Sir:
A/M Walker and I took off in bright sunlight this morning to bomb a reported troop encampment near Carvin. Sgts. Kitchener and Carlton-Metcalf were our pilots. Our hope was that the sky would remain clear, and we would be able to conduct our attack from 20,000 feet. We headed northeast toward Hill 70 where we intended to cross the lines. Unfortunately, Walker and Kitchener suffered serious engine trouble shortly after passing over the North Advanced Landing Field. They headed back while Carlton-Metcalf and I continued on alone.
By the time we arrived over the encampment, a light cloud cover had formed. We circled for a while, hoping it would clear off. When I saw the clouds thickening instead, I directed Carlton-Metcalf to bring us below the clouds for our attack. We emerged from the clouds in light rain at 6000 feet. No Archie or ground fire defended the encampment, but we were immediately set upon by a Halberstadt D3. We fought our way down to 2000 feet before Carton-Metcalf could get us away. I released our bombs in two salvos at this altitude, observing three hits on the encampment.
Carlton-Metcalf started climbing toward the lines, but we were attacked by two Albatros D3's. We'd lost quite a bit of altitude before getting away. We resumed climbing, but were interrupted by a Halberstadt D3. Once again, we lost our altitude before the Halberstadt disappeared in the mist.
All this climbing and combat had used up too much petrol for us to return to Corbie at 20,000 feet as planned. Instead, we headed to the North Advanced Landing Field at 11,000 feet, where we landed safely. Walker and Kitchener were already there, having made their way without incident.
(signed) A/M Allen Heath
"A" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 18, 1917
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1 comments:
OK, I have to admit that I completely forgot that Brock was wounded yesterday, and that he had a replacement (Heath) arriving in the afternoon. I certainly could have scheduled the bombing raid for afternoon in preference to spotting for the artillery (although I probably wouldn't have), so I don't think I've messed things up too badly.
Or perhaps Heath was visiting someone at No. 54 Sqdn last night, and so was available in the morning. Yes, that sounds right!
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