1915 Fokker Scourge (British Ace Book 2)

by Griff Hosker

  Two others peeled off to do the same with Freddy. That left three Fokkers in line astern coming for me. They had effectively eliminated the chance for all three gunners to concentrate their fire on one aeroplane. Once again I had to focus on my task; fight three German monoplanes. My two wingmen would have to learn how to do the same.

  Lumpy held his fire, even though the first fighter opened fire as soon as we came in range. When he did fire he could not miss and the propeller and engine of the first Fokker were struck by half a magazine from the Lewis. It did not try to fly over or under us, it banked with smoke pouring from the engine. Lumpy fired another short burst and the pilot slumped dead in his cockpit.

  There was no time for self congratulation; the next monoplane was firing. Lumpy finished his magazine and held up his hand to tell me he was reloading. I felt the German’s bullets striking our aeroplane and I gave him a short burst. As we closed I fired a second time and struck his wing. The Fokkers used wing warping and any damage to the wing made them less manoeuvrable. As the pilot struggled to control the aeroplane, which began to yaw, I fired a second burst and hit his propeller. He began to spin out of control.

  Then the third Fokker fired. Perhaps he was aiming for me or perhaps my luck had run out. The bullets struck my Lewis gun and I felt a thump in my shoulder. I knew, without looking that I had been hit. The bullets continued to hit us. The Lewis gun stand before me was severed and the gun plummeted over the side to fall to earth. Lumpy emptied the whole magazine at this zealous young German. He had concentrated so hard on hitting me that he was almost within touching distance when Sergeant Hutton fired. He hit the engine and then the pilot. As he slumped forward the aeroplane dived vertically to earth.

  “Three of them sir! That must be a record.”

  I could feel the blood dripping down from my wound. I glanced at the floor. There was a small puddle gathering. I had to get down or poor Lumpy would die with me. “I am hit, Sergeant Hutton, I will try to get you back. It has been an honour to serve with you.”

  I did not want to die without the Sergeant knowing how I felt about him. He looked around, his normally happy face ashen. When he saw the wound he could not hide his shock. “You’ll be all right, sir.”

  I shook my head. “I will try to get you back to the base but keep the Very pistol handy to warn them.” I coughed and it hurt my chest. “This may be a bumpy landing.”

  I swung the aeroplane around and the sky was empty. I had no idea where the others were. I checked the compass and made sure that I was on course. As we flew over the river I saw that the bridge had been destroyed. The bombers had done their job and I could die happy. I had protected my comrades. I did a quick count in my head. I had destroyed a total of sixteen German aeroplanes. That was not a bad haul for a boy who had expected to grow up looking after horses. I had made Captain and won two medals. I hoped that my family would be proud.

  Oddly the wound had stopped hurting but I began to feel a little lightheaded. I saw Lumpy looking around. Suddenly he stood and faced me. He was not a tall man but by putting his feet on the edge of the cockpit he could reach me.

  He had removed his speaking tube. “Now you just fly her straight Captain Harsker and I will try to stop this bleeding.” He had a field dressing and he jammed it beneath my flying jacket. He had a bandage and he sort of threw it around my back. “Lift your arm up sir. Your good one.” I managed that and he tied and tightened the bandage to hold the dressing in place. It hurt and I winced. “Sorry sir. I am a clumsy bugger. There that might slow the bleeding down.” He reached into his flying coat and pulled out a small hip flask. “Don’t tell the colonel about this but I find a nip keeps the cold out. I reckon you need it more than me. Here sir. Have a swig.”

  He held the flask to my mouth and I swallowed a mouthful of the fiery rum. I coughed and Hutton dabbed at my mouth with his scarf. I saw it came away red. “Thanks, Lumpy, now you had better sit down so that I can see where we are going.”

  He did so and I saw the German trenches and No-Man’s Land ahead. I could not risk climbing. I needed to be as close to the ground as I could. I expected to pass out at any time. The lower I was the more chance Lumpy would have of surviving. The crack and rattle from below us told us that they were firing at this foolish Englishman who was close enough to hit with their rifles. I heard pops and cracks and saw holes appearing in the lower wing. It could not be helped. And then the firing stopped as we crossed the British lines. I was finding it hard to use my right arm. Landing would be difficult with one arm. I was so low that if I passed out the Gunbus might not be totally wrecked when we hit the earth. The sergeant might survive. I saw the windsock in the distance and then heard the crack of the Very pistol.

  The ground seemed to be coming at us really rapidly. I slowed down as much as I could. I did not want to stall and cartwheel. I had to do my Sunday best landing. It would be my last. As the nose wheel touched I prayed that I had the correct angle or we would tip. As soon as the main wheels hit the ground I cut the power. I heard Lumpy shouting, “Hang on sir!” Through a red mist I saw Doc Brennan and his orderlies racing towards us and then it all went black.

