No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B.E.F.
26th August, 1915.
Dearest Mum,
I am being kept very busy out here. Last night there was a comic raid on the Forest of Houthulst. It is six or seven miles behind the lines near Dixmude, and the Huns use it as a rest camp—beaucoup de stores and ammunition there too. The French idea was to set it on fire with incendiary bombs. Over forty machines took part, including self—perfect weather conditions—no clouds but very hazy, so when one got high up one was almost invisible. I got just over 11,000 feet, but even then had one or two shots near me. Below me the air was simply a mass of bursting shrapnel. French artillery also opened fire on the place. There must have been beaucoup de noise in the forest. Most amusing—a really soft job as some one remarked.
Love to all.
Your loving son,
Harold.
Note.
The French official account of the raid described in the foregoing letter was as follows:—