Fullofit - The Americans used the same claim system as the French I think which was tough. No 'forced to land' in their scores. Anything not witnessed personally by someone was a 'probable''. If David Putnam's 'probables' had been counted he'd have had 30 kills or more. Eddie who? George Madon had 64 'probables''. It's swings and roundabouts with the claims, James gets 1 out of 3 confirmed and then 4 out of 4....crazy.

Pyotr had a good day there, his patience was to the fore against that two seater and it paid off. Then a couple of scouts to cap it all off. He's moving up quickly. Let's hope all three get confirmed.

Carrick - Henri had a couple of quiet missions and then went on a mission to see what he could see, and what a sight it was. If anyone cancan Henri cancan.

TWK - We'll keep the homefires burning for you.

Albert: Nicly said as we kick the can down the road

2nd Lieutenant James Hardy
95th Aero
Toul

7 confirmed kills

31st May 1918


Morning sortie

Major Peterson took the briefing and confirmed that 'B' flight would be heading over to Toul. After yesterday the brass wanted more sorties over the town.

The weather was good, sunshine and slight winds. Some large clouds remained though.

'B' flight took off and after forming and climbing they headed off towards Toul.

James kept his eyes open throughout the patrol but nothing was seen. They headed home and landed safely after about 90 minutes in the air.


Afternoon sortie

Major Peterson spoke with the whole squadron in the briefing room ahead of the afternoon sortie.

"Gentlemen, we have a real doozy of a mission this afternoon. HQ want us to go and attack Thionville airfield. We can't carry bombs and even if we could carry le prieur rockets we don't have any. So it's us and our guns." said Peterson.

After the murmuring had died down Peterson continued, "Try and hit the MG nests first, get them running, then hit the hangers and aircraft. Then get the hell out of there".

'A' and 'B' flight took off into the sunshine and after forming up they headed off north. They climbed up to around 14000 feet and had the front in sight when James noticed several specks appear over to the left and above. Just then as he searched he saw several more specks above and to the north.

'Jeez Louise, they've got us cornered' he thought.

The others in 'B' flight had seen the enemy aircraft now but before anyone could act both enemy formations dived down at them.

A large melee ensued and 'A' flight got involved too. That evened things up a bit.

James fired as one Pfalz flew past his nose and definitely scored hits. He saw another Pfalz attacking a comrade and went after him. He fired into the enemy who rolled and dived after being hit several times.

Eventually James latched onto a Pfalz which had come from beneath him. He hit him hard and the Pfalz rolled and ran for home. James went with him and hit him again. Still the Pfalz stayed in the air. James swirled around and came up behind the Pfalz and blasted him from point blank range.

The Pfalz's engine flamed and thick smoke started trailing out. Another burst and the Pfalz nosed down and went into the ground.

James leveled out and tried to find some flight mates.

He saw several Nieuports heading home and was about to join them when he saw a single Nieuport heading towards the target airfield.

He thought for a moment, he was undamaged......he simply couldn't let the single Nieuport attack on its own.

He nosed down and caught up with the Nieuport and found it was Captain Buckley.

They formed up and headed over the lines and to Thionville. The pair lined up and strafed the MG nests and the hangers. James kept an eye on what else was around in case they got jumped but it went pretty well.

Another pass and both Nieuports headed home.

On landing James climbed down and waited for Captain Buckley.

"Thanks James, I didn't fancy attacking that place on my own" said Buckley.

"......and I couldn't let you sir" said James.

James went off to file his report although he would have to wait for confirmation.

End of month stats

2nd Lieutenant James Hardy
95th Aero
Toul

12 sorties
10 hours
7 confirmed kills
1 awaiting confirmation

Albert, unfortunately one confirmed claim is all Pyotr can hope for. Like you say, tough.
Hmm, Captain Buckley’s actions can’t be called brave. It’s more of that second option. Very irresponsible to attack the airfield by his lonesome and dragging Hardy into it with him. Putting James’ life in jeopardy like that, not to mention his own. What if they were jumped by a Dreidecker Jasta? Unbelievable!
Luckily for both men, they’ve survived the attack. It was also lucky they were jumped by the Pfalzes to begin with. Probably the preferred enemy machine to be pitted against. Congrats on taking one of the buggers out.

