From Arctic Snow to Desert Sand

by Griff Hosker

  As I climbed to attack a second time I heard the gunboat open fire. Banking to make a second attack I saw insurgents fleeing. The gun lay at an unnatural angle. Had I had bombs I could have totally destroyed it but I did what I could. I emptied my Vickers into it. I must have been lucky for, as I zoomed low over it the ammunition exploded. In my mirror, I saw the fireball behind me. The gun was gone.

  I landed and Sergeant Major Robson came over with his mechanics. “The guns will need reloading.”

  “Saw a bit of action did you, sir?”

  “Yes, Sergeant Major. They had a gun and were firing on the convoy. I will be up again this afternoon.”

  I went to the office. Captain Connor was smoking his inevitable cheroot. He looked up cheerily, “Good flight, sir?”

  I nodded. “We will need to amend standing orders, Captain. Our buses need to fly lower.”

  “Righto, I shall get on with it. Cairo was on the radio. There is a convoy heading down the river with guns and gunners for us as well as more fuel.”

  I nodded, “They were the ones the insurgents tried to ambush. I am glad I was in the right place at the right time.” Just then I heard the sound of aeroplanes landing. “How is Captain Cooper coming along with the water?”

  “I had a chat with him over breakfast, sir. The water can be piped here within three days. I have told him how to filter it. We will use sand and charcoal. I wouldn’t drink it without boiling but it will be clean enough to wash. He is making a boiler. I have your chaps Williams and Swanston at work too. They are building the bread oven. Resourceful chaps they are.”

  “I know.”

  I walked over to Lieutenant Dixon and the other three pilots. They had just landed. Squadron Leader Woollett was also heading out to them. He had his flying gear on. “We heard firing sir and saw burning by the river.”

  I nodded, “We will have to fly lower. When we headed north they had already moved a gun by the river to ambush a convoy. I happened to be at two hundred feet. That is how I saw it.”

  Henry said, “Righto, Bill. I will take that on board.”

  “I am not certain that there will be anything to protect this afternoon. However, our presence overhead will serve as a warning.”

  We looked up as, first the Vernon, and then the road flight, prepared to land. The Vernon had a longer range and was back early. I wondered if there had been a problem. Jack looked happy. He lit a cigarette after he and his gunner had clambered out of their DH 9as.

  “Quite as the grave. It looks like they salvaged whatever they could from the road block. We saw a couple of lorries heading down the road. I think you frightened them off the other day.”

  “They had a gun to try to ambush a convoy on the Nile. What altitude did you use?”

  “Eight hundred feet.”

  “Try dropping down to two hundred. I will try that this afternoon when I go up.”

  Ben was still at his aeroplane and I wandered over. “Problem, Ben?”

  “Dust in number one engine. It is what happened to one of the others. We will have to rig some sort of dust filter over the intake.”

  “Did you see anything?”

  “I saw why they need us. They are small garrisons and totally isolated. I am not even certain that they have a radio. I think that we could do with three flights a day. We need an umbrella to watch over them.” Just then we heard the rumble of engines and, looking up, we saw two more of the Vernons as they prepared to land. Ben smiled, “Well they are late but they got here. We just need Chalky now and we will be up to full numbers.”

  “I will go and get a bite to eat. I am up again this afternoon.” As I strolled to the mess I lit my pipe. Once I had made the two patrols I would then just have to escort a Vernon and I would understand the problems my men might face. After that I could go into Cairo with Captain Connor.

  Before I got to the mess I heard the sound of a car. It was the young Lieutenant. He leapt out and seemed quite animated. “Well done, sir. I don’t know if you heard but one of your chaps stopped the morning convoy being ambushed. The Colonel is delighted.”

  “We aim to please, Lieutenant. The road patrol saw a couple of lorries but no insurgents and the Vernon reported no trouble.”

  “That may change, sir. We have intelligence that the resistance is becoming more organised. There are daily riots in Cairo and word has come to us that someone is arming the insurgents in the desert. The Colonel believes this could escalate into a full-blown war.”

