CHAPTER XI
A FIGHT AND A LANDING IN BELGIUM
The day following their arrival at the field base, as it was called,they found a wonderful change in the order and arrangement of the place.Everything was done in the most systematic way. So many machines, fromeach squadron, were told off each morning for certain duties. Thoseduties were as follows: First, scouting. This meant ascertaining wherethe enemy was most active; where the batteries were located; noting themovement of troops, and their general character.
Scouts generally operate in pairs, for if it is impossible to signalback from the ships, one continues the work while the other makes asignaling report from such point or points in the rear as will make theinformation useful.
The next duty is to protect the scouts from interference. This work iscarried on by the large ships, which are usually provided with rapidfire guns. They need not, necessarily, be speedy, for they are to keepin touch with the speedy scout ships, the latter of which sail aroundover a small area so the observations can be carried on as leisurely aspossible.
Third come the bomb-throwers, usually heavy-powered machines, generallynot armed, as all the carrying power is devoted to the transportation ofbombs. These are also guarded by the heavily armed machines. Sometimes,as in the case of the Farman machine, which the lieutenant used, theywere used for scouting, and were also serviceable for fighting purposes.
In the early period of the war there were not many pilots capable ofdoing the duty required in all branches of the service. It wasfrequently the case that the aviator would command a ship with a gun onit and do double duty, acting as scout, or he would chase and fight anenemy, manipulating the gun while manoeuvering the machine. It was thesort of duty in which Lieutenant Guyon was engaged at the time he waspromoted to the command, and supplied with the new type of machine.
Naturally, as commander of the squadron, he was at liberty to take anyone he desired in his flights, and as he had a real affection for theboys, he took delight in having them accompany him on many of hisexploits. It was the custom for the lieutenant to entrust the pilotingof the machine to one of the boys, while he acted as a scout. FrequentlyRalph would perform this duty, while Alfred, with his camera engaged,under the direction of the lieutenant, taking such photos as were deemednecessary to supplement the Department maps.
Thus over a month was spent in scouting duty, and, as the weatherbecame somewhat chilly, especially in the evenings, they never wentaloft without being well muffled up. One morning the lieutenant calledout to the boys that they were likely to have a busy day before them, asthe weather was unusually mild for the season.
When they arrived at the hangar the machine was already out of the shed,and the lieutenant was busy with the charts in consultation with theofficer of the day. Evidently something unusual was afoot, for theywaited more than an hour before the lieutenant re-appeared.
"You might wrap up well," he said. "I have ordered a good luncheon, aswe shall have a good long scouting area to cover."
"Which way are we going?" asked Ralph.
"Directly across the city, and then to the east. There is some unusuallyactive business going on between this and Metz."
"Think I had better load up the camera pretty well, even though it is alittle misty," said Alfred.
"By all means," responded the lieutenant.
It was eleven o'clock before all was ready, when the lieutenant,addressing Ralph, said: "After we pass over Verdun, going east, we crosswhat is called the La Pietrie forests. The principal towns we shallvisit are Conflans and Briey, both within the German lines. Throughthose towns are the principal railway lines which supply the enemyforces to the west with provisions and ammunition. We have eight bombsaboard to be used at convenient points. After lightening up the machineby disposing of them we may make a visit to Longwy, a town twenty-twomiles north of Verdun. We ought to have good maps of the railroadsections over there."
As they arose the weather was somewhat hazy, so it was difficult to makeobservations at high altitudes. They, therefore, ascended at availablepoints, and took a number of snapshots. To the left the Meuse river, andthe edge of the forest beyond were distinctly visible, although theywere then registering an altitude of more than 5,000 feet, and were fivemiles east of the river. To the east was an impenetrable haze, so thelieutenant directed the machine toward the river, and soon the Germanencampment and lines were visible through Barencourt.
All were on the alert to notice signs of the enemy's machines, for theywere now in such a position that the Germans would be most likely toobserve them, but there was not an indication that they would bemolested. They then turned the machine to the northeast where a bridgewas visible in the distance, and the lieutenant shouted through thetube:
"Make for the first bridge; follow the track on this side for a quarterof a mile, so as to give me a chance to aim. Then take the second bridgeto the north further on, and in doing so pass the factory beyond."
"I understand," said Ralph.
The track was reached, and directions followed. Long before they wereover the bridge the lieutenant pushed down the lever which released abomb, which could plainly be seen at first, but they soon lost sight ofthe flying missile. A moment later the second bomb was released. Howlong it seemed for even the first bomb to reach the earth! As they weredirectly over the bridge an explosion was plainly visible. The firstbomb had missed the bridge, but before they had time to comment on itthe second one burst at the end of the bridge, and one of the spans wentdown.
_A Dangerous Position_]
The factory was now in view. "Go down lower," shouted the lieutenant.
