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Sunrise: 0641
Sunset: 1920

April 1st, 1917 Weather Report
Weather Forecast:
Fine - Cloud Increasing Later (5)

Good luck men.
Major Payne.
Senior Meteorological Officer

23 Sqn, RFC

Flight A
Capt. Grifton, your squadron has the first Dawn Patrol. Send some Pups up at 6:00am and have them scan the sectors. You are also assigned to fly three missons for today. They are;

1) Defensive Line Patrol (Completed)
2) Trench-Strafing (Completed)
3) Balloon Bursting

(all timings at Flight Commander's discretion)
Flight B
Capt. Edney, You will be taking to the skies for two missions today as well. They are as follows;

1) Photo Reconnaissance (Completed)
2) Bombing Raid (Completed)

(all timings at Flight Commander's discretion)
Flight C
Capt. Leyton-Jones, Your flight is flying three missions. Please note the Artillery spotting is for this evening;

1) Defensive Line Patrol (Completed)
2) Bombing Raid
(all timings at Flight Commander's discretion)

3) Artillery Spotting (PM)
All Flights
Just one more note gentlemen, any pilot wishing to, may fly a Twilight Patrol today. Everyone is fresh since we just had a fortnight of inclement weather and the action has been lean. Let the boys have fun.
Tomorrow's Dawn Patrol Duties: B Flight


Notes

1. The Front has begun to restablise its self again over the past two days, with Alllied forces in contact with the Germans from Arras to St Quentin. All aircrew are advised to study the latest maps to refamiliarise themselves with the changes in conditions and the topographical features of our new area

2. There will be a briefing at 2000hrs tomorrow evening to update recent and forthcoming Allied operations. This will also include an intelligence update by Headquarters Staff.
Major B. West, M.C.
Commanding Officer
23 Sqn, RFC

A Flight
AAR: Dawn Patrol, 1 Apr 1917

(Day 1, Mission 1)

With four Missions allocated to 'A' Flight today, Captain Grafton delegated the Dawn Patrol to the Flight 2I/C (Lt Steet) so that he could plan the other missions. Lt Street decided to take a 4 ship up for the patrol, namely himself, Lt Clemen-Nichols, 2/Lt Davy and 2/Lt Blake who would be on his first mission with the Squadron (which was to say, his first ever Patrol).

After a quick bite of left overs and a hot cuppa (laced with special additives), the lads took off in the pre-Twlight gloom and rapidly climbed to 15k feet for the flgiht to the Font. Street's plan was to fly SE and cross the Trenchs and sweep along the front to Lens, then return via Arras. All went well with no sign of the enemy until the boys crossed the Front and bumped into a trio of Albatross D3s out for their morning sortie at a similar altitude. Diving into the scrap, it soon became apparent that though they werent a part of jasta 11, these Boche were veteran fliers. They were geting in the majority of the shooting and it was only the boy's advantage in numbers that prevented young Thomas Blake from getting slotted straight off the mark. Soon though even Lt Street got driven off the villanous Boche has at at even odds. Then to the horror of all, one of the D3s (he had 3 broad yellow stripes on the fuselage) got behind "Wee-Willy" Davy and put a long burst into him. His kite caught fire as he went into a spin and the poor chap went down a "Flamer". Though we were too high (and busy!) to see the exact impact spot, it is over the Front Line about 60 miles south of Cambrai. Any chance we can get some trenchy types to recover his effects and mark the spot?

Anyway, that scrap peetered out eventually wthout further ado and we climbed up again to to take advantage to the good visibility. We soon ran into a 4 crate Jerry patrol but they were below us and still shaken from witnessing poor Davy's unpleasant and untimely death (ie before breakfast), we declined the combat and got on with the Mission.

A little while later though things had started to settled down a bit and though I was worried about how young Thomas was going after seeing his roommate get burnt to death, I couldnt pass up the sight of a damaged D3 being escorted by another and headed towards a Jerry airfield. We dived down on them and while Lt Street poured enough fire into the escort to drive him away, Thomas went to it with a vengeance. Clumsily getting himself into position on the cripple, he poured streams of lead into him and further damaged him and we lost visual on him at low altitude- Good Show! Thats when the Archie started to get the range on us...

