19 Sqdrn. "B" Flight - End of Day Report - April 15, 1917

'B' Flight, 19 Squadron is temporarily reassigned to another area.

19 Sqdrn. "B" Flight - End of Day Report - April 13, 1917

End of Day Report - April 13, 1917

Objective: Photo Reconnaissance (Zone “B”)

Mission Points:
Photos: 0

One non-Jatsa a/c shot down (LeMaris): + 20

Mission Deduction: - 10

Mission TOTAL: +10

Objective: Trench Strafing (Zone “C”)

Mission Points:
Strafing enemy lines: +42

Mission Deduction: - 10

Mission TOTAL: +32

Objective: Offensive Line Patrol (Zone “A”)

Mission Points:
Goods train damaged: 8

Mission TOTAL: 8

APRIL 13 Total Points: 50

To Date

Points: 234

Enemy a/c destroyed: 9

Balloons destroyed: 4

19 Sqdrn. personnel lost: 13

Sopwith Pup’s lost: 8

5 Sqdrn. personnel lost: 2

DH-4’s lost: 2

Rating Changes: 2^nd Lt. Peter Burnette +1 flying skill

Personnel and A/C Requisitioned:

None

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Photo Reconnaissance - 13 April, 1917.

(Zone “B”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Henri LeMaris

2^nd Lt. Wendell Austin

2^nd Lt. Michael French

2^nd Lt. Peter Burnette

2^nd Lt. Robert Swann

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):

Sgt. Owen Cadell / 2^nd Lt. Max Faraday

Sgt. Brian Cornell / 2^nd Lt. Paul Pressing

Comments:

• We had gotten as far the lines when the heavy cloud changed to snow and sleet and it remained as such for the entire mission until just before regaining Amiens. Crossing into Hun-land near the northern emergency field Cornell/Pressing had to land there because of a serious engine problem leaving us with only the one DH-4 for photographing, a fact which further diminished our hopes for success.

• We stayed at a thousand feet to avoid archie but paid with some vicious MG fire. Burnette had his fuselage shot up as did the DH-4. The snow and sleet were terrible - continuous, coating the wings, covering us and numbing our hands and faces, penetrating even the smallest opening in our flying suits; especially bad were the goggles which had to be cleaned continuously.

• In this swirling white hell Richthofen and two Alb. D-II’s somehow spotted us and attacked just short of the objective. During a very brief combat Lt. DeMaris shot down one of the Abatrosses. Richthofen, apparently not wanting to fight us and the weather, soon led the remaining fighter back into the clouds and we finished the assignment, but with little hope of having any decent photos.

• The only adversary we faced returning was the weather as we had to withstand the icy conditions while trying to stay together and not lose our way. Once on our side we were aided in this by following what had been the Arras - Amiens rail line.

(Signed) Lt. Brandt, ‘B’ Flight, 19 Sqdrn.

Mission Points:
Photos: 0

One non-Jatsa a/c shot down (LeMaris): + 20

Mission Deduction: - 10

Mission TOTAL: +10

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Trench Strafing - 13 April, 1917.

(Zone “C”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Harry Brandt

Lt. Henri LeMaris

2^nd Lt. Michael French

2^nd Lt. Peter Burnette

Comments:

• Leaving Amiens under overcast skies I flew us north until Doullens where we turned east. As we approached the lines (with a light rain) I encountered heavy MG fire and was separated from the group for a short while. When I rejoined them they were already strafing the Huns. The rain turned to mist and then heavy cloud; we continued strafing for awhile and were interrupted only once by a lone Jasta 11 Alb. D-III, who, in spite of the odds, immediately attacked. I had a couple good shots at him but the best I was able to do was drive him off into the clouds. (In the last three missions I have hit enemy planes four times but never critically - all “drive off’s”; obviously I’m doing something wrong!)

• With the Hun craft gone we strafed a little longer and returned home with no further incident.

