MAJOR EDWARD MANNOCK’S CITATIONS
The London Gazette, Monday 17 September 1917.
Military Cross – Second Lieutenant Edward Mannock, R.E. and R.F.C.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In the course of many combats he has driven off a large number of enemy machines, and has forced down three balloons, showing a very fine offensive spirit and great fearlessness in attacking the enemy at close range and low altitudes under heavy fire from the ground.’
NB. Due to the limited space within the London Gazette as each bravery award was given, the citations recorded were generally far smaller than the actual recommendations forwarded for consideration for an award. Each commanding officer could nominate one of his men for a decoration if he felt it warranted, either for some specific action, or for a period of prolonged activity in which the man in question had shown outstanding merit. Generally awards given for an act or acts of bravery within a small time-frame received Immediate Award status, while periods of good work were classed as Non-Immediate. These recommendations were regularly put forward for approval by ‘higher authority’. In the RFC’s case this higher authority was generally the brigade commander under whose command were the wings and squadrons within his brigade mandate. What follows each of Mannock’s MC and DSO awards are the actual recommendations that passed through brigade. Although it did not apply to Mannock, awards that got as far as brigade had still to be approved, and any number of recommendations were either disallowed, or down-graded as far as the final decision on what medal was to be approved.
The recommendation for Mannock’s MC, was noted as an Immediate Award and dated 14 July 1917:
For exceptional skill and daring in aerial combats:-
On 13th July 1917, he attacked three Aviatiks East of LENS. Diving on one, he fired a whole drum at very close range, and the hostile machine fluttered down quite out of control.
On 12th July 1917, he engaged a D.F.W., Aviatik and shot it down within our lines near LIEVEN. The German observer was killed and the pilot wounded and taken prisoner.
On 7th June 1917, he attacked an Albatros Scout North of LILLE, and drove it down out of control.
On 7th May 1917, he crossed the lines at 50 feet, under heavy fire from the ground, and brought down the hostile balloon at Quiéry-La-Motte in flames.
In the course of many combats, this officer has driven off a large number of enemy machines, and has forced down three balloons.
Approved by Lieutenant-Colonel W R Freeman DSO MC, Commanding 1st Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.
The London Gazette, 18 October 1917 (Citation published in LG for 7 March 1918).
Bar to Military Cross – Captain Edward Mannock M.C., R.E. and R.F.C.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed several hostile machines and driven others down out of control. On one occasion he attacked a formation of five enemy machines single-handed and shot down one out of control. On another occasion, while engaged with an enemy machine, he was attacked by two others, one of which he forced to the ground. He has consistently shown great courage and initiative.’
Recommendation which resulted in this Bar to his MC, dated 6 September 1917:
For consistent gallantry and devotion to duty on many occasions, notably the following:-
On 4th September 1917, he attacked and brought down in flames a D.F.W. two-seater, which fell just this side of the lines, North-East of VIMY.
On the same day, he attacked another D.F.W. over NOEUX LES MINES. The fight continued until he was well East of LENS, when the E.A. was forced down in a steep nose dive. The observer of the enemy machine was apparently hit as he was seen to be lying over the edge of the fuselage. On the same day he also attacked and apparently drove down out of control a D.F.W. just East of LENS. (Confirmed by AA observer.)
On August 17th 1917, he encountered a two-seater D.F.W. over LENS and fired a drum of ammunition into it at close range. The E.A. fell in a slow spinning dive and crashed near SALLAUMINES. (Confirmed by another Pilot who was flying very low at the time.)
On 12th August 1917, during an offensive patrol he saw an Albatros Scout attempting to attack one of our balloons; he climbed to meet the E.A. and attacked it at close range bringing it down this side of the lines near PETIT VIMY.
On 5th August 1917, he engaged one E.A. of a formation of five over [the] DROCOURT LINE and shot it down out of control. (Confirmed by other Pilots.)
On 6th September 1917, whilst attacking a D.F.W. he was attacked by two Albatros Scouts, one of which he forced to land near LENS. (Confirmed by A.A. observers.)
Approved as an Immediate Award by Brigadier-General G S Shepherd DSO MC, Officer Commanding 1st Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.
(It would seem that Major Tilney had already had this recommendation typed up and had to add the item referring to 6 September, at the end.)
The London Gazette, Monday 16 September 1918.
