CAMEL COMBAT ACE The Great War Flying Career of Edwin Swale CBE OBE DFC

This work follows the First World War career of Captain (later wing commander) Edwin Swale, CBE DFC and bar, who served with 210 Squadron RAF, piloting Sopwith Camel scouts between March and October 1918. During this timeframe, he destroyed seventeen enemy aircraft, the majority being the formidable Fokker DV11. He undertook a series of perilous operations, including patrols, bombing and strafing missions and bomber escorts. After the cessation of hostilities, he continued his flying career by piloting gliders over his native Derbyshire. He rejoined the RAF during the Second World War and ended the conflict as an intelligence officer in charge of Ultra operations with the 2nd TAF. His son Duncan also served in the RAF during the Second World War, flying low-level intruder operations in de Havilland Mosquitoes and earning a DFC and a US DFC. Swale also gave noted service to his native Chesterfield as a councillor, alderman, mayor and JP. This is his story, told in full and thrilling detail

His citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieutenant Edwin Swale (Sea Patrol).
“A successful and skilful pilot who has destroyed three enemy machines and one kite balloon, and has, in addition, driven down four aeroplanes out of control. On the 15th of September he attacked one of five Fokker biplanes; this machine was driven down out of control, and, on attempting to land, crashed.”
Just a month later, on 3 December, his award of a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted. The citation read:
Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Edwin Swale, DFC. (Sea Patrol, Flanders)
“A gallant and determined officer. On 1st October Capt. Swale led his patrol to attack eleven Fokker biplanes; in the engagement that ensued he drove down the leader, which crashed and caused a second machine to fall out of control. In addition to the foregoing, this officer has destroyed nine hostile ‘planes and driven down five out of control