(Signed) Lt. Brandt, ‘B’ Flight, 19 Sqdrn.

Mission Points:
Strafing enemy lines: +42

Mission Deduction: - 10

Mission TOTAL: +32

19Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Offensive Line Patrol - April 13, 1917

(Zone “A”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Harry Brandt

2^nd Lt. Wendell Austin

2^nd Lt. Michael French

Comments:

• We left Amiens under overcast skies. I took the flight directly east to Zone “C” and we crossed over east of St. Quintin. Immediately we were met by two Alb. D-III’s and the battle lasted an inordinate length of time with absolutely no results one way or the other.

• When we were rid of them we commenced to look for ground targets. We spotted a goods train headed west. Austin and French puts some rounds into what they hoped were ammo cars, but alas, no big bangs. French’s fuselage was holed by ground fire.

• Shortly after we spotted another train but we did no damage to it as we were interrupted in our endeavors when we saw not high above us an Alb. D-II escorting another smoking D-II. We gave chase, but the best we got out of it was two driven-off’s. The smoker was a sitting duck but he got into the rain clouds and I couldn’t find him.

• Nothing further of note except Austin this time was the recipient of MG fire as we passed over the lines.

(signed) Lt. Harry Brandt, acting flight leader

Mission Points:
Goods train damaged: 8

Mission TOTAL: 8

19 Sqdrn. "B" Flight - End of Day Report - April 12, 1917

End of Day Report - June 12, 1917

Objective: Artillery Spotting (Zones “A” & “B”)

Two zones spotted: 40

One Enemy a/c made to abort (Pressing): 3

One DH-4 aborted (Cornell/Pressing): -5

Mission deduction: 0

Mission TOTAL: 38

Objective: Offensive Line Patrol (Zone “A”)

One E/A shot down: 20

Scout pilot (LeMaris) aborted with damaged tail plane: - 3

Mission TOTAL: 17

Objective: Photo Reconnaissance (Zone “C”)

One average quality photo: 20
Mission deduction: 0

Mission TOTAL: 20

APRIL 12 Total Points: 75

To Date

Points: 164

Enemy a/c destroyed: 8

Balloons destroyed: 4

19 Sqdrn. personnel lost: 13

Sopwith Pup’s lost: 8

5 Sqdrn. personnel lost: 2

DH-4’s lost: 2

Rating Changes: Sgt. Brian Cornell (No. 5 Sqdrn.) +1 firing

Personnel and A/C Requisitioned:

Scout pilot (permanent): 0

Scout pilot (temporary): 1 (Rec'd 4.12 - #15)

Sopwith Scout A/C: 1 (Rec'd 4.12)

DH-4 A/C: 0

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Photo Reconnaissance - 12 April, 1917.

Objective: Photo Reconnaissance

(Zone “C”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

2^nd Lt. Wendell Austin

2^nd Lt. Peter Burnett

2^nd Lt. Michael French

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):

Sgt. Owen Cadell / 2^nd Lt. Max Faraday

Comments:

• What started as a bright sunlit day turned to light cloud, low cloud, and then overcast by the time we had finished the assignment; we were exceptionally fortunate! Our first encounter happened before we were into German territory - about four miles northwest of Mercatel we were attacked by two Alb. D-III’s. Nothing came of the fight except our DH-4 was driven off.

• Just short of the armaments depot at (coordinate K1o) we were attacked by three Alb. D-II’s. Nothing came of that fight either except Lt. Faraday’s MG jammed permanently.

• One photo was taken and then three Halb. D-III’s came out of the clouds at us. The fight broke up with nothing gained or lost.

• Back to photographing and when they were nearly finished an Alb. C-III flew past us apparently without realizing until the last moment that we were British - he made for the clouds before we could get to him.

