Through the Gauntlet
oil on linen , 23.5 " x 41"

Private collection

Through the Gauntlet is a depiction of an encounter that took place on Oct. 2, 1917 between DH4s of 57 Squadron and Albatros DVs of Jasta 18. According to the British combat report, the five DH4s had been dispatched on a bombing mission to the aerodrome at Abeele. On their return flight they were met by the Albatrossen of Jasta 18. The Germans, who were being led by Hauptman Rudolph Berthold, passed over the British formation and quickly initiated a diving attack from the rear. In the ensuing melee the Germans made numerous passes at the British formation. Both sides claimed victories. One DH4 crew in particular, Capt. Hall and 2nd Lt. Hartigan of A'7568 (#6), was credited with singlehandedly downing four of the German aircraft (although the German records would later show that Jasta 18 only lost 1 pilot that afternoon).

Of the five DH4s that flew this particular missiom, only two, A'7568 (#6) and A'7424, made it safely back to their aerodrome. Two machines, A'7451 (#3) and A'7581, crashed, and one A'7583 (#2), was forced down behind enemy lines and captured.

Although Hall and Hartigan were both killed while on a mission the following month, Hall was posthumously awarded the Military Cross for his gallatry on the mission of Oct. 2.

Details of Through the Gauntlet
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The Galleries / World War 1 Originals