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Al, your sunrise time looks pretty accurate. An online almanac gives sunrise in Brussels in June to be 5:35AM, and in Paris as 5:51 AM. So, as Cambrai is between the two 5:41 would be in the ballpark. Basically he landed just after sunrise.
Bishop also reported very low cloud, mist and rain when he took off and crossed the lines, which didn't help his navigation. He stated that he circled and found an aerodrome that was vacant, in frustration he wandered about until coming upon another. It is no wonder that he didn't recognise it, I doubt that any of us (who are pilots) would do better considering the poor quality compasses of the day and the conditions (darkness to half-light at best; low cloud, ground mist and rain).
In his biography (Horses Don't Fly)  Frederick Libby thought that Bishop was full of it (he didn't give a name, but it was apparent who he was writing about). In particular, he mentioned that if Bishop had been at the aerodrome that they thought (Estourmel) then he was certainly lying for Libby had photographed it many times and there wasn't a tree in the area. Can anybody check this with WWI air photos of Cambrai and it's brace of aerodromes?
Miles
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Hi Miles!!
I'd think, given the weather and other conditions, it would not be surprising if Bishop got lost. I know people like to THINK that "veterans" don't get lost. But the OFTEN do.
Aircraft ID is another sore spot for me. So many "experts" think that Identifying enemy aircraft is simple. Sure it is, when you're sitting on your couch, looking at a book of WWI machines. Most people don't realize that today's common knowledge about WWI was top-secret info then.
If any of the "experts" don't believe me, go find a FOR-REAL combat pilot and ask him. They'll tell you.
Regarding Libby, as I understand it, he wildly exaggerated the number of claims that Bishop put in for in his combat report. But as I also understand it, in his book, the myth that he shot down 20+, some as observer and some as a pilot, is continued in his book. When in reality, he had 10 confirmed as an observer and 4 confirmed as a pilot.
I remember when someone, probably from the company that published the book came here, and tried to convince us that he had 20+ victories.
Too bad Ben Greenhous won't frequent this place. I'd have a field day!
VBR,
Al Lowe