• We finished the photographing and turned for the west. Heavy MG fire from the ground holed Burnett’s wing. We were about halfway to the lines when three Halb. D-III’s came at us. French was driven off and my gun jammed. I cleared it in time to greet the next three Huns, again Halb. D-III’s!, which came at us through the overcast. The fight ended with nothing dramatic occurring other than French had to take to the clouds to get away from a very aggressive Hun.

• We made it back to Amiens without further contact and with hardly any fuel or ammunition remaining.

• With the exception of the first two planes we saw no other Alb. D-III’s or Jasta 11 planes. I can say, even with my limited experience, that the Sopwith Pup is decidedly superior to either the Alb. D-II and the Halb. D-III. We often out-flew them but our shooting was not good. It was an excellent exercise for myself and the two other (new) pilots. With stiffer opponents it might have ended in tragedy.

(signed) 2^nd Lt. Wendell Austin (acting flight leader)

Mission Points:

One average quality photo: 20
Mission deduction: 0

Mission TOTAL: 20

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Offensive Line Patrol - 12 April, 1917.

Objective: Offensive Line Patrol

(Zone “A”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Harry Brandt

Lt. Henri LeMaris

2^nd Lt. Michael French

Comments:

• I took the flight north to St. Pol and from there headed due east to begin our patrol in Zone "A”. The weather, which had been low clouds at Amiens, had cleared to the point where there was unlimited visibility by the time we reached the lines.

• The first incident was Lt. LeMaris was hit by MG fire as we dove on a lorry load of troops; part of his tail plane was shot away. He signaled for us to carry on and he made it back to the northern emergency field without further mishaps. We hit nothing.

• Next, before we could find another target, we were attacked by three Alb D-II’s. French immediately was into a duel with one of them and the other two tried to box me. I shot one down and drove the other off. French’s gave up and left.

• Our next target was a car full of Hun brass. It went off the road and into the remnants of a farm where we couldn’t get a clear shot. We came out of our dive to find three Alb. D-II’s on our tail. I was able to get above them but my gun jammed. At about the same time French’s gun did likewise. Our flying saved us as we both got far enough away to clear our guns. French, his first flight with the squadron, drove off an enemy and the others quit the fight.

• Over Armentieres and spotted a Hun supply train - again no hits. And a Hun attacked, this time an Alb. D-III which was immediately in a duel with French. A good flyer and he drove French off. My gun jammed again and at the same time it appeared the Hun lost one of his guns. He flew off trying to fix it. (I can’t understand why as he still had another . . .) Before we found a target (I had cleared my MG) another Alb. D-III attacked us; he picked out French for his victim. The most he could do was drive French off and I got out of there. I signaled a return because I was low on ammo.

• We were about four miles west of the line when six Huns caught us at one thousand feet - a mix of Alb D-III’s, D-II’s and Halberstadts. In their first pass French was driven off, and I was caught in a ground leaping duel with a D-III. I came out from behind the remnants of a church steeple to find him dead ahead of me and close - an easy shot - I pulled the trigger, and no ammo!

• Six of them on us, me with no ammo and French with little, and we were able to escape. That’s either some bloody fine flying or was it bloody good luck? But I have to say, even though I was able to put one Hun out of the war, my firing was off - I missed too many shots at Alb. D-II’s.

(signed) Lt. Harry Brandt, acting flight leader

Mission Points:
Zone “A” spotted: 20

One non-Jasta 11 E/A shot down: 20

Scout pilot (LeMaris) aborted with damaged tail plane: - 3

Mission TOTAL: 37

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Artillery Spotting - April 12, 1917.

Zones 'A' & 'B'

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Harry Brandt

2^nd Lt. Wendell Austen

2^nd Lt. Peter Burnett

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):

Sgt. Brian Cornell w/ A/M Paul Pressing

Sgt. Owen Cadell w/ 2^nd Lt. Max Faraday

Comments:

• What I feared would be a bright sun-lit day quickly began to deteriorate and by the time we reached our first assigned spotting area (‘B’) northeast of Mercatel it was raining. It took the 5 Sqdrn. lads a bit of time (archie was particularly heavy and Sgt. Cadell was driven off once). Finally Faraday contacted the battery and called in fire. We had turned to leave when we were jumped by an Alb. D-III and an Alb. D-II. I was in a long dogfight with the D-III but nothing came of it. Pressing caught the D-II as it climbed for another dive and apparently blew away some of its control lines; it abruptly climbed into the mist.

