Raine, another fine report and high time too. Just kidding, I know you are busy with work these days. Swany is grateful for Jim's praise to the CO, but it doesn't look like he will be letting any of his Morane pilots go anywhere any time soon. Ah well, such is war.
Fullofit, glad to see Gaston is enjoying the fine weather as well. It's so much nicer to fly when the sun is shining.
Loftyc, great to see another American has joined the fight. I wish Bud a long and glorious career.
Scout, I hope the weather will break for Aleck and his crew soon so that they can enjoy some clear flying days.
2nd Lt. Swanson was hopeful this morning's outing would be a repeat of yesterday's, with sunny skies and no Hun in the air. Only the first point was to be the case. Swany and the Captain and two other crews of B Flight were sent down to St. Vaast to drop a few eggs on enemy positions dug in there. They arrived in good time and got the job done with some measure of success and had turned back towards camp. Then the Eindeckers arrived, yet again. At first Swany thought it was only a brace that had dropped between his craft and the other two in his flight, (he had been lagging behind slightly due to the Le Rhône running a bit rough in the higher altitude). The young pilot did his best to close the gap so that Captain Craig could get a shot into the Hun attackers before they reached the other two Moranes. That plan changed immediately when a third Eindecker dropped down on Swany's bus. He was getting used to this routine, and began his usual bobbing and weaving and wing-overs and such. Four times he shook off the Hun, and four times the fellow got back on his tail, firing over and over at the British machine. Amazingly his shots were not finding the mark, but neither were the Captain's. The fight went on for a good ten minutes when Swany lost sight of their assailant. Brief moments later the threat appeared directly on their tail and 2nd Lt. Swanson thought this might be it. The Captain began hammering away at the front of the Eindecker, which did not return fire, despite its point-blank range. The Hun's gun had jammed! A moment later and he was spinning down out of control, thanks to Craig's deft handiwork with the Lewis. Swany turned immediately for home and made best speed back to Auchel, with nothing more than a few vents in the elevator as proof of the battle they'd just endured. Another engagement that had favored the Brits, another AAR to fill out, another claim to submit. How long was this going to continue? No one else in camp was seeing this kind of action. Swany was now firmly convinced the German Air Service had it out for him personally. On a more humorous note, the Lieutenant had a good laugh when he saw the new white goat fur coat that Collins was sporting. It made him look like a polar bear and it was all Jim could do to fit into the cockpit of his bus when he was wearing it over the rest of his flying gear. Still, it must be nice and toasty warm, Swany thought to himself. If it proved to be something one could actually fly in and still be able to handled the controls he just might have to get one for himself, and be a polar bear as well.
Another beautiful day for a sortie.
The Hun decide to drop in and spoil the fun.
A terrifying sight, but the Eindecker's gun has jammed. The fates still prefer Swanson and Craig it seems.