James
McCudden
Name: James Thomas
Byford McCudden
Country: England
Rank: Major
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force Units: 3, 20, 29, 56, 66
Victories: 57
Date Of Birth: March 28, 1895
Place of Birth: Gillingham, Kent
Date Of Death: July 9, 1918
Place of Death: Auxi-le-Chateau
Buried: Wavans Cemetery
James McCudden was an aircraft mechanic in the Royal Flying
Corps when war was declared. One of three brothers to serve with
the RFC, he saw combat in France as an observer and gunner before
returning to England for flight training in 1916. His talents as a
pilot were so extraordinary that he became an instructor within
days of receiving his aviator's certificate. By April of 1918,
James McCudden was the most decorated pilot in the Royal Air
Force. He was killed three months later when his aircraft stalled
after take off and crashed to the ground.
Victoria Cross (VC)
"For most conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance, and a
very high devotion to duty. Captain McCudden has at the present
time accounted for 54 enemy aeroplanes. Of these, 42 have been
destroyed, 19 of them on our side of the lines. Only 12 out of the
54 have been driven down out of control. On two occasions, he had
totally destroyed 4 two-seater enemy aeroplanes on the same day,
and on the last occasion all 4 machines were destroyed in the
space of one hour and thirty minutes. While in his present
squadron, he has participated in 78 offensive patrols, and in
nearly every case has been the leader. On at least 30 occasions,
whilst with the same squadron, he has crossed the lines alone,
either in pursuit or in quest of enemy aeroplanes.
The following incidents are examples of the work he has done
recently: on December 23, 1917, when leading his patrol, 8 enemy
aeroplanes were attacked between 1430/1550 and of these 2 were
shot down by Captain McCudden in our lines; on the morning of the
same day, he left the ground at 1050 and encountered 4 enemy
aeroplanes and of these he shot 2 down; on January 30' 1918, he,
single-handed, attacked 5 enemy scouts, as a result of which 2
were destroyed. On this occasion, he only returned home when the
enemy scouts had been driven far east; his Lewis gun ammunition
was all finished and the belt of his Vickers gun had broken. As a
patrol leader he has at all times shown the utmost gallantry and
skill, not only in the manner in which he has attacked and
destroyed the enemy, but in the way he has, during several aerial
fights, protected the newer members of his flight, thus keeping
down their casualties to a minimum. This officer is considered, by
the record he has made, by his fearlessness, and by the great
service which he has rendered to his country, deserving of the
very highest honour." VC citation, London Gazette, April 2, 1918