• We headed north to Zone ‘A’. Archie continued to be intense and for a short time I had to leave the flight fearing my craft might have been damaged. The rain let up and we had clouds at varying altitudes. We were close to the spotting site when Cornell (with Pressing) had to abort with engine damage (again archie). I sent Lt. Burnett to see them to the northern emergency field. After Faraday directed artillery fire we left and returned to Amiens by the back route, first passing over the northern field where we spotted neither of our planes.

• (This is the story Lt. Burnett related: after leaving us they were over the lines when two Alb. D-III’s attacked. Burnett tried to stay between the Huns and Cornell but one D-III was such a good flyer that the two of them ended up in a dog fight and he was unable to assist Cornell. (During the fight which lasted quite a long time Burnett said he only once had a shot.) Cornell caught a burst from the D-III that required they set the a/c down a couple hundred yards or so behind our side of the lines - but during their descent Pressing put enough rounds into the Hun to cause it to leave the fight. (You’ll remember it was Pressing that sent Richthofen limping home.) Cornell landed between shell craters and neither of the two was injured, and the plane, after some patching up will be back in service by tomorrow. Burnett was able to extricate himself from the dogfight and on his way to Amiens over-flew Cornell and Pressing who were on the ground talking with infantrymen.)

(signed) Lt. Harry Brandt

Mission Points:
Two zones spotted: 40

One Enemy a/c made to abort (Pressing): 3

One DH-4 aborted (Cornell/Pressing): -5

Mission deduction: 0

Mission TOTAL: 38

19 Sqdrn. "B" Flight - End of Day Report - April 11, 1917

Objective: Dawn Patrol
Mission Points:
All zones spotted: 120
Scout pilot, 2nd Lt. Darren Bayliss seriously injured: - 25
Sopwith Pup (Bayliss) destroyed: - 10
Mission deduction: - 80
Mission TOTAL: 5

Objective: Balloon Bursting
Mission Points:
Two balloons destroyed: 50
One balloon damaged: 5
Scout pilot (Austin) aborted with engine damage: - 3
Mission deduction: - 20
Mission TOTAL: 32

Objective: Offensive Line Patrol
Mission Points:
Goods train strafed: 4
Goods train (2nd) strafed: 8
Column of troops: 14
Scout pilot (Bellamy) minor injury: -3
2 Sopwith Pups aborted (LeMaris & Burnett) with minor damage: - 6
1 Sopwith Pup (Bellamy) heavily damaged: - 6
Mission deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: 15

Objective: Defensive Line Patrol
Unable to be undertaken
Mission TOTAL: -12

APRIL 11 Total Points: 40

Personnel and A/C Requisitioned:
1 Scout pilot (for Bayliss) permanent: denied
1 Scout pilot (for Bellamy) temporary: assigned
2 Sopwith Scout A/Cs: 1 assigned, 1 denied

Rating Changes:
Brandt, Harry: +1 Pilot skill

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Offensive Line Patrol - 11 April, 1917.

Squadron adjutant reporting to Col. Wagner-Stowe:

"Colonel, I have here as much information as I can get at this time; I believe it to be a rather clear picture for scheduling tomorrow’s assignments - which, incidentally, I will have for you shortly. It seems that 19 Squadron’s “B” Flight pilots are scattered in various locations, the majority being in the northern emergency field, and their third assignment today, defensive line patrol, cannot be carried out. . . Thank you, sir, a whiskey would be just the thing. . . It’s possible, Colonel, we might have a full flight tomorrow, but then again, depending on personnel and plane allocations, we might not. Perhaps you could make a call, sir? As I understand it, your school chum “Smarty” . . . er, excuse me, sir . . . Major Smartly, has been re-assigned to distribution. Here’s a list of “B” Flight’s lads and their statuses:

Lt. Darren Bayliss: as you’ve undoubtedly heard, received multiple leg fractures when he crash-landed this morning while on Dawn Patrol. According to first reports he will not fly again this war.

