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No.23 Squadron's Flight "B" |
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| Reserve Pilots; None at this time Reserve Aircraft; (R9) Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter
(R10)Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter Aircraft in for Repair; None at this time | |
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AAR: Dawn Patrol, AM 02-April-1917
(Day 2, Mission 1)
Personal Scheduled to fly;
Sopwith Pups
Lt. Henri LeMaris (R4)
2nd Lt. Chris Dell (B3)
Mission Report:
The flight took off just before dawn to get a jump on the Huns. The weather
was clear and the flight was getting on quite well. Just before we came to
the trenches they saw two enemy scouts around 11,000 feet below us.
Being they were on a information gathering mission we declined
dropping on these two crates. Over the trenches, around 30 miles
later, the flight came across three more Huns. Again we had height on them
and declined combat again. Just south of Cambrai we saw as many as
five enemy scouts which we stayed clear of.
As the weather was still clear, but starting to deteriorate, we were
able to see much German activity below. South-South-East of the
storage facility in sector C Lt Dell was hit by flak, putting many
holes in his fuselage, but his crate still was airworthy. Deciding
to continued Lt Dell, and Lt LeMaris pushed on.
As the flight completed sector C's observation, the weather degraded
as light clouds moved in. They decided to drop down to 9,000 feet
to continue their mission of checking German movement on this
morning. This proved to almost be a fatal mistake, as they were
attacked by four Albatros scouts. Lt Dell believes these were of
the new type do to their improved performance. First Lt. LeMaric
was driven off so the foursome could attack the lone fighter
unimpeded. After a short stint Lt. Dell was himself driven off.
Regaining altitude, Lt Dell and Lt LeMaris climbed to 16,000 feet.
They were able to continue their mission as the earlier clouds had
cleared. With the height advantage the deuo declined around four
more engagements with up to 15 enemy scouts. One flight looked to
be lead by von Richthofen himself.
After finishing scanning sector B the boys turned to enter sector
A. This is where the unthinkable happened. Lt LeMaris's engine
started to wane. Within minutes it stopped. He waved on Lt Dell
to continue his mission and glided to the ground. Lt. Dell was able
to see him land about fifty miles south of Carvin.
Lt. Dell did get about thirty-five miles more of good weather before
a rain storm moved in. Being alone, he remained at 16,000 ft and
even lingered North-West of Carvin hoping for a break in the storm.
See that it was just getting worst an now low on full, he made his
way home. Due to bad weather Lt. Dell saw no more enemy scouts and
made it home and landed without further encounters.
We pray for Lt. Maris as we just met him this morning and seemed to
be a good chap.
Sincerely,
Capt. M. Edney
CO "B" flight, No. 23 Sqn.
Mission Summary:
Mission Objective:
- Dawn Patrol observe enemy activity.
____10 Hexes observed (+100)
German Casualties:
- None
Allied Aircrew fate:
- Lt. Hanri LeMaris Forced landed and Captured South of Carvin [F10]
(-25)
Allied aircraft fate:
- Sopwith Pup R4 Captured behind the lines (-10)
- Sopwith Pup B3 Fusalage holed (-3)
Mission Starting: VPs -80
Mission Total: -18 VPs
"B" Flight Casualties:
Lt. Henri LeMaris - Forced Landed (Engine trouble)
"B" Flight Machines:
Sopwith Pup R4 Captured, lost for duration
Sopwith Pup B3 Damaged _______________________________ ______ ______ _____________________________ AAR: Artillery Spotting, 02-April-1917
(Day 2, Mission 2)
Pending Mission Report! _______________________________ ______ ______ _____________________________ AAR: Long Range Recon, 02-April-1917
(Day 2, Mission 3)
Pending Mission Report! ___________________________ ______ ______ _________________________ 23rd Squadron combat report was established in 2005.
A Jasta 6 Publication, Copyright © 2005 James Pink. All Rights Reserved
"Wings over France"©, is published by Lambourne Games and they hold all Copyrights to this game. |
