An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 29 he gave away to junior pilots to boost their self-confidence. "It was wonderful to be in his Flight;" one wrote, "to him his Flight was everything and. Every member had his special thought and care." Another related how Mannock had shot up a German two-seater and then "nodded at me to get it. I went down on the Hun's tail and saw that Mick had killed the gunner, and I could attack safely." He had, recalled Ira Jones, "an intriguingly complex nature. He could be ruthless as a fighter, boyish in the mess, harsh with his pilots' mistakes, gentle and complimentary for good work, morbid when depressed. He also found solace in playing his violin and had an excellent singing voice." In May he was awarded the DSO. By the middle of June, Jones noticed that Mannock's nerves were "notice- ably fraying". On 18th June he went home for leave in England. He was pro- moted to Major, given command of 85 Squadron and awarded a Bar to his DSO. After spending a brief but painful time with his mother, an alcoholic, Mannock went to stay with his friend Jim Eyles, who noted, " he had changed dramatically. Gone was the old sparkle; gone was the incessant wit. I could see him wring his hands to- gether to conceal the shaking and twitching." Back in France, Mannock took command on 5th July 1918, and his arrival was seen as a godsend. He taught his men aerial tactics. Two days after his arrival he downed two Fokker D.VIIs, as his pilots, infected by his enthusiasm, brought down an additional three. Within a matter of days, his personality had completely trans- formed the unit. He threw himself into his work, enjoying a respite from the nightmares and depression. On 10th July he heard that James McCudden, had been killed, news that shook him but also spurred him to a furious killing spree. But he was also taking risks and ignoring his own teachings. Early in the morning of 26th July 1918 Lieutenant Donald Inglis walked into the mess where Mannock was smoking his pipe. The two were to fly a morning patrol together. Mannock told Inglis that they would hunt for a two-seater. He would attack first, with Inglis coming in to finish the enemy off and thus get his first kill. At 5:30 a.m Mannock dived on a two-seater. He knocked out the observer and pulled away, letting Inglis come from underneath, firing into the petrol tank. Violating his own teaching, Mannock circled the burning wreck twice. Inglis later wrote in his combat re- port, "I saw Mick start to kick his rudder and realized we were fairly low, then I saw a flame come out of the side of his machine; it grew bigger and bigger. Mick was no longer kicking his rudder; his nose dropped slightly, and he went into a slow right-hand turn round, about twice, and hit the ground in a burst of flame." Mannock had been brought down by ground fire. He has no known resting place. His friends campaigned for him to be awarded Britain's high- est decoration, the Victoria Cross, which was conferred on 18th July 1919. Fellow pilots recalled, "He was idolized by all who came into intimate contact with him. He was a man among men. A warm, lovable individual of many moods and characteristics." He was indisputably one of the top aces of the RFC/RAF and one of the best fighter leaders and air fighters of his time, worthy of further remembrance and honour. Mannock at London Colney in 1918 Sgt Mannock RAMC The Mannock Family in India Mannock with friends in Turkey

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