Item 06: John D. Wilson diary, 17 May-19 September 1917 - Page 33
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[Page 33]
the baloon firing at it all the time, but he missed it. Turned & flew around it, the second time he succeeded in firing it from the top. In a few moments it was ablaze. The two aviators on the first approach of danger jumped out in their parachoots & escaped.
The whole affair only lasted a few minutes, & the balloon burned rapidly, falling as it burned, until there was nothing left but the basket & a few ropes. Fritz rapidly made off, & received a terrific storm of shrapnell as he went. A few minutes after word arrived that he came down in Armentieres but it was not confirmed.
Friday June 1. 1917.
A fine beautiful morning. Fritz is about very early this morning, our archers being in action before I was out of bed.
I was paid again to day 15 francs = 11/- by Lieut. Aitkins.
A few days ago I sent out some washing to a French woman on a farm 2 shirts 3 pairs of socks & 3 handkerchiefs. She made a good job of it and only charged me 1 fr. 1 d. = 11d.
This evening I finished reading a wonderful novel "The Man who rose again" by Joseph Hocking.
A very interesting, thrilling and entertaining story. It is fascinating.
Fritz has put over a lot of big shells to day not very far in from this camp. He was searching for guns & dumps.
This afternoon a new