[Billy_Bishop]

Unfortunately, I have very little information on ground personal of 60 Squadron. There are only two of any significance, one is Sgt. Bourne, Bishop's mechanic. The other is Sgt-Maj. A.A. Nicod, the chief mechanic for the Squadron. And he for the most part contra-dicts Cowan's claim that Bishop's plane was barely damaged from his June 2, 1917 raid.

Cowan goes on info supplied by Willie Fry who, for whatever reason ONLY remembers a small grouping of bullet holes in the tail. But that wasn't all. There was also another group of bullet holes inches behind the cockpit. And THIS is confirmed in Grid Caldwell's report of June 30, 1917 when he mentions damage to Bishop's plane totaling 17 bullet holes AND a lower plane (doesn't say which one) shot away in two bays. A.A. Nicod, in his report shows some of this as AA damage from crossing the trenches.

As to the mechanic's question of how the weapon could be undone while in flight. That has been explained to me by the former associate director of the Canadian National Aviation Museum, Robert Bradford. There is a cable you pull that unlockes the muzzle near the front of the top wing, then you pull on the bowden cable (this carries the signal to fire the gun)to pull the gun back and down. Once in the down position you can change the magazine, if empty, or by turning a thumbscrew you can release it from the Foster mount. The Bowden cable also unscrews from the bottom of the pistol grip, you can then toss the whole gun over the side.

Only thing I can say about the Aussie mechanic, is he must not have installed many Lewis guns on Nieuport fighters.

As to the comment on Caldwell, I find that interesting as he witnessed at least one of Bishops claims in July of 1917. AND considering Bishop's reported excellent eyesight, I don't see how Caldwell could have followed Bishop without him knowing it.

But if I find out anything concerning any of the other ground crew, I'll let you know.

VBR,

Al Lowe