Diary And Letters Of A World War I Fighter Pilot, The by Christopher Burgess

so fast in a turn that you actually get a bump in your own backwash!! A roll is a very fast stunt but no good as a fighting one. I am getting to love Pups now.
    I went to Kirk this morning & had quite a good service. I guess the Huns knew I was on H.D. [Home Defence] last week! Hence no raid!!
    No 40. T.S. R.F.C.
    25th July 1917
    Well I am down to go to Turnbury [ sic ] on Tuesday 28th; I really think I will go this time as I have completed my tests for France. I had a topping Flip yesterday. I flew over the “Shop” at Woolwich & did a few spins, loops, rolls & etc. I then went to Thames Reservoir where they have a floating target & I came down to about 100 ft over the water & fired at it with my machine gun, great fun! Then I flew off again, I was right down low over the water & I felt like a hydroplane! Then I went to Brooklands & fought an R.E.8, I fancy he got me with his back gun (not firing really of course) then I flew back at 85 m.p.h. Suddenly whizz--boom – & a very fast scout (a Sopwith Camel) shot past me & whipped round onto my tail! I was rather bamboozled but eventually I did an Immelman turn & got him off. Then we circled round & I was in the centre & turning v.fast & he was on the outside of the circle & eventually I got on his tail then he buzzed off! I went up again later & did some beautiful stunts over the aerodrome & then – - – crashed landing. What a blow!!
    I flattened out too soon & pancaked & my undercarriage conked with a sickening crunch & the bus stood up gently on its nose! I wasn’t in the least hurt but I was sick at crashing! However I went up again today & did some good landings also rolls & loops to keep my hand in!! I went over to Hounslow & had a terrific scrap with an R.E.8 & then to Brooklands & flew over Surrey House [ sic ] at about 500 ft. My rolls are getting quite famous here & I am getting quite a name as a stunt pilot!! I saw the Sop. “Camel” again at Brooklands today but he just flew level with me & we waved to each other & then he did a ripping roll & hove off.
    War Hospital, South Norwood
    27th July 1917
    Isn’t this the limit? As you will see from above I am at present in hospital as the result of a crash on -- a --- push bike!! Here have I been flying for 4 months & never a scratch & then I go & get flattened out by a rotten push bike! After flying on Wednesday I was biking along the road & a fellow passed me on his motorbike & sidecar & offered me a tow. So I hung on to the sidecar & I think my pedal caught in the wheel & I swerved across the road! At this moment an old man, weighing about 16 stone, was roaring down the hill on another bike & -- we collided! I don’t remember anything after that! The next thing I remember is being in bed with the doctor talking to me. I think I had slight concussion as I landed on my head! So I was carted down here & spent yesterday in bed with a splitting head & am staying in bed today but am much better. I am getting up tomorrow & the doctor says I will get 10 days leave! What ho! He also says I probably won’t fly for a month which is just sickening! Just as I was getting expert on Pups too! Also na poo for Turnbury [ sic ]! I expect I will be home tomorrow or Sunday. The old fellow was also taken to hospital with no skin on his face poor chap. My ear is the only place grazed & I have a bump on my forehead & knee. I am some aviator – I can’t even fly a push-bike! I am very fed up but it will be topping getting leave! This hospital is a pretty one horse show & I am not very comfy. I expect I will be better at home!! I may get a fortnight or three weeks but I don’t know.
    Training
28 July 1917 – 26 October 1917
    Interval of 10 days sick leave at Dover.
    40 T.S. Croydon
    6th August 1917
    Just a note to let you know that I arrived safely yesterday. I went up for an hour & 10 minutes in a Pup today & did some stunts & got on all right & felt fine. Then to my horror I was told