IIILETTERS

The following letters of Norman Prince, although chiefly of an intimate and personal character, are here published as a part of the record of his experiences in the service of France and as further testimony to his tenderly affectionate nature and his constant thoughtfulness and solicitude for those he left at home.

With his Superior Officer Lieutenant de Laage de Mœux

Havre, Jan. le 29, 1915.Dear Mamma,—I have just put foot ashore in France after a disagreeable crossing, 2nd class. Here in Havre there are troops and troops always passing. French troops, chiefly of the reserve; thousands of English troops in khaki, Belgian troops without uniform. They all say, not at all in a boastful way, that theywill be back home again by the end of the year. Will they?Dear Mamma, I hope you are well and that papa has not taken too much at heart my leaving home at this time. I believe I can find a place to do some efficient and useful work for the cause to which I am so deeply devoted. My love to you all. I shall write often.Affectionately your son,Norman.

Havre, Jan. le 29, 1915.

Dear Mamma,—I have just put foot ashore in France after a disagreeable crossing, 2nd class. Here in Havre there are troops and troops always passing. French troops, chiefly of the reserve; thousands of English troops in khaki, Belgian troops without uniform. They all say, not at all in a boastful way, that theywill be back home again by the end of the year. Will they?

Dear Mamma, I hope you are well and that papa has not taken too much at heart my leaving home at this time. I believe I can find a place to do some efficient and useful work for the cause to which I am so deeply devoted. My love to you all. I shall write often.

Affectionately your son,

Norman.

Esc N. 124, Secteur 24, May 15, 1915.Dear Governor,—Arriveden escadrille par la voie des airsto replace a disabled pilot until theEscadrille Américaineis formed.I saw the battle lines and heard for the first time the never-ending boom of guns. This is war in dead earnest and right at hand. Will write more fully later.Affectionately,Norman.

Esc N. 124, Secteur 24, May 15, 1915.

Dear Governor,—Arriveden escadrille par la voie des airsto replace a disabled pilot until theEscadrille Américaineis formed.

I saw the battle lines and heard for the first time the never-ending boom of guns. This is war in dead earnest and right at hand. Will write more fully later.

Affectionately,

Norman.

V. B. 108-B. 103,May 20, 1915.Dear Freddy,—Arrived here at the Front last Tuesday piloting twoVoisins appareils de bombardement. On the way we bombarded observation balloons, railway centers,poudrières, aviation camps and other locations of Boche activity—but not towns or cities or other localities where the lives of helpless women and children might be endangered. We are in the section where all the French advances have lately been made. The vertical guns of the Boches are particularly annoying to us. They have got two out of six of the pilots of our Escadrille since our arrival. One got down within our own lines; the other fell within the lines of the Boches—whether he was killed or not we do not know.(Eight miles from the German trenches.)Been here a week and have become quite accustomed to being shot at. We go out everyday and the salutations we get from the Boches are rapid and continuous when we are over their lines. The Boches here have more vertical guns to aim at us—more to the mile of front than anywhere else. There are hundreds of French aeroplanes grouped here because it is in the twenty miles north of Arras and south of the English where all the recent French advances have taken place. Attacks and counter attacks by day and night, and the bang of artillery in the near distance never ceases. We often go out at the same time as the infantry attack behind the artillery fire, the artillery of both sides banging away at the trenches, batteries and at us,—the avions in the air. It is a wonderful spectacle and something frightful as well—until we get used to it!N. P.

V. B. 108-B. 103,May 20, 1915.

Dear Freddy,—Arrived here at the Front last Tuesday piloting twoVoisins appareils de bombardement. On the way we bombarded observation balloons, railway centers,poudrières, aviation camps and other locations of Boche activity—but not towns or cities or other localities where the lives of helpless women and children might be endangered. We are in the section where all the French advances have lately been made. The vertical guns of the Boches are particularly annoying to us. They have got two out of six of the pilots of our Escadrille since our arrival. One got down within our own lines; the other fell within the lines of the Boches—whether he was killed or not we do not know.

(Eight miles from the German trenches.)

