Raymond Collishaw's RNAS score

[Knusel]

Good evening Gentlemen,

in "Naval Aces of World War 1 Part 1" Jon Guttman mentions a Raymond Collishaw claim on 10Dec1917 and thereby an RNAS score of 40.
His theaerodrome profile lists only one claim for December 1917 (on the 19th) and thereby an RNAS score of 39.
Who is right ?

Cheers from Switzerland,
Michael

[Airshipped]

Hi Michael,

I'll see if I can dig out my copies of the RNAS Communiqués but, as far as I can recall, on occasion a report from one evening can end up in the subsequent day's reports. (Also, if he were flying with any of the 5 Group RNAS attached to the RFC then their reporting times would apply).

I've also a copy of the 'Hun Book' somewhere. There are lots of duplications and also a few cases where claims are noted that were ultimately overturned.

However, on Collishaw's RNAS officers' file they've transcribed the claims into his service record, noting which ones were associated with the DSO and DSC awards.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C9748685
(Unfortunately it seems to run out of space before they get to mentioning December 1917).

[Knusel]

Hello Gentlemen,

does anybody of you have the book "Raymond Collishaw and the Black Flight" by Roger Gunn? Maybe it's mentioned therein if Collishaw has 39 or 40 RNAS kills.

Michael

[MASTIFF]

A quick scan of Gunn's book does not show a "score" of RNAS victories.

Shores, Franks & Guest in "Above The Trenches" show victories on 10 Dec and 19 Dec for a total of 40.

HOWEVER ... the supplement to ATT has this: "delete No. 39 and renumber to 30 June 1918."

This would then indicate a total of 39, as I see it.

Cheers,
Tony

[Knusel]

Hello Tony,

thanks for your post which answers my initial question.
Jon Guttman usually relies on the books of Norman Franks and in this case he cites ABOVE THE TRENCHES but not its Supplement. 39 RNAS kills for Raymond Collishaw is a really narrow lead on Robert Alexander Little !

I wish you a good weekend,

Michael