------------------Letter Home-------- 1 October, 1916 Dearest Mother, I wanted to let you know that I finally arrived in France. I have been assigned to a Squadron in the Royal Flying Corps!! So far, I believe I am the first Sikh to be so honored. I have seen some other Indians, all Hindus. But the Major tells me that so far as anyone knows, I am the first Sikh to be accepted into service with the RFC!! This is a great responsibility, for how well or how bad I perform will no doubt reflect on all of our people. I only hope that the Creator will watch over me and help me in my endeavours to thwart the enemy of our people and bring a swift end to this horrible war. I have to go now, time for my first mission. Your son, Ajit. ---------------End of letter Home---------- COMBATS IN THE AIR -*-*-*-*-*-*-*- No. 40 RFC Date: 01/10/1916 Time: 06:44 Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16 Locality:6 miles E of Bethune Pilot: Lt.Ajit Singh Duty: Balloon attack Height: Result [german balloon] - Decisive. --------------- Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc, NARRATIVE Attacked balloon as assigned, also destroyed one tent. Signed Lt. Ajit Singh 40 Squadron RFC COMBATS IN THE AIR -*-*-*-*-*-*-*- No. 40 RFC Date: 02/10/1916 Time: 10:59 Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16 Locality: Between Lens and Bethune Pilot: Lt.Ajit Singh Duty: Escourt Height: 100 - 6300 feet Result Fokker DII - Decisive. Fokker DII - Decisive. [german balloon] - Decisive. --------------- Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc, NARRATIVE Whilst escourting a flight of BE2’s to target, we were attacked by a Flight of Fokker DII’s. The captain got one, but then he crashed on Our side of the lines. I managed to get a balloon, then I got two of The DII’s myself, both crashed on our side of the lines. In the process, I suffered a minor wound to the left leg. Signed Lt. Ajit Singh 40 Squadron RFC -----------------------Letter Home-------- 2 October, 1916 Dearest Mother, I wanted to let you know that today, I was slightly injured while fighting the enemy. It is nothing to be alarmed about, only a minor scratch. But the other news I have is, I am told that with the two enemy machines and balloon that I brought down today, as well as the balloon I brought down yesterday, I am one victory away from being what the French call an “Ace.” It is apparently some measure of distinction to get 5 victories. A victory is what they call it when anyone brings down and enemy machine or observation balloon. As of today, I have 4 confirmed victories. Some of the fellows are quite amazed. As it is, I think that some of them thought it impossible for a person such as me to even be capable of controlling an Aeroplane, let alone be able to shoot any of the enemy’s machines down. Please do not worry mother, not all the men here think that way. The Major at least has given me command of some of our missions. And he told me he wants to know immediately if any of the men seem reluctant to take orders from me. So far, even those who look down their nose at me, at least recognize that I out rank them. But I have to tell you, I don’t think I am likely to get promoted as fast as some of the others. But as long as I am allowed to fly and fight, I don’t mind. I have to go now, the doctor says I need rest. Your loving son, Ajit COMBATS IN THE AIR -*-*-*-*-*-*-*- No. 40 RFC Date: 03/10/1916 Time: 14:55 Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16 Locality: West of Roulers Pilot: Lt.Ajit Singh Duty: Balloon Attack Height: 6000 feet Result Albatros DI - Decisive. [german balloon] - Decisive. --------------- Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc, NARRATIVE With the Major in command, we went to our assigned target. In the process we were attacked by a flight of two Albatros DI’s. I got one, and I shot down the balloon. Unfortunately, Lt. Newell was killed. Signed Lt. Ajit Singh 40 Squadron RFC ------------------AWARD Military Cross From France: Medaille Militaire. ---------------Brigade HQ Correspondence------ 5 October, 1916 Subject: Lt. Singh Sir, I feel I must protest this latest confirmation of two claims put in by Lt. Singh of 40 Squadron. I think it may be detrimental to the morale of the RFC when it gets out that a colonial from the Indian sub-continent has not only achieved this new-fangled “Ace” status, but that he would most likely be awarded some medal as well. I implore you sir, please reconsider your decision in this matter. I am sure we can find some valid reason to not confirm his claims. Your Humble Servant, Col. Smyth-Carruthers ------------------------------------------------- ----------------Reply-------- 6 October, 1916 Subject: Lt. Singh My Dear Colonel, I’m afraid it is too late. Not only have his latest claims been confirmed but since he landed his damaged machine at a French aerodrome, they too found out what happened, confirmed it through their channels and are awarding him the Medaille Militaire. I am told that Gen. Trenchard does not want to be seen showing any bias against a subject of the Crown. Consequently, his award of the Military Cross has also been confirmed. Gen. Trenchard has also instructed me that any and all such correspondence regarding Lt. Singh is to stop immediately and any and all copies of said correspondence are to be destroyed. If you have any problems with this, I suggest you contact Gen. Trenchard. Sincerely Yours, Brigadier Hawkins, DSO, MC COMBATS IN THE AIR -*-*-*-*-*-*-*- No. 40 RFC Date: 08/10/1916 Time: 10:59 Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16 Locality: Near Bethune Pilot: Lt.Ajit Singh Duty: Support Infantry Attack Height: Result [german balloon] - Decisive. [german balloon] - Decisive. --------------- Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc, NARRATIVE After completing assigned mission, I went out on my own to seek out the enemy. All I managed to find was two enemy observation balloons. I brought them both down. Signed Lt. Ajit Singh, MC 40 Squadron RFC COMBATS IN THE AIR -*-*-*-*-*-*-*- No. 40 RFC Date: 12/10/1916 Time: 12:30 Type of Aeroplane: Nieuport 16 Locality: Near Bethune Pilot: Maj. Geoffrey Tompkins Duty: Combat Air Patrol Height: Result [german balloon] - Decisive. --------------- Remarks on Hostile Aircraft: Type, etc, NARRATIVE Whilst on Combat Air Patrol, we spotted an enemy balloon rising across from one of our infantry positions. Lt. Singh and I went across to engage the balloon. We managed to bring it down, however, Lt. Singh's machine was hit by AA, and went down, mostly out of control, he apparently managed to regain control before he crashed, and I saw him being helped out of his machine by the enemy. We received word that he was safe, healthy, and a prisoner of war. I put in for him to share in the destruction of the enemy balloon. Signed: Maj. G. Tompkins, DSO, MC ----------Epilogue--------- Lt. Ajit Singh survived the war, as a POW, ending with 9 victories (8 + 1 shared). |
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This page is a work of fiction. In other words, other than the combat report part, which was generated as the result of playing the game, Red Baron 3D, the rest of the information, including "letters home" is a fictional creation. And, just like in the movies, any resemblance to ANYONE living, dead, or undead, is pure coincidence, and completely unintentional.
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