19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Twilight Patrol - 3 April, 1917.

Taking Part:
Pilot:
Capt. Everett Hopewell

Comments:
• Except for the tragic loss of the DH-4 with both its crew the day had been fairly easy; we had been scheduled for two missions only. I assigned myself a twilight patrol and I took off with an overcast sky deciding to head towards Zone ‘B’ because being the center of our sector I thought the majority of the activity might be there.
• I passed over the lines east of Mercatel staying just under the clouds. As I entered German airspace I was jumped by three EA: A Halb D-III and two Alb. D-II’s. It quickly became a duel between me and one of the Alb’s. I got on his tail and put some rounds into him, but not enough to knock him down, just enough to make him scurry away.
• I finished my scouting assignment and thought to do some trench strafing, but upon nearing the lines my controls took some damage from MG fire. (By then it was fairly dark and I fear it could have been from my own lads.)
• I landed at the central emergency field and will be in the thick of things by morning.

(Signed) Capt. Everett Hopewell, ‘B’ Flight, 19 Sqdrn.

Mission Points:
Zone “B” scouted: 10
Mission Deduction: - 0
Mission TOTAL: 10

[5-Tops Rule - effective once]