54 Sqdn A Flight AAR: Defensive Line Patrol 20 APR

Sir:

I set out alone this afternoon in light rain to patrol behind our lines. Climbing to 10,000 feet, I passed over Albert and turned north to St. Pol. From there I flew over the North Advanced Landing Field, and continued to Arras. The weather had been a mix of light rain and mist, but there was only low cloud over Arras, where an Albatros D3 and a Halberstadt D3 dove on me. I rapidly got into a turning contest with the Albatros, but just as rapidly lost him in the clouds.

I climbed back to 10,000 feet and overflew the town of Mercatel and its Advanced Landing Field. By now, the cloud had cleared. I doubted the wisdom of proceeding to Bapaume alone in such conditions, but I didn't want to give up so easily. I headed south between Bapaume and Albert, then, to give the weather a chance to decide for me. Some light clouds started drifting in, so I turned for Bapaume. Before I could reach it, however, I ran into two Albatros D3's, also at 10,000 feet. They had excellent pilots, and while I might have had a chance against one of them, two were too much. Whenever I thought I might have a shot at one, I found the other on my tail. One of them seemed to be having some trouble with his guns, but the other shot out the cable to my ailerons. Maneuvering with rudder alone, it was just a matter of time before one of them shot my crate up good, sending me into a spin. Fortunately, I was able to pull out at ground level, and set down without causing much more damage than I'd already suffered in the air.

(signed) 2Lt. Hugh Kane-Brittain
"A" Flight, No. 54 Sqdn RFC
April 20, 1917