You see the skies were so clear that they could see us up at 16k feet on problems and were getting maximum bursts in. Lt Steert took a fuselage hit right off the bat but luckily no further damage as we coasted Northwardsbut remained West of Douai where those Jasta 11 Devils dwell. We dodged another Hun patrol below us and Tiny caught some more Archie in the fuselage before we slipped over the Boche HQ from the South for a quick look. Well, there must have been a Veteran Prussian Flak Battery there because Clive got driven off by the buggers before we even got over that place! We crept further up North till we got over Lens then turned back toward home with only a third of a fuel tank remaining. Thats not much juice with a long way to go and a sky full of Huns I can tell you Old Bean!

Approaching Vimy, I think we found the other half of that Prussian Flak battery. First young Thmas had a near miss and then had his wings holed for good measure!. However, we had finished our sweep now and were turnign for the Trenchline when Lt Street's engine started coughing. Fearing that there had been more to the earlier Archie damage, we were very relieved when it restarted and sounded OK - only to have him surrounded by Flak once again and have more holes punched into his fuselage. There isnt much left behind him - I think the Sgt-Major and his crew are going to be busy with the patchwork today. As we crossed the trenches we saw a swarm of 6 Jerries down low at about 5k feet - I think they were strafing our forward lines - but we were in no position to take them own damaged as we were and outnumbered. Just on our side of the lines though we saw a crippled Jerry 2 seater being escorted by a D3. We dived on them but only managed to drive them both away.

The remainder of the trip back was relatively uneventful - we slipped back as far westward as we could before swinging South and landedwith not much mroe than vapours in the tanks (8 AFT). Now if you dont mind, I'm off for a hot toddy, some bacon and eggs, and a pipe (in that order) before we get on with the real day's work. You might want to stop off at the Mess tonight though - we'll be auctioning off Wee-Willy's gear and he has those lovely silk pijamas he got on his last leave in Paris...



Mission Summary;

VPs
Enemy Hexes Observed +120, Non Jasta 11 damage/Abort +3

Allied Aircrew Killed -30, Allied aircraft destroyed -10, Mission Starting VPs -80

Mission Total: +3 VPs

A Flight Casualties:
- 2/Lt Wee Willy Davy KIA in aerial combat 60miles South of Cambrai (1/4/17)

Flight Machines: Sopwith Pup A5 Destroyed


_______________________________ ______ ______ _____________________________


AAR: Defensive Line Patrol, AM 1 Apr 1917

(A Flight Day 1, Mission 2)

Having finished a solid breakfast of powdered eggs, black market ham and some tea that had been recycled at least four times (plus a generous helping to some of C Flight's ill gotten red wine stocks) Capt Grafton led his boys out to start the day's assigned misisons. He decided he would take Lucky McNair and that new kid Blake (who still looked a bit pale after seeing his Chum go down in flames) and the 2 Strutters on the Defensive Line Patrol and let the more experienced boys go have some fun shooting up the Hun trenches (he had a standing 5 pound wager with Tiny Street over who would be the first to shoot up a Prussian General's Volkswagen). Then they could all hook up after Lunch and go burst some Jerry sausages together.

Taking off in good visibility the flight climbed up to 15k and turned north over Albert. Finding nothing over St. Pol the boys turned Eastward and found a full bloody Jastas worth of Huns over the airstrip halfway to Arras. Seeing at least 3 Albatrosses, outnumbered by the Boche fighters and with the 2 kids and the strutters along, Grafton didnt want to risk it so kept heading out toward Arras. Not 20 miles further east they intercepted a lone Albatross (a D2 this time) at 12k feet and the Pups dived down into the attack leaving the Strutters up high at 15k for safety. A swirling dervish of a dogfight errupted with the Hun purely defensive as all three Pups took shots at him without luck (damned ammo must have been made in India!). Grafton cursed as a badly deformed round jammed in his Vickers and he broke off to clear it.
The inexperience of McNair and Blake quickly showed though and the Albatross managed to outfly them and dive away from the action with ease. Finally clearing his machine-gun and giving his inept wingman some terse and moderately offensive hand signals, , Grafton led his wingmen back up to 15k to rejoin the Strutters and the flight turned
back toward Arras.

Despite the initailly good weather, the skies were strangely clear of the enemy. But as the patrol swept Southward to Mercatel and over Bapaume the clouds closed in and in the reduced visibility there was no sign of the enemy. With mist starting to close in, the flight turned back West to head for home and Lunch (and some of that
good XO cognac the Mess wine caterer had somehow managed to obtain). As thought turned to refreshment, however, an ominous coughing noise sounded over Albert...

