Scotch College

Great War flying Ace

Flight Commander R.A. Little D.S.O and Bar, D.S.C and 2 Bars, Croix de Guerre

A Great War flying ace is almost a forgotten hero. Imagine the scene. It's April 1917, and in the clear spring sky over a World War I battlefield in Flanders, Belgium, British and German soldiers are pausing to watch an aerial dogfight above them.

One British plane is manoeuvring skilfully and desperately to avoid an opposing force of overwhelming odds – 11 German fighters. The single plane turns, evades and turns again. Below, soldiers and airmen – including the famous 'Red Baron”, Manfred von Richthofen – marvel at the harried pilot's evasive skills in the unequal contest.

Finally, the pursuers' ammunition is spent and they give up the chase. The British plane dives away to the west and safety …

The escaping pilot that day was an Old Scotch boy, Robert Little ('15), whom Jim Mitchell describes in 'A Deepening Roar” as 'Australia's flying ace of aces”. Yet Little rated no mention at all in 'First Hundred Years”, the history of Scotch from 1851 to 1951, and just two lines in Jim's history of Scotch from 1851 to 2001.

But even that is more recognition than Little received in the official histories of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) and the RAAF, according to an article in the RSL journal 'Mufti”, sent to Great Scot by former Vice-Principal, Ron Bond.

'Mufti” says that because Little elected to join the British Royal Naval Air Service instead of the fledgling AFC, he may have been deliberately overlooked. Yet Little obviously didn't forget his old school. 'A Deepening Roar” records that he flew cardinal, gold and blue ribbons behind his plane.

Little was indeed an 'ace of aces”. Though his feat in outflying 11 enemy aircraft on that April day was awe-inspiring, his record of 47 victories is more than any other Australian-born pilot in either world war – indeed more than any British, British Empire or American pilot in World War II.

Quiet and reserved on the ground, Little was a demon in the air. Travelling to England in 1915 at the age of 20, he flew with No. 1 and No 2 wings of the Royal Naval Air Service in France. By September 1917, his fearless exploits had earned him the Distinguished Service Order and Bar, the Distinguished Service Cross and Bar, and the French Croix de Guerre. He became famous for his dogged pursuit of the enemy, close range attacks and deadly gunnery.

But on the night of 27 May 1918, Little's luck ran out. He was shot while attacking German bombers over St Omer in France, and although he successfully crash-landed his stricken plane, he died soon afterwards of his wounds. Little's young widow later received his decorations – in one sense a source of pride, and cold comfort in another.

Robert Little is by no means completely forgotten. According to 'Mufti”, Little's name appears on at least seven memorials around the world, including a large citation on a plaque
at the Australian Defence Forces Academy at Duntroon, ACT. His name is also in a commemorative book at St Clement Danes Church in London; and there is a 'Little Street” in the Canberra suburb of Scullin named in his honour.

But probably to most Old Scotch boys, Robert Little's name and glorious record remain unknown. As 'Mufti” says: 'Thanks to the official Australian historians, he took his fame to the grave with him.”

David Ashton