31 May, 1918 07:50
Hétomesnil, Marne Sector
Esc SPA 67, GC 12
Adjutant Pyotr Fyodor Smirnov MM
SPAD XIII
15 confirmed kills

Only the first of the two Albatroses had been confirmed. The Rumpler from the morning scramble had also been denied. Pyotr was grinding his teeth. He knew le Capitaine wasn’t doing enough to get his claims confirmed, but what could he do? He was tired of kicking animals to let off some steam.
Their morning patrol took the escadrille over friendly factories at Beauvais.
They hoped to catch some Hun bombers before they could drop their deadly cargo. They were in luck and were able to surprise a flight of Hannovers en route to their objective. Pyotr had one targeted but some yahoo flew right in front and spooked him. He reacquired his target and started to chip away at it. The yahoo returned and Smirnov had to give him a friendly tap with his Vickers, so the idiot would understand and move out of the way. Smirnov was then able to continue his assault and the two-seater soon finished his mission with a protracted dive into the ground.

YouTube Link



After returning on the ground most of the machines were in dire need of repairs and there weren’t any in reserve. The operations for the rest of the day had to be cancelled due to lack of airplanes in working condition.

End of month stats:

Adjutant Pyotr Fyodor Smirnov MM
Esc SPA 67, GC 12
Hétomesnil, Marne Sector
SPAD XIII
49 missions
39.45 hrs
15 victories
35 claims

End of month Pilot Report CG12.

Henri N. du Fay
Sgt Spa 94
Spad VII,
Hétomesnil, Marne Sector

26 Missions
13.78 Hrs
3 Victorys
1 Uncomfirmed.

.

My apologies for being absent as of late but RL has kept me more than busy. I'll continue to be away from my flying computer until sometime this coming weekend in all likelihood, but hopefully can get caught up then on all that's been going on here. Carry on the good fight everyone!

.

End of Month:
Lieutenant Dean Andrews Cunningham
Squadron 64 RAF
SE5A Viper
Flanders, Izel-Les-Hameaux

77 missions
59.65 hours
30 claims
16 victories


Tross - Truly, though I guess that goes for all two seaters being a massive pain to deal with, given how rarely the gunners seem to catch a bullet themselves. As much of a nasty crash it was though, he still survived and and even got confirmations for it. Will take a while to get back into a normal state though.
James is having himself some tough but rewarding times! Saving Strutters, getting some Alb kills, including turning one of them into a living firework. Then another big fight taking a Pfalz for himself and helping out his Captain. Certainly some good choices on his part that will get him places. Congrats on the 7 kills and hopefully the Pfalz is confirmed!

Fullofit - That's the tricky part about dealing with two seaters I guess! Unless you've got a backseat shooter of your own, don't really have much of a way of getting them without putting yourself at risk! Pyotr it seems also managed to experience their bothersome nature, though with a far better result given the lack of injuries to himself!
Afterwards, rescuing a SPAD and getting some more Albs, but alas out of all those only one confirmation. I guess you really are right about Pyotr doing all the work for no recognition. Now if only HQ actually worked just as hard as he did, eh? Adding to that, the bothersome allies getting in front of the guns and ruining the attack are certainly not helping either! Next up, he'll say that he's done all the work and got the kill instead of Pyotr.
Well, if the Skullman shows up again I'm sure Pyotr will be able to make short work of the man, given the previous successes. As for the airfield attack, that was probably the only choice. Hard to tell what HQ is expecting sending underpowered unprotected flights to go and harass airfields behind the lines. Better safe than sorry..

