[EARTHLING]

In view of the absence of a response but convinced that members who view ‘Books & Magazines’ are the crème de la crème in that they are literate in reading and writing whereas others content themselves with viewing blurred photographs of multi winged flying machines or discuss the merits of rotary engines. I thought it worthwhile to quote further passages for your delectation from Robinson’s masterpiece ‘War Story’.

.”By the way, I had a word with Frank Foster,” the CO told Dando (Squadron Doctor). “He said he thinks you’re dotty.”
“Yes, I know. He came and apologised for that. He was very calm and civilised about it. Apparently he’s been under a lot of strain concerning a personal matter.”
“Family problems?”
“I’m not sure I ought to discuss it.”
“If he’s told you, he’s told half the squadron,” Brazier (Adjutant, very tall & strong) said.
“It’s about his lady friend in England, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it seems someone wrote and told him she had died, rather violently. That’s why he got so upset. Now he’s heard it was all a mistake, she’s really alive and well.”
“Good!” said Cleve-Cutler (CO). “So that’s alright.”
“If you’re worried about Foster’s state of mind,” the adjutant said, “you could always send him to see a doctor called Jackson. That’s who my general sent me to see after I shot young Ashby. Jackson’s the Army’s top man on heads, I understand.”
“How did you get on with him?”
“Useless! The man’s mentally defective.”
“As a matter of interest,” Dando said, “how could you tell?”
“Simple. He wanted to talk about panic. How could one recognise panic? So I picked up the poker and chased him round his desk for a couple of minutes. He knew all about panic. Didn’t thank me for it, though. Got very angry, screamed, made no sense. Touch of insanity somewhere in the family, I shouldn’t wonder.”
“Forget Jackson,” Cleve-Cutler told Dando.
“And forget Foster?”
“He’s happy flying and killing Huns. And besides, I’m not about to go looking for a new Flight Commander when the Big Push is starting.”…………..


“Never apologise when you’ve got an alibi,” O’Neil told Essex. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“And we’ve got them licked in the air. That’s obvious.”
“I had an alibi once,” Mayo said, “but Dando gave me some ointment to rub on it.”….