1917 Eagles Fall

by Griff Hosker

  I burst out laughing! “For the last two years!”

  Our Sarah appeared, “Whatever is the… oh Bill!” She hugged me. “Do you want his lordship? They have just sat down to dinner.”

  “No, it’s mum she has no food in and I said I would cadge some off you!”

  They both laughed, “Cheeky bugger. Come round to the back and I’ll sort something out for you.”

  I went around the familiar path to the servants’ entrance. Sarah arrived first and she opened the door. Come in and I’ll get you a box.”

  The servants were eating around the table. Cedric and Sarah were the head servants but I knew all the others. They all shouted hello. Harry said, “I told you he was home. Wounded little soldier eh?”

  “It’s just a broken arm, Harry.”

  “Oh.” Harry sounded disappointed.

  Sarah had just returned with the box. “Yes but you broke it escaping from Germans and you nearly died!”

  “It was nothing!”

  Before it became even more embarrassing Lord Burscough came in. His right arm was in a sling. We both burst out laughing. “Well a fine pair we make, Bill and I can’t even shake your hand.”

  Sarah looked embarrassed, “I was just getting Bill some food for…”

  “Nonsense we have plenty let them eat here.”

  I shook my head, “Very kind your lordship but you know mum. She will want to cook for me the first night back.”

  “Quite. Well how about tomorrow? Harry tells me you have a pretty young lady with you and someone from your squadron.”

  “Yes sir, it is my fiancée and my manservant.” I saw the reaction from the servants around the table. That moment marked the instant when I changed in their eyes, my sister included. I had left the world of service and become a gentleman.

  “Well, bring them both. Her ladyship is looking forward to meeting her.”

  “She has met her already sir. She met her at the hospital in London. She was my nurse when I was wounded.”

  He shook his head. “Then it will be a fine tale at dinner!”

  When I reached the cottage again there was no sign of Bates but mum and dad were busy chatting to Beatrice. “His lordship insisted on giving us a box of food. And it is cooked!” Lord Burscough had had Sarah make up plates of food from the dinner they were enjoying. There was more than enough and it would mean mum didn‘t have to cook.

  Beatrice took it from me and said, “Get washed up then.”

  “Where’s Bates?”

  “John is upstairs warming and airing the beds.” I looked in surprise at my dad. “He’s a nice chap he is. You look after him!”

  I was not certain that my father understood the way the Royal Flying Corps functioned but I nodded and went to get washed.

  It was crowded around the little table with five of us but cosy. Bates, or John as everyone else was calling him, and Beatrice, or Beattie as my mum and dad called her, served up.

  Mum glowed, “Eeeh this is lovely. It’s like before the war when we had all the family around.” She looked at me sharply, “And where is Alice I should like to know?”

  I exchanged a knowing look with Beatrice. “We met her in London. She was at my friend’s wedding but she had to work.”

  “I am still not happy about her being in London all by herself. It is a sinful place.”

  “She is doing well Mrs Harsker.”

  “I told you, it’s Mary or Mother.”

  “Well, Mary, we saw some of her work and she designs beautiful dresses. The wedding dress she made for Mary Hewitt was exquisite.” She looked at me. “I hope she will make me one.”

  Every head swivelled to look at me. Dad said, “Have you picked a date, son?”

  I shook my head. “With the war and, its winter and…”

  “And we haven’t had time to talk about it yet.” A twinkle came into Beatrice’s eye as she said, “But we have a few days now to sort things out.”

  For some reason, that pleased my mother inordinately. “This one will sort you out, young Billy Harsker!”

  Later, as dad and I went to the pub, I discovered what impact Beatrice had made. Bates had declined a visit to the pub saying he would stay and do the dishes. Beatrice fought over the right to do that and I left a minor battle of wills between the three of them.

  It was pleasant strolling to the pub with my dad. “She is a lovely lass, our Bill. Your mum and I can rest easy now.” He took his pipe out to examine the bowl. “Your mum was so upset when you were reported missing. She still thinks of you and Albert as young kids.”

