by Griff Hosker
“Are we getting a bonus then?”
“Ted, you never fail to amaze me. When did the army every pay you for doing something well? The officers might get promoted but we will get bugger all.”
Raymond looked at me, “They want his lordship to start a new squadron and use the same tactics. Those Germans you two managed to shoot down make him one of the most successful British pilots on the whole western front. You could well be leaving.”
I don’t know why but that disappointed me. I was happy here and comfortable. I did not relish the thought of starting afresh. It would be especially bad as we would be seen to be bringing new ideas and I knew that a lot of the men would like to see us fail. “When does he leave?”
“Not for a couple of weeks. The major said he couldn’t afford to lose his most experienced pilot in the middle of an offensive. Besides we have still a job to do here.”
The captain did not say a word as the five of us took off the next day. I heard his first words when he told me of our task that day. “Right, Flight, we are heading back for the road and then the railway. We will machine gun any infantry and then harass anyone trying to repair the railway line.”
I had a bad feeling about the whole thing. This would be the fourth day we had done exactly the same thing and the Germans were many things but stupid was not one of them. As we crossed into German territory we were jumped by a number of aeroplanes. They swooped down like hawks. Luckily we saw them before they opened fire but we were slow beasts and the Gunbus took forever to climb I fired at the Aviatik which was attacking the major’s plane. I didn’t hit it but I forced it to climb and Major Brack was able to continue to evade the enemy. I felt the floor judder as the undercarriage was hit by bullets from an Albatros heading at our starboard side. I swung the Lewis around and gave him a short burst. I saw pieces fly from his propeller. The fragments must have struck the pilot for he suddenly fell back, jerking the joystick as he did so. Alarmingly the Albatros began to climb above us. I grabbed my Lee Enfield and, as it appeared above us I fired five bullets into its underbelly. I saw flames appear and begin to spread down the aeroplane. Even as it climbed I knew that it was doomed. Sixty feet above us the fuel tank exploded and we were all shifted in the air by the concussion.
There was no time for self congratulation. The captain’s Lewis suddenly opened fire. It was always worrying when that happened as it was right next to my head. I saw that he had seen an Aviatik turning in front of us and he managed to hit the tail. I fired the last of my magazine and saw my bullets stitch a line towards the cockpit. The whole aircraft wobbled. Between us we had hit some of the control wires. Captain Brown’s aeroplane had been hit and I saw him heading to the ground in an attempt to land. I hoped he landed on the correct side of the front.
I changed the magazine and fired at an Albatros which was firing at Gordy’s engine. I saw smoke begin to pour from the back of Gordy’s Gunbus and I held my fingers on the trigger. The observer gunner slumped forward as my bullets struck him and the Albatros took evasive action.
In my ear I heard, “Time to go Flight. We are the last bird in the air.”
I looked around and saw that the rest of our aeroplanes were heading west and the surviving Germans were limping east.
“Righto sir. We have ridden our luck again.”
“I know, I know.”
We allowed the others to land before us. We watched as Captain Devries tried to land the damaged Gunbus. He made a valiant attempt but one of the wing tips caught the ground and, to my horror I saw the aeroplane cartwheel. There was a cloud of smoke and I could not see anything. I hoped that Gordy had survived but the one who normally died in such a crash was the observer. I felt sick to my stomach as we taxied by the smoking shell of the Gunbus.
As we stopped I shouted. “I’m going to see how Gordy is.”
When I reached the scene and the doctor I was amazed to see Gordy smoking a cigarette. There was a sheet covering something. Gordy pointed with his cigarette. “Captain Devries. He caught one when they hit the engine. He must have landed it and died or landed it already dead.”
“How did you survive?”
He pointed at the pole holding the rear facing Lewis gun. “That stopped me from breaking my neck and the seat belt actually held. If we hadn’t had your device then I would be dead now.” As they took the body of the young officer away I reflected that he had grown up as a pilot at the front but it had still not saved him from a premature death.
