- Mission 78: Balloon Bursting
- Two Balloons Destroyed (+50)
Use of Advanced Landing Field by Two Undamaged Aircraft (-4)
Mission Offset (-20)
+26 VP's - Mission 79: Offensive Line Patrol
- Failure to Undertake Mission (-25)
-25 VP's - Mission 80: Defensive Line Patrol
- Patrolled 9 Checkpoints (+18)
Mission Offset (-12)
+6 VP's - Victories
- Two Balloons (Grün)
To Date: 10 Aircraft and 14 Balloons
- Casualties
- None Today
- End of Campaign
- No Replacements or Ratings Changes
- Victory Point Totals
- +7 Today
+132½ To Date
Showing posts with label April 21. Show all posts
Showing posts with label April 21. Show all posts
Saturday, 30 April 2011
54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - End of Day Report - 21 April, 1917.
54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Defensive Line Patrol - April 21, 1917.
Sir:
As Lt Grün and 2Lt Kerneels-Pépin were at the North Advanced Landing Field, Sgt Dunfee and I found ourselves to be the only uninjured aircrew at Corbie aerodrome when we arrived this morning. We therefore took on the afternoon Defensive Line Patrol, but with some caution. Not only were we newly arrived, but we would be unescorted, and this was Sgt Dunfee's first combat mission. The weather was misty as we took off and passed over Albert at 15,000 feet. A light rain began falling once we reached 20,000 feet and headed toward the South Advanced Landing Field. Two Albatros D2s were seen patrolling over the field about 7000 feet below us.
Heading north, the rain stopped after we flew over Bapaume. Two Halberstadt D3s were spotted 10,000 feet over Mercatel, and then a Roland C2 escorted by two Albatros D2s only 3000 feet below us. We declined to attack any of them. Turning away from the lines after overflying Arras, we flew to St. Pol and then to Albert without encountering any further HA, and landed at Corbie under light clouds.
(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Maurice Berquist
No. 5 Sqdn RFC
April 21, 1917
****************
As Lt Grün and 2Lt Kerneels-Pépin were at the North Advanced Landing Field, Sgt Dunfee and I found ourselves to be the only uninjured aircrew at Corbie aerodrome when we arrived this morning. We therefore took on the afternoon Defensive Line Patrol, but with some caution. Not only were we newly arrived, but we would be unescorted, and this was Sgt Dunfee's first combat mission. The weather was misty as we took off and passed over Albert at 15,000 feet. A light rain began falling once we reached 20,000 feet and headed toward the South Advanced Landing Field. Two Albatros D2s were seen patrolling over the field about 7000 feet below us.
Heading north, the rain stopped after we flew over Bapaume. Two Halberstadt D3s were spotted 10,000 feet over Mercatel, and then a Roland C2 escorted by two Albatros D2s only 3000 feet below us. We declined to attack any of them. Turning away from the lines after overflying Arras, we flew to St. Pol and then to Albert without encountering any further HA, and landed at Corbie under light clouds.
(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Maurice Berquist
No. 5 Sqdn RFC
April 21, 1917
****************
- Victory Points
- Patrolled 9 Checkpoints +18
Mission Offset -12 - Total +6
Friday, 29 April 2011
54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Offensive Line Patrol - April 21, 1917.
Sir:
With Lt Grün and 2Lt Kerneels-Pépin at the North Advanced Landing Field after this morning's Balloon Bursting mission, B Flt, No 54 Sqdn, has no scout pilots available for the ordered Offensive Line Patrol. I regret that it must be cancelled.
(signed) Major Benjamin Wagner
C/O, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 21, 1917
****************
With Lt Grün and 2Lt Kerneels-Pépin at the North Advanced Landing Field after this morning's Balloon Bursting mission, B Flt, No 54 Sqdn, has no scout pilots available for the ordered Offensive Line Patrol. I regret that it must be cancelled.
(signed) Major Benjamin Wagner
C/O, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 21, 1917
****************
- Victory Points
- Failure to Undertake Mission -25
- Total -25
54 Sqdrn. 'B' Flight - Balloon Bursting - April 21, 1917.
Zones A & C
Sir:2Lt Kerneels-Pépin and I took off in light rain this morning to attack German balloons north of Arras. The rain turned to mist, and we crossed the lines at 1000 feet. Kerneels-Pépin's machine was hit by ground fire near Vimy, but took no serious damage. We continued over Lens, but did not find a balloon until we were north of Hill 70. Two Albatros D2s were defending it. They attacked us, but soon lost us in the mist. We then turned our attention to the balloon. Kerneels-Pépin made the first pass, but caused no damage. I managed to hit it, however, and my Buckingham ammunition caused an explosion.
We continued northward and found a second balloon at nearly the limit of our sector. Both of us hit the balloon on our first pass and missed on our second. My third pass set the envelope on fire.
I set a course for the most direct route to Corbie, as we were at nearly the limit of our petrol. The mist lifted and the rain resumed, revealing us to an Albatros D3 in the vicinity of our first balloon. Kerneels-Pépin and I got separated, but were able to rejoin after the Albatros broke off. Shortly thereafter, when we reached the trench lines, another Albatros D3 attacked. This one seemed to focus his attention on me, but soon had gun trouble and ended the engagement.
Two Albatros D2s attacked us next. Once again, I lost contact with Kerneels-Pépin, and when we found one another again, it was clear that these three combats had left us far too little petrol for a return to the aerodrome. We made our way, instead, to the North Advanced Landing Field, where we set down safely.
(signed) Lieutenant Wolfgang Grün
Acting B Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 21, 1917
****************
- Victory Points
- Two Balloons Destroyed (Grün) +50
Use of Advanced Landing Field by Two Undamaged Aircraft (Grün, Kerneels-Pépin) -4
Mission Offset -20 - Total +26
Monday, 25 April 2011
April 21 Assignments
WEATHER:
“B” Flight No.54 Sqdrn:
| Unsettled. (AM 11+) (PM 13-) |
| AM: Balloon Bursting. Any Time: Defensive Line Patrol, Offensive Line Patrol. |
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