by Griff Hosker
“Well if you insist. I think he is guilty.”
I watched as Lord Burscough looked him in the eye and said, firmly “And I know that he is innocent.”
When Major Stuart looked over Lord Burscough’s shoulder at Major Hamilton-Grant and began to speak my old captain never took his eyes from the now red faced major.
“And I agree with Lieutenant Hewitt. This young officer should be promoted and not punished. I have never heard such a ridiculous set of standing orders in my life. It is a miracle more pilots weren’t lost.” He pointed at Gordy and me, “And that is probably down to the likes of these fellows.”
Major St.John Hamilton-Grant looked stunned. I heard the Colonel’s voice from behind me. “Well major are you going to pronounce the verdict or not?”
He spoke through gritted teeth. “This court martial finds the defendant. Lieutenant Bill Harsker, not guilty.”
There was a pause and then an enormous cheer erupted from around the tent. The colonel walked towards me, his hand outstretched, “I believe the whole squadron approves of the verdict. Well done, Bill. I am proud of you.”
Then he walked beyond me and said to Major Hamilton-Grant. “Could I have a quiet word with you major?”
“Certainly colonel but you must understand I was acting not only in the best interests of the Corps but also the squadron. Lieutenant Harsker…”
The rest of the conversation was drown out by the voices of my friends.
Chapter 7
Captain Marshall and Gordy both pumped my hand. Major Burscough and Major Stuart came towards me with arms outstretched. Lord Burscough waggled a finger at me, “I told you that you should have come with me didn’t I?”
Major Stuart shook my hand and said, “Any time you fancy flying Bristols you can transfer to my squadron laddie. You have what it takes.” He gestured over his shoulder with his thumb, “You have five kills already and yon fellow wants to court martial you! Unbelievable.”
Suddenly we heard Major St.John Hamilton-Grant’s voice raised in anger. “But sir I must protest! You cannot ask me to transfer. This was a travesty today. My methods will work. I am sure that when I speak with General Henderson he will see it my way. You must reconsider.”
“Reconsider? After the way you mistreated my squadron and spoke of it in such disparaging terms? I think not. I expect you,” he shot a dismissive glance at Sergeant Shield, “and any of those who owe their loyalty to you to be off the base by evening.”
Major St.John Hamilton-Grant saw us looking. “I wonder which one of those traitors dragged you back here!”
The colonel smiled and proffered a letter, “Actually it was none of those men. All of them are men of honour. It was General Henderson who begged me to return from my son’s bedside. He was alarmed by the fall in efficiency of this squadron since you took over. It went from the most efficient to the one with the highest losses. And bearing in mind the squadron has the only aeroplane which can match the Germans that is quite a remarkable achievement.”
His shoulders slumped in defeat the major left.
The colonel turned to us. “I need to see the two majors and Captain Marshall. I think you two chaps need to go and show yourselves outside. I think the squadron would like to express their feelings.”
When we left the mess tent it seems the whole squadron was gathered outside in the late June sunshine. The first one to greet me was Lieutenant Holt. “I could not have borne it had you been found guilty. I am delighted that you have been exonerated.”
“Don’t get carried away, Johnny, I was found not guilty but it will still be on my service record that I had a court martial. If I intended to have any sort of career then that would be the end of that.”
His face fell, “Oh I say.”
“Let’s just celebrate. Come on Bill, Ted will be in the officers’ mess opening a few bottles.”
“I have to see Sergeant Sharp first.”
I had seen Charlie Sharp hovering behind the officers. I strode over to him. “Thanks for what you said Charlie and I am sorry for nearly getting you killed.”
He laughed, “Killed I can live with but I cannot break in another officer. You’ll do for me sir.” He gestured with his thumb towards the airfield. “I can get back to rebuilding the old girl now sir. You enjoy your party.”
There was a party atmosphere. Everyone knew that the major had gone. I suppose when the colonel arrived they all knew what we, inside the tent, did not. There would be a sea change. There were just the eight officers in the mess but the noise we made seemed to make it appear like more. Ted had acquired some beer. Not enough for us to get roaring drunk but just enough to make us feel happy. I was pumped for information about my flight to rescue Johnny. The facts given at the court martial were dry and they wanted to know everything.
