Objective: Dawn Patrol
Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. Giles Kipp-Parr
2nd Lt. Darren Bayliss
Comments:
• The weather promised a clear day and I believe we all faced it with a bit of trepidation. With the Allied assault beginning yesterday we knew there would be a heavy German presence - especially on the lookout for any of our recon machines. I decided to begin the patrol very early so that we could take advantage of the lower morning visibility. It went well until we crossed the lines west of Hill 70 when three Jasta 11 aircraft attacked. We were at 15.000 feet and they only a couple thousand higher but we failed to see them as they dove out of the rising sun (that early morning visibility works both ways!). Bayliss did a good job keeping himself clear enough and a couple times actually was on the tail of one the Huns. Unfortunately we did no damage - nor did they.
• My engine died once but I was able to get it going again just as six Halb. D-III’s attacked us as we started our descent (by this time there was morning light). Bayliss and a Hun plane got into a mix-up off to the south and I was left with the remaining five planes. The Huns started using the tactic of circling me and by turns turning into me - this was unlucky for the fourth as I timed his turn perfectly, broke starboard and came around on his tail - and put a number of rounds into his fuselage. He spun out of control and crashed in no-man’s land. I met up with Bayliss a few minutes later and he signaled that he had a slight arm wound, but he was not losing much blood and could carry on.
• Making our way into Zone “B” at 2,000 feet we saw two different flights of what we believe were Huns but they were far above and probably unable to see us for the glare off the clouds. And then we saw two Alb. D-III’s coming at us from slightly above and to port. After a couple minutes Bayliss and I were in separate duels but eventually they broke off with neither side doing any damage. After patrolling a bit further over German territory I signaled to turn west and start home as I knew we both were going low on fuel.
• No further encounters until just about to Amiens when suddenly I looked back to see Bayliss dodging an all red kite (in hindsight I realize Richthofen had to have been stalking us from a bit lower and to the rear of Bayliss who throughout the morning had done a good job of watching our six; but he had neglected to roll his craft periodically and it was a lesson that well nigh cost him his life). The Baron sent Bayliss down in his first pass and came after me. I hadn’t had time to do much more than realize there was not much air between me and the ground and started a sharp starboard turn upwards. Richthofen’s bullet’s cut my fuel line and I went into a dive towards base. I think he left me because by then there were enough of our grounds crews alerted to send up a lot small-arms fire.
• Bayliss’ plane did a somersault at the edge of the field but he got away with only a sprained back. (M.O. says he will be out for three days. His aircraft is reparable but won’t be usable until tomorrow.) I want to say that for a new lad he did very well, aggressive, and never once failed to stay in a fight.
• I will have to borrow a crate from one of the new chaps for the day’s assignments.)
(Signed) Lt. G. Kipp-Parr
‘B’ Flight, 19 Sqdrn.
Mission Points:
Zones “A” and “B” patrolled: + 80
Non-Jasta 11 fighter destroyed (Kipp-Parr): + 20
Fighter aborted to Amiens field (Kipp-Parr): - 3
Fighter badly damaged (Bayliss): - 6
Fighter pilot 2 minor wounds (Bayliss): - 6
Mission Deduction: - 80
Mission TOTAL: + 5
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