15 Maerz, 1916
Liebe Maria,
Today I write to you from the luxury of a hospital bed. Do not be too concerned! I have earned my first battle scars and will wear them proudly - but the doctors say I shall recover to full health quickly.
It happened yesterday on my flight with Obltn. Schneider. We were assigned to take down a balloon just over enemy lines. We left early in the morning, hoping to catch the ground crews still just waking. It wasn't long before we spotted the balloon, just where HQ believed it to be. There it was just sitting there, a big fat target. We closed quickly and started tearing into it.
There was also another enemy aircraft protecting the balloon. He made a head on pass at me, but I was focused only on my target: the balloon.
Schneider was able to judge his approach perfectly and got a second burst in. I turned out to give myself some room away from the balloon, but Schneider is fearless. Maria one day I hope to have the courage he has! He turned his plane over quickly to get another burst in.
You could hear the gas beginning to leak out of the balloon, and then suddenly a little flicker right where Schneider was shooting. Flames began shooting out from the holes Schneider just put into it. Maria it was like roasting a sausage!
I followed my Obltn.'s lead and half looped my plane back into firing position. I could feel the heat from the flames coming off of it, and it was getting hazy from all the gas escaping. I fired my machine gun and watched as it caught fire again, on a different spot! I pulled over and noticed the enemy plane had circled back around. He fired at me again - but this time something was different. I tried to get some speed but noticed the engine was slow to respond - the mechanics have now informed me that the enemy pilot shot right through the engine terribly damaging it. They tell me they'll have to order a complete new one.
My plane slowly arcing around, and I began to feel very vulnerable. But I was determined to down the balloon. Schneider had the enemy aircraft on the run now, and was keeping him off of me.
I made one more sweeping turn and came in for one pass. I lined up the shot, and even with the engine sputtering it didn't rattle the guns. The target was easy enough now. I let in one more burst and the whole thing exploded before my eyes. It was the biggest explosion I have ever seen! I could feel the heat so strongly.
Now let me tell you Maria, it was in the next moments that I began to worry. I turned my plane to get away from the explosion - I didn't want to catch fire, when I felt the plane start to turn downwards - as if I were to crash! I pulled as hard as could, but my left arm felt numb. I pulled with my right and the plane leveled out, but my left arm... I couldn't move it! Then the pain set in. It was dull at first then searing. The enemy pilot had shot me! Maria, I have two bullet holes now! Can you believe it??? Do not worry! I am fine. But let me tell you I was frightened in my plane. I clutched on tightly. But it wasn't over. I felt another shockwave and noticed the cannons had begun firing at me. They were off but it certainly scared me. Now that the balloon was out of the sky I felt like the target.
I made another slow turn to avoid the enemy pilot, when another machine gun on the ground found me. Maria for once I felt like every gun on the british side was on me. It was like I had killed the King himself in that balloon. I decided to get home as quickly as I could. But Schneider was fearless. He closed quickly on that Enemy plane.
At one point I could swear that he actually rammed the plane. He claims that he narrowly missed the plane. That would have been a spectacular collision. Schneider pulled in behind the enemy and downed him with one more burst. Soon the cannons were on Schneider too, and he flew right through the explosion unharmed. The ground machine gun fired at him also but he flew straight through it.
So now I am here - relaxing and having time to write you. The doctors say I will be here only a few more days.
Best wishes my love!
Thomas Neuer
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