  “I know, Harry told me.”

  “Anyroad up your young lady has given us comfort.”

  We entered the pub and I saw the effect of the war. The ebullient welcome of my earlier leaves was now replaced by dour, sad faces. The village had lost many young men. They appreciated my visit and I think I cheered them up but it was a reminder of why we were fighting this war.

  Chapter 5

  Bates and I were the first ones to arrive at Victoria Station. It had been a sad parting for both of us. Beatrice had become quite close to my servant. As we had travelled south she had finally told ME that she preferred Beattie or Bea to Beatrice. I had asked why she hadn’t said anything before and she told me she thought I liked to call her Beatrice and didn’t want to upset me. It was then I resolved to speak my mind a little more. It would save misunderstandings. I had another poignant goodbye from the woman I loved. Victoria Station seemed just a little chillier than it had after she left us.

  “Thank you for this little break, sir.”

  “What are you talking about, John? One handed I could not have managed without you!”

  “And that is simply not true, sir. Miss Porter would have cared for you. She is a nurse after all.”

  “Well I am glad you came. Mum and dad were quite taken with you.”

  “That’s what I mean sir. I was in a family and I was welcomed. You can’t imagine what that is like for me. I feel ten years younger and, well, happy, and I just wanted to thank you.”

  As I filled my pipe I wondered what kind of home life he must have had to make him the way he was.

  Freddie and Johnny arrived next closely followed by Ted. They all seemed to have had a good time but Johnny was disappointed not to have had Christmas with his family.

  Freddie tried to cheer his friend up. “It will be grand to have Christmas this year with just a few of us. We’ll have the whole mess to ourselves. We can get some decent booze in Amiens. It will be great.”

  I was not certain if he was trying to talk it up for himself. I knew that this was as good a Christmas as I could have. Bea would be on duty all over Christmas anyway. We had celebrated Christmas twice; once with my family and once at the Big House with Lord Burscough.

  Gordy arrived out of breath. Ted shook his head and pointed to the cigarette. “Too many gaspers me old mate! You’ll have to cut down!”

  He grinned, “I wanted the maximum time with Mary. I have had to run the last mile!” He looked around the half circle. “Where’s Charlie?”

  “I don’t know but he might miss the train if he doesn’t get here soon. It leaves in two minutes. We had better get aboard!”

  We managed to get a compartment to ourselves and while Bates arranged the bags on the luggage rack I stood by the open door watching for Charlie. I wondered where he could have got to. The guard came down the platform. “You’ll have to board Captain. The train is due out.”

  I could not see him and I climbed in and then, as the guard slammed it shut, pulled the leather strap to open the window. I had just heard the whistle when I saw Charlie and Alice, hand in hand as they ran down the platform. The train gave the familiar judder as its wheels turned and struggled for grip. “Come on Charlie!” I saw that Alice held her shoes in her hands and was running in stockinged feet. I flung open the door. The train was barely moving and he would be able to jump on board. Then, to my amazement he stopped and gave Alice a long lingering kiss
.

  The train began to move a little faster. “Lieutenant Sharp, get your arse on this train now!” Ted could still sound like a sergeant when he needed to.

  Charlie turned, picked up his bag and began to run. The train had picked up speed. He hurled his bag on board and then threw himself into my arms. I dragged him on board and Gordy slammed the door shut.

  Bates rolled his eyes as he picked up the bag and placed it on the luggage rack. Charlie could not take the grin off his face. Ted said, “If you had missed this train you would have missed the boat and then you would have been Absent Without Leave! What were you thinking?”

  Gordy lit a cigarette and stretched out his legs. “I think our young flight commander wasn’t thinking. He is in love. Am I right?”

  He grinned and nodded, “I think I must be. Bill, er sir, your sister is wonderful.”

  I was worried and I asked, “And she feels the same?”

  “Oh yes sir. We have been together every night seeing shows and well doing all sorts sir and she is wonderful!”

