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

To the Men of the Royal Flying Corps - Amiens Sector

April 10, 1917

Gentlemen,

We are beginning the eleventh day of this campaign and I must commend all of you for your dedicated endeavors. You are giving your utmost for King and Commonwealth in this terrible conflict and I am very proud to convey to you the words of Maj. General Trenchard, “Headquarters for this front is aware of the valiant effort you are making as well as deeply saddened by your losses. We have seen substantial gains against the enemy, but this offensive is by no means concluded. Therefore I must ask you to maintain your maximum effort for without it the ground troops are rendered blind. I can tell you that they are fully aware that much of what they have accomplished is due to your hard work and sacrifice. Gentlemen, yours is a battle well fought - but you must carry on! ”

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

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - End of Day Report - April 10, 1917

Mission 36: Dawn Patrol

Patrolled 12 hexes +120
Two German Scouts Damaged/Aborted (+6)
One Allied Aircrew Slightly Wounded (-10)
Mission Offset (-80)
+36 VP's

Mission 37: Bombing Raid

Five Bombs on Target (+50)
Mission Offset (-10)
+40 VP's

Mission 38: Artillery Spotting

Successful Spotting (+20)
One Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (-3)
+17 VP's

Mission 39: Defensive Line Patrol

Patrolled No Checkpoints (+0)
German Scout Damaged/Aborted (+3)
One Allied Two-Seater w/ Minor Damage (-5)
Mission Offset (-12)
-14 VP's

Mission 40: Twilight Patrol

Patrolled 5 Hexes (+10)
Trench Strafing (+29)
+39 VP's

Victories

None Today
To Date: 3 Aircraft and 7 Balloons

Casualties

One Slightly Wounded (Capt Edeline)

Replacements

Scout Pilots:
2Lt Russell Wilner (temp)
Denied:
One Scout Pilot (temp)

Ratings Changes

Capt Edeline BR -1
2Lt Stramel PS +1

Victory Point Totals

+118 Today
-46½ To Date

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

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Twilight Patrol - 10 April, 1917.

Sir:

I was glad to have a chance at the Twilight Patrol this evening. I headed slowly northwest from Corbie at 1000 feet while I judged the light. I met two poorly-handled Albatros D2s near the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field. They had dived out of the clouds to attack me, but had instead positioned themselves directly in my sights. Just as I was going to fire, I saw holes open up in the fabric of my machine — they had a protector in the form of an expert pilot flying an Albatros D3. I made myself scarce.

The low cloud gave way to a solid overcast shortly thereafter. I reached the lines near Arras and made my way methodically southward, strafing the Germans and encouraging our troops. Arriving near Bapaume nearly out of ammunition, I returned to the aerodrome in a light rain.

(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Phillip Barrington
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 10, 1917

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

Victory Points

Patrolled 5 Hexes +10
Trench Strafing +29

Total +39

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Defensive Line Patrol - 10 April, 1917.

Sir:

As soon as Sgt Hill brought us to 5000 feet over the aerodrome at the start of this afternoon's Defensive Line Patrol, we were set upon by the Red Baron and an accompanying Albatros D2. I was able to keep them both off us for a while, and was rewarded with a plume of petrol vapour pouring from the D2. There was no time to celebrate, though, as the Red Baron then hit us, causing Hill to have difficulty with the controls. This put us at the Red Baron's mercy and he hit us again, but by then we were tree-top level so Hill set us down in a clearing to put an end to it.

(signed) Sergeant Benjamin Steele
No. 5 Sqdn RFC
April 10, 1917

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

Victory Points

Patrolled No Checkpoints +0
One German Scout Damaged/Aborted (Barnes) +3
One Allied Two-Seater w/ Minor Damage (Hill) -5
Mission Offset -12

Total -14

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

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

Zone B

Sir:

2Lt Hamilton was assigned to spot for our batteries near Mercatel this afternoon. Sgt Steele was his pilot, and I led 2Lts Carson-Jeffries, Barrington, and Stramel as escorts from B Flt, No 54 Sqdn. We flew to the front at 1000 feet under a solid overcast, which became a light rain by the time we reached the trenches. While Hamilton was making contact with the battery, Carson-Jeffries' engine was hit by groundfire, so I sent him back to the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field on his own.