It was decided that we didn’t have enough aeroplanes to operate the next day which was a relief to us all. I was busy repairing the bus when the major and Captain Burscough wandered up. I wondered if they were going to tell me about the new squadron but they surprised me. The major said, “I thought you wanted to try out as a pilot, Flight Sergeant Harsker?”
“I did sir but we have been so busy.”
He nodded, “You aren’t busy now are you?”
“Not really sir.”
“Good. The Avro is fuelled and ready to go.“
I ran to my tent to get my flying gear. When I reached the Avro the captain said, quietly, “You can do this, Bill. You are a natural.”
I was not so sure but I climbed into the cockpit anyway. It had been some time since I had flown and I hoped I would remember what to do. At least I had an idea what would be required of me as I had seen Gordy’s test.
As soon as the engine fired I focussed. I heard the major’s voice in my ear. “Take off whenever you are ready and fly a circuit of the field at two hundred feet.”
“Sir.”
The test was like a blur. Even as I performed the various manoeuvres I couldn’t remember the last one I had done. It made no difference that I had seen Gordy do the same thing. Everything just blended into one huge blank. When he said, “You can land now,” I breathed a sigh of relief. The ordeal would soon be over.
I waited until the major had climbed out and then I joined him. Captain Burscough walked slowly towards us. The major had a very serious face. “Flight Sergeant Harsker did you know that Captain Burscough is going to be given the command of a new squadron?”
There was no point in lying. I nodded, “Yes sir, I heard a rumour.” I knew what was coming now. I had failed the test and I would be going with the captain as his gunner.
“His new squadron will not be flying the Gunbus but a new single seater fighter, the Bristol. Now, as a new pilot, which would you rather fly?” It took me a moment to hear his words and realise that I had passed my test. I hesitated and I saw the major smile, “Well?”
“I think I would like to stay with this squadron sir.”
There was palpable relief on the major’s face. “I hoped that you would say that.” He turned to the captain. “Sorry James, he wants to stay here.”
To be fair to his lordship his smile was genuine. “No hard feelings Flight, and well done. I shall miss you but I understand why you want to stay. I was tempted to refuse the colonel.” He suddenly looked like a boy again as he grinned, “I held out for a majority!”
“Congratulations to you, Major Burscough. When do you leave?”
The grin went. “Tomorrow. Back to Blighty. I have to go to the factory. I need to find out about this new aeroplane before my new pilots arrive!”
The two majors went over to the mess. I suspected they would be celebrating. Gordy and Ted ran over to me, “Well!”
“I am a pilot like you now Gordy!”
“Well done. What was the major saying?”
“He offered me the chance to go with Lord Burscough and fly the new single seater scout.”
“And you turned him down? That’s daft that is.”
“Always half empty eh Ted? I know the Gunbus and I like it. I would not be confident in a single seater; not yet anyway.” I waved a hand at the airfield. There were just three aircraft fit to fly. “There are no aeroplanes left here to fly anyway.”
We now only had the young lieutenants left as pilots and they had the heav
ily damaged aeroplanes. Until we received either spares or new aeroplanes, than we would not be truly operational. This last offensive had hurt us.
We waved a hung over and bleary eyed Major Burscough goodbye. He was driven in a staff car sent for him by the colonel. As we turned to go back to our aeroplanes, the other officers who had just waved his lordship off, began to clamber aboard a lorry driven by Quartermaster Doyle. Major Brack waved us over. “Harsker and Hewitt; get your flying gear. You are to go with the officers and pick up replacement aeroplanes and crew from England.”
As we ran to our tent I heard Ted grumble, “I have no luck. I shall have to stay here and repair these wrecks while you get to go to England. There’s no justice in this world.”
