Meanwhile at 42 Squadron…
There was another air combat today at Neuf Berquin near Merville:
Time: 6.30 a.m. Locality: MERVILLE Pilot: Capt. R. A. Archer, M.C. Observer: 2/Lieut. H.C. Grimes 5 Albatros Scouts of whom only 3 persisted. While over NEUF BERQUIN saw 5 aeroplanes patrolling about same height over ESTAIRES. Went on South. the 5 aeroplanes who proved to be hostile got into the sun over us. We turned towards our own lines. When about over L'EPINETTE, L.7.c, 3 dived on us firing. Seeing none of our own machines about we side-slipped home, recrossing the line at about 1500' at LE SART. During the whole of the fight, the Observer fired his gun at the E.A. but Pilot made no effort to get the Vickers on. 3 of the E.A. persisted in the attack until our lines were reached.
Looks a bit like a late realisation that the aircraft were hostile. And then the pilot was fully preoccupied in getting them back to safety.