A Canadian friend sent me this
If you fly WWIIO this may strike a cord. In WWIIO you need to have a certain rank to fly the better aircraft.
I have now reached the rank of officer in the FAF!
As a lowly private in true French fashion on the
week-end I courageously flew my Blen on a defence
mission to an empty field beside a grove of
trees...after a lunch of fine wine and cheese I took a
relaxing nap in the shade of one of the trees. When I
awoke I was hungry again so I finished off the wine
and cheese but I over ate, and was uncomfortably full.
So I decided to take a walk around the tree
grove...but it was more like a forest! By the time I
got back to the Blen it was nearly dark and I was
hungry and thirsty. Having no more to feed and drink
with darkness approaching I decided to head for home.
I tried to start the engines...but they were cold from
sitting idle all day. I had to manually crank the
engines to prime them...nearly exhausted from the
walk, heat of the day and now this! The engines
finally fired and as I rolled down the field to take
off I barely had enough strength left in me to pull
back on the controls..narrowly clearing the trees at
the far end of the field. Not out of danger yet as
the controls were so heavy I pulled back the stick and
pushed the throttles through the gate...the engines
were howling I had to lose some weight! The bombs,
Yes I will drop zee bombs...but I am over France...who
cares! As I dropped the bombs I prayed I had gained
enough altitude...I had, the bombs exploded well
behind me landing on a pig pen! Haha I
laughed...Roast pork for everyone, they died for
France. I was now nearing the airfield...it was a ten
minute flight. I was exhilarated, I had the strength
to land. Ease off the throttles, flaps, gear all
check, landing into the wind...This is a lot for a
frenchman to remember. A perfect landing! Talk about
courage under fire. As I neared the hanger and shut
the engines off I saw my flight Commander
approaching...as I exited the plane he offered me a
warm greeting, and asked where I had been all day. As
I related my traumatic story to him he slapped me on
the back and said he was putting me up for promotion!
He said I was a credit to the ideals of the FAF!
And now I am an Officer, I hope I can live up to the
example that I have set. I can now fly the glorious
H-81.
Watch out Gerry!
