Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

On the 2 October, 1917 Lieutenant Clifford Gordon Crane, RFC and RAF was shot down and captured by the Germans. Lieutenant Crane at the outbreak of the war was a University student, and upon obtaining his degree enlisted early in 1915. He was at Gallipoli until the evacuation, with the 2nd Division Signals Company and served afterwards in France at Pozieres. After his transfer and to the RFC he was posted to 57 Squadron in France during late August 1917. When returning from an expedition over German lines, he was intercepted by a large formation of German scouts. The unequal combat took place at 16,000 feet, his observer being killed at the beginning. His machine later was put out of control and finally he had to land about 12 miles behind the German lines. Lieutenant Crane was a prisoner for 14 months and was repatriated to England in December 1918.

On the day Crane was captured, at 10.45am five DH4s of 57 Squadron RFC, led by Captain Hall, set out from their aerodrome on a mission to bomb a German aerodrome east of Roulers. The mission proceeded well and all bombs were dropped, with some observed success. On the return journey, however, while flying in formation at 16,200 feet over Roulers, the group was attacked from above by about 15 Albatros DV scouts from Jasta 18. They were seriously outnumbered. A dogfight ensued that rapidly became confused. A DH4 aircraft piloted by Captain Hall and with his observer 2nd Lieutenant Hartigan had some success, claiming four victories within a very short space of time. The encounter was far from one sided, however. Three of the five DH4s that set out on the bombing mission did not make it back across the lines. Two of the aircraft were hit and crashed, killing all four of the crew. The pilot of the third aircraft (A7583), 2nd Lieutenant Crane, managed to land his damaged aircraft safely, but only in enemy territory, and was captured. His observer, 2nd Lieutenant Inglis, was killed. There exists a photograph that shows this aircraft in German hands, bearing the unit marking for number 57 Squadron.

His brother 1054 Lieutenant Arnold Newport Crane 2nd Divisional Signal Company AIF was awarded the Military Medal at Pozieres “for exceptional bravery and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy at Contalmaison during the period 25 July - 5 August, 1916. It was necessary for him to pass through very heavy enemy barrages on many occasions. The good communication between Brigade and its Battalions during this period was largely due to the bravery and tenacity with which Sergeant Crane carried out his duties.” Both the boys were from Croydon in NSW.