Mercer papers, 9 December 1917-19 June 1919 / Harold Mercer - Page 63

[Page 63]

who has been troubling a great deal, flying over at an amazingly low elevation which must have given him a splendid sight of our position, and darting away directly the anti-aircraft guns started, only to return unexpectedly in a little while, was intercepted by two of our 'planes, which followed him up & down, preventing his usual break away; and a ding-dong battle ensued.
Our 'planes seem to have come from nowhere, & must have been waiting at a great height. The battle ended in damage to the Fritzer's petrol tank, and with that on fire, he made a desperate attempt to get away, but came down suddenly. We have heard that he crashed just in front of our lines; and the boys stood up, careless of fire, and cheered.

Jan 28
Fritz subjected the area in front of Ouraet Wood and what is the vicinity of what is known as F track to a heavy bombardment today, evidently being after the track. To reach our work we passed down the track in single file, extended order; and as the shells fell as we were passing, it is a wonder some were not hit. Repassing at night, we found the track blown to pieces in half a dozen places. In the vicinity of what is known as the Catacombs the ruins of Wyschaete, their is a cross with the inscription "To an Heroic German, name unknown". Often the title "brave" is applied by one foe to another; but this