November 2018 FLYPAST 61Few Great War airmen could match James
McCudden for courage and tenacity.
Graham Pitchfork refl ects on the British
pilot’s short but distinguished careerVICTORIA CROSS JAMES McCUDDEN
B
orn in 1895 into a family
with a long history of Army
service, James McCudden
rose from being a boy soldier in
the Royal Engineers to become
one of Britain’s greatest airmen.
He received no fewer than seven
awards for gallantry, including the
Victoria Cross.the Distinguished Service Order.
The citation not only recognised
his valour but also his leadership
qualities. This was highlighted
again shortly afterwards when a
Bar was added to his DSO.
His ‘score’ mounted rapidly in
the early months of 1918 and by
the end of February he had been
credited with destroying 57 enemy
aircraft, the vast majority (52)
while with 56 Squadron, almost 40
per cent of the unit’s total. He flew
his final combat sortie on March 1.
On March 29 it was announced
that McCudden had been awarded
the Victoria Cross. The citation
described his long service as a
pilot, his personal success and
gallantry and also his fearless
leadership. In April he joined
the staff of No.1 School of Aerial
Fighting, and was tasked with
commanding a new squadron
three months later. A delay in
this process left him anxious to
return to the front line, and he was
instead given command of
60 Squadron.
On July 9, McCudden collected
a new SE.5A and left Hounslow
for France. He landed at Auxi-le-
Château for a brief stop before
taking off for his new unit’s airfield
at Boffles. After getting airborne
he started a turn at about 100 feet
(30m) but rolled and crashed into
a wood. Severely injured, he died
without regaining consciousness.
It was a tragic end for one of World
War One’s greatest pilots.For For For
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After transferring to the Royal
Flying Corps in 1913 as an air
mechanic, McCudden moved to
France in August 1914 with No.3
Squadron and became a sergeant.
He volunteered to be an observer
in January 1916 and was soon
awarded the Croix de Guerre. After
training to be a pilot he gained
his ‘wings’ on May 30 of that
year, and joined 20 Squadron in
France before transferring to 29
Squadron. On September 6, he
achieved his first ‘kill’, shooting
down a German Albatros.
Over the following weeks his
fighting spirit was quickly noted,
and was recognised by the award
of the Military Medal. He was
commissioned in January 1917 and
his successes mounted, resulting in
another award – the Military Cross.
After a period as a fighter
instructor in England, he returned
to France as a flight commander
on 56 Squadron flying the SE.5A.
McCudden was a keen student of
air fighting who dispassionately
analysed each engagement and,
thanks to his experience as an air
mechanic, took great interest
in improving aircraft
serviceability. He quickly
established himself as an
outstanding pilot – with
16 victories, he was
awarded a Bar to his
Military Cross.
During December
he claimed another 14
victories and receivedawards for gallantry, including the
Victoria Cross.to France as a flight commander
on 56 Squadron flying the SE.5A.
McCudden was a keen student of
air fighting who dispassionately
analysed each engagement and,
thanks to his experience as an air
mechanic, took great interest
in improving aircraft
serviceability. He quickly
established himself as an
outstanding pilot – with
16 victories, he was
awarded a Bar to his
Military Cross.
During December
he claimed another 14
victories and received