Sydney, New South Wales

Died:

13 September 1951

Place of Death:

A Bristol Fighter pilot, Geoffrey Forrest Hughes was one of the highest scoring aces in 62 Squadron. In the spring of 1918, he and his observers were credited with 11 victories. Under the guns of Hughes, Hugh Claye and Camel pilot Augustus Orlebar, Lothar von Richthofen fell out of control east of Cambrai in a Fokker DR.I on 13 March 1918.

Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Geoffrey Forrest Hughes, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading his formation over the enemy's lines he was attacked by twelve enemy machines, two of which he shot down. On the following day, when in charge of a patrol, he attacked seven enemy triplanes, drove down one out of control, and forced three others to land. On another occasion, while in charge of a patrol, he was attacked by a large number of enemy scouts; owing to his skilful flying his observer succeeded in shooting down one of the enemy machines, which broke up in the air. He always showed the greatest coolness and courage in action, and, as a flight commander, led his formation with splendid courage and determination.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 13 May 1918 (30681/5700)

Opponents

Lothar von Richthofen

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	21 Feb 1918		62	Bristol F.2b (C4630) ¹	Two-seater (DES)	Near Armentières
2	10 Mar 1918		62	Bristol F.2b ¹	Albatros D.V (DESF)
3	10 Mar 1918		62	Bristol F.2b ¹	Albatros D.V (OOC)
4	11 Mar 1918		62	Bristol F.2b ¹	Fokker DR.I (OOC)
5	13 Mar 1918	1030	62	Bristol F.2b (C4630) ¹	Pfalz D.III (OOC)	E of Cambrai
6	13 Mar 1918	1030	62	Bristol F.2b (C4630) ¹	Fokker DR.I (DES) ²	E of Cambrai
7	12 Apr 1918	1420	62	Bristol F.2b ¹	Albatros D.V (OOC)	S of Bois du Biez
8	12 Apr 1918	1500	62	Bristol F.2b ¹	LVG C (DESF)	Auchy les La Bassée
9	22 Apr 1918	1030	62	Bristol F.2b ¹	Fokker D.VII (OOC)	Nieppe Forest
10	22 Apr 1918	1030	62	Bristol F.2b ¹	Fokker D.VII (OOC)	Nieppe Forest
11	10 May 1918	1835	62	Bristol F.2b ¹	Rumpler C (OOC)	Combles-Péronne

1	Observer Hugh Claye
2	Shared with Augustus Orlebar

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