19 Sqdrn. "B" Flight - End of Day Report - April 5, 1917

Dawn Patrol
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

Long Reconnaissance (Zone “C”)
Mission Points:
Zone “C” photographed (average photo): + 25
One scout pilot captured (Diehl): - 25
One Sop. Pup captured: - 10
Two - Two-seater personnel minor wounds (Cadell & Faraday): - 20
Mission Deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: - 3

Balloon Bursting (Zone “A” & “C”)
Mission Points:
Zone “A” and “C” patrolled: 0
Three scout a/c landed at emergency field: -6
Mission Deduction: -20
Mission TOTAL: - 26
“Symmetrical Rule” used twice

TOTAL POINTS for April 5: - 24

Personnel & Equipment Requests
Scout pilot (temp.): 1
Two-seater pilot (temp): 1
Two-seater observer (temp): 1
Sop. “Pup” scout: 1

Personnel Assigned:
Scout pilot: Henri LeMaris 4A4 (Temp)
5 Sqdrn. pilot: Sgt. David Emmett 3D3 (Temp)
5 Sqdrn. observer: Cecil Hamilton E3 (Temp)
One Sopwith Pup

Rating Changes: none

Optional rules used April 5:
Three-turn weather: all missions
Mechanical difficulty: (3 - 4 times)
Friendly assistance: (not used)
'Symmetrical' weather: twice
High Guard: (once)

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Ballon Bursting - 5 April, 1917.

Objective: Balloon Bursting (Zones "A" & “C”)
Taking Part:
Pilots:
Lt. Giles Kipp-Parr
Lt. Harry Brandt
2nd Lt. Wendell Austen

Comments:
• It was a dud mission. The few balloons we spotted were winched down before we could destroy them - two because we were involved in air battles. There were four battles fought and two others that came in quick succession; in these, fate lent a hand and kept the Germans off us.
• With the exception of about the last twelve miles we patrolled both assigned areas. At Armentieres I estimated we had enough petrol to get about three-quarters of the way back to Amiens; we quit the patrol and I headed us to the northern emergency landing field.
• I want to commend Lt. Austen; though considered a poor flyer ordinarily, given an enemy to contend with he becomes a lion; for the most part he out-flew both Brandt and myself - and the Huns! A pity I had him loaded with Buckingham ammo.
• For all the flying and fighting done we have nothing to show for it - but fortunately, neither do the Huns!

(signed) Lt. Giles Kipp-Parr, acting “B” flight leader - 19 Squadron

Mission Points:
Zone “A” and “C” patrolled: 0
Three scout a/c landed at emergency field: -6
Mission Deduction: -20
Mission TOTAL: - 26

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - End of Day Report - 5 April, 1917.

Mission 18: Balloon Bursting

Allied Aircrew Slightly Wounded (-10)
Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (-3)
Two Allied Scouts w/ Minor Damage (-6)
Three Undamaged Aircraft using Advanced Landing Field (-6)
Mission Offset (-20)
-45 VP's

Mission 19: Defensive Line Patrol

Patrolled 9 Checkpoints (+18)
Mission Offset (-12)
+6 VP's

Mission 20: Bombing Raid

Two Allied Aircrew Killed (-60)
Allied Two-Seater Destroyed (-15)
German Scout Damaged/Aborted (+3)
Mission Offset (-10)
-82 VP's

Victories

None

Casualties

Two Killed (A/M H McLean, Sgt H Provost)
One Slightly Wounded (Capt M Edeline)

Replacements

One Two-Seater Pilot, Sgt. B.S.
One Observer, Sgt. C.B.
One DH4
Denied: One Observer, One DH4

Ratings Changes

Capt Edeline PS +1
2Lt Stramel PS +1

Victory Point Totals

-121 Today
-271½ To Date

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Bombing Raid - 5 April, 1917.

Supply Dump (Zone C)

Great War Oral History Project Transcript G0175670633b

Orville Reed: Orville Reed with the Great War Oral History Project, it's May 17, 1967, and I have Hauptmann Nikolaus Burkhard here with me again. Last time, Hauptmann Burkhard, you were telling me there was a particular action that made quite an impression on you. Would you like to elaborate on that?

Nikolaus Burkhard: Yes, well, it was April, 1917. I was a Leutnant at the time, flying a Halberstadt D3 from Douai airfield. The English were making a big push around Arras, and I'd taken to patrolling alone over their emergency landing fields, thinking I might catch a machine coming back damaged or low on fuel. This time it worked. The afternoon had started off cloudy, and I'd climbed when it cleared, and then when the clouds came in again, I almost missed it, a two-seater, DH4 I think, coming in to land and trailing smoke.

