orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria - Spink

orders, deCoratioNs, CampaigN medaLs aNd miLitaria
near Cambrai, one being destroyed with the rear- gun and one being sent down out
of control with the front-gun. A fortnight later he secured his third and final victory
in France, again with Bott, after they ‘engaged and drove off a hostile machine.
During the engagement they lost their formation, and were later attacked by three
machines, two of which attacked from below, the third from above. The latter was
fired at by Lieutenant Bott, whereupon the enemy lost height and tried to get under
the Sopwith. In endeavouring to do so, he collided with one of the other Germans,
who crashed to earth. The two remaining machines, one of which was damaged,
then left them. Shortly afterwards Vaucour was attacked by several Germans one of
which he drove down’.
After further fierce but inconclusive combats, Vaucour was posted home in January
1917 to command `B. Flight at the C.F.S. as a Captain, but a short time later was
promoted Major and given command of 45 Squadron (Sopwith Camels) in France,
in spite of the fact he had never attended machine-gun or wireless courses. He
joined 45 on 22.8.1917, and by this time severe restrictions had been placed on
operational Squadron Commanders, ‘who as a breed during that period of growth
of R.F.C. Squadrons were relatively scarce and too valuable to be needlessly exposed
to the risk of loss’.
Vaucour felt that this was a serious imposition, but on the Squadron’s removal to
the Italian Front felt less restrained. Here, whilst still under orders not to cross the
lines in search of battle, he flew regularly with the excuse of ‘inspecting patrols’. But
as patrols ranged deep into enemy territory it was obvious that his intentions were
otherwise. On 27 February flying alone at 15,000 feet in Camel B. 6354 from
Istrana he saw three Albatros D.IIIs diving to attack three Camels, belonging to 28
Squadron, flying along the Piave River at about 3,000 feet. He dived straight at
them giving the Leader a burst of 200 rounds before breaking off at ten yards range,
and turning to inject several good bursts into one of the others, sent it earthwards
after its Leader. Vaucour’s next success came nearly three months later when
‘inspecting patrols’ on 25.6.1918 he spotted an aircraft crossing the lines from the
direction of Conegliano at 17,000 feet: ‘He was uncertain of its identity or intent
from his own height of 14,000, so for the next ten minutes he watched it while he
climbed to 18,000. He then saw that it was an enemy two-seater ... He dived at it
and opened fire at 50 yards range. After about 50 rounds the E.A. went down with
its engine revving and Vaucour saw pieces falling off it in all directions. The Pilot
and Observer, after holding on to a machine-gun, fell out’. Later, when he went to
inspect the wreckage on the ground, Vaucour found the King of Italy’s Personal
Guard standing over it. Retrieving a revolver and an air speed indicator he handed
them to the Officer in Charge as souvenirs for Vittorio Emmanuele.
At 9 a.m. 16.7.1918 ‘Bunny’ Vaucour’s luck ran out. Lieutenant Alberto Moresco
piloting an H.D. of the 78th Squadron, was patrolling the Piave area when he saw
approaching a machine of a foreign make slightly above him. The sun was in his eyes
and ‘he imagined he could distinctly see a black cross painted on the aircraft which
appeared to have a yellow transparency’. Believing he had encountered the enemy
he flew over it, made a right hand turn, came down within 60 metres of its tail and
tired five rounds killing Vaucour. Then as the aircraft made an immediate loop, he
realised his fatal mistake. Moresco reported the dreadful error as soon as he landed,
whereupon the Italian Command extended its genuine regret at the death of this
well known British Pilot. In 45 Squadron a different version of events was discussed
and there was talk of ‘reprisals’, but in the end good sense prevailed due chiefly to
the sensitive cooling of the ‘hot-heads’ by Joubert and the C.-in-C., Lord Cavan.
The facts of Vaucour’s death as a tragic accident were communicated throughout
the R.A.F. in Italy and vendetta avoided. The Times commented: His Squadron
almost worshipped him, everybody in the Wing liked him ... His loss is irreparable,
but ... he died doing the work which always kept him happy and without which he
was miserable’.
PROVENANCE:
Aviation Collection, Spink, 6.5.1998
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