Sir:
I am pleased to report a successful twilight patrol this evening. I took off in light rain and made my way slowly to the lines between Mercatel and Cambrai at 1000 feet while waiting for the sun to set. The rain was clearing, and I was jumped by two enemy aircraft just northwest of the advanced landing field. This was my own fault, as I could just as well have waited for the light to fade farther behind our lines. I made sure I was somewhere else before they could come around for a second try at me.
Once over the lines, I made my way southward, waving to our troops and strafing the enemy trenches. The skies were already starting to cloud up again, and ground fire was ineffectual. Except for a single jam that was easily cleared, the operation went like clockwork. It seemed unlikely that I would be intercepted in the encroaching mist (and even if I were, the chances that I would get a shot off seemed remote), so I put my rounds where they'd do the most good, and let the German troops have the entire belt.
It snowed briefly on my way back to Corbie, but was already clearing by the time I landed.
(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Hudson Burns
No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 13, 1917
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This was a 35-turn mission. It began in rain (weather #1), ran up through the entire weather chart back to #1, and ended in low cloud (weather #3). On average, the weather stayed the same for fewer than two turns at a time!
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