MacNamara diary, 19 August 1916-29 May 1919 / John Patrick MacNamara - Page 134
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[Page 134]
The country here is quite different from Medjel Yaba. Instead of rough rocky hills we have undulating sandy country covered with an abundance of grass & weeds.
May 9th
A Hun came over low this morning & set fire to two balloons suspended a mile or so in our rear. The occupants jumped out & landed safely by means of their parachutes.
As he dived at the balloons the Hun fired tracer bullets (incendiary) which caused the balloons to burst out into flames a couple of miniutes later. They were entirely burnt out before reaching the ground & all that was left of them was a big trail of black smoke in the sky.
Our anti aircraft guns opened on the Hun but their shooting was most erratic. Tis usual to pull the balloon down on the approach of Huns but they must have been caught napping this time as no attempt