2nd Lt. Wendell Austin: while balloon bursting earlier today took several rounds in his petrol tank and is in the process of having it repaired at northern emergency field.

Lt. Henri LeMaris, acting flight leader: after having to abort due to engine damage received in combat east of Ypres was attacked a second time but managed to escape and put the plane down south of Nieu Chapelle. From what I could gather from the infantry officer who reported, he made a rather miraculous landing with no injury to himself or damage to his craft. Northern field chaps are at this moment retrieving both him and his aircraft.

Lt. Morris Bellamy: a new chap, was forced down near Ypres after an oil line was hit; he has minor injuries but the plane has extensive damage. He will come down with an ambulance going to Amiens field hospital. It looks he will be out a minimum of three days

2nd Lt. Peter Burnett: (arrived yesterday) apparently was also hit in an oil line during combat and had to abort to the northern emergency field.

Lt. Brandt is available but he is without an aircraft."

Mission Points:
Goods train strafed: 4
Goods train (2nd) strafed: 8
Column of troops: 14
1 Scout pilot (Bellamy)minor injuries: - 3
2 Sopwith Pups aborted (LeMaris & Burnett) with minor damage: - 6
1 Sopwith Pup (Bellamy) heavily damaged: - 6
Mission deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: 15

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Ballon Bursting - 11 April, 1917.

Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. Harry Brandt (acting flight leader)
Lt. Henri LeMaris
2nd Lt. Wendell Austen

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):
Sgt. Brian Cornell w A/M Paul Pressing

Comments:
• We were assigned Zones “A” and “C” and in light rain I took the two lieutenants the ‘back’ route to west of Vimy Ridge where I turned us directly east to “A”. We flew for about twenty miles before we encountered two Alb. D-III’s which drove off Lts Brandt and Austin. Sgt. Cornell in his DH-4 drove off one of the Huns and the other elected to follow shortly afterwards.
• After re-gathering we spotted our first balloon and Lt. Austin put the finishing touches to it just before it reached the ground. Almost to the northern boundary of “A” we found a second balloon and this time Lt. Brandt flamed it. In the process Lt. Austin took several machinegun rounds to his engine and had to abort. We were close to the lines and Austin crossed over on his own.
• We spotted another balloon but while we were attacking three Halb. D-III’s attacked us. The only result of the battle was my MG jammed and I couldn’t clear it. With the weather worsening by the minute I felt we needed to return while we could still fly so we could carry out further assignments.
• Thankfully the weather continued to deteriorate and after over-flying the northern emergency field to see that Austin was there we made it back to Amiens without further interference from the Huns.

(signed) Lt. Henri LeMaris

Mission Points:
Two balloons destroyed: 50
One balloon damaged: 5
Scout pilot (Austin) aborted with engine damage: - 3
Mission deduction: - 20
Mission TOTAL: 32

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Dawn Patrol - 11 April, 1917.

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Harry Brandt (acting flight leader)

Lt. Henri LeMaris

2^nd Lt. Darren Bayliss

2^nd Lt. Wendell Austen

Comments:

• Twelve miles out of Amiens both Lt. Brandt and Lt. Austin had engine problems and had to return to the aerodrome. I took over leadership of the patrol from Lt. Brandt and Lt. Bayliss and I continued on. We crossed over north of San Quintin with Austin taking hits from machine fire. (I kept us at 2,000 feet to avoid archie.)

• We spotted all of “C” and then as we were crossing over to “B” we were jumped by an Alb. D-III and two Halberstadts. Little came of the combat and it was short-lived; the Huns made off into the clouds.

