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Date: September 21st 1917
To
Father
From
Norwood
Letter

Friday, September 21st. The work has been extra heavy and hard, to say nothing of the strain, and I guess you can tell by the papers what we have been doing! Nearly all the work has been done at a few hundred feet, shooting troops on roads, also transports, troop billets, houses known to be officers' quarters, etc. Yesterday I dived three times on to a chateau firing at men on the grounds, and into the windows. The crowd soon scattered and I was finally out of ammunition and coming home for more went out again and shot up some troops on a railroad track. We were heavily fired at from the ground but I was not hit. We kept this sort of thing up all day, and I'm sure our Infantry were greatly indebted for the aid we gave them. I am Acting Flight Commander just now, the F.C. being on leave, and that keeps me extra busy. My fighting partner was badly wounded yesterday so I am next senior to the F.C. in my flight. Bit I don't expect a third pip yet! I am on duty, have been up since five o'clock and am "standing by" in case any Huns come shooting their noses over our lines. I saw quite a few prisoners yesterday who passed here. They were a poor looking outfit, thin and pale and generally weary and worn out. Some were mere kids. Felt rather sorry for their sad, frightened faces showed they were too young to have been put through such a test. Must run now and have breakfast, as two have gone up for Huns, and I have to be on the job right after, but may not have to fly. This will be an easy day for me, so don't worry.