  I had my pipe going now and I said, “We will be ready. We have two more Vernons. When I have seen where they operate I will have a better idea if they can be used for evacuation.”

  “Thank you, sir. Oh, by the by, the convoy had most of your supplies. Captain Cooper requested more materials for another building and they are here along with your guns and some medical gear. They will be brought up as soon as we can get a convoy organised.”

  “Fuel?”

  “That too but tankers are the issue. We only have one. Still it is only a twenty-minute drive. The problem is we have to convoy them.”

  I pointed to the two armoured cars. “Then use one or both of them while we can. We must have a good supply of fuel or we can do nothing.”

  “Understood, sir.”

  My afternoon patrol was uneventful. The lower altitude helped. We flushed out some Arabs who were lurking by the side of the road. I am not certain that they were up to anything but we made them move. I was confident that we would be able to spot any danger.

  That night as we ate in the mess I said, “Ben I shall accompany your morning patrol.”

  He nodded, “That will fluster young Jennings.” He laughed, “He is the youngest of my pilots.”

  “I will try not to terrify him then.”

  The Vernon was the newest of our three types of aeroplane. We had them because they could carry eleven men or five thousand pounds of supplies. In the desert that could be the difference between survival and death. I sat in the cabin and acted as a passenger. I had my binoculars and I had a map. I intended to locate features close to the garrisons and outposts. I needed to know if we could land. It soon became obvious that there were few roads. The ones that I saw had been built by the British. They looked solid enough to land a Vernon. I was tempted to ask young Jennings to do so but I remembered Ben’s words. I did not want a pranged Vernon. I would ask Ben to land. We needed to test the viability. I saw just how vast the desert was as I watched the desert slip below the Vernon. Ben had been correct, the garrisons were tiny specks of khaki and they were all surrounded by potential enemies.

  When we landed, I thanked the young pilot who looked relieved to have delivered his commanding officer safely back to earth. I strode to the Admin hut.

  Captain Connor looked up as I entered and said, “The river patrol had a run in with insurgents. They found them setting up an ambush. They dispersed them but one of the DH 9as took some bullet holes in the wings.”

  “But we had no losses?”

  “We had no losses sir. I think the riggers were just annoyed that they would have to repair it. They were cursing the Egyptians something rotten, sir.”

  “Right, well tomorrow we will take your little motor into Cairo. We’ll take Williams and Swanston. There are a few things we can buy for the mess. Mr. Balfour made sure that we had funds for such things.”

  “Oh, and the medical block is under construction, sir. Captain Cooper thinks there might enough wood left to add an extension to the stores. It will be more secure than storing the ammo in the back of this office. The fuel has all arrived and is safely stored. Once we get the water running then everything will be tickety boo!”

  I spent the afternoon with the pilots who were not on patrol. I wanted to share my experiences. Ben would be flying the next afternoon and he said that he would try to land at the furthest point of the patrol. Everything seemed to be well. All I needed was a letter from home and life would be perfect.

  Williams and Swanston were happ
y to be given what they viewed as a holiday. However, when I insisted that they wore side arms they realised that it would be anything but. I took my German pistol. It was an automatic. At the end of the war I had managed to acquire a large amount of ammunition. The Webley was a fine gun but I liked the extra bullets and the fact that I did not have to constantly cock it.

  I had wondered if being blind in one eye affected Captain Connor’s driving and, as we hurtled down the dusty road in excess of fifty miles an hour, it did not seem the time to ask. The noisy engine and the wind whistling over its open top made conversation impossible. He had learned where the headquarters was and we thought it better to park there where our car could be watched by the sentries. Although there were few cars in Cairo, the streets were packed with people, stalls, donkeys and camels. We had to slow to a crawl. We passed a group of men on one corner. They shook their fists at us and then something was thrown against the car.

  “Ey up, sir. What was that?”

