Escadrille Américaine, par Luxeuil-les-Bains,
Haute-Saône, September 24, 1916.
Dear little Mamma,—I am so afraid you will worry more than ever when you hear of poor Kiffen Rockwell’s death. I know how anxious you must be with the two of us over here. Keep very busy, ride a lot, go out to dinners and get as many other distractions as possible so that you will not have too much time to think of us. As far as danger to us goes, we are trying to take as few chances as possibly consistent with playing the game.
Everybody tells me that Freddy is showing himself to be an excellent pilot. Unfortunately he has not yet fully decided to come with our Escadrille. He would prefer to go to another which is commanded by St.-Saveur. I dare say he might be happier if he did not come with us, but à point de vue of safety it seems to me he would be better off with us. I could be a lot of assistance to him, telling him all I have learned this spring hunting Germans, and he would have an excellent mechanic in Michel, who by the way, has been Rockwell’s mechanic while waiting for Freddy’s arrival; and further, he could have my machine to ride, which is the dernier cri in appareils de chasse, with two machine guns. He would otherwise get one as safe, but not so good for knocking down Boches. He would have only one gun.
Did I write you that I had knocked down another Boche two days before leaving the Verdun district? I enclose a clipping giving the communiqué officiel, with mention also of my Boche who fell at Dieppe.
Dear Mamma, I must stop writing now. We are going out to try to avenge Rockwell. Don’t worry! I am doing my duty as safely as I know how. With much love to you both,
Most affectionately,
Norman.