• We had finished Spotting “B” and “A” and were making our way back when west of Armentieres we encountered two Alb. D-III’s accompanying a Roland C-II. Lt. Bayliss immediately was into dog fight with one of the Alb.’s while I was trying to get past the other for a shot at the two-seater. Bayliss was hit in his fuel line and made off into the clouds; the Germans inexplicably turned for the east. Shortly after I saw Bayliss attempt a crash-landing; the ground was strewn with bomb craters and his machine crashed. He managed to crawl out of his plane, but obviously seriously injured, and while I was looking for a place to land Canadian infantry came up and helped him into a lorry. Not far from base my engine started acting up but I made it back in flurries.

(signed) Lt. Henri LeMaris

(Spotting report attached)

Note: we received a call from the infantry unit that picked up Bayliss; their M.O. says he has multiple fractures to both legs and the war for him has ended.

Mission Points:
All zones spotted: 120

Scout pilot, 2^nd Lt. Darren Bayliss seriously injured: - 20

Sopwith Pup (Bayliss) destroyed: - 10

Mission deduction: 80

Mission TOTAL: 10

Recommendation for Honours
War Office

I am recommending that Sgt. David Emmett and 2nd Lt. Cecil Hamilton, No. 5 Sqdrn. RFC, be Mentioned in Dispatches (posthumously) for conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy. To point, while photographing enemy concentrations deep in the rear of German-held territory Sgt. Emmett with Lt. Hamilton (observer) in a two-seater reconnaissance aircraft, saw two German aircraft attacking an inexperienced pilot of 19 Sqdrn. Disregarding the peril to themselves, they attacked and shot down one of the enemy planes undoubtedly saving the life of the new pilot. During the following mission these two gallant men were shot down by planes of the infamous Jasta 11. In addition to the above incident these men repeatedly set an example of diligence and selfless heroism in the performance of their duties.
Colonel J. B. Wagner-Stowe DSO
Commanding RFC - Amiens Sector

19 Sqdrn. "B" Flight - End of Day Report - April 10, 1917

Objective: Long Reconnaissance (Zone “C”)
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


Objective: Artillery Spotting (Zone “B”)
Mission Points:
One zone spotted: 20
E/a aborted (Austin): 3
E/a aborted (Pressing) (Richthofen) : 10
Scout pilot (K-P) ser. injury & captured: - 25
Sopwith Pup (K-P) destroyed: - 10
Mission deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: - 2

APRIL 10 Total Points: - 45

Personnel and A/C Requisitioned:
1 Scout pilot: assigned (noon) 4.11 (Lt. Morris Bellamy)
2 Sopwith Pup A/C: one denied, one assigned (noon) 4.11
1 DH -4: assigned (noon) 4.11
(2nd Lt. Peter Burnett assigned permanently)
Rating Changes:
Lt. P. Burnett: PS +1

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Artillery Spotting - April 10, 1917.

Objective: Artillery Spotting (Zone “B” )

Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. Miles Kipp-Parr
2nd Lt. Darren Bayliss
2nd Lt. Wendell Austen
2nd Lt. Peter Burnett

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):
Sgt. Brian Cornell w/ Lt. Paul Pressing

Comments:
• While the two-seaters were trying to make wireless contact Lt. Kipp-Parr was hit by ground fire. He was about to begin his way back to our lines when Richthofen and five Alb D-II’s attacked us. I’m afraid most of us were too concerned about lieutenant to notice them diving through the clouds. I personally wasn’t aware of their approach until I saw the red machine diving on him. There was no way K-P could get away as his controls were not functioning properly and none of us reacted fast enough to prevent Richthofen from getting to him. His plane hit the ground, somersaulted, but fortunately did not burn. Nothing was seen of him.
• The Baron came back around and attacked what he thought was our next most vulnerable plane, Cornell’s DH-4. He miscalculated as the observer, A/M Paul Pressing, put enough rounds into him that he had to make a forced landing. We’ve all agreed that his landing was good enough, and if not wounded by Paul, he more than likely walked away uninjured.
• Pressing made contact with the artillery battery and called in fire. (I’m sure we all prayed that Richthofen would be hit, but of course it wasn’t to be.)
• We were attacked by two Halb D-III’s west of the lines and I was able to cause one to abort with a smoking engine.

