Airco DH.5 A9344

This profile is taken from a photo in Windsock Datafile No.50 Airco DH5, of the aircraft of Les Holden at an advanced landing ground during the Battle of Cambrai when 2 AFC was heavily involved in the ground support work for the sector. The aircraft was flown regularly by Les Holden during the late November, early December period, with the aircraft being issued to the squadron on the 24th of November and being sent back to the aircraft park on the 15th of December 1917. The datafile photograph bears the caption, ".. A9344, here seen after a Lt L. Holden had been obliged to land following a strenuous combat. "

Holdens nicknames of "Homing Pidgeon" and "Lucky Len" were well earnt. The intelligence summary for the 20th of November 1917 reproduced here verbatim, reads;

Lt. Holden in 9278 left Aerodrome at 8.20 a.m. on a special mission. Machine was badly damaged by Enemy Aircraft and flew back to A.L.G. Bapaume. Damage Elevator control shot away. B.L. main ribs shot through L/Rear U/C strut shot through, R. & L. Longeron shot through, Tail Plane shot through, Petrol Tank shot through, Centre Section Strut shot through, in fact everything was shot through. All the Pilot got was one in the sole of his rubber boot, and one which split his high boots at the knee, but neither bullets pierced the skin

The Intelligence Summary is courtesy of Gordon Branch.