October 18, 1917

Pa,

I've just returned from 5 days of leave and boy, did I need it. The rest of the boys went to Paris for a week of carousing, I just don't see the profit in that, so instead I stayed behind and worked with Henri on his farm. The fall in France is like the fall in Orange and there is one thing that's on everybody's mind, and that's hog butchering time. It might be the hardest work of the year, but it sure is rewarding because everybody comes together, lends a helping hand, and gets to eat some delicious pig. They do it a little different over here, but all in all, it's still the same. Pa, I think every child all over the world loves cracklins, and Paulina and Maria are no different. You should have seen them sitting there waiting expectantly while the lard was being rendered, reminded me of when I was a boy. Anyway, Claude seems to be out of his funk and is starting to help around the farm. I think he is going to be ok.

I started back flying yesterday and it seemed like I hadn't even been gone. In the morning sortie, we were ordered to escort some French machines deep into Hunland, but we were attacked before we had hardly crossed the lines. The Frenchies turned for home and we slashed into the Huns. It weren't long until I was on the tail of a very colorful aeroplane and I gave him a couple of good bursts. Pa, I must've hit something vital because before I knew it, his wings just collapsed. It was awful, I can only imagine what that poor feller felt as he plummeted to earth.



In the afternoon sortie, Capt. Thenualt ordered me, Guy, and Charles to destroy a balloon that was causing a lot of trouble for the Frenchies. We left after 4 while the sun was setting because we hoped that the sun would be in the eyes of the Huns. We got to the balloon without any trouble and I quickly dove and set that sausage on fire. We ran for home and got back right in time for dinner.



Boy what a day, I'll write again soon. Tell everybody I love them and pray for them often.

Your loving son,

Abner