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WW1 / 1915 / AIR / COURTRAI
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WW1 / 1915 / AIR / COURTRAI
Rhodes-Moorhouse bombs the railway at Courtrai, wins the Victoria Cross but dies of his wounds. Date: 26 April 1915
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Media ID 8191205
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Bombs Courtrai Dies Rhodes Wins Wounds Moorhouse Ww 1
EDITORS COMMENTS
In the skies above the Western Front during World War I, on the fateful day of April 26, 1915, a historic event unfolded that would be remembered for generations. This photograph captures the moment before the daring raid by British pilot Captain Edward "Mick" Rhodes-Moorhouse, who would go down in history as the first pilot to receive the Victoria Cross for an act of valor in the air. The scene is set in the Belgian town of Courtrai, where Rhodes-Moorhouse, flying a Royal Flying Corps RE8 biplane, targeted the enemy's railway lines, a crucial supply route for the German forces. With precision and courage, he dropped a 20-pound bomb on the railway, successfully disrupting the enemy's logistics and causing significant damage. However, Rhodes-Moorhouse's heroic act came at a great cost. As he flew back to the British lines, his plane was hit by enemy fire, and he sustained severe injuries. Despite his wounds, he continued to fly, managing to land safely behind Allied lines. Unfortunately, his injuries proved to be fatal, and he died later that day, becoming the first British pilot to be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the pilots who took to the skies during World War I, risking their lives to turn the tide of the war. The image of Rhodes-Moorhouse's plane, with its bombs dropped and smoke rising from the impact site, stands as a testament to the determination and heroism of the airmen who fought in the skies above the Western Front.
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