Sir:
Since having multiple machines attack a balloon is the key to destroying it before it can be winched to safety, I decided to accompany 2Lts. Woodhurst and Kane-Brittain on their balloon bursting sweep this morning. Woodhurst's gun was supplied with incendiary ammunition. We maintained an altitude of 1000 feet in rain and mist, crossing the lines northeast of Bapaume under heavy clouds. Turning north, we soon spotted our first balloon. Woodhurst and Kane-Brittain both made hits on it, and it went down on Kane-Brittain's third pass.
We continued north behind the lines in a snow shower, but did not find another balloon until we'd reached Vimy. All of us hit this one, and it went down on Woodhurst's fifth pass. This balloon was well defended, and none of us escaped without holes in our fabric.
By now the snow had ended, and although it was still raining, visibility had improved considerably. Not wanting to push our luck, I made the signal to turn for home. We crossed back over the lines without incident, but weren't halfway back before Woodhurst's engine cut out. Considering his inexperience, he did an excellent job setting his machine down in a clearing ahead of us. He showed us he was unhurt with a wave, and Kane-Brittain and I continued to Corbie. On the approach to landing, my engine cut out as well, and I landed just short of the airfield.
(signed) Major Benjamin Wagner
Commanding Officer, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 20, 1917
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