Turning over his shoulder, Grafton saw Sgt Crudwell's Strutter engine begin to falter and he fell out of the formation. Signalling him to make his own way to the closest emergency landing strip, the Captain took the rest of the patrol directly back to Amiens and landed without further incident. As he sat down to Lunch (and cognac), the telephone rang and he was informed that Sgt Crudwell had managed to make a safe landing near Mercatel and that he and his observer (2Lt Heighton-Browne) would fly back that afternoon once the local mechanics had fixed the gubbins in the engine fuel line (damned Frog petrol!).

Happy with that news, Grafton tucked into his bully beef (and cognac) with relish and wondered how the other boys were going with their Trench Strafing and if Tiny had won their 5 pound bet...


VP Mission Summary

Enemy Hexes Visited +18

Mission Starting VPs -12

Undamaged 2 Seater landing at Emerg Strip -2

Mission Total: +4 VPs


_______________________________ ______ ______ _____________________________


AAR: Trench Strafing, AM 1 Apr 17

(A Flight, Day 1, Mission 3)

Lieutenants Street and Coleman-Nichol were assigned the Trench strafing mission while the Flight CO took the new lads up for the defensive line ptrol. Wiping the remains of their greasy bacon and powdered eggs from their huge waxed moustaches, they joked about who would take out the most Fritzes and climbed into their Pups (now heavily patched after the Dawn patrol - good old Chiefy must have been busy over the last couple of hours!).

Quickly climbing to 15k the pair moved over Albert and then continued NE towards the allocated area in B Sector, where those magnificently tall and handsome Aussie chaps were due to make another push toward Cambrai today. All was well under the shattering roar of multiple Spandaus ripped through the morning air, reinforcing why a vigilant watch must be kept all round, and why pilots wear brown underwear. A Jasta worth a Huns dopped in on them- 2 Halbastats, 2 x D2s and a pair of D3s! It was all going a bit horribly wrong for our brave heroes of A Flight. The Boche pilots were pretty good, but the Halbs were never in the fight really and the boys quickly got into death spirals with the more capable D3s. On and on they went, spiralling down toward the ground until Coleman-Nichol was driven off and Tiny had his rudder shot away. As the dogfight broke up, they headed toward the enmegency airfield and Coleman-Nocholl was reliveed to see his mate wave his OK when he landed there before, he turned his kite eastwards once again and toward the Front - daring to go alone and do his duty For King and Country!

Ducking and weaving around the flak and enemy machine gun fire, the stout Coleman-Nichol started pouring fire into the German Trenches

"Take that vile Boche" he yelled triumphantly and his Vickers chattered the sound of freedom in the chill morning air.

A single Halb dropped down onto him to try and dissude him from the task, but he gleefully joined in another aerial ballet and quickly drove the enemy away. He got back to the task at hand, gunning down scores of the enemy so the brave Aussies could advance once more. So engrossed was he in laying his fire down, that he missed seeing the trio of Albatross drop down upon him, their leader distinctively painted in all red. Ducking and weaving amongst the trees, he managed to get away from the lethal guns of the Red Baron. Suprised at the ease of that escape manoeurve and with his ammo running low, he turned West and for home. It was over Mercatel that he realised the cunning Red Baron had outguessed him and doubled back. He was waiting for him in that Blood Red Albatross at 12k feet and dived in without mercy. Coleman-Nichol dived and weaved but to no avail and was soon driven off at low altitude. Thanking his lucky stars once again for his second escape in one morning from the Rittmeister's guns, he continued for home and a bloody big scotch without further incident.

Mission Summary;

VPs
Trench Strafing +11

Starting VPs -10

Damaged aircaft -3

Total VPs -2

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B Flight
AAR: Photo Reconnaissance, AM 1 Apr 1917

(Day 1, Mission 1)

Personal Scheduled to fly;

Sopwith Pups
Lt. Michael Hopwood (B2)
2nd Lt. Ben Jackson (B4)
2nd Lt. Stephn 'Softly' Savilla (B6)

Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter
Sgt. Elliott Sadler (B7)
Sgt. Joseph Craggemere [Observer]

Mission Report:

Lt Hopwood skipped breakfast this morning so as to set up the days schedule. As he made his way to brief his flight he heard the morning Dawn Patrol taking to the air. Gods Speed and Good luck chaps thought Lt. Hopwood, knowing tomorrow would be B flights turn for the early morning trip. But for now his mind was on who was going to Cambrai and who was off to Carvin.