Been here a week and have become quite accustomed to being shot at. We go out everyday and the salutations we get from the Boches are rapid and continuous when we are over their lines. The Boches here have more vertical guns to aim at us—more to the mile of front than anywhere else. There are hundreds of French aeroplanes grouped here because it is in the twenty miles north of Arras and south of the English where all the recent French advances have taken place. Attacks and counter attacks by day and night, and the bang of artillery in the near distance never ceases. We often go out at the same time as the infantry attack behind the artillery fire, the artillery of both sides banging away at the trenches, batteries and at us,—the avions in the air. It is a wonderful spectacle and something frightful as well—until we get used to it!

N. P.

Paris, September 6, 1915.My dear Grandmamma,—I am in Paris on a few days’ leave and just had luncheon with a friend who is leaving to-night for Rome and I have asked him to mail this letter to you on his arrival.For the last four months I have been at the front—two months in the North near Arras during the attacks of May and June. After that we were stationed for a month near Nancy in the East. Now we have returned to the north again where there is increasing activity. I am happy and in the best of health. I sleep under canvas on a stretcher bed and eat in the shed of an old farm house near by. I have nothing to complain of. I like it. There are ten American pilots with us in the French service and twelve others in training with their number constantly increasing. Some day soon we will all be united in one escadrille—an Escadrille Américaine—that is my fondest ambition. I amdevoting all my spare energies to organizing it and all the American pilots here are giving me every encouragement and assistance in the work of preliminary organization. As I have had so much to do in originating and pushing the plan along, perhaps I shall be second in command.I would enjoy tremendously a letter. My address now isSergeant-Pilote PrinceEscadrille d’Avions Canon3me Groupe de BombardementSecteur Postal 102.I hope you are in Rome, not in Treviso, which must bedans la Zone des Armées.Your affectionate grandson,Norman.

Paris, September 6, 1915.

My dear Grandmamma,—I am in Paris on a few days’ leave and just had luncheon with a friend who is leaving to-night for Rome and I have asked him to mail this letter to you on his arrival.

For the last four months I have been at the front—two months in the North near Arras during the attacks of May and June. After that we were stationed for a month near Nancy in the East. Now we have returned to the north again where there is increasing activity. I am happy and in the best of health. I sleep under canvas on a stretcher bed and eat in the shed of an old farm house near by. I have nothing to complain of. I like it. There are ten American pilots with us in the French service and twelve others in training with their number constantly increasing. Some day soon we will all be united in one escadrille—an Escadrille Américaine—that is my fondest ambition. I amdevoting all my spare energies to organizing it and all the American pilots here are giving me every encouragement and assistance in the work of preliminary organization. As I have had so much to do in originating and pushing the plan along, perhaps I shall be second in command.

I would enjoy tremendously a letter. My address now is

Sergeant-Pilote PrinceEscadrille d’Avions Canon3me Groupe de BombardementSecteur Postal 102.

I hope you are in Rome, not in Treviso, which must bedans la Zone des Armées.

Your affectionate grandson,

Norman.

Application to ride a Breguet de Chasse

Cⁱᵉ Gˡᵉ Transatlantique, À bord, January 4, 1916.My dear Mamma,—Just a line before the pilot leaves us to tell you that Freddy and I appreciate your sorrow in having your two boys go to the war. However, the greater the sorrow, the greater the joy will be when they return!Nothing was forgotten. Freddy and I have the same stateroom and I shall immediately start to make him fit. I tell him that in order to join the Flying Corps, one cannot weigh more than 75 kilos.Your most affectionate son,Norman.

Cⁱᵉ Gˡᵉ Transatlantique, À bord, January 4, 1916.

My dear Mamma,—Just a line before the pilot leaves us to tell you that Freddy and I appreciate your sorrow in having your two boys go to the war. However, the greater the sorrow, the greater the joy will be when they return!

Nothing was forgotten. Freddy and I have the same stateroom and I shall immediately start to make him fit. I tell him that in order to join the Flying Corps, one cannot weigh more than 75 kilos.

Your most affectionate son,

Norman.