Kebab - Sounds about right in regards to the rationale of that final burst. Thankfully it actually worked as it should've, instead of going the way most last ditch attacks tend to.

Fullofit - It ended up being very risky, agreed. James formed up with the nearest Nieuport and expected more to follow, but no-one else did. Then when Captain Buckley kept going towards the airfield, James went with him, he couldn't just fly away.

Pyotr took care of that two seater very nicely, well, once he'd gotten rid of the other SPAD poking his nose in way too much, how very dare he. 15 confirmed now and hopefully another to be added. He's doing very well indeed.

NR - Hopefully Cunningham gets the proper treatment and is back sooner rather than later.

Lou - RL does get in the way so don't worry about it. But we are awaiting Freddy's latest shenanigans eagerly.

Lou, take your time, but know this: we miss Freddy’s toothy grin, take your time, but hurry up.

NR, taking out two-seaters takes more luck than skill. Dodging those bullets has little to do with skill. Especially when their accuracy increases with distance.
The lack of confirmations is debilitating, but looking at Dean’s stats at the end of the month, Pyotr’s are only slightly lower, so perhaps both pilots should be rather disgruntled.
As to the yahoo getting in front of Smirnov’s guns, the risk is all his to take.
When there are enemy planes over the aerodrome one is supposed to attack, the airplanes take precedence, always. Whacks the point of shooting the hangars if you’ll be the next one to be shot down? There really was no other choice and for a reason, as you will see from today’s afternoon outing.
So, how’s Cunningham getting along with the nurses?

Albert, so James was there along for the ride then? Still better than attacking a full Jasta, looking back and realizing no one followed you, right?
15 out of 35, that’s a lower ratio than usual and Pyotr has moving pictures to prove every single one of his claims. It’s just not fair!

1 June, 1918 08:00 morning mission
Hétomesnil, Marne Sector
Esc SPA 67, GC 12
Adjutant Pyotr Fyodor Smirnov MM
SPAD XIII
15 confirmed kills
Awaiting one claim confirmation

Escadrille SPA 67 was sent this morning to patrol friendly front line sector south of Roye. Once over the area they’d engaged a flight of Albatroses and Pyotr was lucky enough to pick one up with a white tail. It was a gruelling dogfight with the enemy handling his machine beautifully. At one point he disappeared from Pyotr’s view and Smirnov was sure he had lost him. He circled the area for a while and was about to give up, when the enemy re-engaged. Unfortunately for him, he was now lower than the SPAD and paid for it dearly.

YouTube Link



While rejoining the rest of the flight after his prolonged duel, Pyotr noticed movement to his starboard. He didn’t actually see the planes, but their shadows dancing on the ground below. It took another second to trace them back to the planes above. Once he had them spotted, he swooped down on an Albatros and brought it crashing down soon after. It was back to base after that.

YouTube Link



1 June, 1918 13:00 afternoon mission
Hétomesnil, Marne Sector
Esc SPA 67, GC 12
Adjutant Pyotr Fyodor Smirnov MM
SPAD XIII
15 confirmed kills
Awaiting three claim confirmations