  Captain Connor took the unlit cheroot from his mouth, “I think it was a piece of rotten fruit. No damage, Corporal. Just keep smiling. The fruit we can clean off. If they meant business it would have been a grenade. Much messier! I can see the Union Flag. We are almost there.”

  “Thank God for that!”

  When we reached the building, I saw that they had two Vickers machine guns in sandbagged emplacements guarding the entrance. There was barbed wire and an improvised barrier of barrels. The Duty Sergeant moved the barrels and saluted. He noticed the tomatoes which had been thrown against the blue paintwork. He smiled, “I see the locals gave you the customary welcome, sir.”

  I nodded, “Yes, Sergeant. I gather that they are less than pleased with our continued presence?”

  “Not particularly. If you want to stick it by that wall sir, it will be out of the sun and we can keep an eye on it.”

  Captain Connor left it in the shade of the wall. “You two wait here while we go and pay our respects.”

  The interior was cool. My uniform already felt sticky. Lieutenant Simpson-Jones was at his desk. He seemed to be swamped by paper. “The Colonel is out, sir. There was a spot of bother on the road south of here. A lorry was ambushed.”

  I suddenly felt guilty. “Were we supposed to be patrolling there, lieutenant?”

  “No sir. We thought that it was safe. They had two armoured cars with them. The blighters got hold of one of our grenades and rolled it under the lorry.”

  “Any casualties?”

  “A couple of chaps were wounded by shrapnel but the lorry was badly damaged.”

  “Well we are here for a spot of shopping. We just thought we would call in and say hello.”

  “Be careful sir. The main shopping areas are relatively safe but do not be tempted to go down any of the side streets or alleys. Two Highlanders had their throats slit last week.”

  “Thanks for the information. We will be careful.”

  As we left the front the Duty Sergeant said, “Watch for pickpockets, sir. And every little bugger has a knife too!”

  We headed towards the shops. The Lieutenant had drawn us a simple map. I turned to Swanston and Williams. “If you two need to buy anything then ask the captain here. He understands the language.”

  The captain had lit his cheroot. “They like to haggle. Whatever they ask you can get it dawn by at least half. If you offer to pay in sterling it will be even cheaper. The local money is not worth much.”

  Despite the warnings, the faces of the shopkeepers we passed were filled with smiles. They wanted our custom. There may have been many who wished the British gone but they were not engaged in the business which brought British money into their hands. I bought a silk scarf for Beattie. I was glad that I had Ted with me. The Captain brought the price down to what would have been coppers. Neither of the corporals wished to buy anything and they were happy just to take in the colour and spectacle not to mention the smells. The spices were a joy to both the eye and the nose.

  We found what we were looking for half way down the busy street. It was a tobacconist. Or at least that is what we would have called it in England. Here they sold not only tobacco but other substances to be smoked. Captain Connor shook his head when Williams sniffed them. “They are not for you, Williams. They make their own cigarettes here. They are more expensive than what you pay but they are of a better quality.”

  “That is all right sir. I’ll stick with service issue.”

  Ted turned to me, “Those are the pipe tobaccos on the right in those jars. Ask to try one if you like.”

  The owner spoke English, “Effendi, what do you have in mind?”

  I took the tin from my tunic pocket. There was still a couple of pipefuls left. “I would like something similar to this please.”

  He sniffed it and then took a strand and tasted it. “Cuban and it has rum in it.” If he was trying to impress me he failed. It was obvious it was rum. That also implied Cuba. He took a jar down from behind him. “This has no rum, Effendi, but it has a fragrance and a taste which is similar. Fill your pipe and try it.”

  I did so.

  Captain Connor said, “While the Squadron Leader is enjoying your tobacco I will have a hundred cheroots.”

  Rubbing his hand the owner said, “Of course.”

  It was a pleasant tobacco. It was not too heavy. It was not as good as the Cuban but it would do. The Captain bought his cheroots and I said, “Half a pound please. Have you a humidor?” I did not want it drying out.