G. D. E. Div. Nieuport Secteur 92A, February 19, 1916.Dear Governor,—Enclosed is a letter from Freddy. Notice that he says the discipline at Pau is very strict.I am a schoolboy again. I am training to fly the very fastestappareil de chasse—quite a different instrument from theavion canonwhich weighs three times more than these small chasingappareils.I am busy pushing matters, in regard to the formation of the Escadrille Américaine. There is a possibility that St.-Saveur, now a captain in the aviation, may command us. Although but a short time on the front he has done finely as a pilot. We are alldisponibleto go to the front and are only waiting for a captain, the personnel—(chauffeurs, secretary, cook, etc.) our avions and the motor cars. Orders for our formation will be issued, I hope, next week. The weather has been very rainy and windyhere for a week, which is to be expected, during the month of February. We are losing no time, however.Those Lewis guns, if there is any way of getting hold of a dozen, would be much appreciated by us here. The more you can get for us the better, but I realize that it may be impossible even for you to get hold of any.How are the horses? Don’t overdo the schooling!I hope you and Mamma are enjoying Aiken. The main thing is to care for your health.With love to Mamma, who, I trust, is not too anxious about Freddy and me.Your affectionate son,Norman.

G. D. E. Div. Nieuport Secteur 92A, February 19, 1916.

Dear Governor,—Enclosed is a letter from Freddy. Notice that he says the discipline at Pau is very strict.

I am a schoolboy again. I am training to fly the very fastestappareil de chasse—quite a different instrument from theavion canonwhich weighs three times more than these small chasingappareils.

I am busy pushing matters, in regard to the formation of the Escadrille Américaine. There is a possibility that St.-Saveur, now a captain in the aviation, may command us. Although but a short time on the front he has done finely as a pilot. We are alldisponibleto go to the front and are only waiting for a captain, the personnel—(chauffeurs, secretary, cook, etc.) our avions and the motor cars. Orders for our formation will be issued, I hope, next week. The weather has been very rainy and windyhere for a week, which is to be expected, during the month of February. We are losing no time, however.

Those Lewis guns, if there is any way of getting hold of a dozen, would be much appreciated by us here. The more you can get for us the better, but I realize that it may be impossible even for you to get hold of any.

How are the horses? Don’t overdo the schooling!

I hope you and Mamma are enjoying Aiken. The main thing is to care for your health.

With love to Mamma, who, I trust, is not too anxious about Freddy and me.

Your affectionate son,

Norman.

Esc. N. 124. Secteur 24, June 26, 1916.Dear Mamma,—Oliver Wolcott, who has been cantoned near by with the American Ambulance, is going home to serve with the militia and is to take this letter with him.No news of Freddy this past week. The training is so thorough at these aviation schools that he risks but little while there. Probably he won’t get to the front for another month.Poor Victor Chapman! He had been missing for a week and we knew there was only a very remote chance that he was a prisoner. He was of tremendous assistance to me in getting together the Escadrille. His heart was in it to make ours as good as any on the front. Victor was as brave as a lion and sometimes he was almost too courageous,—attacking German machines whenever and wherever he saw them, regardless of the chances against him. I have written to Mr. Chapman—a rather difficult letter to write to a heart-broken father.Victor was killed while attacking an aeroplane that was coming against Lufberry and me. Another unaccounted for German came up and brought Victor down while he was endeavoring to protect us. A glorious death—face à l’ennemiand for a great cause and to save a friend!Your affectionate son,Norman.

Esc. N. 124. Secteur 24, June 26, 1916.

Dear Mamma,—Oliver Wolcott, who has been cantoned near by with the American Ambulance, is going home to serve with the militia and is to take this letter with him.

No news of Freddy this past week. The training is so thorough at these aviation schools that he risks but little while there. Probably he won’t get to the front for another month.

Poor Victor Chapman! He had been missing for a week and we knew there was only a very remote chance that he was a prisoner. He was of tremendous assistance to me in getting together the Escadrille. His heart was in it to make ours as good as any on the front. Victor was as brave as a lion and sometimes he was almost too courageous,—attacking German machines whenever and wherever he saw them, regardless of the chances against him. I have written to Mr. Chapman—a rather difficult letter to write to a heart-broken father.Victor was killed while attacking an aeroplane that was coming against Lufberry and me. Another unaccounted for German came up and brought Victor down while he was endeavoring to protect us. A glorious death—face à l’ennemiand for a great cause and to save a friend!

Your affectionate son,

Norman.

Escadrille N. 124, Secteur 24, June 29, 1916.Dear Mamma,—Enclosed is a photograph of Victor Chapman and myself, taken two days before his death. It is a print of what is probably the last photograph taken of him. I have sent one to Mr. Chapman.We are too busy and short of pilots at our Escadrille to think of taking apermissionat present.Tout va bien. Bonnes nouvelles deFreddy.Your affectionate son,Norman.

