Combat Report No.24(1) Pilots Lt.Forrest (Leader) A9535 (2) Lt.Robertson … A4938 (3) Lt.Johnson … A9279 Lt.McKenzie … A9544 Locality : MARCOING Date : 6th December, 1917 Time : 11.30 to 12 noon. Duty : C.O.P with Bombs --- Narrative --- Left BAISIEUX 10.50, am. I led the formation across the line N. of CAMBRAI-BAPAUME road to drop our bombs (see A.E.I.No.32) (4) We climbed to carry out a C.O.P., and when at 7,000 feet over MARCOING, we engaged 3 Albatross scouts who were flying at the same height and who turned to dive steeply. I followed 1 for 1,000 feet, sitting right on his tail, but after firing 3 rounds, got a No.3 stoppage which I managed to rectify later on. Meanwhile the other 3 pilots dived on the other 2 scouts and drove them well East. After this we shot at long range at sundry other scouts whom we could no (sic) close with. Ten minutes later, we engaged the same 3 scouts, but were unable to approach to close range. 15 minutes later, we climbed to 8,000 feet and engaged a group of 8 scouts. I again had a No.3 stoppage and fell out to adjust it, while the remained (sic) of the patrol engaged the E.A. During the fighting which ensued, an Albatross got onto Lieut. McKenzie's tail, being eventually driven off by Lt. Robertson, but in the meantime, he had shot the former's Aileron control away and Lieut. Mc Kenzie was forced to retire, the general engagement then being broken off. I rejoined my formation about this time and gave the signal to break off. Lt. McKenzie was unable to reach the A.L.G. and had to land at FREM… where he crashed owing to his machine being unmanageable. He himself being unhurt.   (sgd)H.G. FORREST LIEUT. Leader of Patrol. C O M B A T S I N D E C I S I V E