Flight Lieutenant Thomas Culling

Although not well known among New Zealand’s top First World War fighter pilots, the honour of being this country’s first "ace" belongs to Thomas Culling. His fifth credited victory was scored some five weeks before that of the next qualifier, Keith Caldwell.

Culling was born in Dunedin on 31 May 1896, the son of a future Mayor of St Kilda, and educated at King’s College, Auckland. Little is known about his activities in 1914-15, but he was commissioned into the RNAS in January 1916 and underwent flying instruction at the Chingford and Eastchurch training establishments. 
 
In September, with a total of 59 hours flying time logged, he was judged fit for overseas service and posted to France; there he joined A Squadron, 1 Wing, RNAS. 
 
The next few months saw Culling flying Nieuport Scouts on patrol, escort and reconnaissance work; combats were infrequent and no victories were scored. In December A Squadron was re-designated 1 Squadron, RNAS, and re-equipment with Sopwith Triplanes commenced; but there was still little action for the pilots until the unit was placed under RFC control in February 1917, and offence operations begun in April. Almost at once the New Zealander had his first victory, a two-seater claimed out of control on the 6th. His Combat Report gave the following account: "I dived on to an EA at 12,000 feet and fired about 100 rounds into it at very short range. I saw the EA stall and get into a spin, and could see it falling from about 11,000 feet until it fell, still spinning, through the low clouds which were at 2,000 feet." His next successful combat came on 22 April, and it was one later recalled in some published accounts as a classic of its kind. For about three-quarters of an hour two Triplanes fought a mixed formation of fourteen enemy aircraft; the Germans had the worst of it and lost three of their number. In one Triplane, Culling claimed an Albatros Scout out of control, while his squadron-mate claimed two destroyed. On the following day he was again successful, a two-seater being claimed out of control. 
 
This string of victories prompted a recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Culling, particular reference being made to the combats of 22 and 23 April. In due course the award was approved, but the New Zealander would not live long enough to receive his medal. 
 
May, a month of many combats, brought Culling three further victories, beginning on the 5th with a claim for an Albatros Scout out of control. On the 19th another Albatros Scout was claimed out of control; this was the victory which brought him "ace" status. His third Albatros Scout for the month (this one destroyed) fell to him on the 20th. 
 
But Culling’s sixth victory was his last. Heavy air fighting continued into June, and on the 8th of that month he was posted missing after a combat between a 1 Squadron patrol and enemy fighters. Later it was confirmed that he had been shot down and killed. New Zealand’s first "ace" was also the first of their number to die in action.