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[Page 139]
June 1916
25th – Remainder of baggage sent down to loading bank. Train filled with niggers on trucks picked up luggage etc. Bir Et Maler about 1 ½ miles from Railhead. Very good camp & everything looks comfortable. Plenty of E.P tents, shade water etc. Fairly square by night fall.
26th – Taube visited us early in morning. No bombs dropped. Ours came over later but Taube had imshied Our plane waited but too late.
28th – Rumour of a stunt on Friday.
29th – Misty. Taube heard & advice of same received from Oghratina. Not seen from our camp but about 7.30 Taube & our plane both sighted. Ours had advantage of elevation & we thought the Taube was a goner as our chap volplaned towards him. Both M.G.s were rattling at each other, the Taube appearing to do the more firing.
29th – First air duel (decent) that we had seen. Taube seemed to be the faster & seemed as if our 'plane had outmanoeuvred it. Taube drew away from ours. Later we heard news which was confirmed that our plane had been brought down at Hamadieh & also stated that taube appeared very warbly & flying low & seemed as if hit. Not seen to land so nothing definite known as to its fate. Fa Our plane brought to Railhead & it is said had 53 holes in it, the petrol pipe being broken.
[Note in margin:] Friday
Reports say that our plane hit by our M.G. Everything getting fixed up for the stunt. Bearers & camels expect to move out 'tween 12m & 2 am Parade with iron rations. Only two had them, self & Strachen. Paid today.