Chapter 20
There were just six officers in the back of the lorry. We both felt self conscious as we clambered aboard. It was only when we sat down and looked at them that I realised they were all lieutenants. Captain Dundas had stayed with the major. They all had less air time than we did. I also saw that they were a little nervous too. Gordy made everything comfortable, “We hope you fine gentlemen don’t mind travelling with a couple of grease monkeys like us.”
They were young but they were pleasant chaps. Lieutenant Donovan said, “No, of course not, Flight. Besides you two have more kills than us lot put together. We were hoping you could give us some pointers on the way back.”
And so the journey to Calais was a pleasant one. Gordy told many stories about flying and then they all asked me about my trapeze stunt. By the time we reached the sea I felt as though I knew them all far better than I had done. They were not lords; they were ordinary chaps and they were keen to learn. That was all that you could ask. I had been worried that they would turn out to be versions of Lieutenant Ramsden.
We had an hour before we could board the boat and Gordy managed to buy a few bottles of French brandy for the voyage. “We can enjoy ourselves now, Bill!”
In the event we did not. The ship was taking home many of the wounded from the battle of Neuve Chapelle. When Gordy saw the plight of some of the soldiers who had lost arms, leg, even eyes he could not, in all conscience, drink alone. Most of the brandy was doled out to soldiers who had a bleak future ahead of them. They would be cripples in a world which only valued the whole. He shook his head as we poured the last drop down the throat of a boy, who looked to be younger than my brother Albert. Gordy said, “I am coming round to your way of thinking Bill. We should have killed more of the bastards on the road. It’s now our lads or theirs and from now I will save our boys if I can.”
There was a lorry waiting when we reached Dover and we were driven to the same aerodrome at Dartford. It was dark when we arrived and we were billeted in the sergeant’s barracks. It was a grim place. I suspect it was always used for transitory pilots and there was no sign of anyone leaving a mark upon it. After the depressing crossing we both went to bed with sunken spirits. The euphoria of the first part of the journey had been forgotten after the horror of the boat and soulless barracks.
We were summoned the next morning to the briefing room where the station commander, Captain Dawes, sat at a table with a pile of papers before him. I noticed a group of men in new uniforms sat together. I guessed they were our replacement crews. We were told to sit and Quartermaster Doyle plopped himself next to us. He turned to speak to us. “I get to take back the new boys who aren’t flying! What a depressing journey that will be.”
“Are you taking anything else back?”
He tapped the side of his nose, “As many spares as I can manage to lay my hands on.” He chuckled, “They have so many aeroplanes and parts coming through here that they haven’t the first clue what we have signed for. I will pack the lorries to the rafters.”
The captain stood up. “Gentlemen we have a little paperwork to do here. The pilots,” he glanced in our direction, “will need to sign for their aircraft and check that they are airworthy.” Gordy and I groaned while the loots looked confused. They would soon find out what that meant. Three hours of walking around the aircraft with a checklist.
“When I call your name then come here and sign for the aeroplane. You will pick up your checklist and log book and then the Squadron Sergeant will allocate you your observer.”
The captain looked to be a man who did things by the book… no matter how long that took. Gordy and I were in the middle of the alphabet and I was called before him. The captain gave me a supercilious look as though I could not read and then said, “Sign here, Flight Sergeant Harsker.” He emphasised the Flight Sergeant part.
I smiled, “I’ll just read it through sir, if you don’t mind.”
As I was reading it I heard him say to the young lieutenant next to him, “We must be scraping the barrel if we are letting sergeants fly now.”
I gritted my teeth and ignored the barb. If this man had been any good he would have been in Flanders. “Thank you sir. That appears to be in order.” I signed and picked up my documents.
As I passed the squadron sergeant he shouted, “Private Sharp. Here’s your pilot!”
I saw a young and eager looking boy who picked up his bag and threw it over his shoulder. “Right private let’s go and find our aeroplane.” As we wandered out into the cold spring morning I asked, “Have you flown much?”
He looked embarrassed. “Today will be my first flight, Flight Sergeant.”
