Sir:
I am very pleased to report a most successful operation against enemy observation balloons this afternoon. I led a formation of five SPAD VII's of "A" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn, piloted by 2Lts. Justice, Pyrtle, Burns, and Barbieri from a point northwest of Cambrai to just north of Hill 70, maintaining an altitude of 1000 feet (except when in action). Justice's and Burns' belts were loaded with Buckingham ammunition. The weather was cloudy with thunderstorms and occasional show showers.
We spotted our first balloon immediately after crossing the lines. In two passes, I damaged it, Barbieri hit it twice, and Justice finished it off. The next two balloons were east of Mercatel. The first exploded as soon as Pyrtle hit it. The second was tougher. I hit it three times, and Burns finally got it.
Our fourth was located between Vimy and Lens. The Buckingham ammunition paid off here, as Burns brought it down in two passes. We continued north until we'd passed over Hill 70. At this point I decided that our fuel situation necessitated a turn for home. As it was, if we'd had to mix it up with an enemy patrol we'd all be landing at one of the advanced landing fields. But no enemy patrols could find us in the heavy clouds, and except for Barbieri's wings attracting some ground fire as we return to the Allied side of the lines, we returned to Corbie without incident and landed with about 10 minutes of fuel remaining.
(signed) Lieutenant Walter Goodhew
Acting "A" Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 13, 1917
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1 comments:
Even with Kane-Brittain's wound in the botched trench strafing mission, in terms of victory points I could stop now and have my best day yet. (My second best days would be a tie between April 1st and 2nd.)
Will I let 2Lt. Burns risk blowing it with a Twighlight Patrol? He is on a roll with those two balloon victories, and it would be a shame to miss the opportunity presented by the snow showers...
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