For their afternoon jaunt the HQ sent SPA 67 to patrol over enemy airfield at Ercheu to see if they could still some trouble. And some trouble they did stir. They found some two-seaters making their descent towards the field and all the SPADs went after them. All except Pyotr, who decided to stay above and see if there were any escorts that needed to be taken care off. Besides there already were more SPADs below than the Huns going for the kill. He didn’t find any escorts but a single Dreidecker to play with above the airfield. Smirnov was confident he could take on a single Dreidecker especially if he had height advantage. The Triplane accepted the challenge, but struggled to climb to Pyotr’s altitude. That was what the SPAD pilot wanted. He swooped down on the Fokker and battled it until they found themselves over the enemy aerodrome and the Dreidecker was trailing a faint tail of vapour from the damage inflicted by Pyotr’s Vickers. Then everything went tits up. A D.VII showed up out of nowhere, then another. Pyotr switched his targets, leaving the triplane to his own devices and firing at one Fokker, then another. He was getting hit. There was a third enemy machine just arriving. Smirnov looked back and now observed four of the enemy planes on his tail. In addition his petrol tank had been punctured and he was dragging a ribbon of his fuel behind. The sky suddenly became too crowded and the SPAD and his pilot were now hurtling towards the ground and gaining speed. Pyotr didn’t know if a Fokker D.VII could catch a SPAD in a dive. He looked behind and didn’t see anyone pursuing him. He breathed easier, then checked his direction, he was going south, but he wasn’t going to get far. He started to gain altitude to have as much height to glide as possible. Not that the French machine was renowned for long glides, but it would have to do. His engine stopped, and after a short glide, he landed in No Man’s Land. He didn’t know if he made it far enough. He quickly disembarked and began his journey south through caked mud, rotting corpses and rats. Why did it have to be rats?

YouTube Link

2nd Lieutenant James Hardy
95th Aero
Toul

7 confirmed kills (1 awaiting confirmation)

1st June 1918

Morning sortie

James learned from Major Peterson that his claim from yesterday was rejected. No-one saw it. James was amazed by this, but accepted it.

Major Peterson took the briefing and explained that the squadron would be returning to Thionville airfield. HQ wanted it beaten up and had ordered a rerun.

The weather was lovely, bright blue skies and little wind. The squadron took off and after forming and climbing they headed off towards the lines.

After yesterday's pincer attack, James was nervous as the front came into view. The outward leg went without incident however which was a relief to all.

'B' flight nosed down as the airfield came into view. James picked a target and bore down on the tent hangers.

He put a long burst into the hangers and an Albatros parked outside. He kept low as he came around for another run. He raked the hangers again and could see smoke and debris flying around.

Another pass hit one of the trucks parked up which began spewing black smoke. A final pass along the line of hangers and James made his way home with the others.

The return leg was just as quiet as the first one and they returned safely.

On landing it was found no casualties were taken and only minor damage reported on a couple of Nieuports.


Afternoon sortie

Major Peterson reported that HQ were happy with the damage done to Thionville so no third run was needed. Instead he announced James, Captain Ed Curtis and Peterson would be attacking an enemy balloon east of St Mihiel.

It was to be a hit and run affair and Peterson stressed to avoid enemy aircraft as much as possible.

The three Nieuports took off in glorious sunshine. James could feel the warmth on his face as he climbed.

The trio headed out towards the lines once they'd reached about 12000 feet.

The journey to the balloon was uneventful and James could see the gasbag clearly and descended down towards it.

He lined up and blasted the balloon as the other two did the same. The balloon exploded in a large fireball and James came through it.

The trio quickly formed up and raced for home.

As they arrived back at Toul they could see more Nieuports in their landing cycles. James saw the 'hat in the ring' emblem on the sides and recognised them as the 94th Aero.

They all landed safely and as James parked up he was next to one of the 94th aircraft. He jumped down as the pilot next to him did the same.

"Hi there, glad to see you guys are here as well. I'm Eddie, Eddie Rickenbacker" said the pilot as the two walked in together

"I'm James, James Hardy".

"Ah, yes you're making a name for yourself around here." said Rickenbacker.

"You too Eddie" said James.

"If you're in the bar later I'll introduce you to some of the 94th boys" said Rickenbacker.

"Sure thing Eddie" replied James.

The pair went in to the office.

Albert, a lovely, leisurely stroll over to enemy’s airfield, leave your calling card and back to base with no enemy interference. That’s the kind of mission that every pilot likes. Then a similarly easy hit and run on the gasbag and still no enemy opposition. Life couldn’t be better.
And an unexpected surprise at the very end. Are 94 and 95 now stationed at the same airfield? Perhaps Eddie will be sport enough and take James to town one day on leave?

