MCCUDDEN JAMES: (1895-1918) English Fighter Ace of World War I, Victoria Cross winner for his flying...

MCCUDDEN JAMES: (1895-1918) English Fighter Ace of World War I, Victoria Cross winner for his flying services over France, August 1917 - March 1918. Extremely rare D.S., `J. B. McCudden«, Capt.', one page, folio, France, December 1917. The partially printed typed document is a typed letter report relating to Combats in the Air prepared by McCudden following his action in a S.E.5. Aircraft in the Bois de Vancelles area, 15th December 1917 between 10h30 and 11.05am and states, in part, `.. I saw one 2-Seater going N.W.W. at 18,000 feet over Gouzeaucourt at 10.30. I stayed in the sun at 19.800 and dived on E.A. over Metz. Owing to miscalculation of R.A«s speed, I was only able to fire a few shots at E.A., as I was closing on him too fast. E.A continued to glide down with me pursuing him, but he got off too far East as wind was very strong and we were going at 160 m.p.hÉ.' further saying `I pursued E.A. who turned E, and secured a firing position at 300 yards range, just N of Gonnelieu at 11.5, and after firing about 30 shots from both guns, E.A. half spun to the right and then went into a spiral dive for about 5000 feet, then went down in an almost vertical dive and hit the ground half a mile E of Bois de Vancelles, and nothing was left of it.« An excellent signed document relating directly to McCudden's 27th Aerial Victory (from a total of 57 confirmed Victories). Countersigned by Major commanding Squadron 56 of the Royal Flying Corps. VG £600-900