Sir:
Lt. Goodhew took 2Lt. Burns and myself on a brief flight behind enemy lines southwest of Beaumont to look for targets of opportunity. The operation was conducted at 1000 feet. We had barely reached Mercatel when a red Albatros D3, accompanied by a couple of D2's, attacked us. The red Albatros came after me first, but I managed to get away, and when I looked back, it was shooting down the Lieutenant.
The sky was becoming extraordinarily clear, so Burns and I made a detour back the way we came in the hope of at least a bit of cloud cover forming. When it did, we turned back in the direction of the trenches, but were attacked by an Albatros D2 and D3 before we got there. Fortunately, both Burns and I were able to escape.
Once over the lines, we spotted a truckload of troops and dove to attack, 2Lt. Burns achieving a hit. Again, the red Albatros D3 and its accompanying pair of D2's attacked us. Four more D2's joined in shortly. Once again, Burns and I got away, Burns with a jammed gun. He was able to clear the jam before we found a goods train to strafe, but neither of us managed a hit.
Coming back to the Allied side of the lines, a damaged German two-seater was spotted as we passed over the Mercatel Advanced Landing Field, but it was too high for us to reach. I had some engine trouble on our way to Corbie, but it wasn't serious, fortunately, as we were jumped by two Albatros D3's as we approached the field. Burns was forced down right over the aerodrome, hitting the ground hard. A couple D2's joined in the fun, but I managed to keep all four of them off me until I took a bullet in the engine. None of the Germans stayed to take advantage of the situation, and I was able land safely.
(signed) 2nd Lieutenant Meredith Pyrtle
Acting "A" Flight Leader, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 15, 1917
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