We got on to the relative attributes of the German and British aeroplanes. Gordy was on fine form, “Bill has proved that, if we act together we can dominate the skies. The Aviatik is slow and is really a reconnaissance aeroplane with a rear gun. The Fokker is a better bus and has a forward firing machine gun but it is hard for their pilots to fly the bus and fire the gun. Our only weakness is getting attacked from the rear.”
There was raucous and lewd laughter at the double entendre.
“He’s right. As soon as they try to make an extreme manoeuvre the Fokker becomes more unstable and yaws like mad. Our bus is not as good at looping and banking but it is stable, it is powerful and it is faster; especially at higher altitude.”
The looks on their faces told me that they did not know that. I should have realised. They had followed the major’s orders to the letter and that meant staying at a specific altitude. “Yes, once you get higher you can get up to ten miles per hour more. As we are faster than they are anyway it means you can get away from them.”
Johnny swallowed off the last of his beer. “Yes but they are sneaky bastards. That was a cunning ambush. If Bill hadn’t been alert I would have been a goner.” That was an excuse for more cheering and patting me on the back.
In the middle of it Captain Marshall appeared. “I say chaps, try to keep it down a bit. You are all behaving like fifth formers at the end of the summer term. The colonel sent me to fill you in on the future of this squadron. Major Stuart has a Captain Leach who is ready to be promoted to Major. He will be transferring here and Lieutenant Campbell will be going the other way.”
Billy looked crestfallen. The captain said, “Take it as a compliment. He wanted Bill here and you were the next best choice so well done. Besides you are promoted to First Lieutenant so it is not all bad.”
His face brightened at the compliment.
“The standing orders are now defunct.” This time the cheer was deafening. “The old ones will be reinstated. The three flight lieutenants will resume their duties and tomorrow Lieutenants Thomas and Hewitt will take their sections to patrol the front.” He smiled at the applause. “We are now back to normal and I for one am glad. Now then Ted, where is my beer. All that talking this morning has made me drier than Wales on a Sunday!”
I left after the next beer. I was still in my number ones and I needed to feel comfortable. I also had a letter to write but, before I did that, I needed to speak with Major Burscough. As I was walking to my tent I saw a staff car pull out. It was driven by Flight Sergeant McNeil. He was another of the major’s spies. I had never liked him either. Sergeant Shield was next to him and in the back was Major St.John Hamilton-Grant. The major’s eyes swivelled in my direction and I knew that I had made an enemy for life. That was it, all of the bad apples picked out of the barrel. We could begin afresh. I glanced over to the field. We would be starting over with just six serviceable aeroplanes. There were another two, possibly three which might fly again and the rest were only good as spares. It would be a rebuilding job.
I changed and then began to head up my letter. I had much to say to my family. I had just dated it when I heard Captain Marshall’s voice, “This is his tent sir.
I’m sure he will be in.”
The flap opened and Lord Burscough stood there. “Thank you Randolph. I’ll see you before I leave.” As the flap closed he shook my hand again, “You had me worried when I was summoned to the court martial. Of course when I read the charges I realised how ridiculous they were.” He shook his head. “We are in great danger of losing this war because of the incompetents who are running things!”
“It all ended well though sir.”
“It did indeed and you are one of the top pilots in the RFC. You have come a long way.” He leaned in and said, quietly, “I shouldn’t be telling you this but the colonel has put you in for a V.C.”
I was astounded. This was the highest honour in the British Army. “I was just doing my job sir.” I paused, “You wouldn’t have left a man behind the lines would you sir?”
“No but the damned fool orders put you both in an impossible position. If you ever get a command Bill then use your mind. Some men just use a rule book. Anyway I must be off. Keep doing what you are doing. People think highly of you.”
