- Mission 60: Dawn Patrol
- Patrolled 6 Hexes (+60)
Two Allied Aircrew Killed (-60)
Two Allied Scouts Destroyed (-20)
Two Allied Scouts w/ Minor Damage (-6)
Mission Offset (-80)
-106 VP's - Mission 61: Photographic Reconnaissance
- Failure to Undertake Mission (-10)
-10 VP's - Mission 62: Trench Strafing
- Trench Strafing (+36)
One German Scout Shot Down (+20)
One German Scout Damaged/Aborted (+3)
Mission Offset (-10)
+49 VP's - Mission 63: Twilight Patrol
- Patrolled 5 Hexes (+10)
Trench Strafing (+10)
+20 VP's - Victories
- One German Scout (Lt Lumley)
To Date: 6 Aircraft and 9 Balloons
- Casualties
- Two Killed (Capt Edeline, 2Lt Perry)
- Replacements
- Observer:
2Lt Erskine Ford
Denied:
Two Scout Pilots
Two SPAD VII's
- Ratings Changes
- None Today
- Victory Point Totals
- -47 Today
+6½ To Date
Showing posts with label April 16. Show all posts
Showing posts with label April 16. Show all posts
Monday, 14 February 2011
54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight- End of Day Report - April 16, 1917
Sunday, 6 February 2011
54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Twilight Patrol - April 16, 1917
Sir:
I thought that a Twilight Patrol would be a suitable way to get familiar with the area around my new assignment. Lt Grün told me that B Flt typically conducted Twilight Patrols between Arras and Bapaume, and approached the lines at 1000 feet to save petrol for multiple strafing passes. I decided to approach the lines at 15,000 feet, in hopes of surprising any HA I might find below me. The petrol required to reach that height, however, would prevent any but the most perfunctory trench strafing. With Grün's strict warnings not to reach the lines until full twilight, and to return immediately if visibility became any more clear, I circled the aerodrome in light cloud until I reached my desired altitude, then headed slowly toward Arras.
As I neared the trenches and descended through 11,000 feet, I saw four Halbertstadt D3s 2000 feet below me. I didn't much fancy the odds, but I thought the best defence would be a good offence, so I dove on them, leaving their formation scattered as I zoomed away. Once I reached 1000 feet, a single Halberstadt D3 attacked me before I could begin "showing the flag". My machine gave me an advantage, and I was able to fire on the Halberstadt a couple times without effect. When he managed to get in position to fire at me, however, I decided it was best to break off.
I made my way rapidly southward, strafing the German trenches as I went. The weather began to clear when I was about halfway to Bapaume, and my gun jammed temporarily on my final strafing run. I came under fire from one of our strongpoints as I turned for home, and had to take evasive action. The sky became brilliantly clear, and despite the failing light, I could see a German two-seater being escorted westward more than 10,000 feet above me. I was glad such excellent visibility held off until I was well on my way back.
(signed) Lieutenant Hamish Lumley
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 16, 1917
****************
I thought that a Twilight Patrol would be a suitable way to get familiar with the area around my new assignment. Lt Grün told me that B Flt typically conducted Twilight Patrols between Arras and Bapaume, and approached the lines at 1000 feet to save petrol for multiple strafing passes. I decided to approach the lines at 15,000 feet, in hopes of surprising any HA I might find below me. The petrol required to reach that height, however, would prevent any but the most perfunctory trench strafing. With Grün's strict warnings not to reach the lines until full twilight, and to return immediately if visibility became any more clear, I circled the aerodrome in light cloud until I reached my desired altitude, then headed slowly toward Arras.
As I neared the trenches and descended through 11,000 feet, I saw four Halbertstadt D3s 2000 feet below me. I didn't much fancy the odds, but I thought the best defence would be a good offence, so I dove on them, leaving their formation scattered as I zoomed away. Once I reached 1000 feet, a single Halberstadt D3 attacked me before I could begin "showing the flag". My machine gave me an advantage, and I was able to fire on the Halberstadt a couple times without effect. When he managed to get in position to fire at me, however, I decided it was best to break off.
