Three
victories in one day constituted a novel exploit. Navarre had achieved a
double victory on February 26, 1916, at Verdun, and Guynemer had the
same success on the Somme; in this campaign Nungesser had burned a
drachen and two airplanes in one morning; but three airplanes destroyed
in one day had never been seen before.
On that same evening Guynemer wrote to his family, and I transcribe the
letter just as it is, with neither heading nor final formula. The King
of Spain, in _Ruy Blas_, talks of the weather before he tells of the six
wolves he has killed; but the new Cid fought in all weathers and speaks
of nothing but his chase:
9 o'clock.--Rose from the ground on hearing shell explosions.
Forced down in flames a two-seated Albatros at 9.08.
9.20.--Attacked with Deuillin a group of three one-seated Albatros,
famous on the Lorraine front. At 9.26 I brought one down almost
intact: pilot wounded, Lieutenant von Hausen, nephew of the
general. And Deullin brought down another in flames at the same
time. About 9 o'clock Dorme and Auger had attacked and grilled a
two-seated plane.
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