The spotting process was briefly interrupted when two Albatros D3s attacked. Barrington is to be commended for luring them both away from the DH4, and then quickly breaking free from and returning to the formation.

The guns were registered shortly after this attack, and the rain stopped as we returned to Corbie. Stramel and I both found holes in our fuselages after landing. A telegram from Carson-Jeffries was waiting for us stating that he'd arrived safely at the Advanced Landing Field.

(signed) Lieutenant Wolfgang Grün
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 10, 1917

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

Victory Points

Successful Spotting +20
One Allied Scout Damaged/Aborted (Carson-Jeffries) -3

Total +17

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Bombing Raid - 10 April, 1917.

Hill 70

Sir:

Once again, 2Lt Hamilton and Sgt Barnes from No 5 Sqdn were bombing the enemy position on Hill 70, with Sgts Steele and Hill piloting. Since the Captain was injured earlier today, I led 2Lts Carson-Jeffries, Barrington, and Stramel as escorts. Taking my lesson from 2Lt Clark's unhappy encounter with ground fire yesterday, we flew by a back route to minimize our time over the lines. The length of this route required that petrol be conserved by climbing to only 1000 feet.

I was concerned that the weather was improving as we approached the front. At one point the sky cleared completely, so I turned the formation away from our goal to see if the clouds would return. They did, and we crossed the lines and attacked the Hill 70 under light cloud. Hamilton and Barnes each made two runs over the target, scoring hits on each run.

Returning to the British side of the lines, we were attacked by two Albatros D3s, which soon became three. I escorted the DH4s out of the dogfight, while Carson-Jeffries, Barrington, and Stramel took on the hostile aircraft. Once the Germans had enough, we regained formation and continued southwest. We hadn't gone far when two Albatros D2s dove on us. I let the DH4s make their own way out of the scrap, which turned out to be a short one. Barrington was instrumental in convincing the German leader that discretion was the better part of valour.

The remaining flight back to Corbie was made in steadily worsening weather, which I would have preferred while we were over the German lines!

(signed) Lieutenant Wolfgang Grün
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 10, 1917

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

Victory Points

Five Bombs on Target +50
Mission Offset -10

Total +40

54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Dawn Patrol - 10 April, 1917.

Sir:

I took a slightly-understrength B Flt, No 54 Sqdn, on a Dawn Patrol in overcast and light rain this morning. Lt Grün and 2Lts Carson-Jeffries, Barrington, and Stramel were with me. We crossed the front at 1000 feet between Bapaume and Cambrai. Passing north of Cambrai, four hostile aircraft attacked us from above — two Albatros D2s, a Halberstadt D3, and an Albatros D3. Lt Stramel cut the two D2s off from the others. I managed to damage the Halberstadt and Stramel damaged one of the D2s before the fight broke up.

We headed north to pass east of Douai and Beaumont when three Albatros D3s dove on us. This scrap was less eventful, although I did send one of them running.

Arriving over Lens, I turned us southwest to finish the patrol paralleling the lines. I was injured by fire from the ground in the vicinity of Lens, but not badly enough to prevent my continuing the patrol. Stramel's wings were holed as we continued, then I was hit again near Vimy! The German gunners just behind the lines here are very good.

We returned to the British side of the lines near Arras, and we all set down safely at Corbie aerodrome.

(signed) Captain Matthew Edeline
"B" Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 10, 1917

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

Victory Points

Patrolled 12 hexes +120
Two German Scouts Damaged/Aborted (Edeline, Stramel) +6
One Allied Aircrew Slightly Wounded (Edeline) -10
Mission Offset -80

Total +36

April 10 ASSIGNMENTS

WEATHER:

7. Overcast - cloud clearing later (AM10 + /PM9+)

“B” Flight No. 19 Sqdrn. (Amiens Aerodrome):
22 Artillery Spotting (PM), Long Reconn.

“B” Flight No. 54 Sqdrn. (Corbie Aerodrome):

36 Dawn Patrol, Artillery Spotting (PM), Defensive Line Patrol, Bombing Raid

Escadrille N103 (Amiens Aerodrome):
56 Trench Strafing (AM), Photo Recon., Defensive Line Patrol

Flight leaders will allocate replacement personnel and aircraft
for their respective Flights

AAR's and End of Day Reports due the evening of August 9, 2010