The first flight took off at 7:15 am and set off to the South-West for Cambrai. This would be a routine photo-recon mission to determine the troop build up for the forth coming push by the Bosche. Our flight had a clean flight to the front, when we saw some enemy scouts about 7,000 ft above us. Clouds were moving in so we took advantage of this and ducked in before the scouts noticed us. Between the front and the target the weather turned overcast preventing fighters or Archie from finding us.

Flying around the projected flak defenses the weather cleared to low clouds. To take advantage of this we dropped to 5,000 ft lining up for our photo run. Though there were four enemy Halberstadt D.II scouts that had different plans for us. Plummeting from cloud cover these Bosche jumped the flight, taking out two of our scouts. Lt Hopwood was shot down by the first E/A scout (E/A #7 on a roll of 11). The second E/A scout took out Lt. Jacksons control cables (E/A #11 on a roll of 11) as he was seen fighting the ship all the way Through the clouds. The remaining flight chose to stay over the target to get some photos for HQ. Our Two-seater was kept at bay by a third E/A. Lt. Savilla was able to evade the fourth scout.

Staying clear of any other encounters the Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter was able to take a single photo. Sticking around the target zone to attempt a second photo, we were jumped again from the same four E/A scouts. Sgt Sadler was able to get an advantage over the Bosche scouts an elected to deny combat, leaving Lt. Savilla to fend for himself. Softly was able to avoid damage till the last man popped him in his left shoulder.

Things looked bad for our flight, one shot down, one straggler and now a lame duck. Lt. Sadler opted to escort the lame duck back to the allied side of the lines and turned for home. Sadly when the two Sopwiths left the target zone, 2nd Lt Jacksons control cables gave way and he had to make a forced land behind enemy lines. Lt. Cragglemere witnessed Jacksons landing of which he made a good one. Cragglemere, also saw a platoon of Bosches capturing Jackson shortly after he put down. Making his way over the lines with out incident Lt. Sadler chose to land at the forward emergency landing field. Luckily the one exposed plate will be of use, developing to an average quality.

Just before lunch I received word that Lt. Saville limped back to the emergency air field and was shipped to hospital for three days convalescence.

Due to the disastrous first mission, I have delayed the Bombing mission till early afternoon. I have somethings to go over with the boys. We will need planes for tomorrow and I just want to impress this on them.

Sincerely,
Capt. M. Edney
CO B flight, No. 23 Sqn.

Mission Summary:

Mission Objective:
- Photograph Cambria area, troop build-up.
____One photo taken, Average quality (+20)

German Casualties:
- None

Allied Aircrew fate:
- Lt. Michael Hopwood Shoot Down and Captured over Cambrai [N10] (-25)
- 2nd Lt. Ben Jackson Shoot Down and Captured south of Cambrai [P10] (-25)
- 2nd Lt. Stephn 'Softly' Savilla Shoulder Wound, landed at emergency airfield [T8] (-5)


Allied aircraft fate:
- Sopwith Pup A2 Captured behind the lines (-10)
- Sopwith Pup A4 Captured behind the lines (-10)
- Sopwith Pup A6 (-2)

Mission Starting pts: VPs -10

Mission Total: -67 VPs

"B" Flight Crew Status:

Lt. Michael Hopwood Shoot Down
- 2nd Lt. Ben Jackson Shoot Down
- 2nd Lt. Stephn 'Softly' Savilla Shoulder Wound 3 days in hospital

"B" Flight Machines Status:

Sopwith Pup A2 Captured, lost for duration
Sopwith Pup A4 Captured, lost for duration
Sopwith Pup A6 at emergency airfield, available on April 2nd
_______________________________ ______ ______ _____________________________
AAR: Bombing Raid, PM 1 Apr 1917

(Day 1, Mission 2)

Personal Scheduled to fly;

Sopwith Pups
Capt. Martin Edney (B1)
Lt. Chris Dell (B3)
2nd Lt. Roger Critchey-Webb (B5)

Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter
Sgt. Jack Iles (B7)
2nd/Lt. Brendan Hyram [Observer]