  “Of course, sir.” He took a humidor from the shelf and placed the tobacco inside. He carefully wrapped it up and then smiled at me.

  I let Ted haggle. When he had agreed a price he said, “Now we shall be here for a while and this will be a regular purchase so the next time let us see if you can do an even better deal or we may find another shop like yours.”

  “Mine is the finest not only in Cairo but in Egypt. My tobacco comes from…”

  “Never mind the sales talk. Now you can make us keen to come back if you can tell us where we can buy whisky, gin and wine.”

  He frowned. “Many of our mullahs frown on such things.” Then a sly look came into his eyes. “However, for two such fine officers I will see what I can do. My brother can obtain such things but it must be done away from prying eyes. I will ask him to visit you at your airfield.”

  “He will be searched.”

  “Of course and if you would like some advice I would not linger around here. I have heard that there are troublemakers. The English soldiers usually come here to sample the food in the restaurants at noon. I think today they will pay a heavy price for their meal.”

  I looked at my watch. It was eleven thirty. “Thank you for the warning!” I turned to the other three. “I think it is time we headed back to the car.”

  They nodded and we left the shop. The tobacconists had been cooler than I had expected and the heat of the street hit us as we stepped out. I wished that I had had my goggles with me for the sun blinded me. I put my hand up to shield my eyes from the sun and, in that instant, I saw the blade flash towards Captain Connor. I reacted instinctively. I pushed my two hands, which held the humidor towards the blade. It clanked off the pottery vessel. Captain Connors and my two Corporals showed great reactions. Williams pulled back his arm and punched the assailant on the chin. Even as he was falling Captain Connor had pulled his service pistol and smashed it across the man’s head. Swanston pulled his revolver out and shouted, “One more move and you are a bleeding dead man!”

  Even I was taken aback by the venom in his voice. The effect was instantaneous. The crowd dispersed. He swung his pistol from left to right as they moved back. Williams and Connor took out their guns and gave us a clear passage back down the street.

  “Captain, watch our front, Williams and Swanston, watch the rear.”

  “Sir!”

  “Sorry about the language, sir! Sneaky bastards!”

  “Don’t apologise. It worked.”

  The sight of the g
uns held out before us made a clear passage for us. When we reached the sergeant, I said, “I wouldn’t let your chaps out today, sergeant. I think the natives are a little restless.”

  He nodded, “I saw the guns and wondered. Stand to, you lads!”

  I handed the humidor to Williams. “I will go and inform the Lieutenant of our experience. We will leave when I return.”

  I entered the office and informed the Lieutenant as succinctly as I could of what we had learned. He nodded, “Sergeant Major, call out the guard. No one leaves headquarters.” He looked at me, “I think, sir, that things can only get worse.”

  “As do I.”

  By the time I reached the car, it was started and there was a mob approaching the barrier. “Right Captain, time for a rapid exit eh?”

  “Yes sir!”

  Williams handed me the humidor. “Bloody expensive baccy sir!”

  “Quite.”

  Once we hit the main road north then the road became quieter. Ted said, “Thanks for that sir. Your reactions saved me.”

  “We are all in this together, Ted. I think we learned a lesson there.”

  “We did indeed.” He took his unlit cheroot from his mouth. “This weed may well be the death of me!”

  Chapter 11

  The next week saw a huge transformation in our base. The engineers gave us running, filtered water. We could shower. The joy of a shower, even though it was often lukewarm, cannot be overestimated. The medical block was completed much to the delight of the Doctor. The patrols had managed to keep down the heads of the insurgents. Cairo was still a hotbed of disruption but we could do little there. The only action I regretted was the return of the two armoured cars to Alexandria. There was unrest there and Colonel Pickwick needed his men. I understood it but I would miss those two vehicles. We had to make do with the wire which surrounded the aeroplanes. We had a large entrance. It was only at night time that the entrance was blocked. During the day, we had two Lewis guns in sandbagged emplacements on either side.