The Captain asked if I would conduct this evening's Twilight Patrol, as 2Lt Clark has been grounded by the MO. I was glad to go, and headed straight southwest from our aerodrome in a mist, making only slow progress until reaching Albert, to insure the light would be fading by the time I reached the lines. Heavy cloud awaited me there, and I turned north, methodically strafing the German positions to show our infantry that No. 54 Sqdn was there for them. I hadn't progressed very far when I encountered a particularly strong machine gun emplacement. Bypassing it as the mist rolled back in, I suddenly found a Halberstadt peppering my machine. The mist, however, afforded me an escape, and I reached end of my patrol area without further incident. About a third of my ammunition remained in my belt at this point, and I was reluctant to bring that much home when there was better use for it here. I retraced part of my path, surprising Germans who'd thought I was safely past, before returning to Corbie.
(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Gerald Carson-Jeffries
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 9, 1917
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- Victory Points
- Patrolled 5 Hexes +10
Trench Strafing +26 - Total +36
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