TCD MS 3141 folio 63 recto
[November 1915]
to be dropped early next morning. Having got the new jet next morning we found that the Engine would not run, as the broken part had been sucked up into the engine. We dismantled the whole machine by 9 a.m. & placed her on the repair barge. The 17th Bde crossed to the left bank and the Div moved on to Lajj where they arrived in the evening the 20th. Murray went on on the barge & I rode, so as to be ready for duty on arrival at Lajj. On the morning of the 21st Major Reilly went off on a reconnaissance & was brought down by a rifle bullet hitting his engine, he was however unhurt & became a prisoner. Petre & I, in the faithfull old Farman did the last & final reconnaissance before the fight; their anti aircraft guns were very active that day & gave us a very warm reception. All was ready and that same evening the Div marched out towards “Bustan” which was within a few miles of the enemys position. Our aerodrome there was very narrow & on the beach, I remember Lt Blackbourne <& myself> had some narrow escapes, for on two occasions his engines failed just as he was leaving the ground, he was however <just able to pull up the machine (c Short) on the very edge of the Tigris each time! >