by Griff Hosker
I saw the eight SE 5 coming from the north. They were the size of the Bristol but without the rear gunner. As we converged on them I saw that they had a second Lewis mounted over the wing. It was still not what we wanted but the extra speed might help. They were fast and as they sped east the leader gave me a cheery wave. I took a position to the south of them. Their extra speed gradually took them away from us. Not by much but they were ahead.
The Jasta swooped down from above and emerged from the thin cloud cover to the north. The SE 5s had not seen them but they reacted quickly enough. They quickly climbed to meet the Albatros squadron. I banked and led my squadron to add our firepower. Although the new fighters were powerful they were not as agile as us and, unfortunately for them, they were not as agile as the Germans. Their speed saved them and the two converging forces exchanged fire and then began to turn.
The Germans had not seen us. Gordy and Ted were climbing to reach us and it was just Alldardyce and me who were close enough to them. We hit their rear buses. I fired a long burst at five hundred feet and struck the tail of an Albatros with a green rudder. As I banked to fire at the next Alldardyce fired a burst at the green rudder and he struck it in the middle of the fuselage. The Albatros pilot turned the wrong way and he flew into the rest of Alldardyce’s bullets. He began to spiral to earth. Our sudden appearance had disrupted and disorientated the Germans. I was in my element and the Pup began to squirm amongst the bright green rudders of the Albatros squadron. I fired when I saw a target. I knew that Gordy and Ted would add their firepower soon and my job was to be like a Jack Russell terrier and worry them.
It took nerves of steel to fly so close to the Albatros but the Pup never let me down. I found myself in clear air and I banked to starboard. I saw the Albatros leader had had enough and was trying to run east. The SE 5 came into its own and they began to overhaul the slower Albatros. It was only the skill of the pilots and the agility of the Albatros which limited their losses but two more fell to earth. I descended to join the rest of the squadron. 56 Squadron pursued the Germans east while I led my Bristols to ground attack behind the German lines.
This was a rare opportunity. We knew that there would be no German fighters and we were safely behind their anti aircraft guns. The main road west was thronged with German troops marching towards Vimy. As soon as I dived down the lines of grey fled the road and headed for the hedgerows and ditches. It availed them little for we just had to move our guns a little to the left and right. There were vehicles on the road. I could not bring myself to fire at the horses and I deliberately stopped firing when they came into my sights. It meant I was able to fire for longer and we travelled four or five miles down the road disrupting the German’s attempt to reinforce their men attacking the Canadians.
When I ran out of ammunition I climbed. The others would continue to attack until they had run out of ammunition too. I took the opportunity of studying the land. I could see that the ridge over which the Canadians and Germans were fighting was a vital one. Whoever held it could control the land hereabouts. I knew that the Canadians had taken many casualties but if they could hold it then the sacrifice would not have been in vain. As the squadron joined me and we headed west I reflected that we had managed to achieve something like success. Although we had only destroyed one German aeroplane we had killed many soldiers heading to the front. It would also demoralise them for this was the first time since Bloody April that we had managed to penetrate their front line. It was a good measure of our success.
As soon as we had landed I went to the sick bay. I had not seen Freddie since he had been pulled from his bus. The doctor had wanted him to rest. When I went in to his room he was sat up in bed with a bandage around his head.
“How do you feel then?”
“A bit of a headache sir and I am a little dizzy but otherwise fine.”
“The doctor said you might suffer for a few days. I am flying your Pup anyway so you might as well recover completely. Until we get the new Camels there will be no bus for you to fly.”
“How is she?”
“A nifty little number. Alldardyce bagged an Albatros today. He is improving.”
“Good. I now see what you mean about nurturing young pilots.” He hesitated, “Sir, did we lose any today?”
“No Freddie. We flew with 56 Squadron. They have a really fast new fighter, the SE 5. They saw off the Albatros fighters the Germans sent after us. Hopefully it is a sign of things to come. Anyway you need your rest. I just wanted to stop by and make sure that you were all right.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Randolph was in good spirits too. The rest of the squadron had made their reports. “Good show today, eh Bill?”
