Original 74 Squadron RFC/RAF Item Auctioned

Dear all,

I have just placed a treasured heirloom on eBay - an original, framed combat report from April 12 1918 - 74 Squadron's first aerial engagement led by 'Mick' Mannock.

The report was filed and signed by Lieutenant H.E. Dolan, one of Mannock's most promising pupils, and countersigned by their commander, the legendary 'Grid' Caldwell. Leading 'A' flight into action from their new home at Clairmarais at 08:25, Mannock spotted a flight of Albatros scouts over Merville, climbed to 15,000 feet and dived into their midst. Mannock took the first kill and Dolan the second.

The report of this action, with Dolan recording his machine as S.E.5 B.173 reads:

'Dived with formation on Hostile Patrols at about 12,000 feet above Merville. Fired two bursts from above and behind H.A. within about 50 yards.

'Observed H.A. to turn over slowly and go down out of control. At end of engagement observed two E.A. machines crashed on ground immediately below scene of action, one of which was apparently brought down by Captain Mannock.'

I don't really want to sell it but my finances are in dire disarray and I need all the help I can get. I just want this item to go to a good home - it's NOT a hoax. Look on eBay if you're interested. Thank you.

[Frank_Olynyk]

I am afraid you have hidden it on Ebay too well. Could you post a link to it?

I tried searching for:
Combat Reports
Combat Report
Mannock
Dolan
74 Squadron
Royal Air Force

searched the members list for Mannock74 but did not find.

Has it been withdrawn?

Frank.

[Breguet]

Hmm.... original combat report, is this one that went MIA from the pro ? i don't want to rain on anyone's parade - just asking the question.

Hi,

The item can be found on Ebay at:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...=ADME:B:LC:UK:1

I hope that works!

Hello all,

Thanks for your interest in the combat report, just thought I'd better answer Breguet's point.

No the document didn't go MIA from the PRO - although as I understand it some did 'get rescued' in the belief that the government was sticking all its originals on microfiche/CD and getting rid of the originals through lack of space.

The typing on the document doesn't look like the top copy, which would be the PRO's, but the signature of Grid Caldwell definitely isn't anything other than the real thing - although that may have been added later.

I got the document in the mid-Eighties when I was doing my level best to interview every survivor of the air war I could reach. Along the way I was given a few knick knacks by these very humbling gentlemen, and because of my personal interest in Mannock this was one such item.

I do also have the surviving half of a propeller from a Sopwith Pup crashed on a beach by the late Edward Gillingham, RNAS, while on Home Defence duty. 'Gill' flew, briefly, alongside Rex Warneford in Number 1 Squadron, and served throughout the war in Britain and France. It's delaminated slightly, which I've been meaning to fix for the last 16 years, but otherwise intact. I should hate to have to let it go although if there's someone with a convincing case I might have to consider under current circumstances.

Many thanks.

[gipsymoth236k]

Please let me know should you decide to sell the "Pup" propeller.

Regards, Gary