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Nieuport 10
First World War Art  Aviation Art French Aviation  Nieuport 10 |
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Nieuport 10 |
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| Text for the above items : |
Squadron Commander Davies ascending in his aeroplane after taking flight Sub Lieutenant Smylie onboard. The enemy were soon hard on the track of Lieutenant Smylie. But, having descended at a safe distance from the burning aeroplane, Commander Davies took up Lieutenant Smylie and returned to the aeroplane. For skill and gallantry this feat of airmanship can seldom have been equalled, and Commander Davies was deservedly rewarded with the V.C. This item depicts the event in November 1915 for which Richard Bell Davies (subsequently Vice Admiral) was awarded the Victoria Cross on 1st January 1916. During a bombing mission over Bulgaria, the aircraft of Sub Lt Gilbert Smylie was damaged by ground fire and forced to land. He jettisoned his bombs while still in the air, but one failed to release and remained with the aircraft as it crash-landed. Smylie set fire to his machine and set to depart, intending for the remaining bomb to explode in the flames, but saw Squadron Commander Bell Davies descending towards the burning wreckage. He returned to the ordnance and detonated it by means of a pistol shot from close range ensuring the safe descent and landing of Bell Davies' aircraft. With the enemy approaching, Bell Davies took Smylie into his machine in the most cramped conditions, but returned to the aerodrome safely. For this, Bell Davies was awarded the Victoria Cross and Smylie the Distinguished Service Cross. It is thought to have been the first combat rescue by aircraft of this kind in history. |
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