“Yes Randolph I have just said to Freddie that we might have turned the corner. Are we scheduled for the same run tomorrow too?”
He shook his head. “We have been ordered south close to Lagnicourt. We are trying to take Bullecourt and the Germans are resisting. They want us to escort some bombers who are going to disrupt the supply lines.”
“What kind of bombers?”
“The Sopwith 11/2 Strutter. They have been withdrawn as fighters as they were getting knocked about a bit too much by the Germans. There will be eight of them.” He handed me a piece of paper with the map coordinates. “You rendezvous at 6 a.m.”
I nodded. The Pup had been developed from the older, two seater Strutter. “Very well. Any sign of replacements?”
He shook his head, “Our losses have been so light that they are filling up the other squadrons who have suffered far more casualties.”
As I headed back to my quarters I wondered about that. We had lost two of the latest batch of pilots and had three more wounded. If they were light casualties then I dreaded to think of the losses from other squadrons.
Bates’ face told me that I had letters from home. He positively bobbed up and down. “Here is your brandy, sir and I have drawn a bath for you. He gestured towards the dresser. “And there are letters from home. Your mother, Miss Porter and, I believe, your sister Sarah.” He tapped his tunic pocket. “I have one from your mother too.”
I left the letters until I had had my bath. I needed to feel clean when I read them. I would also enjoy the brandy far more. How Bates managed to get the water to the perfect temperature I would never know. The tin bath was not the best in the world but it was a luxury I have become used to. As I washed myself I felt as though I was washing away the war.
Mother’s letter and Sarah’s were difficult to read for they were filled with sadness. Alice had received my letter and both letters told of the effect on Alice. They were from different perspectives. Mum couldn’t understand how Alice had become so close to Charlie in such a short time while Sarah told me of how Alice had opened her heart and told my sister of their plans. I had known about them and I understood my sister’s loss. The only good news in the letter was that Lady Burscough had become a working woman and was helping Alice with the design of the dresses. That would be good for Alice; Lady Mary had suffered a loss herself and would be the one person who would truly understand. Both women would have a life without the men they loved. What would become of Beattie if I fell? Would she find another love in her life?
I finished my brandy and poured another. I sniffed Beattie’s letter before I opened it. By closing my eyes I could picture her in the room. As I took out the letter a lock of her hair fell from it. It felt like Christmas! I laid the lock of hair on my dresser as though it was a precious jewel.
April 1917
Dearest Bill,
I hope this letter finds you safe. We have had so many casualties through the doors lately that I dread you being one again.
I have met your Major and he is a dear! What a lovely gentleman he is. Even Matron is quite taken by him. He speaks so highly of you that I am even prouder of you than I was before. He can’t wait to get back but the doctors are being careful with him. He nearly lost his arm, you know.
Lumpy also wrote to
me. He seems quite happy in the North East with his new job. He also seems to be taken with Jack Laithwaite’s widow. He is a kind chap. It was he who suggested the lock of hair. He said it would bring you comfort in the air. He is thoughtful. I think Mrs Laithwaite could do much worse than him.
I am not sure that either Alice or Lady Burscough will be lucky enough to find someone as easily. I know that your mother can’t understand her feelings after such a short time. (Alice told me of her words in a letter). But I can. I fell for you so quickly that I immediately knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. Alice and Charlie were both equally smitten. It is a tragedy that they will never be together. I am just happy that the business is going well and your sister has work to keep her mind off her loss.
Write to her, Bill! You are her hero and her big brother. More than that you were Charlie’s friend and hero. Anything that you write will be a comfort to her.
I pray each night that you will be safe and this awful war will be over soon but in the meantime please take care of yourself. There are many of us in England who care deeply for you. Come home safe.
