Distinguished Flying Cross (GV), B.W.M., Victory (Lieut R.A.F.)
R.K. Whitney
Distinguished Flying Cross London Gazette 2 November 1918. Lt. R.K. Whitney, 60 Sqn.
“Bold in attack, skilful in manoeuvre, this Officer sets a fine example to his whole Squadron. Since 6 July he has destroyed four enemy aeroplanes.”
Robert Kenneth Whitney born 6 December 1897, Abbotsford, Quebec, Canada. Enlisted in the RFC in Canada, 5 July 1917, Whitney was selected for single seat fighter training on the SE5a and upon completion of training was posted to 60 Squadron in France, 13 February 1918. It would be five months before he opened up his aerial victories. He served with 60 Squadron from 22 Feb. – 11 Aug. 1918, on 18 July on Offensive Patrol at 4am had a combat with E.A. shooting down a DFW ‘destroyed’ before being shot up himself and his SE5 B186 was damaged before returning at 6am. Was then medically repatriated to England, 14 August 1918 due to a hand wound received on 11 August, while engaged with a pair of German two-seaters over Chaulnes, enemy Scouts from Jasta 37 intervened and Ltn. Meyer wounding Whitney in the wrist.
‘Above the Trenches’ (C. Shores, N. Franks & R. Guest) list the following as Whitney’s 5 confirmed Victories between 7 July – 9 August 1918, thus earning him the title of “Ace”:
Aerial Victories
1) 7 July 1918, 11:45am, 60 Squadron, SE5a B186 – DFW ‘C’, Achiet le Grand. Destroyed (Flames). German Casualties Sgt Joseph Brecht & Offstv Thielow, Fl Abt 211.
(additionally 16 July 1918 Lieuts. Whitney, Bryning, Buckley drove down a Kite balloon at Le Sars and another at Warlencourt. Observers bailed out from the second one.)
2) 18 July 1918, 05:00am, 60 Squadron, SE5a B186. While on Offensive Patrol had a combat with E.A. at 1,000 feet which broke up at the third burst and crashed in pieces – DFW ‘C’, Boiry Notre Dame (Fl Abt 208). Destroyed. On his return crossing the trenches at 600 feet his machine was shot up and damaged, had his cowling and longeron shot through by ground fire. Pilot O.K.
(additionally on 4 Aug. 1918 Lieuts. Whitney and Beck drove down a Kite balloon at Susanne-Le-Sars. Observers bailed out. Then drove down a DFW Combles/Albert.)
3) 8 Aug. 1918, 4:40pm, 60 Squadron, SE5a C8886 – Hannover ‘C’, Foucaucourt, Destroyed. Shared with Capt. J.E. Doyle. Both crew baled out safely – Ltns. d.R. Ernst Aulenbacher and Erich Betke BG7.
4) 8 Aug. 1918, 4:50pm, 60 Squadron, SE5a C8886 – DFW ‘C’, Estrees. Destroyed (Flames). Shared with Lieut. F.W. Clark.
5) 9 Aug. 1918, 08:35am, 60 Squadron, SE5a C8886 – Hannover ‘C’, Croisilles. Destroyed. Shared with Capt. J.E. Doyle.
(Additionally Lieut. Whitney then drove down a Kite Balloon at Etaing. )
Five true victories plus 3 or 4 that some might count
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