Hah, and here comes Dean's first decoration, even if it was gained in a less than fortunate way!
RAF - Well of course, bigger priorities than awarding a stripe to one downed airman when there's a dozen more being blown out the sky! But at least it finally got there and he finally got out the hospital
Fullofit - Indeed! Granted, no one does want to be shot down, but being shot down once is probably encouragement enough to try harder to avoid it! The new CO sounds like a reasonable man! Hopefully he does a good enough job of leading the Jasta
Epower - Suppose bitterness does that, leading to such eagerness! Hopefully it won't lead to any fatal mistake for Dean. More bombings, hm? Those Hun engineers must be at their wits end these days. Congrats on the 130th Hun, that's a whole lot
Tross - Indeed, back and finally ready for action. Your prediction seems quite right, unfortunately! Sheesh, close calls indeed, those Brits are really not joking about. Good on Jacob for getting out in one piece.
MFair - Most unfortunate! At least it wasn't fatal! Here's hoping for a prompt recovery
2/LT Dean Andrews Cunningham №64 Squadron RAF Izles-Les-Hameux, Flanders April 18th, 1918.
In the early morning of the 18th I've finally arrived back at the squadron via tender, this time thankfully not filled with potatoes, to a most mixed reception. On one hand, the folks were at the very least glad to see me back, and besides that I had the debatable pleasure of being decorated with a stripe for that trip to the hospital. My machine, too, patched up and waiting for me and I was promptly shown to it by my mechanic. It was rather nice, almost as a symbolic reminder that much like myself, my ride managed to avoid getting sent off to hell by that blasted Boche. On the other hand though, the atmosphere has been a bit tense and one didn't have to try to feel it. As I've been informed during my absence several other airmen from the squadron have been lost in action, killed by the huns. While they weren't anyone I was particularly close to, knowing that several men you've been serving with have been killed in your absence is not a pleasant feeling. It wasn't of course for nothing, as several of our airmen have managed to down a few huns in return. In short, things have been increasingly hectic and the tension has been getting to people. On the topic of downing, I managed to find Randolph, who was still very much alive and congratulated him on a good job with that balloon, which I still believe should've been rightfully mine. By the time all of the pleasentries were done, I was informed that B flight was to set out on patrol later on in the day, though hopes of that have quickly been dashed by an onset of clouds and rain that only intensified the longer we wait. Unfortunately my hopes of a prompt payback to the Hun have now been postponed, as all flights for the day had to be scrubbed because of the weather.
"Those who survive a long time on the battlefield start to think they're invincible. I bet you do, too, Buddy."
