by Griff Hosker
Johnny and Freddie joined me. “Thanks sir! I nearly bought it that time.”
Freddie said, “You should have turned west sooner. We had done enough.”
“How did you do?”
“Shot one down and damaged a second.”
“Johnny?”
“Shot down one and winged a couple.”
Gordy whistled. “Impressive! And you Bill?”
“I managed to get a couple. I would have had a third if I hadn’t run out of bullets.”
“A great return.”
“The trouble is we can’t repeat it. The weather was perfect and we were able to hide in the clouds. We know that Fritz is a quick learner. He will be ready tomorrow.”
We entered the office. “What is the forecast for tomorrow, Randolph?”
“About the same.”
“Ted, you will need to lead the squadron tomorrow. You can have Freddie as your guardian angel. I can’t see our two birds being ready. And I would be on your toes; the Hun doesn’t like to be bested.”
After we had given our reports the others left. “Bill, you can’t keep taking chances like this. You are like a cat, I know, but how many lives have you left?”
“The Pup saved me today.”
“I heard from James that some of them have proved to be a little unstable in steep dives. Two pilots were killed when their wings were torn off.”
“If you ask your friend I think that you will discover that they were young pilots. You can feel the stress and the pressure on the bus when you dive. You listen to your aeroplane and adjust your flying. I wouldn’t want a squadron of them, not unless they let me pick my pilots.”
“Strange you should say that. Intelligence reports that this Red Baron has done just that. So far his Jasta has not lost an aeroplane and they are downing five or six of ours every day, not to mention the ones he has damaged.”
“Then we are lucky we haven’t crossed his path.”
“And I heard, on the grapevine, that there will be an improved Sopwith coming out in a month or so.”
“Really?” He nodded. “Find out where General Trenchard is tomorrow. I’ll go and see him. What is the point of being an ace if you can’t ask for favours? Get me an up to date record of how many kills we have made since this offensive started and I will take that with me.”
I went to my quarters where Bates was waiting. He smiled when he saw me. “Well done sir! Mr Carrick told me what you have done. Congratulations. And you won’t be able to fly tomorrow either!”
“You sound pleased, John.”
“I am sir, someone else can take chances.” He took my goggles and helmet. “I have your bath drawn sir and the cooks have saved some lunch for the three of you. I posted your letter too.” He wandered off humming happily. His world was a small one and it did not take much to upset the equilibrium.
I felt better after my bath and I joined Freddie and Johnny in the empty mess. There was a mountain of food for me. I looked up at the Sergeant cook. “Do I need feeding up Sergeant Oliver?”
“Your man was quite insistent that we give you a hearty lunch. He can be quite forceful at times!”
I began to plough my way through the food. The other two had finished and I listened as they talked.
“You need to fly less straight, you know Johnny. Keep looking in your mirror. I think that was how those two got on your tail. The Pup is nimble enough to nip around in the air and make it a harder target.”
“I know, Freddie. The trouble is that I wanted to make sure the Hun I had hit stayed hit.”
I stopped chewing and pointed with my knife. “Then don’t. I am not bothered if I don’t destroy an aeroplane. If we are outnumbered then we do not have the luxury of making sure every damaged aeroplane is finished. You just need to get them out of the air.”
“Is that why you fly the way you do sir?”
I looked at Freddie, “How do you mean?”
“Well sir, you always look as though you are trying to hit every single German. You hit one and then move your bus to hit another. You turn and spin and fire when you see a third. It is frightening to watch.”
“I was brought up in the cavalry. I had a good horse that I could ride with just my knees and Caesar became an extension of me. I just do that with the Pup. I couldn’t do that with the Gunbus. It was too ponderous and I had to worry about Lumpy in the front. This is more like being in the cavalry. I never fell from my horse once. I never fear making a mistake in the air.”
“But your reactions sir, they are like lightning.”
“That was the cavalry. All you had was a sword and if you had two or three chaps coming at you then you learned to use all of your senses and to duck, dodge and weave.” I put my knife and fork on my plate and wiped my mouth. “You two are the best combat pilots in the squadron. You have great instincts. Just use them.”
They both looked surprised at the compliment. “Freddie you are going up tomorrow without us. You need to be the guardian angel. Fly high and use the Pup to break up any enemy formations. You will have freedom for you will not be in formation. Lieutenant Alldardyce can fly with Ted tomorrow.”
“What about me, sir?”
“You can come with me when we visit General Trenchard so wear your number ones. I want to impress him. Let’s use that public school education to our advantage eh?”
I watched, with some trepidation, as the squadron took off. I would not be there with them. I trusted Ted, Gordy and Freddie but I felt that if I were not there then something untoward might happen. As they disappeared east I went to the car where a smart looking Johnny awaited me.
“But why do you want me to come with you, sir?”
As we headed towards Amiens I explained, “I know, Johnny, that you have better education and have an upper class voice. Now some of those on the General’s staff might look down their nose at me because of my background but they see you as one of them.”
He was appalled, “But sir, that is ridiculous. You have the M.C., you have shot down forty Germans; you are a hero.”
