54 Sqdn A Flight AAR: Trench Strafing 13 APR

Sir:

I found it necessary to cancel this morning's strafe of trenches in the north or our sector. I had serious reservations with such a long operation under exceptionally clear skies, but took off nonetheless with 2Lts. Pyrtle, Burns, Kane-Brittain, and Barbieri. Pyrtle was flying Justice's machine, as Pyrtle's was still being worked up by the mechanics.

We were still over the aerodrome when we were set upon by two Albatros D2's, led by the famous all-red D3. The Red Baron targeted Barbieri on his first pass. Pyrtle saw an opportunity to get away and, quite rightly, took it. The battle broke up into a series of individual duels, with Burns and I each tangling with a D2, and Kane-Brittain and Barbieri taking on the Baron.

I managed to wound the pilot of the D2 I was involved with, and when I broke off to gather the rest of the flight, I found the dogfight was over. Kane-Brittain, our most experience pilot, had been shot down by the Red Baron. I did not think it wise to bring the inexperienced pilots so far in such clear weather without Kane-Brittain's support, particularly since the enemy seemed to have been tipped off to our operation. I gave the signal to return to the aerodrome. Upon landing, I found that Kane-Brittain, through skillful piloting and a good bit of luck, had managed to walk away from the wreck with only minor injuries. He told me that Barbieri, despite knowing he was seriously outclassed by the Red Baron, did not break off when he had the chance, but stayed in the fight until the end. We're glad to have a man like that in "A" Flight.

(signed) Lieutenant Walter Goodhew
Acting "A" Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 13, 1917