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No. 5967, Robert H. M. S. Saundby, No. 24 Squadron RFC, Flight A, France, July 1916
No. 5998, Capt. John O. Andrews, No. 24 Squadron, RFC, France, 1916
This pilot of No. 24 Sqn, whose full name was
Robert Henry Magnus Spencer Saundby, gained
a total of five kills over the First World War,
three of which were flown from the cockpit of
a DH-2 and his first victory was acquired
with this aircraft. On July 31, 1916, he claimed
a German Fokker Eindecker, which was credited
as OOC (Out of Control). During the course of the
same combat, which reportedly took place east
of Roisel, he was wounded. Evidently, this was
not overly serious, as by August 6, he shared
another kill with John O. Andrews. Later, he was
transferred to No. 41 Sqn. His last victim was the
Zeppelin L48 airship. During the Second World
War, as a staff member of Bomber Command,
RAF, he took part in the planning phases of carpet
bombing plans of German cities. He received
a list of British and foreign awards, was knighted,
and left the service in 1946 as Air Vice Marshall.
The DH-2 5998 was flown by twelve-kill ace
Capt. John Oliver Andrews. He started his flying
career as an observer and gunner in an Avro
504 with No.5 Sqn RFC. He received his pilot
rating on October 14, 1915, and was assigned to
No. 24 Sqn equipped with DH-2s. He flew combat
against German aces and on April 27, 1916,
damaged the Eindecker flown by Max Immelmann.
On November 22, 1916, he gained his seventh
and last kill with No. 24 Sqn. It looks like Stefan
Kirmaier, CO of Jasta 2 and an eleven kill ace was
his victim. The following day, Andrews took part
in combat that claimed the life of seven kill ace
and No. 24 Sqn CO Lanoe Hawker, at the hands
of Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen. Andrews
was transferred to No. 66 Sqn thereafter and
flew the Sopwith Pup. In all, he gained nine kills
confirmed, and two listed as OOC (Out of Control).
The second ace that flew this aircraft was Sidney
Edward Cowan. Flying this airplane, he shot down
a German two-seat LVG at Le Sars, thus gaining
his fifth of seven kills. He died on November 17,
1916.
KITS 11/2024
INFO Eduard64
November 2024