More on B.C. Bell

G'day all,
Last August I commenced a thread on Bell's victories, Russell Guest was so kind to supply me with the 4 victories Bell scored in 1917.

I have since obtained CEW Beans file on Bell, in which is contained a letter written by Bell to a Mr Hadfield(No idea who he is, something to do with the RSL.). The letter is a basic autobiography in which is contained the following passage;

"While serving with No.3 Naval, I shot down five or six enemy machines, and the squadron I was leading accounted for forty enemy machines without losing a man, we also did a lot of escort work with the F.E.'s of No.18 squadron and they did not have any casualties while we were escorting them."

Bell was with No. 3 from June 1916 until April 1917, he had 4 confirmed victories in March 1917, so where are the other 1 or 2. Does anyone know if Bell claimed (confirmed or unconfirmed) the 1 or 2 victories he spoke of?

Andrew

Mike, I have copies of all this for you.

[Darryl]

Andrew,

11/3/17, 1130 2 seater, faster than a Pup, rounds all a round the engine and cockpit, went slipping down but unable to watch.
Perhaps this was not granted as OOC, but he appears to have thought it was a fair cop.

11/3/17, 1200. Small scout, fired at it and it went straight down to it's aerodrome.

Maybe HE considered these moral victories? Or is the second a FTL that WAS credited?

I only have one "definite". Witnessed by Travers and Mack (IIRC) 24/3/17, Blue Halberstadt Pilot hit and went down.

regards

Darryl


Interested to see the records you have on his claims

Regards

Darryl

G'day Darryl,

I have the Blue Halb victory on March 24 (DES), and also 1 from March 11, a Albatros D at 10.30 (DES (F)), also 2 claims on March 17, 1 DES and 1 OOC.

Andrew.