X Flight was designated the task of giving close air support to the desert army formed and commanded by Lawrence of Arabia. It flew from advanced desert landing grounds on reconnaissance, liaison, bombing and ground attack missions. The existence and deeds of the flight were kept secret, so much so that even the RFC Paymaster was unaware of their existence.brbrGeorge Hynes was an aircraft mechanic and became responsible for keeping the flights somewhat elderly aircraft airworthy while working in the most difficult desert conditions on hastily constructed landing strips and living and working under canvas in temperatures that froze at night and rose to 100 degrees plus at noon.brbrHis diary gives a clear insight into the conditions endured, the actions that took place and the many almost insurmountable problems that occurred as they followed Lawrence's steady advance against the numerically superior Turkish Army and Air Force. George personally encountered Lawrence on many occasions and