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Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders St Pol-Sur Mer Nieuport 11 'Bebe' End of February Stats 76 missions 105.83 hours 26 claims / 13 victories

Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders St. Pol-Sur-Mer Part 18 (Jan 13th- Feb 16th 1916) The second half of January and the beginning of February was a hard month for flying. Patrols were mostly over enemy lines and we were often called to bomb or reconnoitre troop positions, the flying was long, cold and hard. I had two very near misses with death in January and one in February; all will long remain in my memory. The first of these was when we pounced on three Aviatik Cs we spotted while escorting Rodrick Dallas on a recon flight. After separating the threesome and scoring some great hits, I dived on one from above only to be hit by the observer’s accurate fire. My engine took the brunt of the damage but my goggles started filling with blood. Feeling faint from my wounds I pointed the trusty Babe home, and gratefully managed to put her down by an allied observation balloon. I passed out in the cockpit and came to in hospital where I spent six days. On one of those days, passing in and out of consciousness I was visited, I think, by Monique. It may have been a dream of course I was pumped full of morphine … but I am sure, I think she held my hand and prayed. Monique was once again in my thoughts and on my heart. This was hard, after battling for so long to free myself from the yoke of her affections. A near-death experience A long patrol over enemy lines was my first flight back. After an hour in the air while over the lines we spotted a solitary Fokker beneath us - it turned out to be an EIII - B flight was four strong but the little Fokker put up a heroic fight against us, bravely weaving and climbing. A number of times he floated down to Earth falling like a leaf only to snap out of the dive at the last possible moment and ready to fight. While attempting to fight, fly and dance with the enemy Tubby Granger’s Nieuport 10 and my Babe had a collision. I'm not entirely sure what happened, I felt my wheels connect with something, and saw Tubby struggling to fly. I seemed unharmed and Tubby flew west to safety. Plucky German flyer We dispatched the Fokker and returned home expecting to find Tubby at his usual place at the bar ... he didn’t return home. He had landed our side of the lines but was dead with a huge wound in his head - more than likely caused by my careless undercarriage. I am beyond devastated to have caused the death of this fine young man. I can see him smiling waving, enjoying life, loving flying, eager to take the battle to the Hun - only to die beneath my damned wheels. Of course, I say young, he was three years older than me, but 5 months behind me in combat and that’s where my appreciation of age comes from nowadays. The first two weeks of February were quiet - flying patrols, recon and escorting Dallas as well as fighting some lousy weather. I had a third and final close call this morning. Over Ghistelles airfield I spotted a lone EIII. I engaged and forced it to crash into some nearby trees. As I climbed I spotted two other Fokker who pounced on me! I couldn’t see anyone from the squadron and felt utterly alone. I fired a few shots but they were all over me. I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and I dived for home. I was hit a number of times and the port-wing of my Nieuport sheered away in the dive. I thought I was as doomed as Tubby Granger - and would soon be able to give him my personal apologies at St. Peter’s Gates. But by nursing the stick and rudder I was able to flee in a straight line for home. The Fokkers gave a half-hearted pursuit and left me alone as I crossed our lines. I prayed all the way to the nearest airfield and gently, oh so gently, put her down. My 13th victory I am haunted at night with thoughts of Tubby’s death and Monique's face, I am sure I have seen her once or twice around the airfield, I’ve smelt her sweet perfume and perhaps out the corner of my eye as if in mist, spotted her talking to a French pilot … I can’t be sure and I daren't investigate. The CO has noticed the strain around my eyes and the slight quiver in my arm when I hold my cane to walk and has awarded me two weeks home leave. I will be back the first week of March. Damaged port-wing but safe To be continued …

Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders St Pol-Sur Mer Nieuport 11 'Bebe' 31st Jan 1916 Stats 73 missions 101.6 hours 25 claims / 12 victories

Beautiful skins and pictures. Brilliant work!

Oh Mark, say it isn’t so! I’m so so sad to hear this! He was the last original member of his squadron. I’m heartbroken for you buddy. I haven’t caught up with all the tales but did see this post. I hope Andrews is still around when you get back and that your busy few weeks go well. Take care my friend!

Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders Part 17 (Jan 1st-Jan13th) Wonderful news cousin Archie (see January 30th) has been given notification of flight training at the Central Flying School, I am utterly delighted and hope one day to fly with him in combat. During bad weather my rigger, mechanic and I managed to personalise my Nieuport 11- I'm quite pleased with it. We decided to keep the bee and lightning strike as it seems to have been noticed up and down the lines. The first few days of January the flying was hampered by the weather. Finally got airborne on the 4th, 15 minutes into the flight I started getting engine problems so had to hand over the flight to Keeble who took charge. My blasted plane took 2 days to repair airborne again on 6th a patrol of our troops. I was flight commander, flying with Keeble, Mulock and a fairly new chap Lathern, only allied aircraft spotted. I was grounded for a few days and was next up on 13th escort duties for Rod Dallas flying 'A'. Spotted 3 Aviatiks crossing our lines so I gave the order to pursue ( Dallas was quite safe) We engaged and destroyed all three. I got a share in one and forced down another - all three were denied us by the powers that be. Then escorted Dallas home. To Be Continued ...

Sorry Chaps this is late ... work and family life are a wee bit hectic. I've not had a chance to read through the reports - I will over a mug of tea and a bun! -------- Flight Lieutenant Theodore Aloysius Andrews aka 'Runt' DSC HQ Sqn 1 Wing RNAS in Flanders St. Pol-sur-Mer Nieuport 10C1 Missions 66 Flying Hours 93 Confirmed 11 Claims 20 Part 17 My flying log Well, here it is, a new year! beautiful weather but a biting cold. A light dusting of snow coats the airfield and I warm myself with a hot tea - I'm about to leave the scant warmth of my tent for the airfield. One of the new chaps is building a few huts for the pilots to call home - I can't wait. The end of the month has been slightly quieter fighting wise. It feels like a week or so since I've seen the hun in the air. we did have one tangle with the Hun before Christmas. Dallas was bombing Ghistelles (again) and we fought off 4. I claimed two but both were denied. I realise I've stopped praying for the families of the fallen as we celebrated our saviour's birth. I have asked forgiveness - and will ask the Lord to keep my heart soft in the midst of this bloodshed. On Boxing Day, as is tradition, the officers cooked and served the other ratings a fairly edible Christmas lunch, I peeled and cooked the roast potatoes! I think they enjoyed them. On the 28th I was awarded a new aircraft. A Nieuport 11 Bebe! It seems a jolly fine plane. I am yet to take it into combat or personalize it. Happy new year! To be continued ...