Meanwhile in France (again)…
…almost 70 miles (110 km) to the north of the battle at Cantigny, 42 Squadron was having a busy day dealing with enemy aircraft, with three ‘Combats in the Air’ reports being filed about activity over Calonne and Le Sart, either side of the River Lys to the west of Merville, itself 17 miles (30 km) west of Lille:
1. Capt. Davis and Lt Chatterton
This crew had a tough time against 12 aircraft only three days ago on 25 May 1918.
Time: 5.15 a.m. Locality: CALONNE Pilot: Capt. A. E. Davis Observer: Lieut. J. Chatterton, M.C. Three small two-seater Fighters, and one with slight extensions on top plane. While doing a shoot 4 E.A. appeared over CALONNE. I turned West but one machine dived on our tail and fired continuously. Observer fired about 100 rounds into this E.A. which then turned away. The second then dived and also fired continuously. Observer fired another drum at about 200 yards into this E.A. which also turned East. A third machine then dived on us but after firing about 100 rounds on us the whole formation withdrew East. Vickers gun fired about 50 rounds at E.A. after they had turned East.
2. Lt. Welsh & 2/Lt. Watkins
Time: 10.30 a.m. Locality: LE SART Pilot: Lieut A. W. Welsh Observer: 2/Lieut H. Watkins Two seater, possibly Aviatik R.E.A. [Reconnaissance Enemy Aircraft] obviously trying to bomb our trenches dropped 3 at LE SART, during which time he was fired at back by back and then front gun. He immediately flew back over MERVILLE to ESTAIRES.
3. Lts. Puckle and Nicolson
This was another crew that had seen air combat recently: on 19 May 1918 and 22 May 1918.
Time: 4.35 p.m. Locality: CALONNE Pilot: Lieut H. Puckle Observer: Lieut J. F. W. Nicolson Four two seaters, one with extensions, type unknown. Machine which fired on our tail had two guns. Machines had a blue bottom plane (underneath) and large blue patch under the fuselage. Very small black crosses. While flying over CALONNE 4 E.A. two seaters were sighted. Pilot fired 25 rounds into 1 E.A., then gun jambed. E.A. then turned on R.E.8. and got one on the tail. Observer fired 250 rounds into this E.A. which turned East and flew with the others towards MERVILLE. One machine had a kidney-shaped tail (not the one with extensions) thus: [see image] The extensions on the only E.A. which had them were short and square.