During the last week of July 1917, as part of the preparations for the coming offensive at Ypres, it had been decided that something must be done to clear the air of the aggressive German Jagdstaffeln operating in the area. A plan was formulated to use the FE2ds of 20 Squadron as 'bait' to lure the German
fighters into a position where they could be attacked by a large force of British and French fighters. The FE2d was a large, two-seat pusher aeroplane, mainly used in a reconnaissance and bombing role, and although it was sometimes seen as 'easy meat' for the German fighter pilots, in the hands of an aggressive pilot and skilled observer, it could be a formidable opponent.
20 Squadron's FE2ds were to fly to the general area of Menin, a town some twenty miles over the German lines, and to circle in the vicinity until sufficient numbers of German fighters had been attracted to make it worthwhile to decoy them to the location of Polygon Wood, nearly ten miles to the north west of Menin. It was planned that here a large number of Allied fighters would be concentrated to attack and destroy them. On the initial day planned for the operation, the weather was bad and it was not until the evening of 27 July, that conditions were favourable: hot, but with no ground mist, giving perfect visibility.
At 6.15 pm the FE2ds of 20 Squadron prepared to leave their aerodrome at St- Marie-Cappel. 2nd Lieutenant G T W Burkett and his gunner-observer, Lieutenant T Stuart Lewis, flying FE2d A6512, were to fly at the rear of the formation and the FEs left the ground on time, with the exception of one machine forced to land with engine trouble. The engine of A6512 was not running well and Burkett and Lewis had difficulty in keeping formation and gaining the designated height of 12,000 feet. 'However, although somewhat lower than we should have been, owing to the refusal of the machine to climb well, we kept up with them and crossed the Lines above Ploegsteert Wood at about 6.30 pm, and were over and beyond Menin in less than fifteen minutes. As usual we were attended on our way by salvoes from Archie gunners. Having reached our objective we had not long to wait before umpteen Boche scouts of
the “Albatros Tribe” appeared, apparently eager for the fray, as they were superior in numbers by three to one. One party of about a dozen worked round to cut us from the Lines, while another crowd of ten or twelve proceeded to attack us in the rear. As our task was to decoy them over our scouts, we did not adopt our usual tactics - of following our leader around in a continuous circle, one FE slightly above the one in front, and so protecting each other's tail, while at the same time engaging the enemy within range outside the circle - but tried to lead them on to their destruction by fighting in the formation we started in. It is always the straggler of a formation which is attacked first and very often “buys it”. Our machine, owing to the lack of power from the overworked engine, had all along been struggling in the rear of the others and about 500 feet below them - much too low for safety and support - and so we attracted the attention of several EA.'
The other FEs were closely engaged with the German scouts, and having the task of leading them towards the decoy point were unable to come to the assistance of Burkett and Lewis. Lewis was 'kept busy', turning from one to the other of his Lewis guns, one firing forwards and the other back over the top plane of the FE. This last necessitated Lewis standing in an extremely precarious position, leaning back against the front gun, the edge of the nacelle coming only up to the rear of his knees.
'Burkett and I and our sturdy old bus thus came in for a peppering from several of the enemy, one of whom fell to pieces after a burst from my gun. Very soon after my pilot found that of his three controls (rudder, elevator and ailerons) only the rudder would work properly and he was, from this cause, unable to continue his stunting efforts to dodge the bullets. Happily the engine had so far continued to keep us going and was doing its best to support us on an even keel, but judging from our erratic movements, it was obvious to us and also to the enemy that we were hardly under control.'
The other FEs were now rapidly disappearing towards Polygon Wood and their rendezvous with the Allied fighters. The German scouts attacking Burkett and Lewis, perhaps from their erratic manoeuvres, apparently decided that they were well out of the fight and left them to join their Jasta comrades in pursuit of the other FEs. Burkett then decided that their only hope of safety was to make for the British lines while they still had sufficient height to reach them, the FE having lost several thousand feet while fighting the German scouts. But he had no sooner turned the nose of the FE towards the nearest part of the British lines, some twenty miles away, when Lewis saw that another group of German Albatros scouts, some five or six in number, were diving after the stricken FE.