Distinguished Service Order – T/Captain Edward Mannock M.C., R.E., att’d R.A.F.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during recent operations. In seven days, while leading patrols and in general engagements, he destroyed seven enemy machines, bringing his total in all to thirty. His leadership, dash and courage were of the highest order.’
Recommendation for his first DSO, dated 9 May 1918, reads:
The certificate signed by the King for Mannock’s first
DSO, dated almost two months after his death.
On 12-4-18, Captain Mannock, while leading his patrol, engaged a hostile formation over MERVILLE: two E.A. were destroyed, one by Captain Mannock. Later in the same day in a general engagement over BOIS DE PHALENPIN, Captain Mannock shot down an Albatros Scout.
On 22-4-18, a patrol led by Captain Mannock engaged several hostile Scouts. Captain Mannock destroyed one, a Pfalz Scout, which fell to earth at MOURILLON, East of MERVILLE.
On 29-4-18, ten enemy machines were engaged over DICKEBUSCH, one of them engaged by Captain Mannock fell in flames.
On 3-5-18, the whole of a patrol led by Captain Mannock engaged and destroyed an Albatros 2-seater S. of MERVILLE.
On 6-5-18, Captain Mannock engaged five hostile Scouts and destroyed one of them, a Triplane, which crashed at “The Bluff”.
This officer has now accounted for 30 enemy machines, and is a wonderful asset to his Squadron. His leadership, dash and courage are beyond comparison.
Approved and forwarded on 9 May 1918, by Brigadier-General T I Webb-Bowen, Commanding 2nd Brigade, Royal Air Force.
The London Gazette, Monday 16 September 1918.
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order – T/Captain Edward Mannock, D.S.O., M.C., R.E., and R.A.F.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In company with one other scout this officer attacked eight enemy aeroplanes, shooting down one in flames. The next day, when leading his flight, he engaged eight enemy aeroplanes, shooting down the rear machine, which broke in pieces in the air. The following day he shot down an Albatros two-seater in flames, but later, meeting five Scouts, had great difficulty in getting back, his machine being much shot about, but he destroyed one. Two days later, he shot down another two-seater in flames. Eight machines in five days – a fine feat of marksmanship and determination to get to close quarters. As a patrol leader he is unequalled.’
The recommendation for this Bar to DSO was again approved and forwarded by Brigadier-General T I Webb-Bowen, Commanding 2 Brigade, Royal Air Force.
On 11-6-18, in company with one other Scout, Captain Mannock attacked eight E.A. N.E. of ARMENTIÈRES and shot down one in flames.
On 12-5-18, when leading his Flight, Captain Mannock engaged eight E.A. near WULVERGHEM and destroyed three E.A. himself.
On 16-5-18, he led his patrol against six E.A. East of YPRES and shot down the rear machine, which broke in pieces in the air.
On the 17-5-18, when out looking for enemy balloons, he encountered an enemy two-seater Albatros N.E. of YPRES; this he shot down in flames. Later in the day he single-handed engaged five Albatros Scouts, one of which he destroyed near DOULIEU: being attacked by the remaining four, he had great difficulty in getting back, his machine being much shot about.
On the 18-5-18, when on patrol near STEENWERCKE, he encountered a Halberstadt two-seater at 14,000 feet and shot it down in flames.
In five days fighting Captain Mannock has destroyed eight enemy machines, bringing his total up to thirty-eight. He sets a wonderful example in marksmanship and determination to get to close quarters: as a Patrol leader he is unequalled.
The London Gazette, Saturday 3 August 1918.
Second Bar to Distinguished Service Order – T/Captain Edward Mannock, D.S.O., M.C., (formally Royal Engineers).
‘This officer has now accounted for 48 enemy machines. His success is due to wonderful shooting and a determination to get to close quarters; to attain this he displays most skilful leadership and unfailing courage. These characteristics were markedly shown on a recent occasion when he attacked six hostile Scouts, three of which he brought down. Later on the same day he attacked a two-seater, which crashed into a tree.’
(The announcement of award of Distinguished Service Order, and First Bar thereto, will be published in a later Gazette.)
The recommendation for this second Bar was approved and forwarded by Brigadier-General T I Webb-Bowen on 17 June 1918, Commanding 2nd Brigade, RAF. It was also annotated with the dates of his two previous DSO awards, together with a pencilled note to the General Officer Commanding: ‘For information – he is recommended for a second Bar to the DSO’ JF, 18/6/18.
