54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Balloon Bursting - 1 April, 1917

Zones B & C

Sir:

I led all the scouts of "B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn on a low-level mission against enemy observation balloons this morning. The machines of Lts Howe and Downy, 2Lt Cashmore-Whittenton, and myself were armed with conventional ammunition, while 2Lts Johnson and Stramel were armed with Buckingham ammunition. By taking so many aircraft, I hoped to be sure to destroy any balloons we found, and to discourage German aircraft from interfering with our operation. My hopes were realized, as both balloons sighted were destroyed, an no less than six formations of hostile aircraft passing above us declined to attack. The entire operation was conducted at 1000 feet under cloudy skies.

We crossed the lines southeast of Arras. My leg was grazed by fire from the ground at this point, but I was able to continue leading the Flight. We proceeded south behind the trenches, searching for balloons. I was hit again by ground fire, holing my wings, as we turned into the salient northeast of Bapaume. Incredibly, no balloons were found until we'd nearly arrived at the southern limit of the Amiens sector. The first balloon was hit by Downy and Stramel on our second pass, and shot down by Howe on our third. The second balloon was hit by Howe on our first pass, and hit by Stramel and then shot down by Downy on our second.

Having reached the extreme south of our sector, we returned across the lines. Three Albatros D2s dove on us west of the South Advanced Landing Field. Johnson and Stramel absented themselves from the subsequent combat due to their Buckinghan ammunition, as they'd been ordered. The rest of us found ourselves in a series of personal duels. Downey drove his enemy off, and I shot mine down.

This combat, coupled with the long search for balloons, used more fuel than I'd expected, but we had sufficient to reach Corbie, so I decided against landing at the South Advanced Landing Field. We arrived over the aerodrome without incident, but as we were preparing to land, two hostile aircraft were spotted in the clouds above us. One, an all-red Albatros D3, dove on us and holed Johnson's fuel tank on his first pass. Once again, Stramel flew away from the dogfight, while the rest of us tried to protect Johnson. Before we could get organized, Johnson suffered one more attack, but was fortunate to avoid any further damage. I managed to get off a low-probability shot, which at least allowed Johnson to escape. Howe and Cashmore-Whittenton and I found ourselves in a tight turning contest with this Albatros. Cashmore-Whittenton and I were able to line up shots, but missed, and the Albatros broke off.

We landed with less than two minutes of fuel remaining. Although it seemed clear to me that my wound was no impediment to flying, the doc has grounded me for three days.

(signed) Captain Matthew Edeline
"B" Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 1, 1917

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Victory Points
    Two Balloons Destroyed (Howe, Downy) +50
    German Scout Destroyed (Edeline) +20
    Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (Johnson) -3
    Allied Aircrew Slightly Wounded (Edeline) -10
    Mission Offset -20
Total +37