Early on the 22nd I was informed, to my disbelief, that I was to be transferred to No. 48 Squadron, and that this would be my last day with the chaps from No. 3. We flew two patrols that day, and on the second the Boelcke Staffel appeared to throw me a farewell party. We had a terrific fight in which I forced one fellow down inside his own lines (unfortunately nobody witnessed this feat). Sadly, Maxted was killed in the affair. That night we all got terribly drunk, and I said my fond farewells to the chaps. I shall sorely miss them.
The infantry truck appeared to pick me up the next morning, and I practically had to be carried from my bed by two Corporals, as I was very ill from the previous night's decadence! After a long drive we arrived at Assevillers, where I was introduced to my new Squadron. They were all top fellows, and one chap by the name of Beauchamp-Proctor had scored 45 victories! After meeting my colleagues, I was shown to my new machine. By god, it was an S.E.5! I was not scheduled for any flights that day, but I took my new crate up all the same to put her through her paces. She is simply wonderful - light handling, far less temperamental than the Camel, great climb and blistering speed. And the visibility is second to none!
The following morning I was sent up with 'B' flight (like No. 3, this was my assigned flight) on a balloon-busting sortie. The weather was still glum, but I flew the entire time with a grin slapped across my face, thoroughly enchanted with my powerful new machine. I'd all but forgotten about my 'Lucky Red Camel' which I'd donated to Franklyn as a parting gift!
Cpt. Peter Southey, 'B' flight's leader, got the sausage. Afterwards, to my great surprise, the Major permitted Tobias to take me on a hunting trip over the lines! We didn't dream of such things in No. 3 - much less with only two machines! We soon found trouble, attacking a flight of four Fokkers. Of these four, we managed to shoot one down in flames and shoot-up two more. I didn't have a single bullet left when I landed. Tobias was awarded the victory - his eighth! The next morning he was awarded a D.F.C. Although I am terribly fond of the chaps at No. 3, I must admit, this new gang felt a lot more like killers, rather than survivors. Perhaps I had misjudged S.E.5 pilots!
We were back at it again on the 24th - In the morning we escorted a D.H.4 from No. 205 all the way to Amenieres. We saw quite the sizeable amount of Hun activity on the way, but the Bosche kept their distance. Later, on a lone excursion I downed one of those twin-tail two seaters over its own airfield. Naturally, the victory couldn't be confirmed.
7 Claims thrown out in the last week. Frustrating, but at least I'm developing a knack for air fighting!
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