On the 21-5-18, whilst on offensive patrol South of HOLLEBEKE, Captain Mannock attacked six hostile Scouts. The first fell to pieces in the air, the second went down in a spin and was seen to crash; the third put up a better fight and was followed down to 4,000 feet when it side-slipped and crashed. These machines were all seen to crash by other members of the Patrol.
During one patrol on the above date, Captain Mannock dived at 140 mph from above MONT DE CATS towards MERVILLE to cut off a two-seater. After firing 40 rounds the enemy machine, a Hannover, fell into a tree at LA COURONNE, S. of VIEUX BERQUIN.
On the 26-5-18, when leading his patrol about 11/2 miles S. of BAILLEUL, four Albatros Scouts were encountered. Captain Mannock shot down one in flames.
On the 29-5-18, when engaged on a similar duty to the N.E. of ARMENTIÈRES, Captain Mannock attacked two Albatros Scouts at 17,000 feet. One fell and was observed to crash and burn on the ground.
On the 1-6-18, on Offensive Patrol over ESTAIRES, Captain Mannock’s patrol engaged a formation of Pfalz Scouts. One engaged by the leader had a bottom wing shot away and fell E. of MERVILLE. A second was then attacked and burst into flames, falling in the same neighbourhood.
On the 9-6-18, when some two miles S. of KEMMEL, Captain Mannock observed two Albatros two-seaters at work; climbing into the sun to 10,000 feet, he dived on the enemy from the South and shot down one, which crashed close to one of the enemy balloons.
On the 16-6-18, when three miles S. of ZILLEBEKE LAKE, Captain Mannock’s patrol attacked twelve Pfalz Scouts; the leader shot down one, which fell near KRUISEECK.
Captain Mannock has now accounted for 48 enemy machines. His success is due to wonderful shooting, and a determination to get to close quarters: to attain this he displays most skilful leadership and unfailing courage.
Mention in Despatches: 31 December 1918 (General Citation).
The London Gazette, Friday 18 July 1919.
VICTORIA CROSS
His majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the late Captain (acting Major) Edward Mannock, D.S.O., M.C., 85th Squadron Royal Air Force, in recognition of bravery of the first order in Aerial Combat:-
On the 17th June, 1918, he attacked a Halberstadt machine near Armentières and destroyed it from a height of 8,000 feet.
On the 7th July, 1918, near Doulieu, he attacked and destroyed one Fokker (red-bodied) machine, which went vertically into the ground from a height of 1,500 feet. Shortly afterwards he ascended to 1,000 feet and attacked another Fokker biplane, firing 60 rounds into it, which produced an immediate spin, resulting, it is believed, in a crash.
On the 14th July, 1918, near Merville, he attacked and crashed a Fokker from 7,000 feet, and brought a two-seater down damaged.
On the 19th July, 1918, near Merville, he fired 80 rounds into an Albatros two-seater, which went to the ground in flames.
On the 20th July, 1918, East of La Bassée, he attacked and crashed an enemy two-seater from a height of 10,000 feet.
About an hour afterwards he attacked at 8,000 feet a Fokker biplane near Steenwercke, and drove it down out of control, emitting smoke.
On the 22nd July, 1918, near Armentières, he destroyed an enemy Triplane from a height of 10,000 feet.
Major Mannock was awarded the under-mentioned distinctions for his previous combats in the air in France and Flanders:
Military Cross. Gazetted 17th September, 1917.
Bar to Military Cross. Gazetted 18th October, 1917.
Distinguished Service Order. Gazetted 16th September, 1918.
Bar to Distinguished Service Order (1st). Gazetted 16th September, 1918.
Bar to Distinguished Service Order (2nd). Gazetted 3rd August, 1918.
This highly distinguished officer, during the whole of his career in the Royal Air Force, was an outstanding example of fearless courage, remarkable skill, devotion to duty and self sacrifice, which has never been surpassed.
The total number of machines definitely accounted for by Major Mannock up to the date of his death in France (26th July, 1918) is 50 – the total specified in the Gazette of 3rd August, 1918, was incorrectly given as 48, instead of 41.
Location map of Mannock’s victories.