I made my way rapidly southward, strafing the German trenches as I went. The weather began to clear when I was about halfway to Bapaume, and my gun jammed temporarily on my final strafing run. I came under fire from one of our strongpoints as I turned for home, and had to take evasive action. The sky became brilliantly clear, and despite the failing light, I could see a German two-seater being escorted westward more than 10,000 feet above me. I was glad such excellent visibility held off until I was well on my way back.
(signed) Lieutenant Hamish Lumley
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 16, 1917
****************
- Victory Points
- Patrolled 5 Hexes +10
Trench Strafing +10 - Total +20
54 Saqdrn. 'B' Flight - Trench Strafing - April 16, 1917
Zone B
Sir:2Lts Carson-Jeffries and Kerneels-Pépin returned from the Advanced Landing Field in time to join 2Lt Bellefeuille and myself on our first mission with B Flt, No 54 Sqdn. I led the group to strafe the German trenches between Arras and Mercatel.
We flew to the lines at 1000 feet and under low cloud, which began to clear when we reached the trenches. After two strafing passes, visibility became unlimited, and I thought it best to retire to our side of the lines. We circled for a while until some cloud moved in, and then returned to the lines to continue the operation. By this point, however, the Germans were ready for us, and six Albatros D2s dove on us before we could resume strafing. The fight broke up into three separate duels, with Carson-Jeffries and Bellefeuille each taking on two HA. None of us were hit, and I managed to set my opponent plunging to Earth in flames. The remaining Germans broke off shortly thereafter.
After one strafing run, we were attacked by two Halberstadt D2s and two Albatros D2s. Carson-Jeffries' machine took some superficial damage, and he was separated from the rest of us. Kerneels-Pépin did some serious damage to one of the Halberstadts. Bellefeuille tried to finish it off, but it got away.
I signalled a final strafing pass, as I felt we were attracting too much attention to risk staying over the front lines. We passed over Mercatel and the Advanced Landing Field, where we were set upon by our most dangerous adversaries yet — three very well-handled Albatros D3s. This fight split into three duels, with Bellefeuille doubling up with me against one of the HA. Fortunately, the Germans were better pilots than shots, and they soon retired without causing or taking any damage.
We returned to Corbie without encountering any additional HA. Bellefeuille's engine threatened to give him trouble on our approach to the field, but he kept it going and we all landed safely.
(signed) Lieutenant Hamish Lumley
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 16, 1917
****************
- Victory Points
- Trench Strafing +36
One German Scout Shot Down (Lumley) +20
One German Scout Damaged/Aborted (Kerneels-Pépin) +3
Mission Offset -10 - Total +49
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Photo Reconnaissance - April 16, 1917
Sir:
After the disaster that befell our four scouts on this morning's Dawn Patrol, sending Sgts Barnes and Hill out with only two escorts seemed pointless. I have cancelled this morning's Photographic Reconnaissance mission.
(signed) Lieutenant Wolfgang Grün
Acting
April 16, 1917
****************
After the disaster that befell our four scouts on this morning's Dawn Patrol, sending Sgts Barnes and Hill out with only two escorts seemed pointless. I have cancelled this morning's Photographic Reconnaissance mission.
(signed) Lieutenant Wolfgang Grün
Acting
BFlight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 16, 1917
****************
- Victory Points
- Failure to Undertake Mission -10
- Total -10
54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Dawn Patrol - April 16, 1917
Sir:
Captain Edeline led 2Lts Perry, Kerneels-Pépin, and myself on this morning's Dawn Patrol. He was concerned about the exceptionally fine weather, but we all understood the importance maintaining an offensive posture. He took us northeast toward the lines at 1000 feet. As we passed over Arras, two Albatros D2s dove on us. Kerneels-Pépin drove one away before four more Albatros D2s arrived to escort the remaining one to safety.
We flew over Vimy, and then on to Lens where we were attacked by a Halberstadt D3, an Albatros D3, and two Albatros D2s. The Halberstadt shot Perry down in the initial attack. His aircraft smashed into the ground with no possibility of survival. Kerneels-Pépin's aircraft was hit, damaging his controls. The pilot of the Halberstadt seemed to have some trouble with his gun, and the Germans broke off.