Mission Report;

Tonights mission was a bombing mission against troop concentration at Carvin reported from the dawn patrol by "A" flight this morning. Take off at 12:30pm, after a light lunch, was splendid with a low cloud cover. At around 48 miles out we encountered deteriorating weather. It turned overcast and then went to light rain around 144 miles out. Just out side St. Polsaw shadows in the low clouds, which never amounted to anything. Though Lt. Dell later stated he saw two Huns fighters flying in and out of the clouds. As we crossed the trenches at fifty miles northwest of Carvin we encountered three enemy scouts, one of which looked to be Little Red, Richthofen, which we gladly evaded combat. The three scouts were about 3,000 feet below and unable to react to us.

Archie could not see us at 15,000feet and was no factor in this flight. The weather was turning to a light mist as we left the trenches and this helped keep the Huns off our backs. As we made the target the weather went from bad to worst, with heavy clouds and then thunder storms. This forced us to drop to 3,000 feet to even hope to see our targets. Even with the terrible weather, Sgt. Iles and Lt. Hyram were able to make two hits in their first salvo (6 bombs). As the thunder storm brew up they dropped their second salvo of 6 bombs whit only one solid hit on this run. Quit a feat considering the weather.

With our job completed we made for home the same way we came, climbing to 13,000 feet as we went. Again, as we crossed the trenches, we encountered two albatross scouts who were at 10,000 feet. After the events of this morning, I elected to again decline combat. The Hun never reacted to intervene and we made our way across unimpeded. The weather had improved to a light mist again and we had pleasant flight home. Again Lt. Dell saw his ghost Hun scouts in the clouds. I believe he was spooked from the events to the other crates from this mornings sortie.

We landed at 7:30 pm just in time for a late dinner and brews with the other chaps.

Sincerely,
Capt. M. Edney
CO B flight, No. 23 Sqn.

Mission Summary:

Mission Objective:
- Bomb Carvin area, troop build-up.
____3 hits made (+30)

German Casualties:
- None

Allied Aircrew fate:
- Returned safe and healthy

Allied aircraft fate:
- Returned undamaged

Mission Starting pts: VPs -10

Mission Total: +20 VPs

"B" Flight Crew Status:

Capt. Martin Edney; Healthy and ready for duty
Lt. Chris Dell; Healthy and ready for duty
2nd Lt. Roger Critchey-Webb; Healthy and ready for duty

"B" Flight Machines Status:

Sopwith Pup A1; Returned undamaged ready for duty.
Sopwith Pup A3; Returned undamaged ready for duty.
Sopwith Pup A5; Returned undamaged ready for duty.

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C Flight

Excerpt taken from his autobiography, "Drinking some wine,eating some cheese..." by Capt Peter Leyton-Jones, Flight Commander C Flight, 23rd Sqn RFC
AAR: Defensive Line Patrol, 1 Apr 1917 AM

(Day 1, Mission 1)

Excerpt taken from his autobiography, "Drinking some wine,eating some cheese..." by Capt Peter Leyton-Jones, Flight Commander C Flight, 23rd Sqn RFC

Woken by the noise of A flight taking off for the Dawn patrol, the chaps of C Flight scoffed down some brekky and went in search of some good plonk one chap had sourced through stores. A dirty little red, but sufficient for our purposes in the mess.....

I decided to take my two new boys up for a look at the sector. Bishop and Preston were dapper lads, awful pilots, as Bishop in particular seemed to lack the ability to land...I hoped he would survive long enough to at least learn how to land the damn thing.

Tebworth volunteered to come with me, bless his socks, as he was in the mood for a scrap. That left Frenchie and Timothy behind to sort out where the devil we were going to hide the booze before the dropshorts from Amiens came looking for it. I decided to send them with the Strutters for the bombing raid. Safety in numbers



After a discussion with Grafton over a gin the previous night, I decided to climb straight to 16000ft and start our patrol from there. It was a gloriously sunny day so visibility was not a concern. Straight away we scared off a nosy Alb C2 and his sausage eating friends, they didnt want to mix it with a 4some of Pups.

Graftonslads were back from the Dawn patrol and were doing the same Patrol as us but to the north, so we headed East. Om the way had a nasty scrap with some Albs, chased away all three but used about half my ammo, so I wasnt too happy.