Alfred nudged the lieutenant, and pointed to the north. "That looks likean airship," he said.
"So it is," replied the lieutenant, after a hasty glance. "But we mustattend to this little business first," he continued, as his foot wasextended down to the bomb dropper.
"You have hit it!" shouted Alfred in glee. "Now for the other bridge."
They were not as successful with the last structure, although threebombs were expended on it.
"Now, where is the flyer you saw?" asked the lieutenant.
"It went easy just before we reached the second bridge," said Alfred. "Idon't see it now."
"Then I suppose we shall have to go to Longwy to find where it is," saidthe lieutenant. "Can you see the city beyond?" he continued, pointing tothe north. "Go to the left of the city," he said through the tube.
"Why did you tell him to go to the left?" asked Alfred.
"In that way we can avoid the long range aircraft guns, which we knoware mounted in the forts to the east of the town," was the reply.
They were soon on the northern side of the town, and in looking souththey were surprised to see two machines, one making for the east and theother seeming to fly directly toward them.
"That fellow will be a little surprised when he finds what he has todeal with," said the lieutenant with a chuckle.
"It's a Fokker, isn't it?" shouted Ralph through the tube.
"Quite right; when I give the signal turn to the left, and describe asharp circle. I'll fool him," said the lieutenant.
The signal came; the machine veered around just as the Fokker cameplainly into sight. As the turn was made the lieutenant turned themachine gun to the other side, and when the sight was cleared past thewings he gave the first turn of the crank to the gun.
There was a hum and a succession of cracks, which seemed to surprise theman in the Fokker. He evidently thought that the French machine wastrying to get away, or it never would have ventured so close.
"The other machine is coming!" cried Alfred.
"Here is where we can get in the fun," said the lieutenant. "Make astraight line for the one coming up in the east. Go on until I signal."
This was a most audacious move, and while Ralph was guiding the machinetoward the stranger the lieutenant poured a constant stream of shot intothe first comer. It must not be assumed, however, that the Germanmachines were idle
during this period. Both were firing, but the shotswent wild, especially after the daring move just made.
"Up! up! as high as you can go!" was the next order.
The machine tilted, and the lieutenant looked back at Ralph approvingly."She is a dandy climber," said the lieutenant musingly. "Now I'd like tosee them follow a bit."
One of the machines actually tried to imitate them, but the other shipwas noticed wavering and swaying from side to side.
"Something is the matter with that fellow," said Alfred.
"Yes; he's done for, and we can easily polish off the other one,"remarked the lieutenant, as he watched the falling machine. "Now turnaround quickly and dive for the one who is trailing us," said thelieutenant through the tube.
Ralph banked the machine, and brought it around as quickly as possible.The machine was not a quick-turning one, but the oncoming machine wasnot prepared for the manoeuver, for it seemed to hesitate which way togo. If it went to the left it would be impossible to use its gun, and ifit turned to the right it would be at the mercy of the Frenchman's gun.The only remedy was to dive; down went the machine at a sharp angle. Thelieutenant's shots went wild, but they were soon rid of theirtroublesome companion.
"I suppose we'll have the whole German flying corps after us now," saidthe lieutenant. "Turn for home."
No sooner had they turned than another machine came up, this time a mostdetermined fellow.
"Up! up!" again came the command, "and keep pointing that way. You mightalso veer to the left."
This time it was one of the well-known Taubes, with the disadvantage,however, that she was a tractor,--that is, had the propeller in front,like the Bleriot monoplane, so that it prevented the driver fromshooting head on, whereas the Farman biplane was a pusher,--that is, hadthe gun mounted in front, and the propeller behind the planes. Duringthe evolution of circling, however, the biplane had to present abroadside, which gave the Taube a chance to pour in a stream of shot,many of which took effect.
"That was a close shot!" shouted Ralph through the tube. The lieutenantlooked back, and pointed to the tube. A shot had gone through it,causing Alfred and Ralph to look at each other in undisguised dismay.
_A Safety Manoeuver_]
At every turn the lieutenant ground out the shot, and soon the barometerregistered a height of 6,400 feet. Two miles more and the Taube made apeculiar turn, and glided to the right.
"You have hit him," said Alfred in excitement, and the lieutenantstopped churning.
"It seems like it," was the reply. "When we come back on the circle, golower," he said to Ralph, "and I can finish him."
As they crept up closer and closer, the lieutenant, with his hand on thecrank, waited for the final chance. Like a dying gladiator the Taubeturned, and a most terrific storm of shot came from the quick firer.This was the only time that the boys actually heard the thuds of thestriking missiles on the body of the machine. It proved to be the lasteffort of the Taube; it dropped away, but still held its uprightposition.
