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MAJ W. G. Barker of No 201 Squadron, RAF, flying a Sopwith Snipe (E8102) on 27 October 1918 (his 10th day in an operational squadron).
While engaging and destroying a German two-seater, Barker is shot through the left thigh by an unseen Fokker DVII. He blacks out and spins down, waking alone in the middle of a formation of 15 Fokker DVIIs, shoots down one of these and receives a second wound in the left thigh. Again he blacks out and when he came to he was surrounded by another group of Fokkers, shoots one down, and receives a wound in the left elbow and loses consciousness. He regains consciousness while under attack by yet another group of fighters and dispatches another while diving away from the fight. Getting his bearings, he dives for the lines, through a fourth enemy formation and crash lands just inside the British lines.
Final tally:
4 German aircraft
3 bullet wounds
1 Victoria Cross
The riddled fuselage of Sopwith Snipe E8102 was recovered and is now on display in Canada.
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Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.
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