My engine gave me several anxious moments. For some reason it cut right out over the Scheldt, and I had actually given up all hope when it picked up again. It was pretty risky work flying several miles out to sea, only just in sight of land too, but our surprise (or I should say Courtney's) of the Germans was certainly complete.
Must really stop now.
Ever your loving son,
Harold.
Note.
The following is the Admiralty's official account of the Antwerp raid:—
"The Secretary of the Admiralty yesterday afternoon [24th March] issued the following communication from Wing Commander Longmore:—
I have to report that a successful air attack was carried out this morning by five machines of the Dunkirk Squadron on the German submarines being constructed at Hoboken near Antwerp.
Two of the pilots had to return owing to thick weather, but Squadron Commander Ivor T. Courtney and Flight Lieutenant H. Rosher reached their objective, and after planing down to 1000 feet dropped four bombs each on the submarines. It is believed that considerable damage has been done to both the works and to submarines. The works were observed to be on fire. In all five submarines were observed on the slip.
Flight Lieutenant B. Crossley-Meates was obliged by engine trouble to descend in Holland.