Your fiancée
Beattie
xxx
I read and re read the letter five or six times. Then I replaced the lock of hair into the envelope. I would need to find something to keep it safe and about my person.
The mess was buzzing that night. Our success and the ease with which the Germans had been seen off made everyone more hopeful about a successful outcome to the war. It was Ted who injected the first note of caution. “They were not the Flying Circus today. We have given these lads a good hiding before now. We outnumbered them and we surprised them. Let’s not count our chickens.”
I nodded at the wisdom of his words but the younger pilots carried on with their high jinks as though the war was coming to an end.
Gordy had been quiet and somewhat distracted. “Something wrong Gordy?”
He gave a shy smile, “I had a letter from home today.”
“Me too. Nothing wrong is there?”
He sipped his brandy, “Oh no, of course not, in fact just the opposite. Mary is going to have a baby! I am going to be a dad.”
I toasted him, “Well done! But why the long face?”
“What if something happens to me? Mary will be even worse off than she was before I met her. She would be alone and have a baby to look after.”
“We have talked of this before. You can’t think that way. You have to believe you will survive.”
“But Charlie…”
“Charlie was not flying a Bristol he was flying an out dated Gunbus! You know yourself that once you start to have doubts then you don’t fly as well.”
He nodded and finished off his brandy, “But how long before I can see him?”
“You know it will be a he?”
He laughed, “I don’t mind but I can’t call him it can I?”
“Well the baby isn’t here yet so when will the birth be?”
“Some time in August.”
“Well you never know. You might get some leave in September or October. November is definitely a possibility. The first month or so they are asleep most of the time. By the time you get to see him he will be able to appreciate his hero dad!”
“Hero?”
I waved a hand around the mess. “If the men in this room aren’t heroes then I don’t know what a hero is.”
Chapter 25
As Bates helped me to dress in the hour before dawn I wondered about Gordy. I hoped that he would not lose concentration and focus. I knew that I forced Beattie from my mind once I was in the air. One lapse of concentration when you were in a dogfight could easily result in your death. Thinking of Beattie I remembered the hair.
“John, Miss Porter has sent me a lock of hair. Can you think of anything that I could use to keep it close to me?”
He scratched his head, “Your pocket watch, sir.”
“Of course.” I took it from my pocket and opened it. I took out the lock of hair and placed it within. It seemed to fit but it was hardly secure. “I am worried that it might fall out.”
He shook his head, “You leave that with me sir. I will see one of the riggers. I am certain we could fashion something out of thin wire to hold it in place. It will be ready when you return home tonight.”
“Thank you, John, I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You don’t have to sir and it is my pleasure to serve you. Let’s get you finished.” He fastened my Sam Brown around my waist and handed me the Webley service revolver. “There it is nicely polished up now, sir. I have cleaned the Webley, and reloaded it.” He handed me the Luger. “I cleaned the Luger too. However, you only have twenty rounds left for that one sir.”
As usual I tucked it into the top of my flying boot. I had grown used to it and it was easy to reach when I was flying. “I should have asked the infantry for some when we visited them. Remind me to get some.”
“I will do, sir.”
I strode out to the Pup. Hopefully this would be a milk run, the same as yesterday. When we had last been in the area around Lagnicourt it had been quiet. We would be flying barely five miles away from there. The squadron was all ready and we headed east for the rendezvous.
We reached the coordinates and I flew the squadron in a box pattern until the bombers arrived. The Strutters were late. It shouldn’t have bothered me but it did. I was always early to any meeting. The sun was up by the time they reached us. Their commander waved to us and I acknowledged it. I led my squadron high above them as they headed for the cluster of villages the Second Division and the Australians were trying to capture. We would be the eagles hunting in the sky. They could operate safely beneath our canopy of guns.
The Strutters were much lower and I left the decision of the actual target to them. I could see, even from five thousand feet, where the front line was. Their bombs could be dropped with pin point accuracy to destroy gun emplacements without risk to the advancing troops.
