Lives of the First World War

On 12 March 1915, eight airmen of 3 Squadron were killed when a bomb exploded. On their records was the simple statement “Killed by accident in the field “. James McCudden was a mechanic in 3 Squadron at the time and witnessed the incident. In his book “Flying Fury: Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps” he records “Two bombs had exploded during the loading process. I ran over to render assistance and found about a dozen men lying around the Morane, all badly mutilated. Owing to the Morane being on fire and still more bombs being in the machine we got away the wounded quickly. I well remember the little band of helpers who assisted to get the living away from the burning wreckage at the imminent risk of their own lives.” He goes on to say that 11 men were killed but I’ve only been able to identify 8.

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