Fullofit - Yes, both the 94th and 95th are now based at Toul although that's the first time we've met up on the airfield. Hopefully James and Eddie's friendship can blossom.

Pyotr made the most of finding himself above that Albatros and then to bag another as well. Then to the afternoon, what looked like a winnable duel turned into an ever increasing nightmare as more and more enemy aircraft turned up. But did Pyotr make it over the lines?

End of Month stats:

Captain Oliver Alden Winningstad, VC, DSO & Bar, MC, Ld'H
On Leave between postings

338 Missions
433.92 hours
134 victories
192 claims

End of month stats:

Captain George Ewan MacAlister, DSO, DSC

127 Missions
95.26 hours
50 victories
95 claims

2nd Lieutenant James Hardy
95th Aero
Toul

7 confirmed kills

2nd June 1918

Morning sortie

Major Peterson took the briefing this morning and confirmed that both flights would be heading over towards the lines north of Toul.

The weather was perfect, very little cloud or wind as James et al took off and formed up near the Moselle river. They climbed up to around 13500 feet and then headed off north.

All went without incident for the first 15 minutes then James checked above and saw a number of specks ahead and coming towards them.

He saw the sun glistening off white paint..... Pfalzs. The rest of 'B' flight had seen them now and all of them nosed up a bit and awaited the imminent attack.

The Pfalz scouts seemed to dilly-dally for no reason but eventually they began their dive. By this time though 'A' flight had closed in as well. This gave the 95th a 2 to 1 advantage as the Pfalzs closed in.

James avoided the attacks and selected a target. He came around and was getting behind a Pfalz when two more 28's came across firing at the Pfalz.

Frustrated, James climbed up and picked another target. One of the Pfalz scouts was directly below and James dived onto him and hit him hard.

The Pfalz dived but James went with him although backing off the throttle.

James hit him again and the Pfalz rolled right but James again went with him and poured a long burst into him. The Pfalz had smoke pouring from his engine and then flames shot out. The stricken aircraft plummeted down into the ground.

James took stock and saw only Nieuports and they formed up. They finished their patrol without further incident.

On landing James went to file his report and submit his claim.


Afternoon sortie

Captain Edward Curtis spoke with James and Captain Sumner Sewall. He explained that HQ wanted another balloon taken down urgently over the lines to the north.

He said the three of them would hit the balloon and get back as quickly as possible and avoid air combat unless directly attacked.

James wasn't impressed, he didn't see why only three Nieuports were going. It was just asking for trouble. He could understand it more if they hugged the ground upto the lines and then came up enough to avoid the ground fire. Hit the balloon and then the same coming back. But they were climbing up to 13000 feet, and obviously much more likely to meet someone on the way.

He grinned and bore it as the three of them formed up in the perfect weather again. They climbed up and started north.

They'd gotten about halfway when James's worst fears were realised. He spotted an arrow shaped formation heading their way from across the lines.

He signalled the other two and watched as the six Albatros scouts began their dives.

James readied himself, he would have to be very good.....and very fast.

He rolled and climbed up as the Albatros reached them. He flipped over and fired into one of the Albatros scouts, just then another Albatros was trying to get onto James tail. James rolled and pulled the tightest turn possible, an Albatros flew past his nose and James fired instinctively and definitely scored hits.

He carried on his turn and was gaining on the Albatros now. The Hun realised he was losing the turning match and pulled across James. James raked the Albatros and the engine spluttered and sparked. James lost sight of the Albatros as it was heading straight down.

James saw another Albatros ahead and a little above. He bore down on the enemy and poured both barrels into him.

Another burst and the Albatros nosed down and spun into the ground below.

James now saw only one Albatros left and this was racing home.

The other two Nieuports were now making their way home. James decided to try it his way. He shot to the floor and then zipped along to the lines and then climbed up quickly to about 4000 feet.

The enemy balloon was now in sight and James nosed down on it and opened fire. A long burst had the balloon smoking and then it burst into flames.

