Sir:
I escorted 2Lts. Pyrtle and Kane-Brittain to the south end of our sector so they might cross the lines south of Cambrai to look for ground targets. The operation was conducted at 1000 feet. Visibility was very good, so we began circling once we'd passed over Albert, waiting for some cloud cover. While circling, we were first attacked by an Albatros D3 with red markings. Pyrtle kept clear while I engaged it. At one point Kane-Brittain kept it busy while cleared a jam. A similarly marked Albatros D3 soon joined the fray, and then two more Albatros D3's, and finally two Halberstadt D3's shortly before the fight broke up.
We'd just formed up again when another Albatros D3 with red marking attacked. After circling briefly, I put a few rounds into it, causing it to burst into flames and slam into the ground. At this point, I seriously considered returning to Corbie, thinking we'd put in a good day's work. But I saw some clouds drifting in, and thought we might have a good chance surprising some Germans on the ground.
We continued to the southeast. Kane-Brittain's controls were damaged by ground fire as we crossed the trenches, and he separated from us, heading for the South Advanced Landing Field alone. Although I'd planned to wait for Kane-Brittain and Pyrtle on our side of the lines, I dared not allow Pyrtle to fly over enemy territory alone, so I accompanied him.
Pyrtle was soon wounded by ground fire. We turned to join Kane-Brittain at the South Advanced Landing Field. On our way, I spotted a column of troops and scattered them. Pyrtle's wound was telling, and his flying became erratic. I thought he might make it to Allied territory, even if he could not get the the Advanced Landing Field, but it was not to be. He went down amidst the German reserve lines. I saw him struggling to get out of his aircraft, but he was captured before he could destroy it.
I returned safely to Corbie, where I learned that Kane-Brittain had reached the South Advanced Landing Field successfully, despite tangling with yet another red-marked Albatros D3 shortly after we left him.
(signed) Major Benjamin Wagner
Commanding Officer, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 17, 1917
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1 comments:
"Completing the Mission" is just too strong a lure for me. I could have turned back after the Jasta 11 scout was shot down, with no casualties and +15 points. But no, I had to make a show of going after ground targets ... (!)
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