The weather was consistently bad from July 24th,to August 11th, and the only matters of general interest recorded in the Diary were a couple of Inter-Flight Football Matches, some athletic sports at Aubigny at which Jenner-Parson won the Officers' 100 yards, and a note against August 1st that D’Albiac bought three pigs in Lillers for 60 francs each.
A number of changes had been taking place round about this time. Arnold
Compston, and Soar had left, C. P. O. Scott was promoted to W.O., and new arrivals were Munday, Davidson, Reid, Cooper, and Fowler.
On August 17th we lost two of our best fellows in a most unlucky way. A patrol of seven Camels went off at half-past-five in the evening and during a dog-fight with a bunch of Albatross Scouts near Lens, Johnston and Bennetts collided in the air and both were killed.
On September 6th D’Albiac left the Squadron
to relieve Wing Commander Chambers as R.N.A.S. Liaison Officer at H.Q. R.F.C., and this brings me nearly to the end of my part of No. 8’s story. Before Draper takes over this narrative as my successor, I must not forget the night flying attacks against balloon sheds and troops in which he and Munday distinguished themselves so greatly. The first attack of this sort was on the night of the 29th September; R.F.C. Communiqué No. 109 described it thus:
"Flight-Com
mander Munday, Naval Squadron No. 8, left the ground at about 9.45 p.m. and proceeded to attack a German Balloon Shed between Brebieres and Quiery-la-Motte. On finding the objective he dived down to within twenty feet of the ground and fired fifty rounds from each gun into the shed, which burst into flames. Flight-Commander Draper, when over Douai, saw the shed burning furiously so flew towards it and dived down, attacking the men who had gathered round in order to extinguish the Fire. There is little doubt that the shed contained a balloon.”