OR: I've done some research, and I believe this was April 5th, and it was a DH4. Did you know the machine had been attacked by von Richthofen and two new pilots he was taking on an orientation flight earlier in the afternoon? Both of von Richthofen's guns jammed, and Air Mechanic McLean, the observer, damaged one of the other aircraft.

NB: No, all I knew was that the DH4 was already damaged. But the rear gunner was good. I made a succession of head-on passes to stay out of his sights. But of course he fired at me every time as I went by. On my last pass — I was going to have to break off if I was going to get to Douai on the fuel I had left — flames just shot out of his engine. We were barely above the treetops, and in the few seconds it took for the aircraft to hit the ground, it was completely engulfed. When it hit, it smashed and scattered flaming debris everywhere. I hope they had their identity disks, because I doubt they could be recognized. It was a horrific crash … simply horrific.

OR: Thank you, Hauptmann — perhaps it would be best if we continued tomorrow.

NB: Yes, thank you … simply horrific.

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

Victory Points

Two Allied Aircrew Killed (McLean, Provost) -60
Allied Two-Seater Destroyed (Provost) -15
German Scout Damaged/Aborted (McLean) +3
Mission Offset -10

Total -82

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Long Reconnaissance - 5 April, 1917.

Objective: Long Reconnaissance (Zone “C”)

Taking Part:

Pilots:

Lt. Harry Brandt

2^nd Lt. Wendell Austen

2^nd Lt. Darren Bayliss

2^nd Lt. Miles Diehl

Two-Seater Aircraft (5 Sqdrn.):

Sgt. Owen Cadell w/ Lt. Max Faraday

Sgt. Brian Cornell w A/M Paul Pressing

Comments:

• Lt. Kipp-Parr speaking with Col. Wagner-Stowe: “Yes, Sir, we made it back; a little worse for wear, I'm afraid, but we did get the photos with only one casualty, a new chap, one of mine, Diehl, I’m afraid. I have a couple minutes before they finish arming my kite so I can tell you a little about it.

We crossed over northeast of Mercatel and you have to know, sir, from then on we caught hell from Archie. About f0rty miles into Hun land the No. 5 Squadron planes both took hits; Cadell's plane through the fuselage and Faraday, his observer, took a piece of shrapnel in his foot. The other DH-4 (a new '5' chap, Cornell) had a part of his lower wing blown away. A few miles on, Diehl - the one that crashed - caught a piece in his neck and probably took a hit in his engine.

We were seeing a lot of enemy flights below but even with the Archie they ignored us, or just plain didn't see us 'cause we were so high. The whole trip there was with excellent visibility – for the Huns, that is – but just as we got to the assigned area the weather started deteriorating rapidly, eventually with some pretty low cloud. I took our flight down to six thousand and the '5' lads went down to four. As we were descending Diehl's engine quit and wouldn't re-start, maybe from the shrapnel earlier. We could see him all the way down; he made a bad landing with his plane going arse over teakettle, but Cadell said he could see he got clear. By the time the photos were taken the Krauts had him loaded in a lorry. As soon as they had finished with the photos I turned us for home. The only thing that happened getting back was Sgt. Cadell was wounded by Archie when we crossed the lines.

Believe me, Sir, we didn't dally, and the weather continued to worsen all the way home. I'm wondering how long this heavy cloud will last; we’re on to take out some balloons shortly.”

Col. Wagner-Stowe: “ I say there, ol' man, a fine morning's work that, especially with your downing that Hun earlier on. I'll mention you in dispatches; HQ might add a gong to it. Oh, and by the way, I understand with Hopewell's loss you are the new flight commander - should be a captaincy in it down the road.”

Mission Points:
Zone “C” photographed (average photo): + 25

One scout pilot captured (Diehl): - 25

One Sop. Pup captured: - 10

Two - Two-seater personnel minor wounds (Cadell & Faraday): - 20

Mission Deduction: 0
Mission TOTAL: - 30

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Defensive Line Patrol - 5 April, 1917.

Sir:

As no escort was available from B Flt, No 54 Sqdn, I decided to conduct the ordered defensive line patrol at high altitude. Sgt Hill was my pilot. As we were climbing toward Albert, I spotted an Albatros D2 coming up under us. Deciding that the best defense was a good offense, Hill dove as if to attack, then immediately broke off. The tactic worked, and we climbed to 20,000 feet to complete the remainder of the mission without incident.