  Chapter 26

  I have heard that, when you are dying, you see a long tunnel and there is a light at the other end. I didn’t see any light. I was in the dark and I could hear voices all around. They were the voices of my comrades from the cavalry. There was a sudden flash of light and I saw Caesar, my horse. I heard machine guns and saw horses and riders tumbling to their deaths. I heard crying and realised it was a baby. It was my nephew William. Then Tom and John appeared. They seemed hazy but they were wearing uniforms. I head Tom say, “Come on our kid. You can make it.”

  They disappeared and mum was rocking in her rocking chair and knitting. She suddenly stopped and gave a small scream, I saw dad rush to her side. And then I was in the air. I was rising on a thermal. The Gunbus seemed to float. All was well again. Then the engine cut and I was spinning to earth. I tried to pull back on the stick but my arms would not work. I was heading for the ground. It was spinning closer and closer. I saw the trenches and the faces of the soldiers and then it all went black.

  I wondered if this was death; this inky blackness in which I seemed to be floating. I felt no pain and so death seemed, to me, to be what I was experiencing. I had expected to see Tom and John. Then I remembered that I had seen them just before it all went black. Perhaps they would reappear. Were they to be my guides?

  I heard voices. They seemed to be from far away. I was about to speak when I realised that the voices were not John and Tom. I recognised the Scottish tones of Major Leach. Was he dead too?

  “Why has he not come to?”

  “It is the anaesthetic. The bullet had gone through but I had a lot of stitching to do.”

  “He will live though.”

  “He should do. He is a strong young man with a hearty constitution.”

  “When will he be fit again?”

  I heard a snort of derision. “You are not asking much are you?”

  “Come on Doc, you know how they all feel about the laddie here. He is like a lucky charm. If he is in the air then they feel safer.”

  “He will need maybe three weeks to recuperate. That is in a hospital back in Blighty, mind. If he is here then I cannot promise anything. Then another week or so and he should be able to fly again.”

  “Well that is something.”

  I forced my eyes open. It was bright. I opened my mouth to speak and I found I couldn’t. It was a sort of half cough. Archie’s face lit up and Doc Brennan lifted my head and held a glass of water for me to drink.

  “You had us worried, Bill. There was so much blood in the cockpit I wondered if you had any left.”

  “If it hadn’t been for Lumpy I wouldn’t have made it. He stopped the bleeding. He saved my life.”

  “Aye he is a good lad. He will be mentioned in despatches.”

  It struck me unfair that if it had been me then I would ha
ve had a medal but the enlisted men just received a mention in despatches.

  “How long have I been out?”

  “It was yesterday you were shot.”

  “What happened to the rest of my flight?”

  His face clouded over, “Lieutenant Carrick and Sergeant Laithwaite were shot about a bit but they managed to escape without a wound. Johnny Holt’s gunner, Sergeant White, bought it and Johnny was barely able to land his aeroplane. The three of you did a heroic service. We were able to bomb the bridge without any losses.”

  I closed my eyes. That was something at least. “They tried something different this time, sir. They didn’t come head on they tried to attack from three sides. It nearly worked.”

  “I know, your two lieutenants told us. But I think the day of the Fokker Scourge is over. Your old friend Colonel Burscough has made mincemeat of them with his squadron of DH 4s. There are rumours we might get a couple.”

  “I think I would miss my gunner. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Sergeant Hutton.”

  Doc Brennan shook his head, “That is enough. He needs rest. No more visitors until tomorrow. And then he is off to England!” He smiled as he said it, “You will have some convalescence and you need it Captain Harsker.”

  I did need the sleep. When I awoke it felt as though I had gone twelve rounds with a heavyweight. Perhaps the drugs had worn off, I don’t know but I now knew I had a wound. Gordy, Ted and my two lieutenants were the first to visit me. I saw, through my half open eyes the look of worry on their faces. As I fully opened them they donned a mask of joy and relief.

  “You had us worried there, Bill. You had a hole in you so big I could have put my fist in it.”

  Gordy shook his head and clipped Ted on the back of the head. “What a wonderful bedside manner you have! Never mind him, Bill. You look much better now and you will be off to a hospital in England. Do you know which one yet?”

  I shook my head. “The Doc said I would find out later this morning. He reckoned it would be in London somewhere.”

  Gordy brightened. “You’ll be there for a while. I’ll write to Mary and ask her to visit you.”

  “I would like to meet her.”

  For some reason the fact that I would be meeting the future Mrs Hewitt filled Gordy with pleasure. His grin stretched from ear to ear. I looked at Freddy and Johnny, “You two did very well the other day. I am proud of you.”

