I jumped straight up in my seat; I laughed, I shouted, I wept——
Two avions flew very low. The daring Captain de Beauchamp soared over the du Hély ravine; it looked as if we would skid along the ground——
We circled over the battlefield like a great bird that has discovered its prey and is ready to sweep on it!
The poilus themselves, whom we regarded as the messengers of victory, swarmed around the superstructure of the Fort and signaled us! They waved their handkerchiefs and flapped their great-coats like birds' wings in order that we might recognize them.
I frequently turned to Major Armengaud, shouting:
"Douaumont, Douaumont is ours!"
Suddenly our motor became silent—Armengaud tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and he cried:
"We must land!"