After he had gone I wrote the letter to my family. Had he criticised me in any way, shape or form, then I would have written it differently. As it was I was able to tell the truth and let them know, no matter what they might here from others, that I had done nothing wrong. And now I could get back to flying- when Sharp had rebuilt my aeroplane.
There seemed to be a bounce in everyone’s step the next day. It seemed as though a cloud had been lifted. Ironically we all seemed to work harder than under the beady eye of the martinet Major Hamilton-Grant. The new pilots, gunners, mechanics and aeroplanes began to arrive. Gordy and Ted had easy patrols and were able to bed in their new flights well. I was looking forward to my first patrol.
Lieutenant Holt had begged Captain Marshall to be in my flight and he agreed. The third member was Lieutenant Carrick. He was a fresh faced boy from Scotland. He had the bare minimum hours in an Avro trainer and none at all in a Gunbus. Holt was a veteran by comparison.
When the new Major arrived I sought him out immediately. Not only because I wanted to start on a good footing but also because I wanted to ask a favour. I liked Archie from the first moment he spoke. He was a genial officer and much younger than any other Major I had met.
“I have heard that you are a pilot with a killer instinct Lieutenant Harsker.”
“I think I have had more luck than many other pilots.”
“They say a good pilot makes his own luck. Now I know that you are a man who comes to the point, the Captain told me so what would you like to ask me?”
“Am I so transparent? Lieutenant Carrick is as green as grass. Not only that, he has not been up in a Gunbus. They require different skills from an Avro trainer.”
“Quite right. We fly Bristols. I think I might struggle with a pusher.”
“I’d like to take him on one flight as a gunner. If he understands the problems of a gunner then he will be a better pilot.”
“You were a gunner once weren’t you?”
“Yes sir and it stood me in good stead.”
“I think it is a good idea but it will mean just you and young Holt on patrol. How will that be?”
“I know the sector well I will find a milk run.”
“Good. Let me know how it all goes.”
When I found the lieutenant he was busy in conversation with Johnny. They both stood to attention when I reached them. “Come on chaps, I am the same rank as you.”
Johnny grinned, “No sir, you are the Flight commander. This is Freddy.”
“Pleased to meet you Freddy. I understand you haven’t flown a Gunbus?”
“No sir.”
“As an aeroplane they are stable and fast but, because you have a gunner in the front, they need a different flying technique. Isn’t that right Lieutenant Holt?”
“It is indeed sir.”
“Can you fire a Lewis gun?”
“Of course sir.”
“Good then before we let you loose as a pilot you can be my gunner and give Sergeant Sharp a day off. Johnny, you will watch my tail.”
Holt grinned, “Yes sir!” Poor Freddy looked terrified. “Don’t worry Freddy, you will learn a great deal the lieutenant is a cracking pilot.”
Of course Sharp was less than happy with the arrangement but he saluted, said, “Yes sir,” and then took the new lieutenant through the speaking tube, the Lewis gun, the Lee Enfield and the Very flares.
When he had finished he nodded and I said, “I don’t expect you to spin the prop but you will need to know how to do that too.” He nodded. “Now get on board.” I turned to Lieutenant Holt whose aeroplane was next to mine. “We’ll head over the German lines. Fly at two thousand feet and keep a watch for the Huns. They have been a little quiet in the last few days.”
As we bobbled along the airfield I heard Freddy say. “I say sir, you are damned close to the ground up here and there is no engine in front of you.”
I laughed as I lifted the nose. “Just wait until you fire that Lewis behind you!”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Surely you are joking sir.”
“No, Carrick, you have to stand, brace yourself on your seat and hang on for dear life.” I allowed that to sink in. “Now do you see why I am giving you a little trip as a gunner?”
“Yes sir.”
Perhaps because I had a passenger, and Carrick was all of that, I was more alert and I saw the three Fokker monoplanes as they climbed towards us.
“Carrick, cock your Lewis and keep your eye on those three Germans.”
“I can’t see them.” I leaned forward, tapped him on the head and then pointed to the little black crosses in the distance.