That somehow, brightened my day. I had been in his position a few months ago and now I was a pilot.
”Don’t worry son, you will love it.” I saw that the aeroplane had just two Lewis guns fitted. When I looked inside I saw that there were no spare magazines. “Stow your gear here in this front cockpit and then have a wander around it. It will all seem strange at first. I have to do something.”
I saw Quartermaster Doyle at a large building loading his lorry. He turned when I ran up. “What do you want? Coming back with me now that you’ve seen your crew?”
“No Quartermaster, it’s just that there are no spare magazines. Any chance of getting one?”
He grinned, “You’ll get me shot.” He nodded to a box. “They are there but only take the one!”
I felt much better when I reached my aeroplane. I handed the magazine to Sharp. “Know how to change one of these?”
He smiled, “Yes Flight.”
“Then change it now and humour me.” He did so successfully and I rubbed my hands. “Right grab the checklist while I do the guided tour.” I remembered that Captain Burscough had not really shown me the aeroplane when I had been in Sharp’s position. I did not want him to look the fool I had when I had tried to start the beast. In the end the checklist and the tour went hand in hand. I discovered that there was not enough oil in the engine. That could have been a disaster over the Channel. I hoped that the young lieutenants would be as diligent as I knew Gordy and I were. We had the advantage that we had worked on the engines and knew what to look for. They were just chauffeurs. Everything else appeared to be in order. Private Sharp appeared to be diligent and keen. He paid attention to everything I said and his questions were intelligent. I had been lucky; they had assigned me a decent observer.
When we were finished I sent Sharp to wash up while I returned with the checklist. The captain did not appear surprised that there was oil missing but by the same token he did not appear to be bothered. I handed him the signed checklist and he gave me a lazy wave. “Have a good flight then, Flight.” He seemed amused by his own wit. I shook my head and returned to the bus.
Gordy was on his way in. And he waved a thumb at the others. “Do we have to wait for them?”
I shook my head and laughed, “Do you want the poor sods to end up in the drink? Of course we wait for them. We have, at least, done this once before.”
“I suppose. The same route?”
“It is safe.”
He shook his head. “Not any more. The Hun has been bombing Dover with Zeppelins and Aviatiks. One of the new lads comes from there and he was telling me
.”
“In that case we will have to arm the guns well before the coast. I’ll go and tell the loots what we are about.”
They were all in a huddle watching the mechanics and observers checking the aeroplane. They would soon learn that you did that sort of thing yourself. “Sirs!” They all turned.
“Yes Flight?” Lieutenant Donovan appeared to have the most about him.
“I have just heard the Hun has been bombing Dover and that is on our way home. We might run into Zeppelins or aeroplanes. I would suggest we all have our gunners cock their Lewis guns when we have taken off. It will just be a precaution but we don’t want to get jumped do we?”
“Thank you for that suggestion, Flight Sergeant.”
They looked at each other with a mixture of fear and excitement. I knew that some of them would fancy their chances against a Zeppelin; for me I wanted a quiet trip back. However I was a mere Flight Sergeant and they all out ranked me. I looked at the sky. It was getting on for afternoon. “And we had better get a move on, sirs. Unless you fancy landing in the dark.”
All thoughts of Zeppelin hunting disappeared as they began to chivvy their crews into action. I returned to our aeroplanes. Gordy was there with his observer. “Well?”
“I told them. I guess they will hurry up now.” I saw Sharp looking intently at the Lewis gun. “If we have to fire this on the way back then wait until I give the order.”
“Sir.”
“And just a short burst; four or five shots at a time.”
“Sir!”
Gordy laughed. “I see becoming a pilot has made you an old woman now.”
“Better to be safe than sorry.”
The officers returned. Lieutenant Donovan approached us. “None of us have flown over the sea before. We wondered if you chaps could navigate?”
I nodded, “It is simple enough. We head down the Thames and then fly south to Dover. Once there we head directly for Calais and then we are almost home.”