I laughed, “Trust me, Johnny, that means nothing to some people. It is breeding which counts.”
He was silent for a while. “I remember some of the chaps at Officer Training were like that. I thought they were unusual.”
“No, Johnny, believe me there are lots of them. What is unusual is the fact that our squadron has three sergeants who have been promoted from the ranks. Before your time we had a Major who did not like that. We all had a hard time so if you see anyone you know when we are there, we need to cultivate them.”
“Why are we going sir?”
“Because I want the new Sopwith when it becomes available and if I have to sweet talk the General then I will do so.”
Chapter 22
Randolph had discovered where the general would be and his contact, James, would meet us at there.
There were a huge number of military vehicles in Amiens and I virtually abandoned the staff car on a pavement. The sentry at the building carefully examined our papers. When we were admitted a sergeant directed us to Randolph’s friend’s office. James Ogilvy was older than I expected. He was a captain like me but he had flecks of grey in his moustache and a world weary look upon his face. I later learned that he found it hard to send so many young men to their deaths while he sat behind a desk. He smiled broadly when he greeted me.
“I have been looking forward to this for a long time, Captain Harsker. My cousin has told me much about you and I have heard your name mentioned many times by the general. If you don’t mind me saying so you are much younger than I expected.”
I had no answer to that, “This is Lieutenant John Holt, one of my pilots.”
“Pleased to meet you both. I am afraid that the general is busy until lunchtime but I told him that you were coming and he wants to have lunch with the three of us.” he shrugged apologetically, “It was the best I could manage.”
“I don’t need long. Thank you for arranging this.”
“My pleasure; as I said I wanted to meet with you anyway. Now listen, there’s no point in hanging around here. Lunch is at 12.30. Pop around town for a while and meet me back here at 12.00 how is that?”
“Spot on. Thank you very much.”
As we left Johnny said. “He seemed a nice chap.”
“He did. I can see now how Captain Marshall gets his information so quickly.”
We used the hour in Amiens to buy some supplies for the mess. Tobacco was always in short supply. I did not manage to get any whisky; that was as rare as hen’s teeth but I did get a case of brandy quite cheaply and some red wine. After we had put the purchases in the car we headed back to James’ office.
We chatted for a while and then we heard a buzz of noise coming from the room down the hall. “That will be the General. Come along you two. He hates to waste time.
He had a gaggle of officers with red trim; staff officers from the Army. Johnny and I stood to attention. Our hats were under our arms and no salute was necessary. An overweight and podgy faced major gave me a funny look. I vaguely recognised him but dismissed him from my mind as the general said, “Good to see you Harsker. Let’s go to lunch I am starving and is suspect you have been up since dawn eh? Watching your young lads take off?”
“Yes sir.”
We went to his private dining room where his orderlies laid out the food. We chit chatted about the new pilots and he asked Johnny about his background. I was pleased I had taken Johnny for the General knew his family and the conversation was much easier and relaxed.
When the plates had been cleared and we were sipping the brandy he lit his pipe and asked, “Now I do not think for one moment that you came here for a free lunch did you, Harsker? So what do you want of me now?”
“Well sir, we are really happy about the new Bristols and they are working out well.”
He nodded, “Yes after poor Robinson and his flight went west we were worried but your chaps seem to know how to handle them. Do you want some more?”
“No sir. The three Pups you sent us have worked out really well. Lieutenant Holt here shot down a D.III yesterday and damaged a second.”
“Good show! Your people will be pleased.”
“Thank you sir.”
“But we have heard that there is a newer version, the Camel, coming out soon.”
The General flashed an irritated look at the captain. Then he shook his head and smiled at me. “And you would like one.”
“No sir, I would like three.”
He burst out laughing. “I admire your cheek, captain. But why should I let you have them?”
“Because, sir, I imagine that they will be delivered in dribs and drabs. We are in a perfect position to take small numbers and put them to good use. We are also quite good at shooting down German aeroplanes and we could evaluate them far better than any other squadron.”
“You think highly of your squadron, Captain.”
“They are the, best sir.” I paused, “And I think you agree with me.”
He inclined his head, “Perhaps. We are training a new squadron in England with them. Once they reach the front then we will see.”
I pushed my luck. “Well sir we have two damaged Pups at the moment. What happens if they need major repairs? I would imagine that Sopwiths will be ceasing production of spares soon. With this offensive it means we cannot be as effective as we would like to be.”
He shook his head again, “You are like a dog with a bone. Very well I will arrange for three to be sent over but they won’t be here until the middle of May, you do realise that?”
“Thank you sir and we will do you proud.”
“I know you will.” He smiled, “And you may not have heard but as of the 5th of April the Americans are in the war. It will take them some time to get over here but they have a rather nifty air force themselves. We may get some relief sooner rather than later.” He looked at his watch, “and now I have to get to another meeting.” He shook our hands, “Listen Captain, the offensive is not going as well as it should and I think we can expect Germans counterattacks soon. You and your squadron are the front line. Things will get much worse. This April has been catastrophic for the Corps. I am just damned grateful that so many young men like Holt here wish to volunteer. I will do all that I can to send you replacement aeroplanes and pilots but we both know that it is experience that we need and not young Fokker Fodder. Keep your pilots alive. You and your young men need to be careful. Our country can’t afford to lose the likes of you. The war will end one day and then you will be needed to pick up the pieces from our shattered country.”