Instantly the engine of the biplane stopped. The lieutenant, with hishand still on the crank, turned and shouted:
"What is the matter?"
There was dead silence, and sudden darkness, for they could not see ineither direction. They had entered a dense cloud.
"Have we started on the down glide?" continued the lieutenant.
"I am trying to hold it up," said Ralph. As he spoke they emerged fromthe cloud, but the Taube was nowhere in sight.
"Try the starter," said the lieutenant feverishly.
"Can't do it," was the reply.
"Then hold it steady while I examine the tank," said the lieutenant. Heleaned over, and almost immediately exclaimed: "The connection is shotaway."
"I will make a long glide if you can fix it in the meantime," saidRalph.
"No; I will connect the other tank," was the reply.
It required less than a minute to perform this operation, but despitethe repair the engine would not turn.
After another examination the lieutenant looked up from the pit, andsaid: "It's all up now. The other tank is also empty."
The barometer now showed that they were only a little over threethousand feet above the earth. A landing must be made, that was evident;but where? Alfred pointed to a forest, directly east.
"That might be a good place to come down, because there doesn't seem tobe any houses there."
"Just the place if we can find a spot big enough," said the lieutenant.
With his field glasses he scanned the forest.
"Do you see that strip of dark green a little to the left? That is aclear space, I am sure. Steer for that after circling around. We arestill high enough to enable us to make a careful observation of thespot."
The machine descended in its regular glide, and they passed over theindicated spot.
"That is a dandy place if you can hit it right," said Alfred.
It was narrow, not more than a hundred feet wide, but it extendeddiagonally up the hill, not the most desirable place to land, by anymeans, but it was the only thing to be done.
"Where shall I land?" asked Ralph.
"Try to strike the second clump of brush; do you see what I mean?" askedthe lieutenant, his words tumbling over each other in his haste.
"I can do it," was the reply.
"May you have good luck," said the lieutenant.
They approached the end of the open space between the trees. Fortunatelythe wind was not blowing, and the fuselage struck the first clump ofbrush, but they passed over it without difficulty. Ralph then threw upthe elevator sharply, and the front end tilted, while the body of themachine sank down gently, and the landing was made without a jar.
"That was the most beautiful thing I ever saw. You deserve great creditfor that piece of work," said the lieutenant, as he leaned back andpatted Ralph.
They leaped from the machine, and for a moment stood there helpless withthe reaction which set in, the boys, particularly, being influenced bythe great strain. The lieutenant was the first to speak: "Well, here weare in a pretty fix; but it might be worse," he said.
"No; we haven't a drop of petrol left," said Ralph ruefully. "Both tankswere perforated."
They sat down to consider the situation. It was now past five o'clock,and although it was generally the custom to take luncheon with them onthese trips, the extra amount which had been stored was barelysufficient for a half meal. The sun was going down, and they had no ideaof their location except that, by calculating, the lieutenant judgedthey might be fifteen miles northeast of Longwy. Everything was still,except the evening chirrup of the birds.
"It is too late to do any investigating tonight; but our first duty inthe morning must be to arrange for food," said the lieutenant.
Fortunately, they had taken the precaution to carry plenty of wraps, sothey were not at all uncomfortable. They gathered leaves, made upcomfortable berths, and, after a most exciting day, slept soundly allnight.
As soon as the first grey of the morning sun lightened up they arose,and began an investigation of the surrounding vicinity. A reconnoiteringjourney was proposed, as, during the night, faint whistles oflocomotives could be heard coming from the east.
"That is the direction we must go," said the lieutenant, as theyprepared themselves for the trip.
They entered a dense forest, setting their course by the compass, andmarched due east for an hour without seeing the first sign ofhabitation, when they were suddenly startled by a locomotive whistle,which could not be more than a mile away. They drew back and listenedfor a time, then cautiously crept forward, looking for an opening. Aquarter of a mile to the left they discovered a wagon trail leading tothe north.
This began to look as though some one might be living in the vicinity.The trail was followed, as cautiously and as closely as possible, and amile beyond a cabin was sighted. This was the time for them to exercisecare, but they felt sure the people living there would sympathize withthem.
"You see, we are in Belgium
now, and they hate the Germans," said thelieutenant. "I suppose we are close to the border of Luxemburg, and thepeople there feel the same as the Belgians."
"Do you know a place in Belgium called Bovigny?" asked Ralph.
"Yes," responded the lieutenant. "That is on the other side ofLuxemburg, close to the frontier. Why do you ask?"
"That is where we entered Belgium, and near where we assisted incapturing the auto load of Germans," said Alfred.
"Yes, Bovigny is less than forty miles from this place," said thelieutenant.
"Isn't that strange," said Ralph. "Here we are, close to the place wherewe started on this excursion. Why, we made a regular circle to gethere," and they laughed at the situation.
