Memorandum of the bringing-down of his first German machine
Deauville, Sept. 2, 1916.
Dear Mamma,—I am down here with friends, passing part of my permission. It is very pleasant and refreshing, the change. One soon gets enough of Paris in summer and in wartime. Here no one pays the slightest attention to the war. There are few militaires—mostly civiles from Paris and their amies. Good bathing,—golf in the afternoon—many good-lookers, making the plage rather good fun.
Freddy is nearly through at Pau. He is now at the acrobacy school learning to do stunts in the air. It is a part of the training of a chasse pilot. I gave him some pointers before he left and told him to do the least possible with the old machines which are quite out of date and clumsy.
Monday I return to Paris and Tuesday back to the Front, my eight days permission expiring on that day.
I was fortunate enough to run across a German the other day who didn’t see me approaching. If you read the communiqué aérien of the 23d or 24th you will find mention of my Boche,—“un avion désemparé est tombé dans la forêt de Spencourt.” Undoubtedly they will give me this time the Médaille Militaire,—the chicest decoration in France. The chief pleasure of having it will be the satisfaction of having earned it many times and that my receiving it may please the governor and you.
A bientôt, dear Mamma. Thanks for the socks and the handkerchiefs.
Most affectionately,
Norman.