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[Page 51]
A special reconnaissance of the KUSKUS area was made on the 3rd by Lieut, E.P. Kenny (pilot) and Lieut. L.W. Sutherland. M.C. D.C.M. (observer) escorted by Lieut. P.J. McGinness, D.C.M. (pilot) and Lieut. H. Fysh (observer) as an outcome of a report received that the enemy aerodrome was being removed from KUSKUS. When approaching KUSKUS, our machines saw a formation of 4 enemy two-seaters flying North. The enemy machines were overtaken and attacked, one was shot down out of control and seen to dive headlong into the ground, and two others were driven down. The fourth broke off the engagement and escaped. Over to the enemy aerodrome at AFULE and attacked it with machines gun fire, firing 900 rounds into the hangars and other targets in the vicinity from a low altitude.
On the 5th Lieut. R.S. Adair (pilot) and Lieut. E.A. Mulford, D.C.M. (Observer) drove an enemy scout down on to the aerodrome at AMMAN.
While escorting a bomb raid to AMMAN on the 8th Lieut. E.A. Numan (pilot) and Lieut. F.C. Conrick (observer) attacked an anti-aircraft battery that was shelling the bombing machines. 150 rounds were fired into the battery which ceased fire, and the gunners were seen to scatter; Lieut. Nunan continued to circle over the battery until the rail was completed. The guns did not resume firing.
On the 9th Lieut. A.V. Tonkin (pilot) and Lieut. C.J. Vyner (observer) took off in response to an enemy aircraft alarm call. North of DIER ALLA they saw an enemy two-seater machine at 13000 feet which they pursued for 50 miles behind the enemy's lines but were unable to overtake it. When they gave up the chase the enemy machine had climbed to 18,000 feet and was still flying North.
A formation of 6 Pflaz Scouts were encountered over JENIN the 14th of our reconnaissance machines – Pilots: Lieuts P.J. McGinness, D.C..M. and W.C. Thompson, Observers: Lieuts. F. [H] Fysh and M.D. Lees. This was the first occasion that machines of this type had been met on the front. When attacked by our two machines the formation broke up, and all enemy machines were driven down onto the aerodrome at JENIN. In breaking off the engagement they were aided by low lying clouds.
A large concentration of cavalry was observed on the coast near MUKHALID, where horse lines and mens shelters were cleverly 'comouflaged' and concealed on the steep hillsides near the foreshore. This target was attacked with machine gun fire from the air on the 14th by Capt. A.R. Brown (pilot) and Lieut. G. Finlay (observer) and considerable panic caused. They again visited the locality, later, the same day accompanied by a second machine – Lieut. C.S. Paul (pilot) and Lieut. W.J.A. Weir (observer) – when they found a large number of troops and horses swimming at the beach. These were attacked from a height of a few hundred feet, and the greatest consternation prevailed. When gunning this target our machines were at times below the height of the cliffs. They were enfiladed by enemy machine gun fire from the high ground, and both our machines were damaged. Lieut. Paul's machine landed with 27 bullet holes in it. In these attacks a total of 2,350 rounds were fired from our machines.
On the 16th Lieut. C.S. Paul (pilot) and Lieut. W.J.A. Weir (observer) destroyed an enemy two-seater over JEZIL. After receiving two 'bursts' from our machines from close range, the enemy machine fall to pieces in the air. For this and former aerial victories these officers were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
During a bomb raid on AMMAN on the 21st the anti-aircraft batteries were again attacked by our escort machines – Pilots:- Capt. A.R. Brown and Lieut. H.S.R. Maughan, Observers, Lieuts. G. Finlay and H.A. Letch, M.C. The guns were silenced. Six of our machines dropped t00-lbs. of bombs on the AMMAN Station and aerodrome on this date, several direct hits being obtained.