This entry continues the comparison between a descriptive narrative of events as with the earlier narrative and matching diary entry for 5 March 1918. The details must be sacrificed in order to fit the day's news into the small space in the diary; the all-too terse entry does little to convey the nature of the day's events. --------------------------------------------------------------
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION - March 13th 1918
Sadly we have heard that Captain Phelps Collins of the 103rd Squadron was killed in action today near Rheims, although we have no details. I met the man when we were attending training in Issoudun and he was a fine American. I am certain his loss will be strongly felt among his fellows.
We have also learned that the 27th Squadron has proceeded from Winnall Downs Rest Camp to Romsey Rest Camp, and will be coming to France very soon.
Our Second Flight made a patrol in force along the far eastern end of our assigned sector without seeing a Boche machine close enough to intercept. We all returned safely to the aerodrome with only vapors of petrol left in our tanks. Captain Hunter is determined to make an impression on the Hun and chafes greatly at not having any dust-ups with their fliers.
I then joined Captain Hunter on a voluntary patrol shortly past midday. On the off chance that we might find a particularly flammable object for our attentions, we loaded our ammunition boxes with incendiary bullets. We raced toward Pont-a-Mousson, climbing to 15,000 feet, flew on past the village and into German territory for some five miles, and then turned west. There were no Boche machines in sight, however, a slow-moving train caught our eye about a mile further back of the German lines.
I followed Captain Hunter in a smooth virage that brought us to a position directly behind the train, and we were delighted to see that it was a freight loaded with vehicles on flat cars, as well as what appeared to be very large fuel canisters or barrels. There was a curve in the tracks ahead, and we took the opportunity to pique down upon the train as it began to slow in preparation to take the curve. Our flaming bullets rent the air with streams of fire and quickly brought about a series of delightful explosions as the fuel containers burst in brilliant yellow and orange detonations, and then began streaming massive clouds of thick black smoke. We continued forward over the train, spraying our bullets along the long line of rail cars as we went, obtaining many additional small detonations from the vehicles mounted on the flat cars.
Apparently the engineer was also hit or killed by the flaming projectiles we sent into his office as the train lurched forward and picked up speed. Perhaps he pressed the throttle lever the wrong way, or fell dead against it. We shall never know. The train increased its speed toward the curve and when just a bit past the halfway point it slowly pitched over on its side and crashed from the tracks, pulling several of the cars over with it. The remaining rail cars were jerked to a halt, flaming and smoking.
Hunter flashed me an all-American thumbs up gesture and I gave him an answering wave, then we turned south and headed for home. When we arrived over the field there was a small crowd gathered outside the command building, and they came to greet us as we rolled up to the mechanics’ hangar. Word had already come back from the front lines through the telephone connection regarding our strike against the train; our efforts had also been seen by French observation balloons and a celebratory crowd of our fellows was waiting to congratulate us. I don’t know what Boche outfit was supposed to receive those vehicles and fuel canisters, but they shall have to make do with what they already have on hand for the present as their expected shipment has been indefinitely delayed.
DIARY ENTRY - March 13, 1918 (Wednesday)
Captain Phelps Collins 103rd Sqdn killed over Rheims. Informed 27th Sqdn has moved from Winnall Downs Rest Camp to Romsey Rest Camp. Coming to France soon. 2nd Flight morning patrol over eastern sector. No luck. Flew a voluntary patrol with Capt. Hunter later in day. Strafed a German supply train which then crashed. Uneventful return.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION - March 13th 1918
Sadly we have heard that Captain Phelps Collins of the 103rd Squadron was killed in action today near Rheims, although we have no details. I met the man when we were attending training in Issoudun and he was a fine American. I am certain his loss will be strongly felt among his fellows.
We have also learned that the 27th Squadron has proceeded from Winnall Downs Rest Camp to Romsey Rest Camp, and will be coming to France very soon.
Our Second Flight made a patrol in force along the far eastern end of our assigned sector without seeing a Boche machine close enough to intercept. We all returned safely to the aerodrome with only vapors of petrol left in our tanks. Captain Hunter is determined to make an impression on the Hun and chafes greatly at not having any dust-ups with their fliers.
I then joined Captain Hunter on a voluntary patrol shortly past midday. On the off chance that we might find a particularly flammable object for our attentions, we loaded our ammunition boxes with incendiary bullets. We raced toward Pont-a-Mousson, climbing to 15,000 feet, flew on past the village and into German territory for some five miles, and then turned west. There were no Boche machines in sight, however, a slow-moving train caught our eye about a mile further back of the German lines.
I followed Captain Hunter in a smooth virage that brought us to a position directly behind the train, and we were delighted to see that it was a freight loaded with vehicles on flat cars, as well as what appeared to be very large fuel canisters or barrels. There was a curve in the tracks ahead, and we took the opportunity to pique down upon the train as it began to slow in preparation to take the curve. Our flaming bullets rent the air with streams of fire and quickly brought about a series of delightful explosions as the fuel containers burst in brilliant yellow and orange detonations, and then began streaming massive clouds of thick black smoke. We continued forward over the train, spraying our bullets along the long line of rail cars as we went, obtaining many additional small detonations from the vehicles mounted on the flat cars.
Apparently the engineer was also hit or killed by the flaming projectiles we sent into his office as the train lurched forward and picked up speed. Perhaps he pressed the throttle lever the wrong way, or fell dead against it. We shall never know. The train increased its speed toward the curve and when just a bit past the halfway point it slowly pitched over on its side and crashed from the tracks, pulling several of the cars over with it. The remaining rail cars were jerked to a halt, flaming and smoking.
Hunter flashed me an all-American thumbs up gesture and I gave him an answering wave, then we turned south and headed for home. When we arrived over the field there was a small crowd gathered outside the command building, and they came to greet us as we rolled up to the mechanics’ hangar. Word had already come back from the front lines through the telephone connection regarding our strike against the train; our efforts had also been seen by French observation balloons and a celebratory crowd of our fellows was waiting to congratulate us. I don’t know what Boche outfit was supposed to receive those vehicles and fuel canisters, but they shall have to make do with what they already have on hand for the present as their expected shipment has been indefinitely delayed.
DIARY ENTRY - March 13, 1918 (Wednesday)
Captain Phelps Collins 103rd Sqdn killed over Rheims. Informed 27th Sqdn has moved from Winnall Downs Rest Camp to Romsey Rest Camp. Coming to France soon. 2nd Flight morning patrol over eastern sector. No luck. Flew a voluntary patrol with Capt. Hunter later in day. Strafed a German supply train which then crashed. Uneventful return.
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