Escadrille N. 124, Secteur 24, June 29, 1916.

Dear Mamma,—Enclosed is a photograph of Victor Chapman and myself, taken two days before his death. It is a print of what is probably the last photograph taken of him. I have sent one to Mr. Chapman.

We are too busy and short of pilots at our Escadrille to think of taking apermissionat present.Tout va bien. Bonnes nouvelles deFreddy.

Your affectionate son,

Norman.

July 2, 1916.Dear Mamma,—A few lines to tell you thattout va bien. This letter will be taken over and mailed in New York by an American Ambulance driver who dined with us last night.To-day I amde gardeall the morning—that is to say, from dawn to noon. I must be by my avion ready to start as soon as any Boches are signaled. None have been so far this morning—worse luck!Your affectionate son,Norman.Esc. 124, Secteur 24.

July 2, 1916.

Dear Mamma,—A few lines to tell you thattout va bien. This letter will be taken over and mailed in New York by an American Ambulance driver who dined with us last night.

To-day I amde gardeall the morning—that is to say, from dawn to noon. I must be by my avion ready to start as soon as any Boches are signaled. None have been so far this morning—worse luck!

Your affectionate son,

Norman.

Esc. 124, Secteur 24.

Esc. N. 124, Secteur 24, July 6, 1916.Dear Governor,—Enclosed is a letter which speaks of Freddy. The Escadrille is running well. St.-Saveur lunched at ourpopolelast week and wished to be remembered to you and Mamma; de R⸺, who was on our team at Bagatille, was here for lunch to-day with R⸺; both wish to be remembered; de P⸺ came last week looking very fit and will write to you shortly.The aviaphone for my helmet arrived in good shape and I have lent it to my captain, as I am riding at present a single-seated aeroplane.Your affectionate son,Norman.

Esc. N. 124, Secteur 24, July 6, 1916.

Dear Governor,—Enclosed is a letter which speaks of Freddy. The Escadrille is running well. St.-Saveur lunched at ourpopolelast week and wished to be remembered to you and Mamma; de R⸺, who was on our team at Bagatille, was here for lunch to-day with R⸺; both wish to be remembered; de P⸺ came last week looking very fit and will write to you shortly.

The aviaphone for my helmet arrived in good shape and I have lent it to my captain, as I am riding at present a single-seated aeroplane.

Your affectionate son,

Norman.

Memorandum of the bringing-down of his first German machine

Deauville, Sept. 2, 1916.Dear Mamma,—I am down here with friends, passing part of mypermission. It is very pleasant and refreshing, the change. One soon gets enough of Paris in summer and in wartime. Here no one pays the slightest attention to the war. There are fewmilitaires—mostlycivilesfrom Paris and theiramies. Good bathing,—golf in the afternoon—many good-lookers, making theplagerather good fun.Freddy is nearly through at Pau. He is now at the acrobacy school learning to do stunts in the air. It is a part of the training of achassepilot. I gave him some pointers before he left and told him to do the least possible with the old machines which are quite out of date and clumsy.Monday I return to Paris and Tuesday back to the Front, my eight dayspermissionexpiring on that day.I was fortunate enough to run across a Germanthe other day who didn’t see me approaching. If you read thecommuniqué aérienof the 23d or 24th you will find mention of my Boche,—“un avion désemparé est tombé dans la forêt de Spencourt.” Undoubtedly they will give me this time the Médaille Militaire,—the chicest decoration in France. The chief pleasure of having it will be the satisfaction of having earned it many times and that my receiving it may please the governor and you.A bientôt, dear Mamma. Thanks for the socks and the handkerchiefs.Most affectionately,Norman.

Deauville, Sept. 2, 1916.

Dear Mamma,—I am down here with friends, passing part of mypermission. It is very pleasant and refreshing, the change. One soon gets enough of Paris in summer and in wartime. Here no one pays the slightest attention to the war. There are fewmilitaires—mostlycivilesfrom Paris and theiramies. Good bathing,—golf in the afternoon—many good-lookers, making theplagerather good fun.