It was now past six o'clock in the morning. No one was in sight, andthey assumed it might be too early for the people, so they waited for anhour; still there was no sign that the cabin was occupied.
"I suppose we might as well go closer and investigate." They wentforward without seeing a sign of life, except a dozen or more chickens,which were scattered over the lawn to the rear of the cabin. "If thereis any one there a whistle might bring them out," continued thelieutenant.
There was no response, and after waiting a short time they circled aboutthe house, and they saw that the front door was open, but there was nofurniture within. They then boldly approached, and began to examine thecontents of the rooms. Not a scrap of food was found, although ants andother vermin were numerous, and there was a mouldy smell in the secondroom, there being only two compartments or rooms. While they weresearching about, two chickens appeared at the door, and with a commoninstinct the boys encouraged a closer acquaintance, to the amusement ofthe lieutenant. One of the chickens was finally trapped, and a meal wassoon prepared and cooked in the oven. They had barely time to finish therepast, when a shot was heard in the woods to the south, at which theyhurriedly left the cottage, and rushed to the nearest clump of brushacross the clearing. A second shot followed, evidently quite near, butapparently from the same direction as the first.
"They are probably hunters," remarked the lieutenant.
"Isn't our machine over in that direction?" asked Ralph.
"Undoubtedly," said the lieutenant.
"I wonder what they would do if they found it?" queried Alfred.
"I think it would be perfectly safe if the hunters are natives. I amsure they would suspect the truth, for they would at once recognize itas a French machine," replied the lieutenant.
"Would it be safe to go in that direction?" asked Alfred.
"That was in my mind," replied the lieutenant. "As we must find someone in this region, and they seem to me to be the most likely fellows toapproach, come on," he added.
They hurriedly went forward, expecting every minute to catch sight ofthe hunters. Their progress was slow, as the ground was full of leaves,and the wood thick; besides, there was considerable underbrush. Theythus wearily tramped on and on for more than an hour, covering adistance which should have brought them close to the location of theirmachine. Despite all their efforts it could not be found nor the placelocated.
The only remedy was to retrace their steps and go back to the cabin, andfrom that place they could readily follow the wagon road back to theplace where they emerged from the woods. The cottage was reached shortlyafter noon, and an hour was spent in catching several of the chickensand roasting them, so that it was in the middle of the afternoon beforethey again retraced their steps back to the starting point.
Here another difficulty presented itself. They could not find the placewhere they first reached the trail, so they sat down to wait for thewelcome sound of a train to guide them. Even that aid was denied them,and as darkness was now coming on a suitable place was found to rest forthe night at the base of an uprooted tree. There the night was spent incomparative comfort, as, fortunately, the weather still continued mildand agreeable.
The matter of food now became a vital one, but so, also, was thenecessity of locating the airplane. The matter was debated, and thelieutenant finally said: "We must find our machine; from that point Ithink we should strike to the west. It would be unwise for us toapproach the railroad to the east, as that is in the hands of theGermans, and every mile of it is patrolled."
By means of the compass they trudged to the west, and soon reachedfamiliar ground. As they were about to enter the open space, which wasrecognized as their landing place, voices were heard. The three glancedat each other in dismay, until Alfred's keen ears detected a French wordor two, of which he quickly advised his companions.
"I will call to them in French," said the lieutenant.
He did so, and the two men, for the lieutenant could now distinctly seethem, were startled, but in another moment returned an answer.
"We are French," said the lieutenant. "That is our machine, and we havebeen reconnoitering."
"We are friends," said one of the men.
In another moment the lieutenant and the boys were at the machine, andgrasped the hands of the hunters. "We are Belgians," continued the man.
"Where are we?" asked the lieutenant.
"In the forest, north of Messanoy," was the reply.
"Are there any Germans near?" asked the lieutenant.
"Yes, at St. Leger, to the north, and at the junction of Arlon, to thenortheast. But troops are constantly going along both roads to Longwyand Metz," replied one of the spokesmen.
"Where can we get something to eat?" was asked.
"Ah, we can arrange that," said one of the men with a smile. "Followus."
On the way the lieutenant learned a great deal of the system in force bythe Germans. They were conducted north, through the woods for fully amile where they reached a wagon trail. Here the lieutenant stopped.
"Where does this trail lead?" he asked.
"From the railway station on the east line to a little village on thewest side of the forest," was the answer.
"Then we were on this trail yesterday," said Ralph.
If they had gone a quarter of a mile farther, after reaching thecottage, they could have seen the first cottage in the village. It wasalso learned that the two men were the hunters whose shots were heardthe previous day while at the cabin. The men lived a quarter of a milefrom the village, in the elevated part, near the border of the forest,and like true Belgians were glad to help their French brothers.
The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen Page 11