'In a moment we were the recipients of their “friendly” attentions. I got busy at once with my trusty weapons, and was fortunate enough to put a good burst into one on our tail and he went down apparently out of control. Previous to this my pilot had got a bullet in his shoulder, but was able, as he gamely did, to stick to his rudder work steering as zigzag a course as possible. I was unaware at the time that he was wounded. We were now about half way to the Lines which from our height of about 5,000 feet we could plainly see. Oh! how eagerly, now and again, did we glance at them - that battle-scarred and shell-pocked belt of Flanders - and how it did seem then that we should never get past and beyond them to comparative safety. It was my turn next, for shortly after, while standing up to my rear gun and pumping lead at our escort which was pestering us with a smoking hail of missiles, I felt a burning sensation from a blow to my left leg at the knee which caused me to sink down into the nacelle with the leg doubled under me. At this moment there were no Germans within aim of my front gun, so I bethought myself for my flask, which I always carried in my pocket charged with brandy, and took a good gulp of it, and this kept me from becoming dizzy, and probably also kept me conscious. No doubt Fritz spotted my collapse and so became more attentive, and my concern was that I must, in consequence, keep my gun busy also. To do this I had to first get into a comfortable position in order to work the only gun I could use then, the forward one. After some considerable difficulty, I managed to pull my leg out and sit down, or rather lie back and take notice.
'Soon I began to feel a warm damp feeling down my leg and round my foot, but I could do nothing to stop the cause of it, owing to the impossibility of removing my big leather flying boots which reached up to the thigh. Even if I could have done anything it was more important at the time that I should keep the Boche off, so I put another drum of cartridges on my gun and waited for the chance of a shot. I was still unable to protect our tail with the rear gun and so shake off the fellow who was following us in a good position to down us, and so my pilot managed to swing the bus round to let me get my gun on him and others who were near. While doing this another Boche came for us more or less in front, and I got a good burst on him. Although he was firing also my bullets got him first and down he went out of action.
'We were now nearing our Lines and the remainder of our escort left us, so we were safe at least from them, but as our height was now only some 2,000 feet we were a tempting target for the “Archies”, whose fond attentions became very embarrassing. We made little or no attempt to dodge these flashy gentlemen, my pilot hardly having the strength to do so, but our erratic movements no doubt
threw the enemy off their aim. Our flight home resembled that of a falling leaf, and twice while scrapping we had nearly turned over, and I was only saved from falling out by having a firm grip of the gun. However, we escaped from further damage to ourselves and engine. Being now safely within our Lines the question arose as to where we were to land. Our own aerodrome was 18 miles away, so it was obviously unwise to attempt to get home. Our gallant old engine, hit, like ourselves, but not in a vital part, was fortunately for us giving enough power to keep us aloft, but we were gradually losing height, owing to the damaged elevator and feeble engine, so it was only just possible to select our landing place. Not knowing Burkett's intentions on this I wrote on a scrap of paper the word “Bailleul” and he agreed with a shake of his head and steered for the aerodrome near that town, which was almost in sight. We reached the aerodrome in a long glide, which Burkett regulated by engine power with such excellent judgement that he made an almost perfect landing. I was, however, caused some wind up, for on nearing the ground, we had to pass over some telegraph wires, which for all I knew he might not have seen, and which we only cleared with a few feet to spare. As soon as the bus touched the ground we, by vigorous waving of hands, attracted the notice of mechanics, who guessing our needs ran up with a stretcher and with great care hoisted me out of the nacelle.'
Luckily for Burkett and Lewis, Casualty Clearing Station No. 53 was on the edge of the aerodrome and it was only a matter of minutes before they had received first aid and were in a hospital bed awaiting their turn in the operating theatre. When Lewis's injuries were more thoroughly investigated it was found that he had been wounded in the leg by a phosphorus bullet. 'The time, little more than 7.00 pm. What a crowded hour of merry life.'
Both Lewis and Burkett were awarded the Military Cross for their action on 27 July 1917, although Lewis later remarked that having got back alive was
surely reward enough.
The fighting on the evening of 27 July was only a qualified success for the RFC. In addition to the FE2ds of 20 Squadron, the fighters of 9th Wing RFC (56, 70, 19 and 66 Squadrons), the Sopwith Triplanes from Naval 10 and a number of French fighters, fought some twenty Albatros scouts over Polygon Wood in a combat that lasted nearly an hour. Seventeen victories were
claimed: two destroyed and two out of control to 56 Squadron; one destroyed to 66 Squadron; two driven down by 70 Squadron; 19 Squadron claimed one out of control and the triplanes of Naval 10 a further two victories. In addition the FE crews of 20 Squadron claimed six enemy aeroplanes - two in flames, one seen to break up in mid air and three seen to crash. 20 Squadron suffered
two casualties: Burkett and Lewis, and another FE, damaged by AA fire,
landed damaged but with pilot and observer unhurt. A pilot from Naval 10 was killed in the action, and a pilot of 56 Squadron was shot down and taken
prisoner.
Lewis spent ten days at No. 53 Casualty Clearing Station, Bailleul, before being moved to No. 8 General Hospital at Rouen on 7 August. He remained there until 24 October, 'when I left for Blighty with literally “one foot in the grave” However, all's well that ends well.' But that 'crowded hour of merry life' cost Lewis his left leg, which had been amputated above the knee.