Naval 1 shared victory

MikeW · 19 June 2001, 11:32 AM

On 17th July 1917, a flight of Naval 1 triplanes claimed an Albatros DV out of control 4 miles east of Messines at 20.05.

What was remarkable about the encounter was that the claim was shared by Lt Cecil Guelph Brock, FSL E Anthony, FL CB Ridley, FSL GB Scott, FSL HL Everitt, FSL HV Rowley, FSL AGA Spence, and Flight Commander FHM Maynard - that was half the squadron!!!!

Has anybody seen the CAIR for this incident? My sources give two different aircraft for Lt CG Brock - Grub St. says N5485 but I think it was N5373.

Can anyone confirm one way or the other please?

Graeme · 20 June 2001, 12:35 PM

I haven't seen the Combat Report for this claim but according to Royal Navy Aircraft Serials and Units, Brock flew N5373 when he achieved victories on 3 July, 17 July, 8 August and 9 August. He was slightly injured when he crashed at Dranoutre in this machine following engine failure on 13 August.

Interestingly, the 17 July victory is not mentioned in the RFC Communique for the period although the other three are. Perhaps the RFC thought this was an "apparently out of control" claim and did not report it.

Graeme