Rick Rawlings
No 24 Squadron
Dec 5, 1916
Bertangles West

Terrible Mission today! We were escorting a pair of Caudrons (strange bird, that one!) on a bombing mission over to Riencourt. After we had crossed the lines, the bombers headed directly for a cloudwall. I thought it foolish to try to follow and track them through there, so I led us up and around to meet them on the other side. At that point, sure enough, a trio of Albatros scouts swooped in and started to attack! We dove in but both bombers were already diving down, one smoking and out of control! As we attacked, I tried to keep an eye on everybody and ended up getting my left wing shredded for my efforts. I barely made it back with full right aileron deflection. Pull it together, Capt. Rawlings!



The older I get, the more I realize I don't need to be Han, Luke or Leia. I'm just happy to be rebel scum...