Roderic Dallas

Roderic Stanley (Stan) Dallas, (30 July 1891 – 1 June 1918) was an Australian fighter ace of World War I. His score of aerial victories is generally regarded as the second highest by an Australian, after Robert Little, but there is considerable dispute over Dallas's exact total. Though his official score is commonly given as 39, claim-by-claim analyses list as few as 32, and other research credits him with over 50, compared to Little's official tally of 47. Like Little, Dallas flew with British units, rather than the Australian Flying Corps. Beyond his personal combat record, Dallas achieved success as a squadron leader, both in the air and on the ground. He was also an influential tactician and test pilot. His service spanned almost the entirety of World War I fighter aviation.

Born on a remote property in rural Queensland, Dallas showed an early interest in aviation. He travelled to England at his own expense following the outbreak of World War I and became a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in August 1915. Initially seeing action with No. 1 Naval Wing on the Western Front in Caudrons and Nieuport 11s, he was chosen to test one of the earliest Sopwith Triplanes. This became his favourite type, and he achieved many victories with it through 1916–17, earning the Distinguished Service Order, and the Distinguished Service Cross and Bar. He was appointed commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron RNAS in June 1917. On the establishment of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, he took command of No. 40 Squadron. Flying Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5s, he achieved further victories before being killed in action on 1 June 1918 while on patrol near Liévin in northern France. He was buried in Pernes.

Early life Stan Dallas was born on 30 July 1891 at Mount Stanley station outside Esk, Queensland, to labourer Peter MacArthur Dallas and his wife Honora. Mount Stanley was an isolated property, and journeys to and from Esk were long and infrequent; Stan was the first Caucasian child born at the station. His family moved to Tenterfield, New South Wales, soon after the birth of his younger brother in 1893. Stan attended Mount Morgan Boys' School from February 1899 and eventually joined its cadet corps, rising to sergeant.

At tall, and weighing , Dallas would later surprise observers with his ability to fit into the cramped cockpits of fighter planes. Despite his size, he was considered a fine athlete with quick reflexes. Although he could project a loud speaking voice, he was generally soft-spoken and was not known to curse or drink alcohol, nor often to smoke.

Service history

Rise to flying ace

Dallas joined the Port Curtis Militia in 1913, and was commissioned as a lieutenant before the outbreak of World War I. Believing he had little chance of gaining a place in the recently established Australian Flying Corps, he applied to join the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC), but was rejected. Undaunted, he travelled from Queensland to Melbourne, where he impressed Minister Without Portfolio J.A. Jensen. Jensen gave the young aspirant a letter of introduction to the Australian High Commissioner in London, Sir George Reid. Dallas paid his own passage to England and, once there, applied once more to the RFC. Having made two unconfirmed claims in February 1916, Dallas scored his first confirmed victory on 23 April. He outmaneuvered a German Aviatik C and shot it out of control, following his victim down to 2,000 feet, though heavy anti-aircraft fire holed his plane in several places. He went on to score three more confirmed victories with his Nieuport.

On 23 June 1916, Dallas took delivery of the newest RNAS fighter, Sopwith Triplane #N500. This was the original prototype, having undergone Admiralty trials before being shipped to France. Though still only a test plane, it was flown into combat 15 minutes after its arrival. Dallas named it Brown Bread, and it was the first of a series of 'Tripes' that he would fly and fight in over the next year. He achieved his first victory with Brown Bread on 1 July, the same day he was promoted to flight lieutenant. Three days later, he was recommended for further promotion. He scored his last Nieuport-mounted 'kill' on 9 July, earning the Croix de guerre and a mention in despatches for coming to the aid of a French Maurice Farman biplane. On 7 September 1916, Dallas was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, "for the specially gallant manner in which he has carried out his duties" since first seeing action in December 1915. By the end of the year he was among the earliest RNAS aces, with eight confirmed and four unconfirmed victories, and had been raised to the rank of flight commander.

Dallas became one of the best-known pilots of Sopwith Triplanes in the RNAS. He opened 1917 by setting an altitude record of 26,000 feet in the Triplane while testing a prototype oxygen set; he endured frostbite and oxygen intoxication in the process. The last three weeks of March were also filled with Dallas's responsibilities for flight and gunnery testing.

The combat of 23 April 1917 became known as one of the classic air battles of the war. Dallas and his wingman Thomas Culling took on a squadron-sized formation of 14 German aircraft, having gained an altitude edge over their foes. The naval aces exploited this edge by making quick diving attacks from opposite sides, culminating in short bursts of machine-gun fire. Using the Triplane's superior climbing ability, they would then bob back up to position themselves for the next assault. In contrast to the usual hit-and-run tactics of most dogfights, the RNAS duo launched at least 20 gunnery runs over 45 minutes. The Germans were forced progressively lower, into disarray, and then chased back over their own lines.