  Ted said wryly, “I think we can take it as read that she is wonderful.”

  Johnny and Freddie laughed at Charlie’s discomfort. I changed the subject to take the attention away from my former gunner who still looked as though he was on the station at Victoria. “I was talking to Lord Burscough. He flies the DH 2.”

  “I hear they are a nice little machine.”

  “Oh they are but they are as slow as our Gunbus. He and his squadron were badly knocked about by those new Albatros fighters with the twin machine guns. He said that the Germans just couldn’t miss and they flew rings around his aeroplanes.”

  I began to fill my pipe.

  “Are there any new aeroplanes on the cards for us?”

  I lowered my voice as Lord Burscough had been in his cups when he had told me. “There are two: a Bristol with a synchronised machine gun and rear gunner and a nippy little single seat number made by Sopwith. They call it a Pup and it has a synchronised machine gun.“

  “Just the one though.”

  “Just the one.”

  “Then the Hun still has the advantage.”

  The journey back was more sombre and there was less jollity and fewer jokes. We played cards or just closed our eyes and thought of the pleasant time we had all had in England.

  The major had sent a truck for us. I think he and the others were keen for their leave to commence. As soon as I dismounted he said, “Go and see Doc Brennan. I want to know if you are fit to fly.”

  I turned to go and then asked, “Something up?”

  “We lost Bertie Cole the other day.”

  “I thought we were staying on our side of the lines?”

  “We were but the Germans decided to come over and play. They flew rings around us. Anyway, if you aren’t fit then I shall have to stay.”

  When I reached the sick bay the doctor had just finished packing. He smiled when he saw me. “Is it still itching?”

  In answer I proffered the knitting needle I had borrowed from my mum. “If it wasn’t for this I would have gone mad.”

  “That is a good sign it means it is healing. Jackson!”

  His orderly came in, “Sir.”

  “Get me the cutters, we’ll take off the plaster.”

  I sat in the chair. I was excited to be getting rid of the cumbersome plaster cast which had made me so reliant on others. I should have noticed that Jackson had his hands on my shoulders; it was a warning I missed. Doc Brennan went carefully but the cold steel did catch the tender point where the break had been and I winced. I was determined not to show pain for I wanted to be returned to active duty.

  When the cast came off I felt the cold air on my bare and exceedingly hairy arm but I smiled. Doc Brennan laughed. “You should be on the stage Bill. That hurt like buggery I dare say.” He examined the arm and was very careful not to hurt it. “A compression bandage, Jackson, and it will need changing every day. Make sure that Captain Harsker reports every morning or you have my permission to stop him flying!”

  Jackson grinned, “It’ll be a pleasure sir!”

  “Now you are fit for duty but for goodness sake take it easy with the arm. At least it is your left one so you are less likely to strain it.” He went to his desk and brought out a rubber ball. “Every day I want you to squeeze this five hundred times in the morning and five hundred times at night. If you are bored during the day then use it as often as you can. It’s called physiotherapy. All the rage apparently. And now I will bid you farewell and enjoy a decent leave with my wife and children.”

  “Thanks, Doc, you are a brick!”

  “Be careful, Bill. You take too many risks and from what I hear you have a young lady now. Think of her.”

  I left the sick bay and returned to the office. The Major and the Captain were both there. I smiled, “He gave me the all clear.”

  I saw the relief on Archie’s face. It had been a long time since he had had a leave. “It should be quiet. Headquarters have told us that there will be no offensive in our sector over the Christmas period. Just tootle about and show the lads in brown we are still here but take no chances!”

  Bearing in mind what Lord Burscough had said I had no intention of poking the sleeping dog. I would let it lie.

  Flight Sergeant Hutton had had a shorter leave but he was pleased to see me. “I spent some time with Senior Flight Lowery We managed to get a few more revs out of the engine. From what I have seen we will need all the speed we can get and then some.”

  “We have been told to keep a low profile. I don’t think there will be too much action over Christmas.”

