MacNamara diary, 19 August 1916-29 May 1919 / John Patrick MacNamara - Page 143
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 143]
The pilot was a very brave man & deserves all credit for his bravery but I don't think he will feel inclined to repeat the performance for some considerable time after the hot reception he received, our battery fired on the machine later on as one of our machines reported a large crowd round it.
What the result was we don't know as it was getting dark. Even if our shells did not get it, the machine must have been so badly damaged, especially as it crashed, as to be be no longer serviceable.
This act was in retaliation for a shoot by our battery during the afternoon with balloon observation on an enemy motor transport convoy - 5 lorries being smashed up by direct hits & others damaged - a really good bit of shooting.
Just before dusk an enemy machine was forced to land in our line due to engine trouble - over near the coast which somewhat sets off the preceeding event.
Another balloon went up within half an hour of the first one's destruction & has been up all day.