The celebrations began early when they were served Cumberland sausages and mashed potatoes for dinner in the Mess.
"Where have you been hiding these Corporal ?" Lt Stan Still asked the Mess orderly.
"The C.O. got them in special like, in anticipation of the squadrons success, sir" he replied with a smile.
Stan glanced towards the head of the table, the major caught his eye, smiled & raised his glass in salute.
"Snorkers, good oh" said Tim Burr sat beside him and his wing man for that day.
After the usual formalities of a mess dinner they retired to the bar area as usual to again discuss the days events.
"How was it Stan ?" someone asked
"Not too bad, when we got there we could see the wind had turned the beggar round and there was an Eindecker prowling about but we managed to get in behind him - I went straight for the sausage and sent Timothy here to keep the Hun busy..."
"TIM-BURR" chorused the crowd
"Did you get him ?" someone interjected
Tim coloured up and shouted "Oh do shut up you chaps"
"No he didn't get him but not for want of trying !" laughed Stan "He did his best to keep him out of my hair but he was a slippery customer"
"He got away from me once or twice but I gave him a pretty torrid time of it I can tell you " said Tim defensively
"What about the gas bag ?" a voice asked
"Well that proved quite resilient" grumbled Stan "Didn't help that the blasted gun jammed on the first pass ..."
"but I got in some solid hits on the run back"
"Had to dodge that ruddy Hun again when it got away from Tim" he smiled.
"Oh do leave off" replied Tim, "He never touched you !"
"Got some good hits in that pass but it wouldn't catch fire"
"Even I got some rounds into it until my gun jammed" said Tim
"Then that perishing Hun was shooting me up and tattered my tail!"
" I managed a few more hits on the next pass but had to reload on the way"
said Stan
"Once I cleared my jam I gave that Hun what for", said Tim, "then the blasted gun jammed again but I had to reload anyway"
"I then made another pass," said Stan "the Hun tried to get in the way but I went under him and the next thing I knew there was a flame at the top of the bag and it was going up - well, down - you know what I mean !"
"As I turned away I took some rifle fire from below, then that pesky Hun was there again so I gave him the last of the last drum and I was clear - saw the balloon give out and collapse as I left"
"You must have hit the pilot Stan" said Tim "he went straight on losing height for a while after you passed him - I had a go at him but I fluffed it again and he shot me up but then I gave him the slip and when he realised he wouldn't catch me he gave up. Had a lovely view of the sausage after it had gone down !"
Butchers Tally:
Lt Stanley Still / RTB / 1 kill
2Lt Timothy Burr / RTB / 0 kill
Obltn paul Kunz / RTB/ WIA / 0 kill
Rolled 8 -1 WIA +3 RTB = 10 All well when you land well
Balloon
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