[Sailor Steve]

February 20, 1918

Air War:

German high-command lays out rules for employing ground-attack aircraft in the upcoming Spring Offensive. Planes will be assigned specifically for the purpose of supporting advancing German troops and attacking enemy supply vehicles.

0735 Two French SPAD pilots destroy a German observation balloon:
Maurice Boyau, victory number 13.
Jean Sardier, victory number 4.

1000 Canadian RFC ace Harold Hudson, in Sopwith Camel B5356 over the Italian Front, is credited with two Albatros D.Vs for victories 9 and 10.

1120 Two French SPAD XIII pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Jean Bozon-Verduraz, victory number 3.
Guy de La Rochefordière, victory number 2.

1640 French ace Georges Raymond, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 6.

German pilot Ltn Niebecker (no first name given), flying with Jasta 43, shoots down Nieuport Nieuport 24bis 3305 for victory number 3. Cpl Jean Six is taken prisoner.

French ace Armand Pinsard, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 17.

German pilot Ltn Wittenhagen, with Jasta 31 over Italy, shoots down Sopwith Camel B5193 for his first and only victory. Lt D.C. Wright is wounded and taken prisoner. Wright will die from his wounds two days later. Wittenhagen will survive the war. Further information unknown.

German ace Wolfgang Güttler (8 victories) and pilot Paul Hiob (2 victories) are both killed when their planes collide during combat over Reneuil Ferme.