Synopsis
In the autumn of 1915, the Germans began producing the Fokker monoplane and in the following months would prove themselves a nuisance for the artillery observation machines.As a result, General Trenchard decided to form some new scout squadrons to counter the new one of them was No. 60 Squadron.Formed from No. 1 Reserve Aeroplane Squadron and organised in April 1916, No. 60 Squadron would be in France within a month, equipped with the French Morane Type N.Following the Somme campaign, No. 60 Squadron re-equipped with the Nieuport Scout; they went on to participate at Arras, Passchendaele and in the March 1918 offensive.By war’s end the squadron’s members had been awarded 1 Victoria Cross, 5 Distinguished Service Orders, 1 Bar to DSO, 37 Military Crosses and 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and claimed over three hundred aerial victories.‘Sixty Squadron R.A.F.’ is a classic squadron history of World War I.
About the Author
Group Captain Alan John Lance Scott CB MC AFC (29 June 1883 – 16 January 1922) was an officer in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I and the following years. Scott was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 29 June 1883[3] and was originally an officer in the British Army's Sussex Yeomanry, Scott later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Scott never became a very good pilot; in fact, in training, he crashed and broke both legs. He continued training on canes, and had to be assisted into the cockpit. However, he was a pugnacious dogfighter whose solo missions sometimes got him into trouble. For instance, on 28 May 1917, he survived being Leutnant Karl Allmenröder's 21st victory. In July 1917 Scott was awarded the Military Cross - Capt. (temp Maj.) Alan John Lance Scott Yeo., and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on several occasions attacked and destroyed enemy aircraft and taken successful photographs under heavy fire. He has constantly shown the greatest courage in attacking numerous hostile machines single-handed, during which on two occasions his own machine was considerably damaged. His great coolness, dash, and resource have set an excellent example to his squadron. Scott was a flight commander on No. 43 Squadron RFC until 10 March 1917 when he took up command of No. 60 Squadron RFC. He remained as No. 60 Squadron's commander until 11 July 1917, the day after he was wounded in action. From some time in 1917 to 1918, Scott was the Commandant of the Central Flying School. Notably, Scott acted as Winston Churchill's flying instructor. In 1920, Scott's book "Sixty Squadron RAF: A history of the squadron from its formation" was published. Scott died on 16 January 1922 in London, England aged 38.
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