54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Long Reconnaissance - 4 April, 1917.

Zone B

Sir:

After some discussion, Capt Edeline allowed me to provide maximum escort for the DH4's on this afternoon's Reconnaissance deep behind the center of our sector. 2Lts Degrande, Clark, Carson-Jeffries, Glenn, and Stramel accompanied me. Carson-Jeffries and Glenn were on their first operation. A/Ms Burley and McLean commanded the DH4's, with Sgts Pointer and Hill piloting. All were on their first mission with us, although only McLean was lacking operational experience.

My plan was to fly to the objective with the SPAD's at 13,000 feet and the DH4's at 17,000 feet. This would conserve fuel for the SPAD's, and put the DH4's above likely enemy interference. Once over the objective, the DH4's would dive to an altitude suitable for photography, while the SPAD's would remain above to provide cover.

It was not to be. Passing over the trench lines southwest of Cambrai, we ran into four Albatros D3's from Jasta 11 at our altitude. Clark and I each drove one off, but Glenn's machine was hit in the oil line, starting a small fire. Since we'd lost touch with the DH4's during the dogfight, I decided the entire flight would escort Glenn to the South Advanced Landing Field. Seeing him safely down, the rest of the flight returned to Corbie.

(signed) Lieutenant Wolfgang Grün
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 4, 1917

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Sir:

A/M Burley and I were detailed to obtain photographs of a site deep behind the center of our sector this afternoon. Sgt Hill was my pilot, and Sgt Pointer had Burley's machine. "B" Flt, No. 54 Sqdn, provided our escort. Burley took us up to 17,000 feet, while our escorts flew 4000 feet below us. Crossing the lines southwest of Cambrai, our escorts were intercepted by HA and disappeared into the clouds. Burley took us up to 20,000 feet and continued toward our objective.

We approached the site from the southeast, avoiding the Archie known to protect the southwest approach. Each of us exposed a plate in light rain at 5000 feet, then two more plates at 4000 feet as the rain stopped and the cloud ceiling dropped. Burley brought us away to the northeast, climbing and heading toward the North Advanced Landing Field. We'd reached 14,000 feet when six HA climbed up from below us. One was an all-red Albatros D3, and the other five were Albatros D2's. The D3 shot Burley and Pointer down on his first pass, then turned for us. Our machine took some holes, but Hill managed to get us away.

I had Hill take us up to 20,000 feet to pass over the front, and then descend to the North Advanced Landing Field so our plates could be processed without delay. Both plates exposed at 4000 feet were first-quality, a cold comfort after the loss of Burley and the highly-experienced Pointer.

(signed) Air Mechanic Harrison McLean
No. 5 Sqdn RFC
April 4, 1917

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Victory Points

Two Allied Aircrew Captured (Burley, Pointer) -50
Allied Two-Seater Destroyed (Pointer) -15
Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (Glenn) -3
First Quality Photographic Plate (McLean) +50

Total -18