Captain Kevin Carroll, DSO, MC, DFC 41 Squadron Conteville
60 confirmed kills
21st July 1918
Morning sortie
Kevin, McCall and Bowman had been picked up at 7.30am. The trip back to Conteville was somewhat quicker than the trip out but the men had time for a chat nonetheless.
"So how did your date go stud?" asked Fred McCall.
"It was great fun, she's a lovely woman. We've said we'll see each other again" said Kevin.
"She's from Canada isn't she?" said Bowman.
"Yes, Nova Scotia" said Kevin.
"Big country Canada, the only time I've been to Nova Scotia was to get the troop ship from Halifax" remarked McCall.
The three continued chatting, at one moment McCall was talking with the driver. Kevin spoke to Bowman quietly...."shall I tell the others about what's going to happen sir?".
"For the moment, no. Once we have the official transfer documents we can make it official within the squadron too" said Bowman.
"Yes sir" said Kevin.
"One more thing Captain. I'm delighted you have met someone and I can see how happy it has made you. Right now though you need to get your mind back on the business at hand. You know what they say, 'ties to the ground' and all that? I hope you don't think I'm speaking out of turn, but I've seen it before" said Bowman.
"It's ok sir, I know exactly what you mean. My personal relationships are being put away for the foreseeable future. I'll be completely focussed don't worry" said Kevin reassuringly.
"Good show. I've a feeling these next few months will decide the war" said Bowman.
A short while later the car pulled up at Conteville.
The three airmen got out of the car and went to get a cup of tea.
Captain Payne briefed them as to today's goings-on, "Captain Shields is already out with 'A' flight on a patrol around Bethune. 'B' flight is supposed to be heading to the lines south of Arras in an hour".
"Thank you Captain" said Bowman, "it's upto you two whether you wish to join 'B' flight's sortie".
"I'll join it, definitely" said Kevin.
"You can lead it if you want" said Captain Payne.
The weather had closed in somewhat with low clouds, rain and high winds as Kevin sat in his aircraft as the engine warmed up.
A few moments later 'B' flight were airborne, climbing and heading south east.
They'd climbed up to 12000 feet and were above the rain clouds when Kevin spotted what looked like two formations of enemy aircraft higher up and heading the other way.
As they neared Kevin saw they were two seaters, DFW'S to be exact and he signalled to attack.
As they flew overhead Kevin swung around and began climbing up towards the lead aircraft. The wind buffeted the SE around as Kevin closed in.
He left it to the last moment before opening fire, taking the Hun completely by surprise.
He nosed down and then back up again, blasting the German once more. A final burst had the DFW pouring with smoke and as it nosed down it burst into flames. It went straight down and smashed into the ground.
Kevin came around for another target, as he did he could see the rest of 'B' flight hammering the other DFW formation.
He lined up behind another Hun who tried to evade and give his gunner a shot. Kevin went with him and fired into the enemy aircraft.
The German lost power and height and Kevin had difficulty staying on his tail.
They'd descended several thousand feet when Kevin throttled back and put a lengthy burst into the cockpit. The pilot fell forward and the aircraft finally nosed down and smashed into the ground.
Kevin climbed back up and formed up with the rest of 'B' flight. The DFW's were all destroyed.
They headed home and landed safely. Two of the SE's were damaged enough to need repairs.
Afternoon sortie (awaiting two confirmations)
After lunch Major Bowman took the briefing involving the whole squadron. He confirmed that both flights would be heading towards Bethune and would be patrolling down the lines towards Arras.
The weather had cleared up although some dark and menacing clouds remained. Most importantly, the wind had lessened.
Both flights took off with Kevin at the front of 'B' flight. They formed up and climbed up to 14000 feet before heading out east towards the front.
As they flew Kevin could see Izel-le-Hameux airfield below and couldn't help but take a look at it, the home of 64 Squadron.
They reached the lines and turned south. On the northern leg of the patrol Kevin looked to the right and focussed. He now saw a formation of aircraft coming across the lines.
He signalled and swung around to the right. They had height advantage on the other formation and as Kevin identified them as Fokkers he looked behind and saw 'A' flight also joining the fray.
They outnumbered the enemy two to one. Kevin nosed down and raced towards the lead Hun. He poured both barrels into him and swung around and climbed again as the rest of 41 squadron picked their targets.
He got onto the tail of the leader and as he dived in again and fired the Hun threw his aircraft onto it's tail and stalled. He began a stalling fall. Kevin came around and tried to stay with the German but the erratic fall made it impossible to chase him down.
As the altimeter showed 3000 feet the Fokker levelled out and tried to run for home.
Kevin now nosed down after him and caught up easily. An accurate burst into the cockpit took the pilot out and the Fokker nosed over and dived down into the ground.
Kevin took stock and saw another Fokker above and heading home. He zoom climbed up and chased after the Hun. He caught up just over the lines and having changed the lewis gun drum he put a long range burst into the German to try and make him change course. It worked and the Fokker raced around and tried to climb up above the SE.
Kevin climbed up with him and put a telling burst into the Hun. The Fokker tried to roll and dive but before he could gain speed in his dive Kevin blasted him again. The German nosed down and went straight into the ground.
Kevin could now only see another SE above him and formed up with him. They headed home and landed safely.
Six of the Fokkers had been downed and two SE's damaged. Another SE had been lost, 2nd Lieutenant Ted Dunlevy was last seen bursting into flames and going straight into the ground.
A little later Kevin was with Major Bowman in his office.
"Well done today Kevin, I particularly liked the way you went straight into leading 'B' flight on that patrol" said Bowman.
"Thank you sir, I was eager to get back into the air and back into the action." said Kevin.
"Well you certainly did that" said the Major.
"We can confirm three of your four claims today, the ack ack boys are contesting the second DFW. That's still an excellent haul Captain" confirmed Bowman.
""Thank you sir, it's a shame about Lieutenant Dunlevy" said Kevin.
"Yes.....well pull up a pew Kevin. The General said I should show you the ropes. We have a letter to write." said the Major.
"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."