James stayed low and raced back across the lines.

He reached Toul safely as the other two Nieuports were parking up.

He landed and headed to the office to submit his report and submit two claims for the two Albatros scouts.

Major Peterson called James to the office a bit later.

"At ease Lieutenant" said Peterson

"I'm happy to confirm that two of your three claims today have been rubber stamped. Your first Albatros claim couldn't be confirmed as no-one saw it go in" he continued.

"Your performance on that balloon run this afternoon was apparently remarkable, that's how Captain Sewall puts it in his report anyway" said the Major.

"We were in trouble sir, I had to get hits quickly before the six Albatros scouts could make their numbers count" said James.

"Well you certainly did that apparently. Once again Lieutenant you're proving yourself one of our best pilots. That's nine confirmed kills now, not to mention the lives of the several other pilots you've saved already" said Peterson.

"Thank you sir, it was dicey today but we came out on top" said James.

"Well...... YOU came out on top James" said the Major with a smile.

"Come on, let's go get some refreshment..... bourbon's your drink isn't it?" said Peterson

"Yes sir, I'm partial to a drop" said James

They left the office and headed to the mess.

Albert, the afternoon mission was a nightmare indeed. He thought he could take on those two D.VII after nearly having that Dreidecker. With 4 vs. 1 even he knew he couldn’t win. Pyotr landed in the very middle of the Front and it took him some time to get across the mud, the corpses and the rats. His (mis)adventures will continue tomorrow.
Now as to James and his exploits, he did a number on those Pfalzes, but that was their own doing, waiting this long to attack and allow the A flight to get in on the action.
What I want to know is when Hardy is going to tell his C.O. to stop sending those three-ship formations to go after the balloons. This madness has to stop. And I want to know if this is a bug or a “feature”. Crazy!
Congrats on the latest confirmed victories and surviving the two to one odds.

End of May stats
Feldwebel Ludwig Kemp
30 missions
20 hours
9 victories
15 claims

Henri N. du Fay
Spa 94,Sgt
Plessis-Belleville
Aerodrome

3 Victorys
2 Unconfirmed

Jun 1, 1918.

A Boche 2 seat in Zee Bag. Up with 5 other a/c and ran into 4 Two Seat machines doing a 180 after attacking Zee lines. Went all Zee way upstairs to get zem. Broke up the flight I saw 3 flamers going down Ours ? Theirs ? My target ran early but I caught Him. His Rear gun just fired one string during my passes then I closed and sawed off his wind with my Vickers Mg,

War Journal of Captain George Ewan MacAlister, DSO, DSC
74 Squadron, RAF
Larnach Hospital for Wounded Officers
Hove (Brighton), Sussex

Part 46


The Royal Pavilion

Bitterly frustrating – that is the only way I could describe my brief reunion with Bronwyn. As lovely as her parents were, they monopolised my conversation and prevented Bronwyn and me from having any personal time to catch up. Her father turned the conversation to politics, as Bronwyn had told him that I was a Liberal supporter and fancied a career as a politician after the war. He assumed that I was up-to-date with the news and went on at length about the travails of the party. It seems that Mr Caterham-Hobbs sided with a faction that supported Asquith, the nominal head of the party, but opposed Lloyd George and his coalition government. He proclaimed them the small but independent wing of the party. I fell back on my Scottish heritage and suggested that they were “wee but free.” He was highly entertained by the expression and dubbed his group the Wee Free Party. When I left them to return to the hospital, Mr Caterham-Hobbs was already planning to fill my next leave with political meetings. Bronwyn had just a moment to whisper to me that she would have a word with her mother about returning to Brighton.

I received no further word from her despite sending a couple of letters. My leg was healing wonderfully now and I was permitted to take the odd hour’s walk from the hospital along the seaside. It seemed that Brighton had become one large convalescent home. The area around the pier was crowded with turbaned Indian soldiers and their attendant orderlies and nurses. They were, most appropriately, housed in the wonderfully oriental Royal Pavilion. When my legs gave out, there was an excellent tearoom near the pier where I would enjoy a cuppa with a buttered scone.

