James McCudden

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James McCudden bigraphy, stories - Recipient of the Victoria Cross

James McCudden : biography

28 March 1895 – 9 July 1918

James Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM (28 March 1895 – 9 July 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. With his six British medals and one French one, McCudden received more medals for gallantry than any other airman of British nationality serving in the First World War. He was also one of the longest serving, having joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1913. McCudden’s story is all the more remarkable as he rose through the RFC ranks (from Air Mechanic to Major) during the war to become one of the most decorated and honoured soldiers of the conflict. At his death he had amassed 57 victories,Above the Trenches,; Shores, Franks & Guest (grub street, 1990) page 268 making him the seventh highest scoring ace of World War I.

Tragically, he was killed in a simple accident, of a type more typical of beginner pilots than someone of his experience and proven skill.

Early and family life

James McCudden was born in Gillingham, Kent to ex-Sergeant-Major William H. McCudden and his wife Amelia of "Pitlochry", 37 Burton Road, Kingston upon Thames, London. Two of his brothers (killed in 1915) and John McCudden (killed in 1918) were also military pilots.

Death

Accepted for command of No. 60 Squadron RAF, he collected his new Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a outside London and flew to Kent to spend the night with his family. Having had breakfast with his sister, on 9 July 1918 he flew over the English Channel towards Boffles, France. He landed at Auxi-le-Château, France, to get directions from the RAF personnel stationed there. Shortly after takeoff from Auxi-le-Château, the SE5a’s engine failed, possibly due to a wrongly installed carburettor. McCudden committed the basic error of trying to turn back to land rather than proceeding straight on, and the aircraft stalled on the turn, and spun into the ground. The accident happened within sight of RAF personnel, who quickly drove over to render assistance. McCudden was found at the crash site with severe multiple injuries. He was taken to hospital where he died two hours later, without regaining consciousness.

McCudden’s remains were subsequently buried at the nearby Wavans war cemetery in the Pas de Calais. McCudden’s death occurred only two months after the death of German ace Manfred von Richthofen, whom some commented had been honoured with a longer and more elaborate funeral by the British.

McCudden’s wartime score was 57 victories (third highest among RFC/RAF pilots) included 19 captured, 27 and 1 shared destroyed, 8 and 2 shared ‘down out of control’. Unlike many of his fellow aces, the majority of his claims can be verified from Allied and German sources, suggesting McCudden may in actuality have been the top scoring RFC/RNAS/RAF pilot of the conflict, and the top British flying ace of all time.

Quotation

McCudden on the dogfight resulting in the death of German fighter Ace Werner Voss, 23 September 1917

The ‘red-nosed Albatros’ referred to was piloted by the ace Carl Menckhoff who intervened to assist Voss but was quickly forced down. He survived the engagement, as did all the British pilots.

Military service

He joined the Royal Engineers in 1910, but after a flight with his brother Willie across Salisbury Plain requested transfer to the RFC, which was granted in 1913. In August 1914 he went to France as a mechanic with No. 3 Squadron, and was allowed to fly as an observer over the next few months. In January 1916 he returned to England, learned to fly at Gosport, and obtained his pilot’s licence in April 1916. He joined No. 20 Squadron as an NCO in June 1916 flying the F.E.2 from Clairmarais, near St Omer. After just a month he soon switched to 29 Squadron flying DH-2 scouts. He made his first claim for an aircraft on 6 September 1916. His DH.2 could just keep pace 400 yards behind an enemy two-seater in a slight dive, so he fired three drums of Lewis ammunition while in pursuit. Three days later, an Allied intelligence agent behind the German lines confirmed the victory.