19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Long Reconnaissance - 10 April, 1917.

Objective: Long Reconnaissance (Zone “C”)
Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. Giles Kipp-Parr
Lt. Henri LeMaris
2nd Lt. Wendell Austen
2nd Lt. Darren Bayliss
2nd Peter Burnett
2nd Lt. Patrick Fellows

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):
Sgt. David Emmett w/2nd Lt. Cecil Hamilton
Sgt. Brian Cornell w A/M Paul Pressing

Comments:
• In regards to time this has to be the longest mission I’ve ever flown. Those of us of 19 Sqdrn. who managed to return had little more than fumes remaining in the petrol tanks. We were able to accomplish the assignment, returning with excellent photos but at the cost of three air crew and two aircraft. The enemy was encountered nine different times: three were declined by the Huns - I would assume because we had seven aircraft in the flight, the others we fought. I kept the flight at under 2000 feet the entire time to avoid archie attracting more enemy.
• The mission began in overcast and ended with good visibility. The first encounter with two Jasta 11 Halb. D-III’s resulted in LeMaris’ taking a hit in his gas line and having to abort to the southern emergency field. The second encounter, again with two Jasta 11 (we believe the same two), resulted in the shooting down and capture of the reserve pilot, 2nd Lt. Fellows, and the destruction of his Sopwith.
• The third or fourth encounter (I’ve lost track now) 5 Sqdr.’s Sgt Emmett (with Lt. Austin assisting), while in a duel drove down an Alb. D-II, apparently destroying the plane and leaving the Huns dead or badly injured.
• Finally we made it to the assigned area and the two-seaters were photographing when a Halb. D-III and an Alb. D-II attacked. I think they had not seen all seven of us and as soon as they realized our strength didn’t stay around long. After the two-seaters took more phot0s I signaled a return to base.
• We were just crossing the lines and trying to avoid MG fire when four Jasta 11 Alb. D-III’s attacked. The combat continued for a lengthy period but nothing came of it other than further loss of fuel and ammo. I was becoming worried that we might not have enough petrol, but nevertheless made the decision to try for Amiens because of the assigned artillery spotting later in the day. Suddenly out of a perfectly blue sky the Red Baron was on us almost unseen until the last moment. Of course he did everything possible to avoid the fighters and concentrate on the two-seaters; he shot down Emmett and Hamilton’s two-seater. I managed finally to get him away from Cornell but then found the two of us alone. Our combat came to nothing and eventually he broke away and headed east. When I touched down at Amiens my fellow pilots were already there, and when they saw my aircraft they came running out to me; it was obvious from the looks on their faces they had been preparing for my burial . . .
• I feel it necessary to add the tragic fact that all three of the men lost were scheduled to return to reserve status today. Sgt. Emmett and Lt. Hamilton both were excellent men, brave and resourceful; their downing of the Hun craft resulted from their leaving off photographing and going to the aid of one of our scout pilots who was hard-pressed by two Huns. I should like to see mentioned in dispatches, along with the notice of their loss, the fact that they performed heroically and doubtless saved the life of 2nd Lt. Austin.
• It would be niggardly of me if I did not mention the mettle and flying skill of Richthofen. It is sometimes said that the majority of his kills have resulted from finding lone and perhaps crippled a/c to attack. Obviously, numerically he was at a great disadvantage attempting to intercept our five aircraft, but for several minutes until it developed into a duel with me he held his own against us and showed no sign of wanting to escape. Twice I was able to get in fairly good positions but couldn’t hit him. I suspect his withdrawal was more a matter of ammunition or petrol. One can only pray that in the very near future this bravery will lead to arrogance and his demise.

Mission Points:
Zone “C” photographed (1st Class): + 50
One enemy a/c destroyed (Emmett w/ Hamilton): 20
One scout pilot captured (Fellows): - 25
One Sop. Pup destroyed (Fellows): - 10
One pilot aborted to southern emergency field (LeMaris): - 3
One two-seater pilot KIA (Emmett): - 30
One two-seater observer KIA (Hamilton): - 30
One two-seater aircraft destroyed (Emmett): - 15
Mission Deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: - 43