On Sunday, 2 June, I had just settled down in the reading room to beat Sarsen at gin rummy when I heard the rattle and ring of the doorbell. Mrs Nevill answered and my heart lept at the sound of Bronwyn’s voice. “Captain MacAlister,” called Mrs Nevill, “you have visitors.” I rushed to the front hall and found Bronwyn arm in arm with a young lieutenant who had one eye swathed in bandages.

Bronwyn beamed. “George, this is my brother Thomas.” And as Mrs Nevill left room to fetch us some tea, Bronwyn added, “Thomas has promised to be a good boy and lose himself for a couple of hours so that we can finally take a walk together.” Before we could leave, however, we had to finish an interminable cup of tea and exchange pleasantries with Mrs Nevill. Then the three of us excused ourselves and headed outside. There was a gentle drizzle, and I brought an umbrella from the stand in the front hall.

As soon as we were out of sight of the Larnach Hospital, Timothy said his salaams and parted ways. There was a cricket pitch nearby and he had decided to watch the Sunday club game if the rain stopped. We made plans to meet in two hours at Palmer Square. As Bronwyn and I strolled down the Kingsway the world became very small, just her and I under the umbrella with the faint rustle of raindrops on the silk. A light puff of wind blew a strand of her hair against my face and I caught a whiff of sandalwood. We scarcely talked at first. She said, “This is nice,” and I agreed. Slowly and nervously, I began to tell her how she had filled my thoughts when I was in France and how I prayed earnestly that I could return to her. She asked about the squadron and some of the chaps I had mentioned in my letters. It became clear that her imagination had provided a more accurate picture of my deadly occupation than I had ever shared in my letters. She told me of her teaching experiences in Walmer and complained about the committee of parents that made the rules for teachers. There had apparently been difficulties after Bronwyn and I were seen together there. There had even been a motion to dismiss her, but apparently a group of mothers had prevailed upon their husbands to relent. Bronwyn confided that her mother, who was still staying in Brighton, was aware that we were going walking without Thomas this afternoon and gave Bronwyn her blessing on the understanding that her father was not to know!

We began to conspire. Perhaps Bronwyn could obtain a few days’ leave to visit her parents, and then she and her mother could go to London the next time I was on leave. I would take her dancing, I told her. And I would take Bronwyn and her mother to dinner at the Criterion or the Troc. Shopping on Piccadilly, perhaps. The fantasy went on. How could she come to Scotland and meet my parents? That one had us baffled. I did not confess to her that I had yet to work up the courage to tell my strict parents how keen I was on this girl I had met in England.

My leg ached, yet I longed to continue along the seaside. The rain had stopped and the sun was out now. Thomas could enjoy his cricket game. We stopped at a small restaurant for soup and a glass of wine. Bronwyn shared stories of her happy childhood in Leatherhead. Time flashed by. At last it came to the hour when we had to return to meet Thomas. I knew that the time was almost here for me to leave the hospital and return to France. I would have been due for home leave in a few weeks’ time, but was unsure how my leave schedule would be affected by the month I had been away from the squadron. I was not even sure that I was going to be able to get back to 74 Squadron. Having been away so long, it would be normal to return to the pilots’ pool for reassignment.

Thomas was waiting for us when we arrived at the park at Palmer Square. Bronwyn had to catch a train in an hour to take her home. There was no time for a real goodbye. We gave each other embarrassed pecks on the cheek while Thomas looked on. And then it was over. They walked in one direction and I walked past several streets in the other, quietly letting myself into the hospital so that Mrs Nevill would think I had been escorted the whole way. I returned to the news that the medical officer had cleared me to return to France on Tuesday. I could expect my travel warrants the following day.