Squadron command

By June 1917, Dallas had achieved over 20 victories in aerial combat. This experience, and his leadership ability, led to his appointment as commanding officer of No. 1 Naval Squadron on 23 June 1917. The unit had been forced to cut back its operational strength from 18 aircraft to 15 due to lack of pilot replacements and a shortage of spare parts for the ageing Triplanes. It had also moved airfields, to an unprepared site at Bailleul. As a leader, Dallas made a point of shepherding new pilots through their first flights, and even setting them up with their first victories by manoeuvring enemy aircraft into a good position for the rookie to take a shot. On the ground, he proved to be an efficient organiser, designing and directing construction of the new air base. It was also during this time that he wrote a treatise on air combat tactics, extracts of which have survived. Both the air base layout and the treatise displayed his talent as a sketch artist. On 16 February 1918, Dallas led his squadron back to France, where it was based at Téteghem, supporting units on operations along the Belgian coast. He commanded it for another six weeks, until 31 March. The squadron boasted several aces in its ranks, and its former RFC members were suspicious of Dallas's naval background. He was nevertheless able to overcome their misgivings and established himself as the new CO with his personal demeanour and courage; the nickname of "Admiral" that they bestowed upon him was an affectionate one. Ten days after taking over, he had adapted well enough to his new mount with its inline engine to score his first victory with his new unit. His men also saw that he would not only look out for his rookie pilots, but would not shirk the dangers of ground attack sorties. His offhand attitude toward two leg wounds he received during a strafing mission on 14 April, after which he made "a perfect landing", especially impressed his subordinates, as did his appreciation of all ranks for their hard work. His studious bent continued to serve him; he kept notes on his methods of attacking enemy aircraft, which often exploited their structural weaknesses, and used them to tutor pilots under his command. By 26 April, he had increased his official score to 37, and been awarded the Distinguished Service Order for operations at Dunkirk. He had also several times been recommended for the Victoria Cross, but it was never approved. His casual attitude towards claiming victories was noted by a member of No. 40 Squadron, Cecil Usher, who related that Dallas once remarked of an opponent, "...he went down belching a lot of black smoke and after he had gone down someways one of his planes came off, but I didn't see him crash so I shan't claim him."

On 2 May 1918, during a lull in the fighting at Flanders, Dallas took off in his S.E.5 to taunt his foes. He strafed the German base at La Brayelle to "attract attention" before dropping a package on the aerodrome with a note reading, "If you won't come up here and fight, herewith a pair of boots for work on the ground, pilots for the use of". He then circled in mist until troops came to examine the bundle, whereupon he dropped two bombs and again shot up the base, causing "general panic". News of this singular exploit reportedly provoked laughter from Field Marshal Haig and RAF founder General Sir Hugh Trenchard, two men not known for their sense of humour. He also harboured a long-standing ambition of flying from England back to Australia, which would be a record-setting journey.

Death and legacy alt=Crucifix, made from an aeroplane propeller, in a cemetery. The inscription reads "Lt. Col. R.S. Dallas DSO DSC ... Killed in Action" Dallas was raised to lieutenant colonel and appointed to the command of a wing, but would never see the message from headquarters that arrived on 1 June 1918 advising him of the promotion and ordering him to cease flying. He disappeared on a solo mission the same day. It was later learned that he had been killed over Liévin during combat with three Fokker Triplanes from Jagdstaffel 14, probably by its commander, Leutnant Johannes Werner. Medics near his crash site at Absalom Trench ventured into no man's land and retrieved his body, and a patrol of eight volunteers salvaged his personal effects from the fallen aircraft. News of Dallas's death was greeted with shock and disbelief by his squadron, one pilot recording: he was also instrumental in developing the Sopwith Triplane. Richthofen flew the Fokker Dr.1, and helped develop the Fokker D.VII, but did not live to fly it into battle.

Stan Dallas was buried at the Pernes British Cemetery, France, in Lot 38, Row E of Plot II. Along with his military decorations, he was honoured with a Gold Medal by the Aéro-Club de France, and a Bronze Medal and Diploma by the Aero Club of America. He also refers to his difficulties in reconciling previous accounts. Several claim-by-claim analyses ascribe Dallas a score of 32 aircraft shot down, but he was officially credited with 39, and with being second only to Robert Little—who was credited with 47—among Australian aces. Dallas's unofficial tally has been estimated at over 50.

Nieuport 11 #3981 C type Destroyed Germans fled scene after observer was hit.

Nieuport 11 #3987 Aviatik C Out of control Middelkerke As verified by Naval Communique.

Nieuport 11 Aviatik C Destroyed Dallas's solo attack hit both pilot and observer.

Nieuport 11 #3933 Friedrichshafen FF33 Destroyed Off Blankenberghe Dallas shot down and sank a seaplane.

