The German offensive on the Lys continued today, with a concerted effort to take Hazebrouck. The Germans advanced 1.2–2.5 miles and captured Merville.
Henry Winslow Woollett and his Sopwith Camel
Most of the air attacks during the day were focussed around Merville, Estairs and Neuf Berguin in an attempt to slow the German advance. During the day the RAF flew a record number of hours for the war, took more photographs and dropped more bombs. The weather was fine and all types of activity were carried out. Most of the fighting was at low altitude as both sides attempted to support their ground troops. At the end of the day 49 enemy aircraft were claimed with another 25 driven down. The RAF lost 11 crew killed, 5 taken prisoner and 11 wounded. Another 19 aircraft also suffered serious damage, though their crews returned unharmed. The heavy losses paid off in the end as Hazebrouk was held.
Captain Henry Winslow Woollett MC continued 43 Squadron RAF’s hot streak when he claimed 6 aircraft downed in two separate fights.
Fellow ace Willy Coppens describes the feat:
“Captain H. W. Woollett of No. 43 Squadron…whilst leading a patrol, he saw a German machine, out-manoeuvred it, fired about thirty rounds and saw it spin down and crash. During this fight he had been attacked by several other machines. Without delay he climbed rapidly above his attackers and dived on to a two-seater, firing as he went, causing this machine also to crash. Once again he out-climbed his opponents, looped away from two attacking Fokkers, made a vertical bank, and again dived on the tail of an Albatross. After he had fired about 40 rounds, this machine burst into flames and fell to pieces. He then went home. At 5 p.m. the same evening he attacked thirteen enemy aircraft…. He first fired 30 rounds into one of the enemy aeroplanes, which turned over on its back and fell to pieces. He then climbed again, manoeuvred rapidly among the remaining twelve machines, avoiding the fire of his opponents until he could fire a burst into an Albatross, which spun down and crashed. He then made for home. On crossing the lines he saw another enemy machine above him. Once more the climb of his ‘bus enabled him to get over his enemy, and he crashed his sixth machine for the day.”
Woollett was considered an eccentric, flying in a leopard skin helmet and painting a dragon down the side of his aircraft. He also tried experimental cloud shaped camouflage on his aircraft to help conceal it from AA fire when attacking balloons. He survived the war with 35 victories, a bar to his Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order. He continued to serve in the RAF until 1932.
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