Prelude
Mutts Camp 14 June 1918 1400 Hours
Lt. Forbes: Gentlemen, I will get the 2Lt. for you. Cpl. Wringer!!
Cpl. Wringer: Yes Sir.
Lt. Forbes: Get me 2Lt. Finch in here and then have 2Lt. Smythe-Browning and Sgt. Vanderboegh wait in the outer office.
Cpl. Wringer: Yes Sir.
2Lt Finch: You wanted to see me sir?
Lt. Forbes: Yes, Actually these gentlemen wanted to talk to you for a minute.
Capitaine (Cne.) Pierre DuBois: 2Lt.William Finch, I am Cne. Pierre DuBois and this is Lt. Jean-Luc Pittard.
We are here to inform you that on 21 May 1918forces from the German Airforce dropped bombs on Paris. Approximately 100 were killed and even more were injured.
2Lt. William Finch it is our unpleasant duty to inform you that your wife and two children were among the casualties.
2Lt. Finch: A month ago. Marie, little Antoinette, and young Louis. WHY!?!?!
Lt. Forbes: Gentlemen, Thank You. I am going to assume you have orders for the 2Lt. to be able to travel to Paris for some personal time.
Cne. DuBois: Unfortunately Lt. no we do not. But, I would suggest putting in a request for leave and travel documents. It should be processed quickly and accepted.
Lt. Forbes: Thank You Gentlemen, I will walk out with you to give the 2Lt. some private time. 2Lt. Finch I will leave you with your thoughts. I will be back in a little while.
(pointing to 2Lt. Smythe-Browning and Sgt Vanderboegh as he goes outside, he motions for them to follow him out.)
Cpl. wringer don't let anyone in my office until I get back.
(outside)
Gentlemen, 2Lt. Finch was just informed that his family was killed in a German bombing raid of Paris, last month. You are his tent mates, so keep an eye on himm and if he needs to get drunk tonight, help him. But, most of all try to keep him from doing something stupid.
2Lt Smythe-Browning: We'll do our best LT.
18 June 1918 0800 Hours
Sgt. Scott: Lt. someone has been attempting to break into the Ammo Bunker. This morning we found 2Lt. Finch passed out inside the doorway with a big lump on his head.
Lt. Forbes: Where is the 2Lt. now and is anything missing or out of place?
Sgt. Scott: The 2Lt. is with the M.O. and from what we can see, nothing is missing.
Lt. Forbes: Ok, I'll go see the 2Lt.
Make sure there are no bombs or anything that can destroy our ammo supply. Put a guard on it until further notice.
Doc, how is 2LT. Finch?
Dr. Mike Coy: He is asleep and probably will be for a couple of hours. The lump on his head isn't bad, and he is more drunk than injured.
Lt. Forbes: What he needs is some time away from here. But, so far his paperwork has been denied. How soon can he travel? I'm thinking about ordering a car and sending him to Paris for supplies, to get him some leave.
2LT. Finch asleep and dreaming.
2Lt. Finch: Marie, darling, I will join you and the kids shortly. Soon this war will be over and we will be reunited.
21 June 1918 0900 Hours
EXPLOSION and FIRE at North end of field
2LT. Finch: HEHE< that got their attention. Now part two, ammo bunkers for bullets.
Incendiaries, Incendiaries, got them. Now to the plane.
Good a DH4 is all ready running, toss ammo in. Arm and cock guns.
TAKE OFF.
(running up to taxiing SPAD XIII)
Sgt. Scott: Lt. Forbes, approximately 30 minutes ago 2Lt. Finch took off in a DH4 for parts unknown.
Lt. Forbes: Why didn't you stop him?
Sgt. Scott: We were battling a fire at the opposite end of the field.
Lt. Forbes: OK, get these kites refueled and rearmed in 15 minutes. We are going after him. Cpl. Wringer, put out a message saying we are looking for a missing plane, give a description.
Cpl. Wringer: I have sir, and so far nothing from any units on our side of the lines.
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