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Victory 49 - Hamilton's version

The Red Baron, a history in pictures, Norman Franks, 2016, Pen & Sword Books p. 46??

29 April 1917
Near Lecluse
Lecluse

“According to the survivor of this encounter, Lieutenant W. N. Hamilton, the British patrol was not an ordinary one, but one especially ordered to deal with the Baron and his pilots…..

…His commanding officer was Major H. D. Harvey-Kelly DSO….

…Harvey-Kelly came to me and said that Wing was (in) ‘hot-action’ about Richthofen’s Circus having been seen over Douai and wanted three Spads to go up an deal with them…

…Soon after Applin joined us we sighted the Circus about 1000 feet below us, eighteen fighter planes and flying more or less in line ahead stylish echelon. …

…Applin was following us when I saw him stall on his turn and go down in a spin and then burst into flames. I looked up and saw that Richthofen, who had been cruising about 2000 feet above his circus (his usual position) had evidently shot Applin down, as he had swooped away immediately after I left him alone and carried out my orginal plans of attacking the centre machine…”

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