AFC History

AFC Organization

AFC Flying Schools

AFC Squadrons

AFC Servicemen

Aces of the AFC

Aircraft of the AFC

Aircraft Profiles

Articles

Feature

AFC Gallery

Roll of Honour

Official Documents

References

AFC in Scale

AFC Mainpage

Links




    Official Documents of the Australian Flying Corps
    ____________________






Combats In The Air

Squadron : Naval Squadron No.8
Type and No. of Aeroplane : Sop. Triplane. 5449.
Armament : Vickers Synchronised Gun.
Pilot : Flight Sub Lieut R.A.Little, DSC.
Observer : -
Locality : N.E. of OPPY.
Date : 21st April 1917.
Time : 6.55 p.m
Duty : Offensive Patrol.
Height : 12,000 ft.

____________


Remarks on Hostile Aircraft:-Type, armament, speed, etc

3 Single-seaters. one blue, one white and a brown one.




____________

Narrative
____________

While over OPPY I saw three H.A. climbing West. I watched them turn when at the same height as an F.E. formation and attack the leader. I dived on the one near the F.E.'s tail and opened fire at him from a range of about 20 yards. The F.E. was firing at him from the back gun. The H.A. nose dived straight down apparently out of control and then the F.E. stalled and the other two H.A. passed it. I nearly flew into the F.E. as the fighting was very close. I then attacked naother H.A. but my gin shoot broke off and I was forced to break off the engagement. The two H.A. went East after the other went down. I saw the F.E. gliding West and followed close behind it. It flew into the ground near BOUVIGNY WOOD so I landed to see if I could be of any help.








 



(sgd)R.A. LITTLE
FLIGHT SUB LIEUTENANT.








G.R. Bromet
SQUADRON COMMANDER R.N.



    This victory is recorded in "Above the Trenches" as victory number 7, Little's third on the Sopwith Triplane. The book marks the downed aircraft as an Albatros DIII and the victory as a DESTROYED. The Communique No.85 contained the entry for April 22;

    "Hostile Aircraft - Evening of the 21st - FLight Sub Lieutenant R A Little, 8 Squadron RNAS, observed five hostile machines attacking an FE of 25 Squadron. He at once dived at a scout attacking the FE from behind. The HA fell completely out of control. 2nd Lieutenant R G Malcom and 2nd Lt J B Weir, 25 Squadron, dived at a formation of five hostile scouts. Flight Cdr A R Arnold, 8 Squadron RNAS, came to the assitaince of the FE. One hostile machine, after being badly hit, fell to pieces in the air and crashed in our lines."