Search The Archive

Search form

Collection Search
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in oa_core_visibility_data() (line 607 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/oa_core/includes/oa_core.access.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in oa_core_visibility_data() (line 607 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/oa_core/includes/oa_core.access.inc).
Date: September 29th 1917
To
Father
From
Norwood
Letter

Saturday, September 29th.

Have been on patrols and testing machines, also doing work in the hangars which helped to make the day very full and busy. Tonight I was flying up and down the front line showing two new pilots the area we cover. They kept darn close in case they lost me! And then they went the wrong way!! I kept them up until it was so dark we could hardly see to land, as a matter of fact I nearly crashed, as it was so dark I couldn't see well how far I was off the ground. I had a scrap with three Huns at 17000 ft. today but they were higher than I and kept climbing so I couldn't get in good shots. I could see their tracers going by me but not close. I ran into three of our own machines and we chased them home P.D.Q. This morning I went to 18000 ft. when my engine boiled and the water ran to the back edge of the plane and froze!! I am writing this in the anteroom of the Mess ‘cause it's quite chilly in the tents. We go into our huts tomorrow T.G. The bombers are around again as it's a bright moonlight night but I am going to sleep in spite of the beggars. We give them two for every one they give us!

Gee, it's comfy in here tonight, a nice fire and lots of light. With each course for dinner, we went out to watch the Hun in the searchlight, getting "Archied". He feels very frisky tonight.

Do you remember that chap Baker who was at the train when I went to Turnberry? He got a Hun two seater yesterday, crashed to earth and was confirmed tonight. We have done very well lately. Baker is all smiles tonight!!