Diary And Letters Of A World War I Fighter Pilot, The

by Christopher Burgess

  Bestest love from the Bunsoy.

  DIARY Monday 10th December

  Dud in morning h.o.p. from 2-3 – dud show. Saw 2 Albatri and then 3 and did not attack them – why? Lord knows! 6 Gothas came out of the sun and we did not recognise them and they hove off. What a chance to miss.

  Dinner with No 70. Vinter ill. Got a bit squiffy! Home at 1.30! Very tired.

  65 Squadron.

  11th December 1917

  Thanks awfully for your letters, thank Joe for her excellently typed epistle. Today the weather is dud – low clouds very cold – no flying at all. Last night I went down to No 70 for dinner & had a topping time, they are an awfully good lot of fellows. I did no more flying after yesterday’s show! Higgins goes on leave today, I guess I ought to get mine in about 6 or 7 weeks if all’s well – What-Ho!. I think I am going over to 25 squad. this evening as the C.O. there is Major Duffus [Major C. Duffus] who was my Flt. Com. at Tad [Tadcaster]. Jack Gilmore [sic] has arrived here; he has been at home for 6 months. He is taking Weedon’s [Captain L.S. Weedon, Royal Fusiliers] plane as O.C. “C” Flight. It is ripping having him here. I guess we will do well with him as he has had such a lot of experience.

  Pooh-Bah has got a new engine in her & is going quite well – not quite so well as it did at the first – but still – a good bus!

  I couldn’t get to church last Sunday as I wasn’t feeling very fit, must go next week if all’s well.

  G.M.K.

  DIARY Tuesday 11th December

  Dud all day and beastly cold. Jack Gilmour arrived – Higgin went on leave. Took tender to St Omer and there got tender to Bois d‘Hain. Dinner with Major Duffus. Tender late at Omer – 12.30!

  Tyre burst on way home – arrived at 3.15! Very cold in bed! Feet frigid.

  65 Squadron

  12th December 1917

  Thanks for your letters ----!!!!---- huge commotion outside! Yells of “Gothas!” I rush outside in time to see 5 “Gothas” in a gap in the clouds. I then spring smartly behind my sandbag wall – a second later a 112 lb bomb falls with a crash about 150 yds away. This is followed by two more, then they heave off. I rush down to the Hangars with some others & leap forth into the atmosphere! I climbed to 9000 ft & saw the Hun heaving off well over his lines so I came down & wrought my vengeance upon the Hun trenches firing 200 rounds into them; I only hope I hit someone! No one was hurt here. I now carry on with the letter having missed the post! Last night I went down by tender to the Base I was originally at, from there took a tender to No 25 Squadron where I had dinner with Major Duffus – who used to be my Flight Commander at Tadcaster, it was topping seeing him & I had a very good time. Then I went back to the Base, the tender was very late & didn’t arrive till 12.30. On the way back from the Base we had a puncture & didn’t get home till 3.15 am!

  This morning – just my luck – I was on the early show & at 8 a.m. we went out on a 2 hours line patrol. The clouds were very low but eventually we climbed above them & saw 6 Hun Scouts well over the Lines. We flipped round & presently saw these Albatrii [at] about 5000 ft. (we were at 8000 ft) playing about happily above a gap in the clouds – waiting to dive on an R.E.8 below! However it was not to be! We manoeuvred & got the sun behind us & then dived straight out of the sun on to the Huns oh the joy of diving on an Albatross! – he generally does all the diving! They didn’t see us till we were right on them. I was behind & didn’t go right down – however Wigg, the leader, shot one down. Then I saw another level with me, I was alone so I dived away wondering if he would follow & meaning to turn on him. But Wigg was above me & he & another attacked him & I climbed up. he went down smoking & the others all dived away hell for leather! Pretty good “A” Flight getting two. This afternoon we were on patrol & got badly “Archied”. One shell burst about 15 yds in front of me. Gee! I was scared, a bit went through the cowling (the covering of the engine).

  We dived on a couple of Hun two-seaters & drove them off – then we came home at about 100 ft – great fun! Wigg is leading in Higgins’ place & is a stout man! Jack Gilmore [sic] got lost today & landed in a field behind the Hun Lines. Some Hun soldiers rushed up! When Jack saw they were Huns he opened out his engine & hove off again & got back all right.

