Mission report: Recon patrol Arras region - November, 5 – 1917
We send a D.H.4 for a long range recon mission in the Arras region to get information about troop movements and enemy aerial activities. We assigned FO Bushmill as a replacement for the sick FO Harper. FO Sharpe acted as spotter and gunner.
To our surprise they spotted an older German Albatros D.III models near Arras and managed to shoot it on fire. The enemy plane broke off the attack. FO Bushmill received a harmless flesh wound in this figth.
Another old Albatros D.III model tried to interrupt the recon mission, but FO Sharpe was able to deal some critical hits to the German plane and shot it down.
Meanwhile a third Albatros attacked. Our pilots told us about his lousy shooting and flight abilities. The German wasn’t able to hit the D.H.4 with his attack. In exchange he became problems with is engine and his machine guns jammed after a head on duel with our men.
Because of his damaged engine, FO Bushmill reached a perfect shooting position on his tail, shot the Albatros on fire and the German crashed burning in the countryside.
As our recon plane reached Arras they spotted a white XXXX* with German crosses on the wings. The German pilot attacked immediately, but he didn't seemed much experienced too, because he nearly rammed our D.H.4, causing some damage to the wings of the recon plane.
At last, a lucky shot brought the white XXXX* down over Arras.
The AIRCO D.H.4 returned safe to our airfield without enemy contact.
Our recon mission was a success, because we gained valuable information about the strength and supply situation of the Luftstreitkräfte in the Arras region. Seems the Germans throw every plane they could get to the Western Front at the moment. We don’t know how much how long this situation will last. But the JASTAs in the Arras region aren’t that well trained and equipped like the Kaisers Eagles in our front sector.
Capt. T. Peabody
No. 52 Squadron
*restricted information
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