I stared intently towards the east. Sometimes you imagined that you saw something and you have to look away and then look back. I did that. The twelve crosses rapidly heading our way told me that the Germans had been alerted to our presence. I waggled my wings to let the others know that the Hun was in the sun but I knew that their sharp eyes would have picked out the enemy as quickly as I had. I began to climb. You could never have too much height when fighting the faster Albatros fighter. We outnumbered them but that meant nothing. We had an advantage of one! Realistically that was not an advantage unless the German pilots were novices like most of our squadron. As we drew closer I saw, to my horror, that they were brightly painted. It was the Flying Circus.
I heard the bombs and the explosions as the Strutters dropped them and they struck the ground. I watched as three Albatros fighters detached themselves from the main formation and headed for the six Strutters. I waved to Lieutenant Alldardyce to support the Strutters. I hoped that seven to three might be odds on our favour. The Strutters had the same engine as the Pup and Alldardyce had the redoubtable Speight with his Lewis. They had a chance.
Having gained the height I now used it and I dived towards the red Albatros which was leading the Jasta. It was all red; it was the Red Baron himself. Knowing that it was the leading German ace made me concentrate even more. I now had no wingman and I would need to look after myself. He had shot down many of our aces already. What made me think I could hurt him? He opened fire first and his double column of bullets tore into my Pup. I felt it judder as they hit my engine and propeller. I feinted to starboard with a flick of the stick and, as he began to turn to match me, I gave him a short burst with the Vickers. Miraculously I managed to hit him. I banked inside him and fired again. I hit his wing and saw one of the struts as it cracked into two. He started to climb. He was no fool. He had structural damage to his aeroplane and it was a superior aeroplane to the Pup. The Albatros could out climb the Sopwith. I fired a longer burst and hit his tail. I saw tha
t he was leading me east. That was not a direction I wished to take. I was about to turn and I checked my mirror. I saw that I had two more brightly painted Albatros fighters on my tail. If I turned then I was dead. One or the other would have a clear shot and they were so close that they could not miss.
I decide to wiggle and wriggle my way out of the trap and then head west as soon as I could manage it. I put the nose down to try to throw them. The agile little Pup lost one of them but the second gave me a long burst and I felt the bullets hit my rudder. At the same time I saw oil and smoke coming from the engine. The Red Baron’s first bullets must have caused some damage to the engine although it had not lost any power. This was serious and potentially fatal. What was happening inside my engine? The oil was a worry for I did not want the engine to seize up. As I watched I saw that it was just a trickle but, even as I watched, more began to run down the side of the engine. Oil was the life blood of the engine and it was there for a purpose. My Pup was dying.
I banked to starboard to take me back over our lines. West was my only salvation. I had no idea how far to the east I had been drawn and dragged. I flew directly into the other Albatros, the one I thought I had lost. Its steel jacketed bullets thudded and smashed into my already damaged engine and this time I did feel the loss of power as it was struck a mortal blow.
I would have to get down and try to land my stricken Pup. If the engine seized in mid air it could be a disaster. The dying Pup helped me by gradually losing power so that I began to glide to earth. In my rear view mirror I saw two Bristols as they opened fire on my pursuers. The rain of lead stopped as they turned to deal with their attackers. I could see a field ahead. There were now flames coming from the engine. Suddenly the propeller stopped and the nose dipped alarmingly. I pulled back on the stick and managed to lift the nose a fraction. It saved my life. Had I not done so then the nose would have hit the ground first. The wheels hit first; it was a heavy hit. They rolled for a few yards. They hit something in the field and, as I bumped up and down again, they broke and the bus slewed and spun around. The front of the Pup was now a raging blaze and I could feel the wall of heat getting closer as the wind fanned the flames. A spark hit the starboard wing and that caught fire too. I undid my seat belt and, even as we slewed around like a spinning top I threw myself from the cockpit. As I hit the ground flat I winded myself but the fact that I was lying prone on the ground saved my life as the Pup exploded.