  Bestest love from The Bunsoy

  DIARY Wednesday 12th December

  Up on Res. patrol at 8! Clouds at 3000 – archied over Houthulst. Climbed above the clouds and dived on 6 Albatri from 8000! Damn good! Wigg got 2 Huns; I funked and had wind up S.O.P. at 12. Archied like hell over Comines – nearly hit! Drove off 2 two-seaters near Moorslede. Gotha raid after lunch! Three 1 lb bombs, up after them, saw them. Strafed trenches at Hollebeke Chateau. Dinner with No 1. Rogers got a Gotha.

  65 Squadron.

  13th December 1917

  Thanks for both your letters. Both the Huns Wigg got yesterday have been confirmed by “Archie”. One fell behind our lines in flames. It was saved & taken to No 23. Wigg & I went up to see what was left of the Albatross – there was nothing left except the tailplane & elevator & the radiator marked “Daimler Mercedes” & the joy-stick with gun triggers. The tail was painted yellow. I got a little door off an inspection hole near the tail. Wigg is going to claim the tail skid & joystick. The rest of the bus is buried in the mud. The pilot jumped out before it came down to the ground. The joy stick is rather a comic affair & has two handle grips to hold onto & thumb pieces for firing the guns – like a Camel.

  I went up to the funeral of one of our chaps who crashed & killed himself one day when coming back from patrol, rather depressing ceremony.

  The weather has been dud for patrols all day & I just went up for 20 minutes to fight Matthews but it was very thick.

  I was out to dinner with No 1 last night but got back early. A fellow – Capt. Rodgers – in No 1 got one of those Gothas which bombed us yesterday. He was straggling & one of his engines was dud & Rodgers got on his tail & fired a couple of bursts into him. He glided down with his fuselage smoking for quite a long way & then at 2000 ft he simply blew up & came down in pieces. I guess the fire must have fired his bombs. Jolly good work, isn’t it?

  Well no more news now dears. I am afraid I missed the post today as I was at the funeral this afternoon.

  DIARY Thursday 13th December

  Dud all day and no flying – trés bon. Did nothing – flew and fought Matthews. To Cory’s [sic – Lieutenant F.M. Corry] funeral in afternoon and tea at No 23 – saw the Albatross Wigg shot down – nothing left but the tail plane.

  65 Squadron.

  14th December 1917

  There is no more news – today the weather is beautifully “dud”, low clouds mist & rain! No patrols at all – bon for troops! I am playing rugger this afternoon against No 53 C.C.S. [Casualty Clearing Station]

  I am going to get an ashtray made from a propeller boss & a piece of the Albatross & send it home to you. Did I thank you for the woolly gloves – they are simply ripping & keep my hands topping & warm.

  DIARY Friday 14th December

  Thick and low clouds all day, no patrols at all. Played No 53 C.C.S at Rugger in afternoon. Lost 11-3 – poor team. Were on early patrol tomorrow – hope it is still dud!

  65 Squadron.

  15th December 1917

  Another strenuous day over. In accordance with the usual luck of “A” Flight, we having two shows to do today, the weather is at once beautifully fine! Thus we arose at the grisly hour of 6.30 & did leap into the atmosphere to be offensive! We were on a Southern Patrol & our friend “Archie” was particularly hot – we got shelled the whole length of our beat & back! Also I got up in a hurry & didn’t put on my chin piece – result that my chin is frost bitten! Not badly though & I have greased it. We were on patrol again from 1 till 2 but my engine went dud – to my secret joy! & I returned & took up another bus & tried to find the Formation but couldn’t & so did a Line patrol – no Offensive for me alone! I guess we’ll have a slack day tomorrow. I’m afraid I missed the post again today but I may catch it yet! No mo
re news so I will stop.

  DIARY Saturday 15th December

  No such luck! A cloudless day! Up at 7.15 on S.O.P. strong west wind as per usual. No E.A. seen but archied all the way from Hollebeke to Armentières and back! The villain ‘archibald’ at Comines. Very thick in afternoon S.O.P. [Southern Offensive Patrol] from 2-3. Ignition wire went on my bus and so I turned back. Took up Higgins bus but could not find formation for sure – did a Ypres patrol!

  Bed early. Gee! but I do dislike Cocks. [sic – Captain G.M. Cox?]

