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On the 3rd March, a Heinkel 111 was attacked by two of our Hurricanes near Forbach and forced down between the lines. Two of the crew were seen to leave the aircraft and to set it on fire before making off towards the German lines.

French Air Force.

36. On the 2nd March a photographic reconnaissance was successfully com- pleted in the Kehl district. A reconnaissance over the River Blies was abandoned in face of an attack by thirteen enemy fighters. On the same day 130 patrols were sent up and three enemy aircraft were brought down.

On the night of the 3rd and 4th a reconnaissance was carried out over the enemy back areas in the region of Euskirchen and towards Adenau; intense rail- way activity was observed but little road traffic. As a result of a balloon reconnaissance considerable traffic was, however, seen between Zweibrücken and Pirmasens.

Changes of Command.

37. Général d'Armée Aérienne Vuillemin, the Commandant en chef des Forces Aériennes, is to assume direct control over the "independent "operations of the 1st Air Army, in place of Général Mouchard, who has been appointed. Inspecteur Général des Ecoles area Effectifs.

The Supreme Air Council now consists of Généraux d'Armée Aérienne Vuillemin, Mouchard, Aube, Houdemon and Pennes, and Généraux de Corps Aérien d'Harcourt and Tetu.

German Air Force Activity.

Bombers.

38. There has been an increase in the number of attacks on shipping during the past week. On the 1st March there were eight attacks, resulting in the sinking of one ship. Twenty attacks were carried out on the 2nd March. With the exception of one, against a Dutch steamer in the Channel, and the bombing and setting on fire of the S.S. Domala off Selsey Bill by a Heinkel 111, these all took place in the North Sea; two of the ships were sunk. On both these days the attacks commenced before dawn and finished shortly after sunrise.

Eight ships, including two light vessels, are reported to have been attacked on the 6th March, but the results are not yet known. These attacks were made by about 10 aircraft from K.G. 26, which were operating along the East Coast, from Yarmouth up to Aberdeen, from dusk until about an hour after sunset, when they started to return to their base.

39. Several recent reports from fishing trawlers show that different tactics have been employed by enemy aircraft in their attacks. The aircraft was flown very low round the ship about 100 yards away, and each time it passed along the side of the ship machine-gun fire was opened by the rear gunner.

Reconnaissance.

40. Reconnaissance activity over the North Sea during the past week has been normal, but on the Western Front there has been a marked increase over February, when only 4 out of 19 tracks reported were finally accepted as enemy.

During the morning of the 3rd March reconnaissance aircraft, strongly escorted by fighters, were very active over and behind our positions from the Moselle to the Vosges and in the afternoon were operating from Mézières as far as the Channel. During the day three Do. 17's were brought down.

On the same day a He. 111 was shot down near Saarbrücken. During the night 4th-5th March, reconnaissance aircraft were active over the Western Front and as far as Dijon.

The activity on the 5th was very much reduced, probably due to the bad weather, and was confined to a flight over the Front by some Hs. 126.

Fighters.

41. Enemy fighter aircraft have also been more active during the past week. On the 2nd and 3rd enemy reconnaissance aircraft were strongly escorted by

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