Upon reaching Airfield T8 we headed NW to close Baupaume. I had taken the lads back up to 16000 when we spied 3 Huns stooging around BapaumeWe had the height advantage so I waggled my wings and ordered the attack. 3 of us were in excellent firing posiiotns all over one Hun Alb, but couldnt seem to hit the damn thing.

Preston was locked into a spiral with another Alb so I thought I should have a look. As I maneuvered to help him, gesturing to Thebs to look after the young Bishop, my silk scarf flew up and slapped me in the faceStartled, I lost control for a moment, and when I looked around hurriedly for the Albs, I was just in time to see the third Alb, a D2 go head on with Bishop. The rotter knew how to shoot, and Bishops aircraft sprouted smoke and began spiraling down in a spin. As I fought for position on the Hun, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the young feller had regained some control just near the ground, but his inexperience caught up with him and I saw him spear straight into the Pastors cottage at Bapaume. I was rather annoyed by this stage and loosed off most of my remaining ammo in a few quick shots at the Hunthen we all entered a cloud bank and the Huns were gone.

After taking stock of my Flight and fuel situation, I realised our earlier scrap near the SE Airfield had burned up a lot of juice so I made the call to head for Mercatel then turn back to Amiens.

We reached Mercatel without further incident although the weather was beginning to close in. As we commenced our turn around over Mercatel I spied a flight of two Huns, probably Halberstadts, looking fat dumb and happy.. I ordered the attack, determined to avenge Bishop. Needless to say after expending all my ammo and seeing Thebs and Preston gain firing position time and time again to no avail, it was almost a relief that the Huns ducked into a low cloud bank and disappeared.



The remaining mission was uneventful and we landed at Amiens with 8 gallons remaining. I felt I had let down Bishop, for we had been on a good thing with our positioning and I had thrown that away in a reckless attack. I feared more of my lads may meet the same fate before this war was won, and my duty was to the living. I moved on..



Mission Summary

Friendly Hexes Patrolled +12,

German Casualties Nil

Allied Aircrew Killed -30, Allied aircraft destroyed -10, Mission Starting VPs -12

Mission Total: -40 VPs

C Flight Casualties: 2/Lt George Bishop KIA in aerial combat overhead Bapaume (1/4/17)

Flight Machines: Sopwith Pup C6 Destroyed
_______________________________ ______ ______ _____________________________
AAR: Bombing Raid 01-Apr-17 (AM) (Tgt D8)

(Day 1, Mission 2)


FM: Lt Mistral C Flight, 23 SQN RFC

TO: Sqn Adjt 23 SQN RFC



REPORT: Took off from Amiens 0924 with Lt Butterfield as second Escort.

Sgt Potter and Almorgan piloted 2 Sopwith 1 ½ Strutters with Lt Jones-Jollis and Airman Collis as observers. 12 bombs per ac

Climbed to 15000 ft and proceeded north nor east towards St Pol.

Encountered 1 x Alb D3, red markings, climbed to attack. Superior flying skill exhibited, engaged and forced Sgt Potter to disengage and retreat into nearby clouds. Despite aggressive maneuvering by myself and Lt Butterfield, German a/c regained firing position from below on SGt Almorgan machine and shot it down. Machine crashed after regaining some control. No movement visible. ADDENDUM: Sgt Almorgan and Lt Jones-Jollis were taken to Amiens hospital. Serious condition, esdur 4 weeks.

Hun D3 escaped in clouds after failing to gain firing position.

Uneventful transit until after crossing trenches, flight of 3 D3 and D2s engaged from height, shooting down Sgt Potter and AM Collis. Aircraft seen to lift up and flip on impact, no fire, assess survival possible. German infantry seen running towards wreckage, assess any survivors now captured. Formally listed as MIA.

Aborted mission due no Two seat aircraft remaining.

Return to Amiens uneventful with exception of two Halb D3. Damaged one, claim one as kill in position CENSORED- Lt Butterfield

witness. Landed reserve airfield J3 due fuel.

