Fullofit, Thank you for the news. Always informative.

Jerbear, looking forward to your pilots adventure.

Raine, Good to see Geoffrey back in action. Be careful my friend.

Carrick, Stay safe. Luthor is doing well.

2nd Lt. Jerod Jackson
Auchel

Dec. 2nd.
Sgt. Matt Gerber transferred in last night. He and Jackson are to escort 3 RE's to bomb a depot NW of Cambrai.
"I sure dislike babysitting these slow crates" Gerber said as he and Jackson walked to their Camel's.
Still in a foul mood over the loss of Barclay, Jackson turned on his heels and addressed the Sgt." Would you rather be in that slow outdated crate Sgt.!"
Sgt. Gerber stopped in his tracks and stood in silence.
Jackson looked at him sternly for a few seconds and said "Stay on my left and watch for my signals. You might live longer."
The flight was uneventful except for a few heavy episodes of Archie and they returned unscathed.

The next few days were uneventful except for a patrol of the lines over Menen. Jackson's flight attacked 2 Rumplers and Chrittenden claimed them both. Once formed back up, Gerber was no where in sight. Finishing the patrol Jackson and Chrittenden landed at dusk. Jackson found Gerber eating a sandwich in a hanger. After asking if his machine had any damage and Gerber confirming that he had not Jackson went off and let Gerber know that under no circumstances was he to not form back up and finish a patrol unless his machine was damaged or he had a bullet in him. Jackson did not like this man.

'Chritt" as Jackson called Chrittenden was promoted to Lt. and both his victories were confirmed. The squadron was in dire need of machines. With only 5 machines fit to fly at any one time it was hard to put up much of a fight but Jackson had managed to be part of every patrol. He was told 13 new machines were on order but Camels were hard to come by right now.

Dec. 4th. 1917
Jackson, Chritt and Gerber were to patrol enemy lines from east of Bapaume to Munchy. They lifted of at 1500 hours. Lots of machines in the air but nothing to chase as they neared the first leg near Bapaume. They turned NNE to continue the patrol. Turning back around at Munchy they had not gone far when Jackson spotted 3 machines ahead and above headed east. One started a dive and Jackson signaled the attack. Jackson and the Hun went head to head firing with Jackson going under the Hun. The other two enemy machines were turning away so he hit hard right rudder and aileron and saw the green winged Phalz turning into Gerber. Jackson was on his tail in an instant and with 2 short bursts his right upper wing folded and broke away sending the Phalz spinning to the ground with Gerber diving after him.

Jackson climbed and went into a slow circle and was soon joined by Chritt. They circled for 5 minuets but never saw Gerber so they continued patrol. Jackson was fuming. He had made up his mind he was filing a report on Gerber for abandoning the patrol. As they turned for the second time at the southern most waypoint Jackson spotted archie a few miles off and 1000' below. It was Gerber climbing back up to join the patrol. Jackson had to laugh at himself at all the things he had planned to do to the man.

As they neared Monchy for the second time Jackson spotted 2 machines to the east above and climbed to intercept. It was 2 Rumplers. Jackson made one pass and turning to engaged again saw Chritt send one down smoking. He went after the second but could not finish the job and disengaged. As he turned bullets slapped his machine. "Where did that come from?" he thought. He turned and weaved but saw nothing. The observer must have got a lucky long distance burst in. He circled a few times and finding no one headed for home.

Back at base he filed his claim on the Phalz. When he handed it in at debrief the CO gave it a glance then handed it back to Jackson. "The report seems to have an error!" the CO said.

"Sir?" Jackson asked/stated puzzled.

"It should say Lt. Not Second Lt." said the CO. "Congratulations!"

Jackson and Chritt celebrated into the night.