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misjudges things and has to make at least two attempts at landing through over running. Yonge had to make 6 attempts and in the last
one he smashed his machine in a ditch. It is not known at which landing strip this occurred but conditions at the airstrips were not good. The field at Imbros nestled between a salt lake on one side and a harbour on the other and at one end there were hills which funnelled the wind in unexpected directions and made each landing and takeoff a unique experience, and sand dunes which blew across the field., clogging up engines. Thasos field was not much better. It was on a piece of land jutting out into the sea and was subject to downdrafts caused by the winds sweeping down from the nearby hills. At both fields there was just a bare earth surface which made it very difficult for the pilots to judge height. In England grass landing strips enabled pilots to judge height for when they could see the blades of grass, they knew they were nearly at the height to touch down. 24th June Enemy aircraft have been making bombing attacks on our ships in the harbour at Stavros lately. The noise has been waking me up in the morning. Sometimes they fly over us and we dive for our holes in the sand. With all the gunfire going on and bits of metal falling out of the sky as shrapnel splinters come down, it can be very dangerous. At a mess meeting it was decided to go on to bare rations until things get sorted out. Yonge has retired as mess secretary and there is rather a mix up. A raid on Drama is down for tomorrow, with the R.F.C. 7th July Steele,Yonge, Wilks, Trotman and Leavesley have gone to Mudros 5th September Arrived here at Mudros at about 7 a.m. and reported to the drafting officer. Met Yonge and he is in trouble - a weeks disciplinary course after getting into Feeney's bad books. He objected to flying and others being ordered to fly, on dark nights in Camels. Everyone supported him. However he eventually flew but not before writing a letter to the Wing Captain. Feenny was very ungentlemanly about it, but when he was going on leave and offered to shake hands, Yonge turned his back and walked away. Now all he wants is to be transferred to the Western Front. Have just heard that Williams and Finzi have not returned from a submarine patrol and have not been heard of since. 10th September Yonge asks me for dinner over in his mess. Things are much better now than when I stayed here before. Everything organised and under control. In the evenings we sit by the fig tree outside our mess hut and Scott plays his mandolin and we softly sing sentimental songs. ......... . It seems that Bowhill is to ask all pilots what they have been doing out here as he is thinking of sending in recommendations for |
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