2nd Lieutenant Kevin Carroll 41 Squadron Conteville
13 confirmed kills
21st June 1918
Morning sortie
Major Bowman took the briefing and confirmed that 'B' flight would be heading out towards Arras.
Kevin was making some checks on his aircraft about 10 minutes before they were due to take off.
Suddenly the airfield alarm sounded. Kevin shouted for the mechanics to start the engines. Several other pilots ran out as Kevin started down the airfield. Several ack ack guns had already started firing.
The weather had improved dramatically since the rain of yesterday and Kevin could see aircraft high above and climbed as fast as possible up towards them.
As he gained height he saw that the enemy aircraft were DFW's and had begun to form up again already for the journey home.
Kevin wasn't going to let them get there though. He came up beneath the lead enemy aircraft and nosed up. He pounded the Hun and saw pieces flying off. The German pilot reared the DFW up onto it's tail to try and give the gunner a shot but Kevin blasted him.
The DFW lurched over to the left and spiralled down uncontrollably into the ground.
Kevin came around to take on another DFW and did the same again, underneath, creep up and let him have it.
By this time Kevin had been joined by other pilots who were taking on their own targets. Kevin put a lot of bullets into his new target and must have hit the wires as the Hun lurched over and spun down into the ground.
As he took stock he saw nothing but SE's and made his way home.
Six DFW's had been downed by the time all pilots had landed and although an SE had been damaged it was able to land safely.
Afternoon sortie
After a light lunch and after the aircraft had been refueled and rearmed, the Major took the afternoon briefing involving the whole squadron. He explained they would be heading down to the lines south of Arras.
The good weather had continued as Kevin and the rest of 41 Squadron took off, formed and climbed up to around 12000 feet before heading off south east.
The journey out went without incident until they approached Arras itself. As they flew above the town Kevin spotted a large formation over to the right and coming the other way.
Both formations spotted each other and turned to face each other. Kevin used the gap to climb up.
He saw the enemy aircraft were Albatros scouts, as the two formations clashed.
Kevin looked for an opening and dived for a Hun who had rolled in front of him. Just as he was about to open fire he saw another Albatros swing around onto his tail.
He gave up his attack and pulled the stick into his stomach as the Hun opened fire. Thankfully the bullets missed and Kevin continued to turn as tightly as possible.
After several turns Kevin was definitely gaining on the Albatros. The Hun now ran for home but this was a terrible mistake and the last he would ever make. Kevin levelled out and caught up quickly. He hit the Hun hard and smoke came out from around the engine.
Another burst raked the cockpit and the pilot slumped forward. The Albatros nosed down and went straight into the ground.
Kevin saw another Hun low down to the left and went after him. The Hun mustn't have seen Kevin approaching or could do nothing about it as he flew into his sights. The SE opened fire with both barrels and hit the Albatros hard.
Another burst tore chunks out of the wing and the Albatros lost it's aileron and spun down into the ground.
Kevin looked around and couldn't see any more Huns. He did see a couple of SE's and formed up with them. Together they headed home.
Five Albatros had been claimed and whilst an SE5 was lost, the pilot was unhurt.
Major Bowman called Kevin to his office later on.
"Lieutenant, firstly one of the DFW's from this morning cannot be confirmed. The ground crews claimed hits on one of them." started Bowman.
"I hope that's the bad news sir" said Kevin, with a smirk.
Bowman smiled, "yes, that's the bad news. Your other three claims are confirmed." he continued.
"That brings you upto 16 confirmed kills Lieutenant Carroll. I'll be brutally honest, I thought when you first got here that you had something about you. An assurance, a drive and yet a calmness. You've certainly gone beyond those initial thoughts" said Bowman.
"In a good way I hope sir" said Kevin.
"In the very best way Lieutenant. The infantry's loss is our gain. You should know I'm sending details of your performances to HQ" said the Major.
"Thank you sir. I've been fighting this war for a long time now and finally, I feel like I've found a way to make a difference. Not that my time in the trenches wasn't important, but.....well you know what I mean sir" said Kevin.
"I know what you mean Kevin. You can take it from me, you're making a big difference and I want you to carry on" said the Major.
"Now go and relax Lieutenant, I'll be along to the mess shortly" finished Bowman.
"A great deal of an aeroplane could be holed without affecting its ability to fly. Wings and fuselage could be—and often were—pierced in 50 places, missing the occupants by inches (blissfully unaware of how close it had come until they returned to base). Then the sailmaker would carefully cover each hole with a square inch of Irish linen frayed at the edges and with a brushful of dope make our aircraft 'serviceable' again within an hour."
