CHAPTER XXVII
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
The various awards and decorations conferred upon aviators and other men of heroic stamp claim our keenest interest. Mention has already been made of the Victoria Cross and other familiar orders. Here we purpose setting down a few of the outstanding points of interest regarding leading French and Russian orders and decorations, and of certain medals awarded by our own King for heroic and meritorious service.
The Legion of Honour is the only _Order_ of France. It was instituted by Napoleon in 1802 as a general military and civil order of merit. The French Cross of War dates from 1915, and is awarded for distinguished service to both officers and men. The qualification for the distinction is that the action must be mentioned in the orders of the day. The French military medal was created in 1852. N.C.O.’s and men are eligible. It is also deemed the highest decoration for generals.
The Russian Order of St. George was founded in 1769 by the Empress Catherine II. It was originally intended to be a reward for conspicuous bravery in the field. It consists of eight classes, the first four of which are higher degrees, and are awarded to officers only, the remaining four being reserved for men. The peculiar method of tying the ribbon of the order indicates the various classes.
The English Distinguished Conduct Medal was instituted in 1862, and is awarded for individual acts of distinguished conduct in the field. The Distinguished Service Medal was instituted in 1914, and is awarded to chief petty officers and men of the Navy, and non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines in cases where the Distinguished Service Order would be inappropriate. The Distinguished Service Cross was originally the Conspicuous Service Cross instituted in 1901. In 1914 the title was changed to the Distinguished Service Cross, and all officers below the rank of Lieutenant-Commander were made eligible for the award. It is frequently bestowed in cases where services are not considered of a suitable nature for appointment to the Distinguished Service Order.
[Illustration: AWARDS AND DECORATIONS.
1. The Legion of Honour: Fifth Order, Croix Chevalier. 2. The French Cross of War. 3. The English Distinguished Service Cross. 4. Distinguished Service Medal. ]
We shall here see afresh how widely and how well awards and decorations have been earned by our airmen. Captain William Douglas Stock Sanday, M.C., R.F.C., has been made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for conspicuous gallantry and skill. He had led over thirty-five patrols with great courage. On one occasion a machine of his formation was attacked, but he charged and brought down the enemy machine in flames. He has destroyed at least four enemy machines.
The same honour has been conferred upon Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Alan Machin Wilkinson, for conspicuous gallantry and skill. He has shown great dash in attacking enemy machines, and up to the end of August, 1916, he had accounted for five. On one occasion while fighting a hostile machine he was attacked from behind, but out-manœuvred the enemy and shot him down. Finally he got back, his machine much damaged by machine-gun fire.
The Military Cross has been awarded to Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Leslie Peech Aizlewood, for conspicuous gallantry and skill. Seeing five hostile machines, he manœuvred to get between them and their lines; then, diving on one of them, he reserved his fire till he was only twenty yards off. The hostile machine fell out of control, but he was so close to it that he collided with it, breaking his propeller and damaging his machine. Though it was barely controllable, he managed to get back to our lines.
The same decoration has been conferred on Lieutenant (temporary Captain) John Oliver Andrews, for conspicuous gallantry and skill. He has proved a fine leader of offensive patrols, and has himself shot down four enemy machines. On one occasion he got within twenty-five yards of an enemy machine under heavy fire and brought it down a wreck.
The Military Cross has also been earned by Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Keith Riddell Binning, for conspicuous gallantry and skill, notably when he made two patrol flights over the enemy’s trenches at a height of under 1,000 feet. His machine was repeatedly hit by machine-gun and rifle fire, but he rendered exact reports of the position of our own and the enemy’s troops.
Lieutenant Allan Duncan Bell-Irving has also earned the Military Cross for gallantry and skill in attacking a hostile balloon at 1,000 feet under heavy fire and bringing it down in flames. On a previous occasion he brought down a hostile machine.
Second-Lieutenant Walter Horace Carlyle Buntine is another recipient of the Military Cross. As escort to a bombing raid he attacked several hostile machines, one of which fell to the ground nose first. Later he was attacked by three enemy machines, his own machine being damaged and himself severely wounded. With great skill he managed to land in our lines, though most of his propeller was shot away and his machine otherwise much damaged.
Second-Lieutenant Clifford Westley Busk has also been decorated with the Military Cross. He has taken part in many reconnaissances and fights, and on one occasion shot down an enemy aeroplane. On another occasion, when his pilot’s control wires were cut and the machine went into a spin, he helped to restore stability by leaning far out on the upper side, and remained in this position till the machine got home.
Another officer in the R.F.C. to receive the Military Cross is Lieutenant (temporary Captain) James Lander Chalmers. He has done much fine counter-battery work, often flying very low under heavy fire from the ground. On one occasion one of our shells broke the main spar of his machine. On another in one flight he dealt effectively with four enemy batteries.