Destroyed Wing of enemy plane crumpled and it spun.

Nieuport Fokker Eindecker Destroyed Dallas supposedly downed an attacking German after his own plane's engine had been hit.

Sopwith Triplane #N500 Unidentified 2-seater (large brown biplane) Out of control Off La Panne Dallas downed German despite gun jam; confirmed by French artillery officer.

Nieuport 11 Fokker E-III Destroyed Mariakerke Pilot killed.

Nieuport 11 Large enemy biplane Inconclusive Mariakerke Per Squadron Record Book; Dallas fired into German, who dived erratically away.

Sopwith Triplane #N500 Unidentified scout Out of control Southwest of St Pierre Capelle Verified by Squadron Record Book.

Sopwith Triplane #N500 LVG 2-seater Destroyed Vicinity of Pervaise Verified by Squadron Record Book.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 2-seater Enemy aircraft departed in steep dive. Near Dixmude Royal Naval Air Service Summary: "not verified".

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 Albatros D-II Out of control East-Southeast of St. Quentin Combat Report verified by Squadron Record Book.

Sopwith Triplane #5436 Albatros fighter Out of control Thomas Culling scored in same fight, and had victory recorded on this date.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 Albatros C-type Out of control E of Cambrai Per Squadron Record Book, Combat Report counter-signed by witness and squadron commander.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 These victories are only in Dallas's logbook. They immediately followed his squadron's change of home airfields.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 Albatros Scout Out of control Per Squadron Record Book. This victory is sometimes mistakenly dated 22 April 1917.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 Two Albatros D-IIIs Destroyed; set on fire and destroyed Arleux Dallas and wingman Thomas Culling constantly attacked 14 German airplanes for 45 minutes, per Squadron Record Book and Royal Flying Corps Communique #85.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 Albatros C-type Destroyed Near Douai Per Dallas's Official Service Record and Squadron Record Book.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 Unidentified two-seater Set afire and destroyed Near Douai Per Dallas's Official Service Record and Squadron Record Book.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 Rumpler C-type; "German Nieuport" Destroyed; out of control Near Haynecourt Per Squadron Record Book.

Sopwith Triplane #N5436 Albatros D-III Out of control 4 miles E of Lens Per Squadron Record Book.

Sopwith Triplane Albatros D-III Out of control Confirmed by Dallas's Official Service Record.

Sopwith Triplane Two-seater Out of control Near Vitry Confirmed by Dallas's Official Service Record; German observer killed.

Sopwith Triplane Albatros D-III Out of control Henin-Lietard Victory witnessed by Flight Sub-Lieutenant Cyril Ridley.

Sopwith Triplane AEG; AEG; Halberstadt Douai? Dallas's second, third, and fourth possible victories as squadron commander.

Sopwith Triplane N6508 Albatros Destroyed E of Wervicq Royal Flying Corps Communique #101.

Sopwith Triplane Albatros D.V Destroyed N of Gheluwe Royal Flying Corps Communique #101.

Sopwith Triplane Destroyed Reputedly in company with Captain Robert Little

Sopwith Camel #B6427 DFW C-type Destroyed Ruggevelde Per Royal Naval Air Service communique. Scored while on home defence duties.

Sopwith Camel #B6431 DFW C-type Out of control Ostend Scored while on home defence duties.

Sopwith Camel Aviatik? 2-seater Destroyed Near Dixmude Per Royal Naval Air Service Communique.

Sopwith Camel Rumpler C Destroyed Near Dixmude Per Royal Naval Air Service Communique.

Sopwith Camel #5427 Kite balloon Destroyed—set aflame Only confirmed balloon victory, though he drove balloons down on several occasions.

RAF S.E.5a #C4879 DFW C-type Destroyed La Bassee Per Squadron Record Book.

RAF SE5a #D3511 Albatros D.V Destroyed Brebieres Per Squadron Record Book.

RAF SE5a #D3511 Albatros D.V Out of control Brebieres Victory witnessed by Lieutenant Rusden.

RAF SE5a #D3511 Albatros C-type Out of control E of La Bassee Per Squadron Record Book.

RAF SE5a #D3511 Rumpler C-type Destroyed Lille Per Squadron Record Book; this was reportedly an artillery spotter calling in fire on Dallas's airfield.

RAF SE5a #D3511 Pfalz Out of control Merville Per Squadron Record Book, despite Combat Report stating "...no pilot is prepared to take credit..."

RAF SE5a #D3511 Pfalz Out of control W of Lille Dallas's solo attack picked off last plane in formation.

RAF SE5a Fokker Dr.I; Fokker Dr.1; Rumpler 2-seater Dallas's squadron was changing home airfields at this time.

RAF SE5a Pfalz Scout Destroyed Hantay Per Combat Report.

RAF SE5a #D3511 DFW 2-seater Destroyed Estaires Per Squadron Record Book.