James waved us goodbye and we donned our hats and left. It had been a good meeting. We had what we wanted and I actually felt appreciated. As we left the building I saw the rotund major. He stepped towards us and we both saluted.
“It’s Harsker isn’t it?”
There was something in his voice which was familiar but I could not place his round face and pencil moustache. “Yes sir. Do I know you, sir?”
“The last time I saw you, you were in the cavalry and you were a corporal.”
I suddenly remembered him. Lieutenant Ramsden who had nearly got me killed more often than enough. It did not surprise me that he had a staff job. He liked the idea of action in others but not in himself. “Major Ramsden.”
He nodded and sneered, “How on earth did you get promoted? They must give them away in the Flying Corps.”
I heard the intake of breath from Johnny but it did not surprise me. He had always had a superior attitude. I smiled, “We have both done well, sir; a Major on the staff at Headquarters. Well done, sir.” I paused, “I miss those days in the cavalry, sir, do you?”
I knew he did not but I enjoyed his discomfort as he coloured slightly. “Yes, well the cavalry are a thing of the past now. Tanks. They are the future.” He smiled and warmed to the subject, “I was the chap who used them on the Somme! We showed the Germans there.”
I frowned and looked at Johnny, “Didn’t they break down at the Somme, Lieutenant Holt?”
“I believe they did.”
“They probably had the likes of you driving them!” He poked me in the chest as he said that. His finger rested on my medal ribbons and I looked down at his carefully manicured nail. He seemed to see the M.C. for the first time. He withdrew is finger. “Are you entitled to wear that ribbon?”
“I wear nothing that I not entitled to. That includes ribbons and pips. Anyway sir, I have to get back to my squadron.”
“Ah skiving off are you?”
“No, sir, my bus was badly shot up yesterday and I was here to meet with the general. Don’t worry sir, tomorrow I will be over German lines again, leading my squadron.”
“You, command a squadron? But you are just a captain!”
I shrugged, “It is only temporary but I will be happy to stand down again when our Squadron Leader returns. There are high casualties in the air, sir. It is a very dangerous place. It is much safer here in Amiens.” I saluted and we both turned.
When we were out of earshot, Johnny said, “I see what you mean sir about some officers who think they are better than others. He was a dreadful man.”
“Between you and me he was a dreadful leader too and I fear that he will get more crews of those tanks of his killed before someone realises how bad he is. I shall put him from my mind. He won’t bother us again.”
Of course, I was wrong.
I drove back far too quickly. I was anxious to see how the squadron had fared. Gordy and the other flight commanders were with Randolph. They looked up guiltily when I entered.
I deliberately took out my pipe and sat in Archie’s chair. “Carry on, chaps, don’t mind me.”
Ted looked as though he was going to say something but he closed his mouth and nodded to Harry who carried on with his report. I knew something had happened. I forced myself not to react. I couldn’t be there with them all of the time. Randolph went to the map and placed a pin in it.
It marked another Jasta. He asked, “How did it go with General Trenchard, Bill?”
“Fine, he is giving us three Camels as soon as they are available.”
“Good show!”
“Your cousin sends his best too.”
“He is a good egg isn’t he?”
“Now do you want to tell me who we lost this morning?”
Ted stubbed his cigarette out. “We lost Simkins and Ellis’ gunner was killed. Some of the Bristols were badly shot up. Sorry Bill.”
“It is war and these kinds of things will happen. We will have more cover tomorrow with the three Pups. How did it happen?
“They jumped us on our side of the lines. They had altitude and the sun behind them. Simkins just seemed to panic. He flew straight on when the rest followed Gordy and banked.”
I tapped the loose ash from my pipe. “Perhaps the others will learn a lesson then. Drill into them the need to stay calm and follow orders.” I took out my reamer to clean the bowl of the briar. “I heard today that 43 Squadron lost thirty five gunners and pilots flying the Sopwith Strutter. They ceased to exist as a fighting unit.” I allowed the figures to sink in. “I think, from what General Trenchard said that today is just a forerunner of what is going to come. We will no longer be fighting over their lines. They know their machines are better than ours. Once they defeat us then their artillery will pound our positions to dust and the gains we have made will be for nothing.”
I filled my pipe. Ted shook his head ruefully, “And they say I am the miserable bugger.”
“I think you deserve the truth but if you ask me if I think we can win and I will say yes. But it will not be easy. And so I want us in the air before dawn tomorrow. I want us to be as high as we can. Randolph, I need you to have the defence on the field beefed up. Get sandbags. I want fire crews ready to douse any firs and keep the fuel well away from everything else. Have the cooks ready to help. We can have something simple tomorrow.”
“You think they are coming?”
“I have no crystal ball, Harry, I am just planning on the worst that could happen. That would be a raid by bombers and escorted by Baron Von Richthofen. If that happens then we will be prepared.”