The Captain made the abort signal, and turned to bring Kerneels-Pépin to the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field, even though the North Advanced Landing Field would have been closer. I can only assume he wished to traverse more enemy territory on the way back, to file a more complete report. But calls must have gone out to every German aerodrome, as we were attacked incessantly until we returned to the British side of the lines. An Albatros D2 and D3 attacked us near the enemy Advance Headquarters. Two Albatros D2s attacked us over Drocourt. Another Halberstadt D3, Albatros D3, and two Albatros D2s combination attacked next. The Captain's engine was hit, and then he went down in flames.
We'd been spared the attentions of Jasta 11 up to this point, but they showed up as we passed over the trenches. Two Halberstadt D3s and an Albatros D3 attacked us. Kerneels-Pépin extracted himself quickly, and I managed to escape when one of the Halberstadts had gun trouble.
Kerneels-Pépin's controls finally gave way once we were safely in friendly territory, but he was able to set his machine down in essentially one piece. All the combat had burned through most of my petrol, and I was about to land on fumes at the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field when an Albatros D3 from Jasta 11 arrived with other ideas. I turned with him for a bit, but soon had no choice but to land while I could still do so under power.
The Captain's loss will be keenly felt. Even though I only joined the flight last Thursday, he was clearly the constant that held the flight together.
(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Gilbert Kerneels-Pépin
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 16, 1917
****************
Captain Edeline led 2Lts Perry, Kerneels-Pépin, and myself on this morning's Dawn Patrol. He was concerned about the exceptionally fine weather, but we all understood the importance maintaining an offensive posture. He took us northeast toward the lines at 1000 feet. As we passed over Arras, two Albatros D2s dove on us. Kerneels-Pépin drove one away before four more Albatros D2s arrived to escort the remaining one to safety.
We flew over Vimy, and then on to Lens where we were attacked by a Halberstadt D3, an Albatros D3, and two Albatros D2s. The Halberstadt shot Perry down in the initial attack. His aircraft smashed into the ground with no possibility of survival. Kerneels-Pépin's aircraft was hit, damaging his controls. The pilot of the Halberstadt seemed to have some trouble with his gun, and the Germans broke off.
The Captain made the abort signal, and turned to bring Kerneels-Pépin to the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field, even though the North Advanced Landing Field would have been closer. I can only assume he wished to traverse more enemy territory on the way back, to file a more complete report. But calls must have gone out to every German aerodrome, as we were attacked incessantly until we returned to the British side of the lines. An Albatros D2 and D3 attacked us near the enemy Advance Headquarters. Two Albatros D2s attacked us over Drocourt. Another Halberstadt D3, Albatros D3, and two Albatros D2s combination attacked next. The Captain's engine was hit, and then he went down in flames.
We'd been spared the attentions of Jasta 11 up to this point, but they showed up as we passed over the trenches. Two Halberstadt D3s and an Albatros D3 attacked us. Kerneels-Pépin extracted himself quickly, and I managed to escape when one of the Halberstadts had gun trouble.
Kerneels-Pépin's controls finally gave way once we were safely in friendly territory, but he was able to set his machine down in essentially one piece. All the combat had burned through most of my petrol, and I was about to land on fumes at the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field when an Albatros D3 from Jasta 11 arrived with other ideas. I turned with him for a bit, but soon had no choice but to land while I could still do so under power.
The Captain's loss will be keenly felt. Even though I only joined the flight last Thursday, he was clearly the constant that held the flight together.
(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Gilbert Kerneels-Pépin
"B" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 16, 1917
****************
- Victory Points
- Patrolled 6 hexes +60
Two Allied Aircrew Killed (Edeline, Perry) -60
Two Allied Scouts Destroyed (Edeline, Perry) -20
Two Allied Scouts w/ Minor Damage (Carson-Jeffries, Kerneels-Pépin) -6
Mission Offset -80 - Total -106
Monday, 17 January 2011
April 16 Assignments
WEATHER: 5. Fine - cloud increasing later (AM 6+ / PM 9+)
“B” Flight No. 19 Sqdrn: Re-located temporarily to other area
“B” Flight No.54 Sqdrn: (15) Dawn Patrol, Photo Recon., Trench Strafing
“B” Flight No. 19 Sqdrn: Re-located temporarily to other area
“B” Flight No.54 Sqdrn: (15) Dawn Patrol, Photo Recon., Trench Strafing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