Freddy is nearly through at Pau. He is now at the acrobacy school learning to do stunts in the air. It is a part of the training of achassepilot. I gave him some pointers before he left and told him to do the least possible with the old machines which are quite out of date and clumsy.

Monday I return to Paris and Tuesday back to the Front, my eight dayspermissionexpiring on that day.

I was fortunate enough to run across a Germanthe other day who didn’t see me approaching. If you read thecommuniqué aérienof the 23d or 24th you will find mention of my Boche,—“un avion désemparé est tombé dans la forêt de Spencourt.” Undoubtedly they will give me this time the Médaille Militaire,—the chicest decoration in France. The chief pleasure of having it will be the satisfaction of having earned it many times and that my receiving it may please the governor and you.

A bientôt, dear Mamma. Thanks for the socks and the handkerchiefs.

Most affectionately,

Norman.

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, butà point de vueof safety it seems to me he would be better off with us. I could be a lotof 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 thedernier criinappareils 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 thecommuniqué 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.

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, butà point de vueof safety it seems to me he would be better off with us. I could be a lotof 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 thedernier criinappareils 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 thecommuniqué 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.

To his MécanicienCher Michel,—En cas qu’un accident m’arrive—c’est à dire que je suis tué, blessé ou que je reste chez les Boches—je vous prie d’écrire quelques lignes à ces dames, les adresses desquelles sont écrites sur les enveloppes (ci-incluses).Dis leur que je t’avais dis d’écrire préférant qu’elles sachent ce qu’il m’est arrivé plutôt que de rester dans l’angoisse au sujet de mon sort.Signe ton nom en mettant que tu avais été mon mécanicien dévoué depuis mon arrivée sur le front.Mes effets, papiers, lettres, etc., le tout, il faut mettre de suite dans mes valises et les remettre personnellement à mon frère.Ci-inclus deux chèques comme cadeau en récompense du boullot que vous et André ont fait si soigneusement sur les appareils de Bibi et qui m’ont permis à gagner la Médaille Militaire.Ces chèques sont payables, à ma mort ou dans le cas que je reste chez les Boches, à défaut de ce que cela m’arrive—(espérons-le) à la démobilisation de vous deux.En cas qu’un de vous devient civil avant l’autre, celui devenu civil prends son chèque et le présente à la Banque—où il sera payé.Bonne poignée de main!Norman Prince.Esc. N 124, par Luxeuil-les-Bains, le 6 Septembre, 1916.

To his Mécanicien

Cher Michel,—En cas qu’un accident m’arrive—c’est à dire que je suis tué, blessé ou que je reste chez les Boches—je vous prie d’écrire quelques lignes à ces dames, les adresses desquelles sont écrites sur les enveloppes (ci-incluses).

Dis leur que je t’avais dis d’écrire préférant qu’elles sachent ce qu’il m’est arrivé plutôt que de rester dans l’angoisse au sujet de mon sort.

Signe ton nom en mettant que tu avais été mon mécanicien dévoué depuis mon arrivée sur le front.

Mes effets, papiers, lettres, etc., le tout, il faut mettre de suite dans mes valises et les remettre personnellement à mon frère.

Ci-inclus deux chèques comme cadeau en récompense du boullot que vous et André ont fait si soigneusement sur les appareils de Bibi et qui m’ont permis à gagner la Médaille Militaire.

Ces chèques sont payables, à ma mort ou dans le cas que je reste chez les Boches, à défaut de ce que cela m’arrive—(espérons-le) à la démobilisation de vous deux.

En cas qu’un de vous devient civil avant l’autre, celui devenu civil prends son chèque et le présente à la Banque—où il sera payé.

Bonne poignée de main!

Norman Prince.

Esc. N 124, par Luxeuil-les-Bains, le 6 Septembre, 1916.