  65 Squadron.

  16th December 1917

  Thanks most awfully for the topping parcel of Xmas things. The pipe’s ripping & so are the cigarettes & I am sure the books will be most interesting. The crackers & cakes I am keeping till Xmas, the cake looks “topping”. Thanks also for “Liebestraum” the bother is to get someone to play it now that Dyer [2nd Lieutenant H.A. Dyer] is missing.

  Cousin Aggie sent me a fine parcel too, wasn’t it nice of her? I hope you will get my presents for me as I asked last time – now do get something really decent for yourselves & the girls.

  We have a new scheme now to go out on offensive patrol in 2 lots of 3 & working independently – the idea being to catch the Hun two-seaters by surprise. I was up this morning above the clouds & over the Lines. We had no scraps as the only Huns we saw were right across the Lines. There was a strong South wind blowing & we got blown up North & finished up about 10 miles from the sea! My frost bitten chin is much better & with my chin piece I can fly in perfect comfort. We are getting new flying suits instead of leather coats. Jacket & trousers combined made of waterproof cloth & lined with fur – they are fine & warm & less cumbrous than a coat.

  Well no more news.

  Bestest love from The Bunsoy.

  DIARY Sunday 16th December

  Cloudy, on N.O.P. in two lots of 3 – I with O.B., strong S wind blowing. Went well over the lines at 10000 above the clouds and got blown up as far as Dixmuide. Saw the sea! Came home along the Canal. Saw 7 Huns well East. Did not attack! Went below clouds, saw 5 Huns over Roulers. Shot up Hollebeke Chateau at 1.15 – no sign of Cocks the rotter! Very thick on way back. No more patrols.

  Read and wrote letters in afternoon. Got 3 parcels for Xmas. To Church in evening and stayed to H.C. very nice service. Tender driven into the ditch on way back – Bitterly cold.

  65 Squadron.

  17th December 1917

  There is snow on the ground today – it is jolly cold & I am on a Reserve Patrol for 2 hours in the afternoon! Gee! This does not mean crossing the Lines though but still it will be some chilly! It was dud this morning but it has cleared up in time for “A” Flight’s show – it always does! I have read “The Airman’s Outing” it is a topping yarn & absolutely realistic, you ought to read it. The writer has a profound respect & lasting hatred for the “Villain Archibald” – he says the only [two] “marked cards” you have to contend with in the gentle game of War Flying are the Ace of Clubs – as representing the Hun Aircraft & the Knave Archibald. He used to be an “Observer” in No 70 when they had Sopwith two-seaters & mentions Trollope in the book, referring to him as the “Tripe Hound”. The bombers he refers to are No 27, Jack Gilmour’s old Squadron. My chin is quite all right now. I have just been looking over my “bus” & testing the adjustments of the sights & etc. All my three mascots are going strong & have so far been very efficacious! I went to Kirk last night & had a very nice service & stayed to H.C. [Holy Communion] after, that has always proved a very sure safeguard to me & I am sure it always will.

  Bunsoy.

  DIARY Monday 17th December

  On Res: Patrol from 2 till 3.30. Dud all morning. Beastly and vilely cold! 2 hour show, 6 E.A. seen, we retired! Joined in scrap – Nieuports v Albatross. Kelsey shot him down in flames West of Houltem near Ypres Canal. I didn’t get down.

  To tea with No 1. The Hun fought jolly well and was Lt Voss who had got 17 of our machines. Lecture na poo. Read in evening. Great show tomorrow.

  65 Squadron.

  18th December 1917

  I am afraid I missed the post again today. Some more thrills!

  Yesterday we did a Reserve Patrol; this does not incur crossing the Lines. It was a two hours show & most frantically cold, everything froze – the breath on my face mask & chin piece – & my guns, but they got all right again. Just at the finish we saw some Nieuports scrapping some Albatross Scouts. We dived down but I couldn’t get a shot in. Then I saw the Hun do a roll & then go down in a spin firing his guns all the way – the Nieuport followed him & then I saw the Albatross go down in flames. Then we returned about frozen stiff. The Hun was a jolly good sportsman & fought jolly well, he looked something like this going down:-

  Then today – a translucently clear day – as is usual when “A” Flight has a show and cold as cold! I was on another R. Patrol from 10.30 till 12.30 another 2 hour show! About frozen again! No scrap this time but we saw a few Huns.

