In Case You're Wondering What A Sortie Is

Both Colonels Eleazor Wood and James Gibson were killed on September 17, 1814, during a sortie from Fort Erie, Upper Canada (Ontario today).

In case you're not completely sure what a sortie is:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a sortie as a sudden issuing of troops from a defensive position against the enemy.

The Dictionary.com site says a sortie is a rapid movement by troops at a besieged place to attack the besiegers.

I had this question yesterday at the meeting of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group in connection with plane attacks during World war II.  I have across that term many times in connection with planes and wasn't sure if it referred to one plane or a group of planes.

Yesterday I was told it could either be one plane or a group of planes that would be a sortie.

However, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary says it is one mission or attack by a single plane.  Dictionary.com says it is the flying of one airplane on a combat mission.

Well, sort me out.

Signed:  Confused in Illinois.  --Brock-Perry