  “How is the arm, sir?”

  “A little tender but not too bad.”

  I asked Charlie to be adjutant for the next two weeks. It was mainly paperwork and it would help me to find out what really went on between him and Alice. I did not want to see him retreat back into his shell. And, in addition, it would make him a better pilot for he would see the bigger picture.

  I sat with Gordy and Ted in the mess. Charlie was busy writing a letter to Alice and I needed to work out a strategy for the next two weeks which would keep us safe and yet watch over the men in the trenches.

  “Well, if the weather stays the same as it is now then we won’t be flying!”

  Ted was right. There were gales and the remnants of an Atlantic hurricane. We would be safe for the next few days. “But once the storm passes then we know it will be calm. How should we approach this?”

  “We only have six aeroplanes. We have too many chiefs and not enough Indians.”

  Gordy had hit the nail on the head. I looked at my two friends and came up with an idea. “Well how about this? You two fly as one flight. Between you there is more experience in the air than the rest of us put together. I will fly with Freddie. Charlie and Johnny can be another flight. We will fly a one hour patrol so that we have all six aeroplanes in the air during one day. It will make the Hun think we have a full squadron at the field.”

  “You think they may try to take advantage?”

  “Archie and Randolph told me that the new German squadron are brightly coloured but one aeroplane in particular has a distinctive red liver. That sounds like someone trying to make a name for themselves. With the new aeroplanes they have they know they can knock us out of the air anytime they like. If I was their squadron leader I would try to give us a bloody nose over Christmas so that in the New Year we will be nervous.”

  “I am bloody nervous already and no mistake. But I think you have made the best of a bad job. You are the boss. We will go with your idea… sir!”

  “Ted, I prefer the miserable old sod! You are unnerving me with this optimism!”

  Three days later I took Freddie on the first patrol. I have to admit that I, too, was nervous. I was not certain how my broken arm would cope with the rigours of a two hour patrol. Although we would only be over the front for one hour it would take us thirty minutes to get there and thirty to get back. I think all
of the ground crew were worried too for they fussed over the engine and the guns right until take off. I felt happy with Freddie behind me. He had developed into a sound pilot and he and his gunner had a good relationship. I climbed higher than normal. Perhaps it was nerves. Once we reached the Somme River I slowed the engine down and engaged in a simple patrol along our lines.

  Lumpy had a camera for headquarters wanted photographs of the front. We had been told to get as many as we could along the length of our patrol area. It did not take a genius to work out that there would be an offensive in the spring.

  My decision was vindicated when we saw the three old Fokker IIs as they headed for our lines. I had dreaded running into the deadly Albatros D.III. The three had not seen us and were flying over our lines. I saw the men in the trenches popping away ineffectually with small arms.

  I heard Lumpy’s voice in my ear. “Well, sir, are we doing owt about them or are we going to let them photograph our positions?”

  It was as near to a criticism as Hutton would go. “Point taken Flight Sergeant, let’s go and discourage them.

  A soon as I banked to cross their lines I knew that Freddie would follow. “Ready, Lumpy?”

  “Oh aye, sir.”

  I watched as he coked his Lewis. I cocked mine and regretted it immediately. I had spasm of pain shoot up my left arm. I thanked God I would not have to do it again.

  We came down and across the flight of three which was flying in an arrow formation. It gave us our best chance for Lumpy could spray all three of them. I had meant what I had said; I was in no mood for heroics. I merely wanted them discouraged.

  Lumpy opened fire and I knew that we had caught them unawares. His bullets ripped through the fuselage of the first Fokker and into the tail and rudder of the second. Then his gun jammed. I was ready with my gun and I opened fire. Like Lumpy my bullet struck the fuselage and I saw it bank. I must have either hit the pilot or something vital. I began to climb. I did not want to lose the advantage of height. I heard Freddie’s two guns. I swung to the west and saw that Freddie had downed the last of the Fokkers and the other two were heading east. One had smoke from his engine. It was as good an ending as I could have hoped.