Anti aircraft gun sight from machine gun used to engage Richthofen : Gunner R Buie, Royal Australian Artillery

Place Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Corbie Albert Area, Corbie
Accession Number RELAWM12690B
Collection type Technology
Object type Firearm accessory
Maker Buie, Robert
Place made France
Date made 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Lewis gun backsight made and used by gunner Robert Buie of the 53rd battery, 5th Australian Divisional Artillery, when he fired at the famous German air ace, Captain Baron Von Richthofen.

History / Summary

Gunner Buie was a member of a working party detailed for duty to a machine gun and anti-aircraft school a short time before the above event took place. He took advantage of the opportunity to learn all he could about anti-aircraft work and actually made the sights out of a piece of 18 pdr cartridge case. Lt-Gen Sir Hobbs, KCB, KCMG, VD