SHOLTO DOUGLAS (1893 - 1969) Marshall of the R.A.F. After serving as a squadron commander during the First World War, he became Director of Staff Duties and then Assistant Chief of the Air Staff at the Air Ministry. During World War II, he served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Fighter Command and Air Officer Commanding in Chief of RAF Middle East Command where he advocated Operation Accolade, a planned British amphibious assault on Rhodes and the Dodecanese Islands in the Aegean Sea. Very rare World War I-date D.S. as Commanding Major of the 84 Squadron, 1p. large 4to., [France], Aug. 8, 1918, a 'Combats in the Air' report in which A.W.B. Proctor, Captain. documents the attack, and shooting down, of two enemy ballons. South African ace Capt. A. W. BEAUCHAMP-PROCTOR (1894-1921) South African member of the RFC, a recipient of the Victoria Cross who accumulated 54 'kills' by wars end, and was later killed in a training accident. In part: '...I observed 2 E. Balloons, altitude about 100 feet...I decided to attack...I opened fire at 100 yards and continued to fire until compelled to zoom the the balloon...I observed smoke curling up from the side of the balloon. Two minutes later the balloon burst into flames....' Signed by Douglas (also named in the combat report), at bottom as Major and Commander of 84 Squadron. Four file holes, lightly toned, else very good.