End of report



Game Stats

Mission Summary

German Casualties 1 x Halb D3 Destroyed, 1 x Halb D3 Dam Abort +23 VP

Allied Aircrew Seriously Injured -80,

Allied aircraft Badly Damaged -10,

Captured -15,

Mission Starting VPs -10

Landed undamaged at emerg airfield -4

Mission Total: -96 VPs

C Flight Casualties:

Lt Jones-Jollis Unfit for flying duties in crash north of Amiens (1/4/17)

Sgt Potter MIA suspect injured in crash SW of Carvin (1/4/17)

Sgt Almorgan Unfit for flying duties in crash north of Amiens (1/4/17)

AM Collis MIA suspect injured in crash SW of Carvin (1/4/17)


Flight Machines: 2 x Sopwith 1 ½ Strutters C7 and C8 Destroyed
Dear Lt Mistral, C Flight Patrol Leader

My my, we have been careless with our kites havent we young man? Those damned Jasta 11 chaps have been entirely too cheeky of late for my liking! Still, you took down a Jerry machine in return so it wasnt a total loss was it?

Please advise your Flight Commander, Capt Leyton-Jones, that given his lack of 2 seaters and the Artillery Spotting show laid of for after lunch, I will be assigning him A Flight's Strutters for that sortie. That A Flight chaps are going sausage busting anyway and wont need them. Just try to bring them back in one piece eh? Otherwise Capt Garfton will be most churlish.

Chin up, old boy, worse things happen at sea you know. A couple of stiff gins in theMess will see you through. By the way, I've just had Wing HQ on the phone to inorm em that Lt Jones-Jollis and Sgt Almorgan have stablisised and are expected to live. They will be some time recovering though and so are getting shipped off home to Blighty! Good for them eh?
<signed>

Major B. West, M.C.
Commanding Officer
23 Sqn, RFC
_______________________________ ______ ______ _____________________________
Excerpt taken from his autobiography, "Drinking some wine,eating some
cheese..." by Capt Peter Leyton-Jones, Flight Commander C Flight, 23rd Sqn RFC
AAR: Artillery Spotting, 01-April-1917(PM)

(Day 1, Mission 3)

After a dastardly morning, wandered over to see the CO for a chat about replacement aircraft. Rather a sticky business trying to do an arty spot without two seaters! Old Grafton was a real sport and lent me his two crews to do the mission. I thought to myself, 'They don't call him Strangely Brown for nothing!" Got the chaps together for a brief, told em we'd try out this idea of a split altitude flight and see how that went.

Took off with Preston wobbling behind me like a drunken poodle and headed NE for Mercatel. We climbed nice and high and established ourselves 2000 feet above our two seaters. Donaldson and Crudwell were steady pilots, although Donaldson's observers, Lt Dunn, was a renowned pratt. He had kept wicket for the Croydon Gentlemen in Blighty before the war and never shut up about it. I was thankful we were well out of earshot from his incessant waffling.

We trundled on and eventually got the chance to mix it with the Hun south of Mercatel. We spotted a flight of 2 C-2s and their 3 escorts, so I waggled my wings and with a cry of Tally ho! dived to the attack. The two seaters on both sides scattered for the low cloud almost immediately, whilst we mixed it up with the Boche scouts. Albs I think they were, and we danced all over the sky with them for a good 5 minutes before they scooted off with their tails between their legs. No damage to us,or them, and we climbed above the clouds to cross the trenches.

Once safely over, we dived down to allow the Strutters their chance to spot. The German reserves in front of Mercatel were in for a nasty shock. Heighton Brown, the observer in the second Strutter, got a nasty shock himself when archie sent a Yorker right next to him. I rather think the palefaced chap would need a chancge of long johns by the look on his face, but stout fellow that he is, he got on with his job. After a few more sporadic bursts of archie, our own arty began opening up in earnest on the hapless Boche below, and Heighton Brown signaled Mission Accomplished. We climbed again to 10000 feet and crossed the lines. The return home was uneventful, although I was rather annoyed to find Frenchie [Lt Mistral] hadn't left me a note where he had stashed the booze before he went on his morning mission. I spent a good 40 minutes on the cursed telephone trying to get sense out of a drunken Frenchman drinking himself
silly at the reserve airfield at Mercatel. After I had told him in no uncertain terms that we had saved his frog eating butt from a Hun bombing raid that afternoon, he burst into tears and promised me his Renault. I told him I didn't want his damn car and hung up. Rather looked forward to seeing the look on his face in the morning when I would tell him he was to take young Preston up for some touch and goes. A few good jolts should cure him of his hangover in no time........

Mission Summary

Arty Spot successful +20,

German Casualties Nil

Allied Aircrew Killed Nil

Mission Total: +20 VPs