Flt Sub Lt ‘Rex’ Warneford left Furnes at 1:00 am on 7th June 1915 on Morane No. 3253 under orders to look for Zeppelins and attack the Berchem St Agathe Airship Shed with six 20 lb bombs. On arriving at Dixmude at 1:15 am, he observed a Zeppelin apparently over Ostend and proceeded in chase of the same. He arrived at close quarters a few miles past Bruges at 1:50 am and the Airship opened heavy maxim fire, so he retreated to gain height and the Airship turned and followed him.
At 2:15 am it stopped firing and 2:25 am he came behind, but well above the Zeppelin; height was then 11,000 feet, and he switched off his engine to descend on top of the Zeppelin. When close above him at 7,000 feet altitude he dropped his bombs, and, whilst releasing the last, there was an explosion which lifted his machine and turned it over. The aeroplane was out of control for a short period, went into a nose dive, but control was regained. He then saw the Zeppelin was on the ground in flames. The joint on Warneford’s petrol pipe and pump from the back tank had been broken and at about 2:40 am he was forced to land in enemy territory to repair his pump. He made preparations to set the machine on fire, but was not observed, so was able to effect a repair of the aircraft and after considerable difficulty in starting his engine single handed (swinging the propeller himself) he was able to take off and head in a South Westerly direction.
He tried several times to find his whereabouts but was unable to do so, so he eventually landed and discovered he was at Cape Gris Nez, where he was given petrol by French soldiers. When the weather cleared he was able to proceed and arrived back at my Aerodrome about 10:30 am. For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Two weeks later on a routine flight his aircraft broke up and he was killed before he received his award
Flt Sub Lt ‘Rex’ Warneford left Furnes at 1:00 am on 7th June 1915 on Morane No. 3253 under orders to look for Zeppelins and attack the Berchem St Agathe Airship Shed with six 20 lb bombs. On arriving at Dixmude at 1:15 am, he observed a Zeppelin apparently over Ostend and proceeded in chase of the same. He arrived at close quarters a few miles past Bruges at 1:50 am and the Airship opened heavy maxim fire, so he retreated to gain height and the Airship turned and followed him.
land in enemy territory to repair his pump. He made preparations to set the machine on fire, but was not observed, so was able to effect a repair of the aircraft and after considerable difficulty in starting his engine single handed (swinging the propeller himself) he was able to take off and head in a South Westerly direction.