Sir:
I wish to report a successful photographic reconnaissance of the marshalling yards east of Beaumont. Sgt. Demott was my pilot, and we were escorted by 2Lts. Kane-Brittain and Barbieri. An altitude of 1000 feet was maintained under low and light clouds on our way to and from the objective, allowing us to avoid most enemy patrols. Barbieri's fuselage, however, was holed by ground fire as we crossed the trench lines southeast of Arras.
We were intercepted by two Albatros D3's over Beaumont, but Kane-Brittain and Barbieri showed them we'd be a tough nut to crack, and they gave up on us. Although archie defended the approach to the marshalling yards, the area to be photographed was out of range. Demott took us to 2000, and then 3000, feet and I exposed four plates in text-book fashion.
Heading back at 1000 feet again, three Halberstadt D3's attacked as we crossed the lines. Demott got us out of harm's way quickly, which was just as well, since two more Halberstadt's joined the fray just before it broke up. When Kane-Brittain and Barbieri linked up with us, Barbieri signalled that his gun was out of action. Fortunately, we were not engaged again on the flight back to Corbie. Our DH-4 did have some serious engine trouble shortly before reaching the aerodrome, but Demott was able to set us down safely.
Upon development, all four of my plates were found to be of adequate quality.
(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Terrence Pennington
"A" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 12, 1917
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