It will be seen that the Military Cross is a much favoured decoration for officers of the Royal Flying Corps. The deeds of gallantry and skill, however, for which the Cross has been awarded vary in many cases. Second-Lieutenant Leslie Frederick Forbes, has, for instance, been decorated for conspicuous gallantry and ability in attacking hostile machines and bombing railway lines, especially on one occasion, when he descended to 350 feet in order to accomplish his object. Second-Lieutenant Euan James Leslie Warren Gilchrist has also been decorated for conspicuous gallantry and skill when he attacked a hostile balloon and brought it down in flames, although under heavy fire and attacked by six hostile machines.
The case of Second-Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Ian Henry David Henderson is also worthy of special note. He drove down a machine out of control, and two days later dispersed six enemy machines which were attacking his formation. A few days later again he brought down an enemy biplane, the observer being apparently killed. A week after this he attacked and drove down another machine which had wounded his leader. He has also carried out several excellent contact patrols and attacked retiring artillery and a kite balloon. Another heroic pilot (Second-Lieutenant Geoffrey Terence Roland Hill) attacked an enemy kite balloon under very difficult circumstances, and continued firing until he was within twenty feet of it. He was then only 1,000 feet from the ground and under heavy fire from anti-aircraft and machine-guns, but on looking round he saw the burning wreckage of the balloon on the ground. Mention must also be made of Captain Henry John Francis Hunter, who has done fine work for the artillery, and has accounted for many enemy guns. On one occasion, when a heavy storm drove all other machines back to their aerodromes, and the enemy guns took the opportunity to become active, he remained up and did excellent work.
Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Charles C. Miles has earned distinction for showing great dash in contact patrol work. On one occasion he reconnoitred an enemy trench at 500 feet altitude, under heavy fire, which severely damaged his machine. Five days later, while working at 600 feet, he was severely wounded.
On one occasion another heroic pilot, Captain Pearson, with one other pilot, attacked ten hostile aeroplanes. The other pilot had his controls cut and had to return, but Captain Pearson fought on till all the enemy aeroplanes were dispersed. On another occasion he bombed trains from a low altitude. He has done other fine work, and has been decorated by the King. Another pilot of similar stamp is Second-Lieutenant Herbert H. Turk, who, with Lieutenant Scott as observer, attacked seven hostile machines flying in formation. One was brought down as a wreck. When turning to meet another machine his rudder controls were shot away, and his machine got into a spinning nose-dive. After falling 5,000 feet he partially regained control, and, though his machine kept on turning, he managed to land safely. The machine was badly damaged; but, thanks to his skill, neither he nor his observer was hurt. He has been awarded the Military Cross.
Another to receive the Military Cross is Lieutenant John R. Philpott for conspicuous gallantry and skill in descending to about 300 feet, under heavy fire of all descriptions, in order to bomb a train. Finding that his fellow-officer, Captain Tyson, had wrecked the train, he dropped his bombs on a station and then assisted him to beat off hostile machines. He then, with Captain Tyson, attacked a machine which was endeavouring to leave the ground. He had previously displayed great gallantry.
In recognition of their gallantry and skill Captain J. Upton Kelly and Captain A. M. Miller have been made Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. Captain Kelly when making a reconnaissance came down to 700 feet under heavy fire, and obtained valuable information. Again, in attempting to observe through clouds, he flew over the enemy lines at 500 feet, and although severely wounded and almost blind, he brought his machine back to our lines. Captain Miller on one occasion flew close to the ground along a line of hostile machine-guns, engaging them with his machine-gun, drawing their fire, and enabling the cavalry to advance. Again, when alone, he engaged five enemy machines, bringing one down, and also successfully bombed a troop train, coming down to 300 feet to make sure of hitting.
Besides the names already given, the following officers have been awarded the Military Cross: Lieutenant Norman Brearley, Captain Dixon-Spain, Second-Lieutenant Spencer Reid. Each has performed remarkable feats. Lieutenant Brearley on one occasion went out to attack an enemy kite-balloon and managed to get immediately above his objective. He then pretended that he had been hit by anti-aircraft fire and side slipped down to 1,500 feet, when he suddenly dived at the balloon, which was being hauled down, and fired into it until he almost touched it. When at 300 feet from the ground, the balloon burst into flames and was entirely destroyed. Captain Dixon-Spain, with Second-Lieutenant Reid as pilot, attacked and drove back a hostile machine. A few minutes later four hostile machines were seen, three of which were attacked, one after another, and driven back, the fourth being accounted for by another patrol. Another time they attacked two hostile machines, shot one down, and drove the other back. Two days later they attacked two more machines, of which one is believed to have been destroyed, the other being pursued back to its aerodrome.
Reference must also be made of the courage and fortitude of Lieutenant Eardley Harper, who has been awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous skill in many aerial combats, and notably when his machine, with two others, met six hostile aeroplanes. He at once attacked, and shot down one machine. He then attacked and drove down a second one. A thick fog came on, and in landing his machine was wrecked, and he was badly cut and shaken. He managed, however, to walk two miles to his aerodrome and to deliver his report before collapsing.
Another noteworthy case is that of Lieutenant Charles M. Chapman, who has been awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous skill in action against hostile aeroplanes. On one occasion he attacked three ‘L.V.’ machines and one Fokker, shooting the latter down. Later, during an air battle with eleven enemy machines, he brought another Fokker down.