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THE YPRES TIMES
was our job to patrol the Ypres sector, and prevent, if possible, any enemy observa
tion machine from making an accurate survey of the scene of action.
We were at 12,000 feet approximately, 5 to 7 miles east of Ypres at zero hour,
when, looking towards our own lines, the barrage, which had been fitful, increased
in intensity until it was impossible to pick out individual gun flashes; the red-
brown triangle of Ypres, standing out against a sombre, angry background of
rain clouds, was ringed round with flame. The avenging guns were at last
speaking. It is impossible to describe what, to me, was one of the most awe-
inspiring sights I have ever witnessed.
Contrary to expectations, not an enemy machine was sighted, but this omission
was soon to be rectified; it was the lull before the storm.
[Photo Imperial War Museum, Crown Copyright.
OFF TO BOMB THE ENEMY'S LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS.
Our next fight was at 11 a.m. and was of a very different character. Although
we were only single-seater machines we had bomb racks fitted to take four 20-lb.
Cooper bombs, and our objective was to bomb the enemy's lines of communica
tions. Not having bomb sights fitted, and the machines not being stable enough
if they had, for them to be of any use, the only way to drop our bombs effectively
was to descend to about 50 to 100 feet and sweep over the top of our objective,
releasing our bombs as we did so, and then, if possible, turn round and rake it with
machine-gun fire.
In consultation with the C.O. we decided that we would attempt to reach and
bomb the railway junction at Lictervelde, through which most of the enemy trans
port had to pass on its way to the coast. All progressed well at first. Passing
over Ypres at about 12,000 feet we headed straight for our objective, and we drew
nearer, gradually losing height until we were only about a mile from the junction
flying above the railway lines at about 1,000 feet. At this point my attention as
leader was attracted by my second-in-command waving excitedly and pointing
