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Second part of James McCudden series:

War

In August 1914, one month after the war had started, he travelled to France and operated as a reconnaissance unit, starting to fly as an observer. Because of his intelligence and actions, he was promoted to corporal on 20 November 1914. McCudden was rejected several times in his way to becoming a pilot, for he had been serving outstandingly as a mechanic and his officials didn’t want to take the risk. Deeper into 1915, he managed to act as an aerial gunner. On 21 January 1916 McCudden was awarded the Croix de guerre for gallantry, received in person by General Joffre. Two days later, he was promoted to flight sergeant and the next day he went back home to England to begin pilot training. He excelled the training and on 8 July 1916, he returned to France. McCudden claimed his first victory in September 1916, and his fifth victoryon 15 February 1917, which made him an ace. Back to London in a short break, he served as instructor, returning to the frontline in summer 1917. That same year he dispatched a further 31 enemy aircraft while claiming multiple victories in one day on 11 occasions. Due to his actions and a campaign by the Daily Mail newspaper, he became one of the most famous airmen in WW1. He achieved a total of 57 aerial victories, the last one on 26 February 1918, with a difference of 10 minutes.