(signed) Air Mechanic Harrison McLean
No. 5 Sqdn RFC
April 5, 1917

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

Victory Points

Patrolled 9 Checkpoints +18
Mission Offset -12

Total +6

19 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Dawn Patrol - 5 April, 1917.

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

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Balloon Bursting - 5 April, 1917.

Zones A & C

Sir:

I took the entire B Flt, No 54 Sqdn, with me to look for enemy balloons north of Arras. The guns of 2Lts Clark and Glenn were loaded with Buckingham ammunition. 2Lts Degrande, Carson-Jeffreies, and Stramel filled out the roster. I was hoping that such a large flight would discourage interference by hostile aircraft in this morning's bright sunlight, but the enemy was unusually aggressive.

The Red Baron and one of his wingmen met us as we crossed the lines. Glenn attracted the Baron's attention, but both he and Clark managed to get out of the action (as ordered, to save their ammunition for balloons). Amazingly, all of us were among the present when the fight broke up. Clark's machine was hit by ground fire, holing the wings.

There were no balloons in the vicinity of Vimy, but we were attacked by two Albatros D2s. I was wounded in the shoulder on their first pass. Degrande, Carson-Jeffries, and Stramel all managed to get shots off, but none scored hits. I turned command of the flight over to Stramel after the excitement was over, and headed for the North Advanced Landing Field. Stramel decided the skies were too clear for me to make the trip by myself, and had the entire flight escort me.

Stramel's fuselage was hit by ground fire as we crossed back into Allied territory. A single Halberstadt D3 attacked us between the trench lines and the landing field. Clark, Glenn, and I kept out of it, but Carson-Jeffries was shot down. Fortunately, he managed to gain some control over his machine just before it hit the ground, and he pulled off a near-miraculous landing, escaping unscathed.

I then landed, and the rest of the flight continued to Corbie, so the rest of my information comes from 2Lt Degrande:

We were only a few minutes from the North Advanced Landing Field after seeing the Captain safely down, when the engines of both Clark's and Stramel's both started acting up. Clark's cut out completely, and he set down safely in a clearing. Stramel's was just running rough, so Glenn and I turned back to escort him to the North Advanced Landing Field. We were attacked by two Albatros D2s as Stramel was trying to land. I drove one of them off, and Stramel landed safely.

I figured that Glenn and I could just make it back to Corbie on our remaining fuel, but as we left the vicinity of the field, we were attacked by an Albatros D3. The action was very brief, but we burned enough fuel that I thought it best to return and land at the North Advanced Landing Field.

In the end, then, none of our aircraft returned to Corbie, and we have nothing to show for it. It could have been much worse, though. All of our aircraft will be available for operations tomorrow, and I was the only one injured. I am very pleased with all our pilots. 2Lts Clark and Carson-Jeffries made difficult landings with only minor damage to their machines. 2Lts Stramel and Degrande led the flight admirably when they were called upon. 2Lt Degrande is to be especially commended for remaining in action with the Red Baron until Glenn, with his Buckingham ammunition, had safely disengaged, even though Degrande could have easily gotten himself away in the confusion of the Baron's first pass.

(signed) Captain Matthew Edeline
"B" Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 5, 1917

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

Victory Points

Allied Aircrew Slightly Wounded (Edeline) -10
Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (Edeline) -3
Two Allied Scouts w/ Minor Damage (Clark, Carson-Jeffries) -6
Three Undamaged Aircraft using Advanced Landing Field (Degrande, Glenn, Stramel) -6
Mission Offset -20

Total -45

April 5 ASSIGNMENTS

WEATHER: 5. Fine - cloud increasing later AM: 6+ / PM: 9+

No. 19 SQUADRON (Amiens Aerodrome)
'A' Flight: Transferred to Coastal Sector
'B' Flight: 34 Dawn Patrol, Long Reconn., Trench Strafing, Balloon Bursting

No. 54 SQUADRON (Corbie Aerodrome)
'A' Flight: 13 Balloon Bursting (AM), Defensive Line Patrol, Bombing Raid
'B' Flight: 13 Balloon Bursting (AM), Defensive Line Patrol, Bombing Raid

Replacements:
19/B: None requested
54/B: 2-Seater Pilot Sgt. H.P.; Observer Denied; DH4 Denied

Flight Ldrs. keep in mind that replacements are not available until the afternoon

AAR's and End of Day Reports due the evening of March 29, 2010