Basement campaign month 10 March 1916
March 12,1916
Hello Mum,
I hope you and dad are good. The weather here in France is getting a bit warmer. I got my first victory yesterday. It is exilharating now even as I re-tell the tale again. The more experienced pilots had left earlier on a morning partol. The major had told me and Connor to stay behind to save on our precious fuel since four planes was more than enough. We were sitting in the mess having tea and biscuits when the telly rang. One of our forward posts had spotted a two seater with an excort headed towards us. We were half hour from the front so we quickly threw on our flight suits and told the crew to get our planes fired up. The new French Neiports looked so much more like fighters than our old Moraines.
"We both git on with the two seater if possible" yelled Connor from his cockpit.
I signaled a affirmative and we both throttled up. We climbed to 8000 feet knowing that the new Boche Roland two seaters prefered to fly high. On our way up we turned in a sweeping arc on opposite sides of the circle while climbing to keep our eyes to the northeast as much as possible. No sooner did we reach our altitude than we spotted the two seater inbound. We paired up and turned towards them. The escort was lagging behind and we were sure they both saw us. I would be a fool if I had said I did not tremble with fear at this point. The distance closed before we knew it, we both lined up the Roland and fired tearing pieces off of it. No sooner did we pass by him than the rear gunner started firing at me. I twisted and turned trying to be a difficult target to hit. Our practice flights were one thing but knowing it was real and the other chap is trying to kill you is an odd feeling that I find it hard to put words to. It was at this time I see why the escort was behind. If I turned in to fire on the Roland he would be spot on my tail. Instead I turned away and entered into a mixup with the Eindecker. My new plane was a much better one than the escort and I soon put rounds into him from behind. This whole time I was keeping an eye on the two seater and Connor. He was right on the tail and was having a battle of wills versus the rear gunner. Then I saw a bright red mist and he must have killed the observer for the rear gun stopped. The Eindecker got away from me just as the two seater was turning. He was by now aware he had no camera man and therefore no reason to continue and was headed home. The eindecker was far away as well so I headed for the two seater. No sooner did I turn than I saw Conner furiusly beating on his gun from behind the two seater. He had jammed. Fearing the faster hun craft would escape I flew directly at it. The pilot fired at me and I fired back. I saw the bullets pepper the cockpit and more red fly. I had hit the pilot as well. A good thing too as I pulled up as hard as I could and the injured pilot must have slumped forward on the stick and we passed within feet of each other as I flew over him. By now the Escort had turned tail to run and we flew home to celebrate. Please do not worry about me mother. We have it quite well here. Lots of food, warm beds and great accomodations. I treally is nice being in the air corps. I feel bad for the chaps on the line everytime I see the front. The carnage there is horrible and I fear for cousin Charles and the Williams boy Thomas as I know they are both near here at the front. The german fighters are outmatched and we have finally taken the advantage. With luck the war will be over and I will be home for dad's birthday. Give Megs a hug for me and take care.
Your loving son
Alec Sanders
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