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image: An aerial view of a British DH2 plane attacking a squadron of German aircraft single-handedly. The planes fly just
above the clouds, and a bright glow from the sun blazes out across the sky from the left of the composition.
Lionel Rees began his military career in the Royal Artillery before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in August
1914 having learnt to fly at his own expense in 1912. He saw action with 11 Squadron until being appointed to command 32 Squadron in
January 1916. Rees was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 1 July 1916. Whilst on patrol in the Festubert area he encountered ten
German bombers in his DH2 yet attacked alone, downing two of the German planes. While attacking another aircraft his Lewis Gun ran out of
ammunition and he dropped his revolver in the cockpit. Badly wounded in the leg, Rees only turned away as the German two-seater retreated
back across German lines. Rees continued his career in peacetime, retiring in 1931 as a Group Captain.
Imperial War Museum RAF Section Commission | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | Action Rees British Army Royal Flying Corps Imperial German Army Air Service aerial view Western Front First World War 32 Squadron Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Aircraft Accidents | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Arnold, Norman G | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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