  Then the great show this afternoon. At 2.pm every available Camel in the Squadron under the leadership of the C.O. went out on a pukkah offensive patrol over a big town about 4½ miles over the Lines. We chased 3 Albatrii, evidently decoys. Then about 6 came down from above & there began the very deuce of a scrap! The whole sky was a tangled mass of Camels & Albatrii, Tracer bullets & Archie (who was determined not to lose any of the fun!). The first thing I saw was a Camel who afterwards turned out to be a man Sage [2nd Lieutenant D.M. Sage, G.L.] – going down in flames. Enter Albatrii with tumult! I shot furiously at anything with crosses on it. Then I got two on my tail & turning round saw 2 Huns simply streaming with tracer bullets apparently destined for me! So I swerved off! The Camels were now all split up so I went back to the Lines & joined the C.O. Presently Old Bill joined us & we went back. Turning again for the Lines I saw O.B. suddenly do a sharp turn (I was just below him) and then I saw an Albatross dive on his tail. So I shot him off his tail. Then he turned onto my tail but I turned round & faced him & let him have it as hard as I could. His nose tipped down & he went down in a vertical dive. O.B. followed him down & finished him off when he came out of his dive. Meanwhile the C.O. had sailed on obliviously. I followed him & presently another Hun dived on me & let drive but he shortly turned back owing to the presence of other “Camels”. The C.O. didn’t know there was a Hun there. Then we wandered round & dived on 3 more Hun two-seaters who hove off. Then we wandered back. Total casualties Sage in flames & 2 missing [2nd Lieutenant R.H. Cowan, G.L. and 2nd Lieutenant J.D. Cameron, G.L., both prisoners]. Gilmour shot down 2 Huns, the C.O. two Huns (one fell to bits) & Bill & I one. Gee! It was some merry little scrap & I really quite enjoyed it. I got 2 holes in my plane. The Hun was all out for a scrap today & he jolly well got it! Well bestest love from

  The Bunsoy.

  DIARY Tuesday 18th December

  Up on Res: patrol from 10.30 – 12. Very cold. Huns seen well east a few two-seaters over the lines. No scrap – archied near Didmal. 17 machines upon O.P. at 2pm. led by the C.O. Huge scrap with Albatri. Sage shot down in flames, 2 missing from “C” Flight. The C.O. got 2 Huns, Gilmour got 2 Huns, Bill and I got one between us. I shot it off his tail and it went down vertically, Bill followed it down. The C.O. never saw it at all! Dove on four two-seaters but they got away.

  Moore & Kelsey in to dinner bearing trophies of the Hun. Starry night. Standing by tomorrow at 6.30! ****!!

  Albatross Scout D.Va and R.E.8

  65 Squadron

  19th December 1917

  I do have rotten luck, after doing 2 shows yesterday I was down for a standby at 7.a.m. this morning & so got up in case one of their machines went dud & wouldn’t start. They nearly always do start – but of course this morning one didn’t! Freezing hard on the ground but it wasn’t very cold upstairs! Then I was up again after Gothas this morning but saw nothing. I am going up again on an Offensive Patrol this afternoon. I seem to do nothing but fly!

  Jack Gilmour is in our Squadron & is O.C. “C” Flight. Weedon [Ca
ptain L.S. Weedon, Royal Fusiliers; ex-O.C. “C” Flight] has got Jaundice & has gone home. I have been transferred to “C” Flight as they are short of old pilots [GMK is just 18!]. They nearly made me leave Pooh-Bah in “A” & have another “bus” but I simply stuck at that! I am rather fed up at leaving “A” Flight but still Jack Gilmour is a jolly good leader.

  That Hun the Nieuports brought down the day before yesterday which I saw going down in flames turns out to have been a Lt. Voss brother of the famous “Voss” & he had brought down 17 Allied “buses”. Yesterday a R.E.8 brought down an Albatross. The pilot was slightly wounded & he landed in our Lines. They got the Albatross intact & I went to see it today. It’s a lovely machine beautifully streamlined. The fuselage is all covered in 3-ply wood & has a 160 [h.p.] Mercedes engine & 2 Spandau machine guns – but rotten sights. O.B. is out of hospital & quite all right again now.

  Bunsoy.

  DIARY Wednesday 19th December

  On Reserve for “C” Flight at 7.30. An engine wouldn’t start and I had to go up! I was fed up! Vilely cold, no scrap. Up after Gothas in morning. Cloudy, no Gothas seen. O.P. in afternoon. Whole squadron. No Scrap, went into 3’s. Some E.A. seen but not attacked. I in ‘C’ Flight now! ****!