This is the Statement Made by Repatriated Prisoner of War. Statement was taken at No.2 Rest Camp Victoria Park Dover. Original manuscript Filed with Records. (28-Dec-1918). The Administrative Headquarters of the AIF dates this report as 6th-Jan-1919. (1).

Rank : Lieutenant
Name : TAPLIN L.T.E.
Squadron : 4th Squadron
Unit : Australian Flying Corps

Circumstance of Capture :
a ) Date : 5th September 1918
b ) Place : BILLY - MONTIGNY

At 3.am on 5-9-18 I was sent out on offensive patrol. I was flying in formation with 5 others, at 1200 [12000] feet over Cambrai when we were attacked by about a dozen "FOKKER" biplanes.

I was flying above the formation and attacked it. The others of our formation wnet on underneath it.

About 6 enemy aircraft fired on me. I had my right hand shattered and my main petrol tank shot through. I changed over on to "gravity" as quickly as possible, but lost a good deal of height and got under our own formation.

Three "Fokkers" then singled me out and I was forced to try to dive away.

I dived to about 4000 feet with the enemy aircraft following. I then pulled up to engage them. Two dived beneath me and one stayed above. I came out under the tail of the top one and fired a burst at him. He went down apparently out of control. I did not see him again.

The remaining two engaged me, driving me down all the time. At 1000 feet I got on an enemy aircraft's tail and followed him down, shooting at him, with another enemy aircraft doing the same to me. The enemy aircraft which I was attacking flew into some poplar trees along the road and crashed, I turned to engage the remaining enemy aircraft but he made off. I was now at the height of 2 or 3 hundred feet and could not climb, as my machine was severly damaged.

I headed for our lines and was heavily engaged by machine guns from the ground.

When over BILLY-MONTIGNY my engine was put out of action and I crashed in a trench.

I was immediately rendered unconcious, and when I came to found myself in a German dressing station. Later, the Germans told me that my machine had been destroyed by British shell-fire.

The Germans also informed me that Lieutenant Lackley [Lockley] A.H, who was one the same patrol as I, was killed. He was buried in a German military/cemetery as HENIN LIETARD, Grave No.1539.

Lieutenant Trescowthick, Lieutenant Carter D.C and another officer, whose name I do not remember, were also on this same patrol with me.

I am attaching a list of 4th Squadron AFC officers. The information contained thereon was given to me by the interpreter at LILLE Hospital.

After Capture :

I was first taken to another dressing station where I spent three days under filthy conditions.

My wounded hand was absolutely neglected and was simply allowed to heal of it's own accord.

I was then taken to LILLE Hospital where I remained for one month. When LILLE was evacuated I was taken to BAYREUTH, BAVARIA.

On the trip to Germany the train contained British prisoners and a marked feature was the studied neglect of the wounded prisoners.

On 21-12-18 I was sent to SWITZERLAND and came through BASLE and LYONS ( ST GERMAIN ) to CALAIS, arriving there on 27-12-18.

I corssed to Dover on 28-12-18.

List Of Officer of 4th Squadron AFC referred to in Statement by Lieutenant TAPLIN L., AFC and attached thereto;

2/Lt F.B. Willmott - POW - 13.1.18 - well
Lt Ch. A. Martin - LIA - 17.2.18 - killed
Lt A. Couston - POW - 21.2.18 - well
Lt W.B. Randell - POW - 24.2.18 - well
2/Lt W.B. Nicholls - POW - 16.2.18 - well
2/Lt C. Fees - POW - 28.3.18 - well
Lt J.C. Courtney - KIA - 7.4.18 - killed
Lt H.K. Love - POW - 10.4.18 - well
Lt G. Nowland - KIA - 22.5.18 - killed
Lt A. Rintoul - POW - 11.6.18 - well
Lt R.C. Nelson POW - 14.7.18 - well
Lt A.F. McCulloch - POW - 28.7.18 - well
E.P.E McCleery - KIA - 17.8.18 - killed

Nothing Known By Germans

Lt Adams - NT - 27.3.18
Lt Wright - NT - May 18
Lt Sinclair - NT - May 18
Lt Barry - KIA - 11.5.18
Lt Finnie - KIA - 22.5.18

1. Prisoner of War Statement courtesy of Gordon Branch.