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

Sir:

Since there were no pilots from B Flt, No. 54 Sqdn, available to conduct a Twilight Patrol this evening, I decided to take it on myself. Like my previous twilight patrols, I climbed to 15,000 feet and waited for twilight over Arras. Just as the light started to fade, I was rewarded with the sight of three Albatros D2s 3000 feet below me. One of the Albatroses was trailing smoke, and I thought the need for the other two to protect it would balance the odds, so I attacked. Even though my gun jammed once, I managed to clear it, and I fired on the enemy four times, from favorable positions. And yet, I saw no effect. When we'd fought our way down to 6000 feet, the Albatroses disappeared into the overcast.

It was now too dark to have a reasonable chance of spotting enemy aircraft, so I descended to 1000 feet, and made my way southward along the lines, waving to our troops and strafing the German trenches. I went as far as Bapaume, and returned to Corbie low on ammunition.

(signed) Major Benjamin Wagner
C/O No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 19, 1917

****************

Victory Points

Patrolled 5 Hexes +10
Trench Strafing +10

Total +20