From his MécanicienSecteur 16, le 25 Octobre, 1916.Monsieur et Madame Prince:—Excusez-moi si je suis un peu en retard pour vous donner quelques détails sur le malheur qui nous frappe en la perte de Monsieur Norman.Il m’avait laissé, juste huit jours avant sa chute fatale, quelques enveloppes avec adresses écrites par sa main pour que je vous écrive quelques mots ainsi qu’à quelques amis si quelquechose lui arrivait. Je vous joins du reste la lettre qui est un véritable souvenir.Pauvre Monsieur Norman, les boches n’ont pas pu avoir raison de lui et n’ont pas eu ce plaisir là.Il a trouvé la mort après tant de combats affrontés, tant de dangers, et il en est sorti avec les honneurs à son avantage.Son dernier départ a été le 12 Octobre, avec son avion de chasse Nieuport monté avec deux mitrailleuses et avec lequel il avait abattu un boche le 10, deux jours avant: il est parti à 2 heures faire la protection d’un groupe d’avions de bombardement très en avant dans les lignes ennemies. Il a abattu un avion de chasse ennemi à 3 hrs. qui venait attaquer le groupe et lui barrer la route. Comme toujours, faisant son devoir avec conscience, il a attendu que tous les avions ont repassé les lignes avant de rentrer lui-même et à la dernière minute il pense à atterrir dans le champ d’aviation le plus près vu que la nuit commençait à tomber.Il était prêt à faire un atterrissage des plus normal, malgré l’obscurité, quand le malheur a voulu qu’il touche un cable qui était au bordure du champ, et dont il ne pouvait soupçonner la présence et son avion est venu s’écraser sur le sol.Il a été relevé et aussitôt transporté dans un Hôpital sans une plainte et sans perdre un instant ses sens, causant avec un de ses camarades d’escadrille.Il avait deux jambes fracturées, la droite à la cuisse et la gauche au-dessus la cheville. Il a été opéré aussitôt, non sans recommander aux docteurs de bien s’assurer de ne pas faire une jambe plus courte l’une que l’autre, car il faisait beaucoup de sport.On lui a arrangé ses deux jambes et tout était fini à minuit.Le lendemain il causait avec tout le monde et tout faisait espérer les meilleurs résultats d’une prompte guérison, il passe une bonne nuit et le matin du 14 à 6 heures est frappé d’une emboliecérébrale (au moment où personne ne s’y attendait nullement) et n’a repris connaissance.Je suis resté jusqu’à ses dernier moments auprès de lui, et je n’ai pas eu la chance de le voir reprendre ses sens une seconde.Ce que je puis dire c’est que rien n’a été négligé et qu’il a été très bien soigné. Il paraissait très heureux.Il en était à son avion cinq boches abattus officiellement et en avait quatre autres en réalité mais non confirmés—plus un ballon captif d’observation qu’il avait attaqué et enflammé: et les nombreux bombardements du début sur voisin où il était toujours le premier prêt à partir et des fois le seul qui allait droit au but.Malgré tous les dangers parsemés sur sa route et après avoir pris tant de soins et d’attention il nous est enlevé (il ne comptait que des amis sincères et dévoués) et juste au moment où il était arrivé au but: Médaille Militaire, Légion d’Honneur et Croix de Guerre qu’il avait si noblement gagnées.C’est une grande perte pour l’armée Française et aussi pour nous, car il nous rapportait avec son amitié l’honneur du devoir et la bravoure du bon soldat.Il a été ramené à Luxeuil, où un service funèbre a été célébré au milieu de ses amis; il a été accompagné par ses nombreux camarades avec toutes les honneurs.Après avoir appris la maladie grave de Monsieur nous sommes restés quelques jours sans nouvelles causé par le déplacement de l’escadrille, et nous avons été très heureux, Monsieur Frédéric et moi, quand il a reçu une cable lui annonçant que Monsieur Prince allait mieux et que tout danger était écarté.Á present Monsieur Frédéric est avec nous, et vous pouvez compter sur moi pour que je fasse tout ce qu’il me sera possible pour lui, et espérant que l’on aura le bonheur de voir la signature de la paix en bonne santé, je termine.Monsieur et Madame, si vous désiriez d’autres renseignements, je me ferais un devoir devous les donner, et c’est avec plaisir que je vous donnerai tous les renseignements possibles.Recevez, Monsieur et Madame, mes respectueuses salutations.Votre dévoué serviteur,Michel Plaa Porte,Mécanicien Escadrille, N. 124, Secteur 16.

From his Mécanicien

Secteur 16, le 25 Octobre, 1916.

Monsieur et Madame Prince:—

Excusez-moi si je suis un peu en retard pour vous donner quelques détails sur le malheur qui nous frappe en la perte de Monsieur Norman.