I waggled my wings to get Johnny’s attention and then made the signal for return to the field. He nodded and I saw him looking ahead. His gunner pointed. He had seen the Germans too. That was the difference a couple of months at the front made. You saw things quicker. The Fokkers would never catch us. I began a lazy bank around and then saw that the Germans had laid a trap for us. Five hundred feet below us and climbing were three Aviatiks. They began to bank to follow the same course we were taking. Their three machine guns would converge on me. I pointed down urgently. I hoped that Johnny would see.
“Right Freddy we are going to have a crash course in aerial combat. I am going to dive towards those three Germans below. Do not fire until I order you to and then only a short burst. You will not have time to change magazines. Got it?”
“Yes sir.”
The one advantage we did have was speed. Diving from altitude meant that, if we passed the Germans they could never catch us before we reached home. I cocked the rear Lewis. I could see that there would be a point of convergence. I decided to aim the bus between the first and second Germans. The fact that they were firing close to one of their own might make them make an error.
Their bullets began to fly up at us. They were missing. “Ignore the bullets. Just aim at the gunner in the first aeroplane. You’ll be fine.”
I heard a, “Yes sir.” But he did not sound confident.
We began to take hits but luckily they were on the wing. We were a hundred and fifty feet away. “Now Freddy! Short burst! Stop! Short burst! Stop!”
“Sir the gun has jammed!”
“Clear it and keep your head down.” I fired a short burst from my gun. We were so close that I could hardly miss and I saw the gunner throw his arms up. I banked left, across the second aeroplane. I could hear Johnny’s Lewis rattling behind me.
“It’s clear sir.”
“Good watch for the next target.” As we swooped over our lines I saw the Tommies firing their rifles at the Germans. I lifted the nose and glanced behind me. I saw that the three Aviatiks had turned tail and joined the three Fokkers. The trap had nearly worked.
“Well done Freddy.”
I heard the noise of my new pilot being sick. Poor Sergeant Sharp would be even less happy now.
We landed safely enough. Li
eutenant Carrick looked white. “Sorry about that sir.”
“Don’t worry Freddy. This was you first combat and that is a frightening place to be. Believe me I know.”
Sergeant Sharp wandered over. “I see you took a few hits sir.”
“Yes Sergeant, more work for you.”
Lieutenant Carrick said, “Sorry Flight but I was ill in the cockpit.”
Sharp leaned over and nodded, “Don’t you worry sir. I have come close to that a couple of times. The first time up I hurled over the side.” He shook his head, “I can’t wonder what the Germans thought when that lot fell on their heads. It will clean up. Leave this to me sir.”
As we strolled over to the mess I noticed that Johnny Holt gave us the space and time to talk. “That sergeant of yours seems like a good egg sir.”
“He is. That is why I let you fly in that position. You can see that you are a team. You have to trust each other.” I turned and pointed to the bus; Sharp had already emptied the front cockpit to facilitate cleaning. “When I was a gunner one of the pilots I flew with did a loop while I was standing on the cockpit and firing behind us.”
“How did you stay on?”
“Luck, I think. The point is that when I became a pilot I made sure that if Sharp there was standing then I did slow and gentle manoeuvres. It means we get hit more but we are also more likely to get back down in one piece.”
We reached the mess. It was almost empty. The other officers were either flying or making sure that their aeroplane was ready to fly the next day. We picked up a mug of tea each. Johnny wandered in and I waved him over.
“That was close eh, sir?”
“This is the second time they have tried that ambush.”
Freddy, whose colour had a returned, looked puzzled. Johnny explained with a cup and a sugar bowl. “The Gunbus is a good aeroplane but it has one weakness; the Germans can come up behind the engine, underneath us and we can’t see them. As we fly faster than they do they have to catch us unawares. We don’t expect them to come from our lines.”
“And that is the puzzle we have to solve and soon.” I gratefully sipped the hot sweet tea. “Now when we fly Freddy you will be between Johnny and me. Johnny here is a good wingman and will watch your tail. You watch mine. Imagine it like a game at school; follow my leader. Whatever I do then you do. You will have a new gunner and you will need to tell him to fire in short bursts and not shoot my tail off.”
