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From the developing data base on aerial DSO awards:
SAVORY, Kenneth Stevens, Squadron Commander, DSO, Royal Naval Air Service - unit ? - Bar to Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 29 August 1917.
"In recognition of his services on the night of July 9th, 1917, when a successful attack was carried out against the Turkish-German fleet lying off Constantinople. When the Goeben, surrounded by warships (including submarines) had been located the attack was made from a height of 800 feet. Direct hits were obtained on the Goeben and on the other enemy ships near her. Big explosions took place on board them, followed by a heavy conflagration. The War Office at Constantinople was also attacked, and a direct hit obtained."
NOTE: Aeroplane of 21 December 1921 carried the following item:
"Prize Bounty: A Bounty of £ 350 was awarded for the destruction of the Turkish destroyer Yardigar-I-Milet by the British aeroplane 3124. According to the affidavit of Flight Commander McClelland, on July 9th, 1917, he was on board the aeroplane, which was making a raid on the Goeben at Constantinople. He was accompanied by Flight Commander K.S. Savory, DSO, RAF, the senior officer on board, who is now in West Africa, and Lieutenant P.T. Rawlings, RNVR [since deceased]. From a height of 800 feet they dropped bombs on enemy submarines and destroyers lying close to the harbour wall. As a result, the Turkish destroyer in question was sunk and destroyed. Seventy persons were believed to be on board."
MY QUESTIONS: Can anyone identify the type of aircraft (3124) ? Can the destruction of the destroyer be confirmed (is it, for example, mentioned in any Dictionary of Disasters ast Sea ?). I would hope that anyone with immediate access to the appropriate volume of THE WAR IN THE AIR would be able to provide some guidance.
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