Il m’avait laissé, juste huit jours avant sa chute fatale, quelques enveloppes avec adresses écrites par sa main pour que je vous écrive quelques mots ainsi qu’à quelques amis si quelquechose lui arrivait. Je vous joins du reste la lettre qui est un véritable souvenir.

Pauvre Monsieur Norman, les boches n’ont pas pu avoir raison de lui et n’ont pas eu ce plaisir là.

Il a trouvé la mort après tant de combats affrontés, tant de dangers, et il en est sorti avec les honneurs à son avantage.

Son dernier départ a été le 12 Octobre, avec son avion de chasse Nieuport monté avec deux mitrailleuses et avec lequel il avait abattu un boche le 10, deux jours avant: il est parti à 2 heures faire la protection d’un groupe d’avions de bombardement très en avant dans les lignes ennemies. Il a abattu un avion de chasse ennemi à 3 hrs. qui venait attaquer le groupe et lui barrer la route. Comme toujours, faisant son devoir avec conscience, il a attendu que tous les avions ont repassé les lignes avant de rentrer lui-même et à la dernière minute il pense à atterrir dans le champ d’aviation le plus près vu que la nuit commençait à tomber.

Il était prêt à faire un atterrissage des plus normal, malgré l’obscurité, quand le malheur a voulu qu’il touche un cable qui était au bordure du champ, et dont il ne pouvait soupçonner la présence et son avion est venu s’écraser sur le sol.

Il a été relevé et aussitôt transporté dans un Hôpital sans une plainte et sans perdre un instant ses sens, causant avec un de ses camarades d’escadrille.

Il avait deux jambes fracturées, la droite à la cuisse et la gauche au-dessus la cheville. Il a été opéré aussitôt, non sans recommander aux docteurs de bien s’assurer de ne pas faire une jambe plus courte l’une que l’autre, car il faisait beaucoup de sport.

On lui a arrangé ses deux jambes et tout était fini à minuit.

Le lendemain il causait avec tout le monde et tout faisait espérer les meilleurs résultats d’une prompte guérison, il passe une bonne nuit et le matin du 14 à 6 heures est frappé d’une emboliecérébrale (au moment où personne ne s’y attendait nullement) et n’a repris connaissance.

Je suis resté jusqu’à ses dernier moments auprès de lui, et je n’ai pas eu la chance de le voir reprendre ses sens une seconde.

Ce que je puis dire c’est que rien n’a été négligé et qu’il a été très bien soigné. Il paraissait très heureux.

Il en était à son avion cinq boches abattus officiellement et en avait quatre autres en réalité mais non confirmés—plus un ballon captif d’observation qu’il avait attaqué et enflammé: et les nombreux bombardements du début sur voisin où il était toujours le premier prêt à partir et des fois le seul qui allait droit au but.

Malgré tous les dangers parsemés sur sa route et après avoir pris tant de soins et d’attention il nous est enlevé (il ne comptait que des amis sincères et dévoués) et juste au moment où il était arrivé au but: Médaille Militaire, Légion d’Honneur et Croix de Guerre qu’il avait si noblement gagnées.

C’est une grande perte pour l’armée Française et aussi pour nous, car il nous rapportait avec son amitié l’honneur du devoir et la bravoure du bon soldat.

Il a été ramené à Luxeuil, où un service funèbre a été célébré au milieu de ses amis; il a été accompagné par ses nombreux camarades avec toutes les honneurs.

Après avoir appris la maladie grave de Monsieur nous sommes restés quelques jours sans nouvelles causé par le déplacement de l’escadrille, et nous avons été très heureux, Monsieur Frédéric et moi, quand il a reçu une cable lui annonçant que Monsieur Prince allait mieux et que tout danger était écarté.

Á present Monsieur Frédéric est avec nous, et vous pouvez compter sur moi pour que je fasse tout ce qu’il me sera possible pour lui, et espérant que l’on aura le bonheur de voir la signature de la paix en bonne santé, je termine.

Monsieur et Madame, si vous désiriez d’autres renseignements, je me ferais un devoir devous les donner, et c’est avec plaisir que je vous donnerai tous les renseignements possibles.

Recevez, Monsieur et Madame, mes respectueuses salutations.

Votre dévoué serviteur,

Michel Plaa Porte,Mécanicien Escadrille, N. 124, Secteur 16.

Cover of a French Periodical

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