(signed) 2nd Lt. Wendell Austin

Mission Points:
One zone spotted: 20
E/a aborted (Austin): 3
E/a aborted (Pressing) (Richthofen) : 10
Scout pilot (K-P) ser. Injured & captured: - 25
Sopwith Pup (K-P) destroyed: - 10
Mission deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: - 2

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

19 Sqdrn. "B" Flight - End of Day Report - April 9, 1917

Objective: Photo Reconnaissance (Zone “B” - Marshaling Yards)
Mission Points:
Photos (4 - useless): - 10
Scout pilot severely wounded (2nd Lt. Anthony Randell): - 20
Mission Deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: - 30


Objective: Bombing Raid (Zone “B” - Airfield at Douai)
Mission Points:
Bombed Objective (3 hits): +30
Mission Deduction: - 10
Mission TOTAL: +20

Objective: Twilight Patrol (Zone “C”)
Mission Points:
Five hexes over-flown: 10
Strafing of hexes: 14
Aborted to emergency field: - 3
Mission deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: +21

APRIL 9 Total Points: 11

Personnel and A/C Requisitioned:
1 Scout pilot received (2ndLt. Peter Burnett [temp.])

Returning to reserve status 12:00 hours, 10 April:
1 DH-4 pilot (Sgt. David Emmet)
1 Observer (2ndLt. Cecil Hamilton)

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Twilight Patrol - April 9, 1917.

Objective: Twilight Patrol (Zone “C”)
Taking Part:
Pilot:
Lt. Henri LeMaris

'Lieutenant, we just got word from the central emergency field; Lt. LeMaris landed there a few minutes ago after a Hun machine gun put paid to an oil line. He says he’ll be back for morning duties.'

An orderly speaking to Lieutenant Kipp-Parr.


Mission Points:
Five hexes over-flown: 10
Strafing of hexes: 14
Aborted to emergency field: - 3
Mission deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: 21

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Bombing Raid - 9 April, 1917.

Objective: Bombing Raid (Zone “B” - Airfield at Douai)
Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. G. Kipp-Parr
Lt. H. LeMaris
2nd Lt. W. Austen
2nd Lt. P. Fellows

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

Comments:
• Still heavy weather but the mission was seen as very important to lessen two-seater casualties. We flew under dark heavy clouds most of the way with periods of thunder and lightning and some mist. I took the “back route” as I felt I was least apt to get us lost (or encounter any enemy craft), and then directly west of Douai I turned east and we proceeded to the Hun airdrome there. There were no enemy aircraft about and even as we attempted to bomb the airfield none rose to challenge us.
We circled for some time waiting for a break in the weather but it wasn’t to be. We took several machine gun hits. Of their bomb loads the two-seaters were sure of only three hits.
• Having had the skies to ourselves we were perhaps not as alert as we should have been and four miles east of the lines we were dove on by Richthofen and two Alb. D-II’s. The fight broke into several duels with Sgt. Emmett with Lt. Hamilton paired with the Baron. Fortunately the clouds were low and heavy enough that we were able to climb to them before the Huns could do any damage. Lt. LeMaris drove one of the Alb’s off and Emmett was able to get clear of Richthofen.
• We returned via the back route and made it to Amiens without further encounters.

(Signed) Lt. G. Kipp-Parr, ‘B’ Flight, 19 Sqdrn.

Mission Points:
Bombed Objective (3 hits): +30
Mission Deduction: - 10
Mission TOTAL: +20