Dallas

Sopwith Triplane flown by Roderic Dallas

featured in

"Queenslander over the Western Front"

WWI Aussie Ace Roderic "Stanley" Dallas spies an Albatross DIII over the Western Front in the spring of 1917,

Painting by Troy White 2006 ©, Oil on Canvas, 40" x 30" For sale

Born on 30 July 1891 at Mount Stanley in South Eastern Queensland, Stan Dallas joind the Royal Naval Air Service in June 1915 and was transfered to N1 Wing RNAS at Dunkirk in December 1915. He scored his first victory on 20 February 1916. Stan's score rose steadily and in September he transitioned to the new Sopwith Triplane. By the the end of January 1917 his score had risen to 10. Then in "Bloody April" alone he shot down 12 shot down enemy aircraft bringing his score to 23. In June 1917 he was given command of No. 1 Squadron RNAS.

On 1 April 1918 the Royal Air Force was formed from the RFC and the RNAS and Dallas was posted to command 40 Squadron equipped with the S.E.5a. With 40 Squadron he scored at least 12 more victories. His last victory came on 30 May 1918.

On 1 June 1918 Squadron Leader Dallas was flying SE 5As with 40 Squadron RAF. While returning from the second mission of the day he went to the aid of another RAF pilot who was under attack but was bounced by three Fokker triplanes. In the ensuing dogfight the charismatic Australian was shot down and killed by Lt. Hans Werner, commander of Jasta 14 was credited with the victory. Werner was an ace with six victories.

Roderick Stanley Dallas is credited with approximately 51 German aircraft making him the top scoring Australian ace of WWI.

Photos courtesy of Adrian Hellwig, authority on Stan Dallas and author of the new book

Australian Hawk on the Western Front

The book, distributed by Capricorn Link, can be purchased from any good bookstore.

To contact the author click here

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