Themes

Article highlights

• The career of a naval airman

• The RNAS and the Koenigsberg

• The attack on the Koenigsberg

• Winning a Distinguished Service Order

Winning a Distinguished Service Order

Report of 5th August 1915 of reconnaissance over destroyed Koenigsberg (FAAM)

The efforts of Flight Commander Cull and Flight Sub-Lieutenant H. J. Arnold and the rest of the Naval force meant the Koenigsberg was on fire and sinking.

The next few days saw the Germans salvaging as much they could and the Royal Navy congratulating themselves on the joint venture between air and sea. It had taken over seven months to sink the Koenigsberg but as Cull flew over in August 1915 it was clear the task had finally been completed.

The Koenigsberg's Captain wrote the following report;

A Report of the 20th July 1915 from the Captain of SMS Koenigsberg (FAAM)

Cull went on to fly in East Africa. His efforts won the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and a share of the prize money for sinking the cruiser. They were the first airmen to win such an award.

The destroyed and half submerged SMS Koenigsberg (FAAM)