  Freddy nodded. “I think I had the easier task sir. I just had two to contend with. We shot one down and the other cleared off. They made a mess of the aeroplane but they didn’t hit anything vital.”

  I looked at Holt. “Sorry about your sergeant.”

  He nodded, “We had been together since the start. Now I know how Freddy felt.” He brightened a little. “The Major has given me Sergeant Hutton until you are fit to fly again.”

  “Then you are in safe hands. If it wasn’t for him I would be pushing up daisies by now.”

  Doc Brennan came in to the room. “Now that is enough. Sergeant Hutton and Sharp have been waiting and I don’t want to tire our patient out. He leaves this afternoon.”

  “Where to Doc?”

  “Imperial Order Of The Daughters Of The Empire Hospital.”

  Gordy asked, “Where is that, sir? I was going to get my young lady to visit him.”

  “Hyde Park Place, London.”

  “I will write to her now, Bill just so long as you promise not to steal her from me.”

  I laughed, “That depends how pretty she is.”

  He waggled a warning finger at me. “Bloody heroes, all the same!”

  Charlie and Lumpy looked fearful as they came in. “Don’t look so worried. I have survived and it is thanks to you Lumpy.”

  He shook his head. “I was scared Mr Harsker. I saw all that blood and I just had to do something.”

  “Well you did the right thing. And now you have Mr Holt to watch over.”

  He laughed, “He’s a nice lad but it is like having a school boy behind you.” He suddenly realised what he had said and put his hands up, “No offence meant sir.”

  “I know what you mean. And you Charlie, how are things working out for you?”

  “I am glad we have the bombing run over. I feel better now but when I saw those Fokkers coming after you I wished I was up there with you.”

  Doc Brennan came in, “Sorry boys, the ambulance is here to take Captain Harsker to Blighty.”

  They both shook my hand. “Glad you are in one piece sir.”

  “We’ll have your aeroplane as right as rain by the time you get back.”

  The ride in the ambulance was not the most comfortable I had had. I shared it with a mechanic who had lost a hand to a propeller. His army career was over and the poor lad just stared at the ceiling for the whole journey. My attempts at conversation resulted in monosyllabic answers and I gave up. We reached the hospital after a boat, a train and another ambulance ride. It was late at night when we reached our new home. The last thing I thought about before I went to sleep was the smell. This smelled like England. I knew that I was home.

  I was not in the same hospital as Airman Carmichael. He went to one for Other Ranks. As an officer I had a room to myself. It was almost midnight when I was finally alone in my room. The orderly made me as comfortable as he could.

  He grinned as he stood by the door, “Don’t you worry Captain, blokes are only on night shift. You have pretty nurses tomorrow. They are much easier on the eye than the likes of me.”

  I smiled back but, before I could retort he had gone and closed the door. My head hit the pillow and I was out for the count. I had a troubled sleep. No-one had thought to give me anything for the pain. I had been handed from orderly to orderly and I assumed they all thought that the one before had seen to my needs. I am not the complaining type. I had been brought up to be polite and not pester people. It caused me pain and distress that night.

  A particularly sharp pain jabbed me awake. I think I must have shouted. I smelled a subtle rose perfume and I found myself looking up at the face of the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She had a look of concern on her face. “When did you last have anything for the pain Captain?”

  I had to think. “Er yesterday before I left France. The Doctor gave me some morphine.”

  She shook her head. “That is simply not good enough! You have been in pain have you not?”

  “A little but only in the last few hours.”

  “The night shift are a bunch of layabouts.” She must have been aware that she was sounding quite cross. “Sorry, Captain after what you have gone through the last thing you need is a harpy screeching in the room.”

  “Don’t worry. I don’t mind. You are the first pretty girt I have seen in a long time and the first woman I have spoken to since Christmas. Your voice sounds like an angel to me.”

  She actually blushed, “You flatterer. I’ll get you something for the pain and then a little breakfast. How’s that?”

  “It sounds wonderful Nurse…?”

  “Porter, Beatrice Porter. Now just lie back and I will be back in a jiffy.”

  The pain had already diminished before she returned. I was lying back with my eyes closed. Her perfume heralded her arrival. When you have smelled little else other than fuel fumes, engine oil and Lumpy Hutton’s body odour, a perfume like Nurse Porter’s was a welcome change. Once I had had my injection she scurried away and returned moments later with a breakfast tray. “Now you eat all of that up Captain Harsker, I want a clean plate.”

  “It’s Bill and I will.”

  She had the most enchanting smile, “I am afraid we have to use rank here, Captain.” She leaned in. “If Sister or Matron heard me being so informal I would be in serious trouble. But thank you for giving me your name. It suits you and I shall think of you as Bill in my head, Captain Harsker.”

  I ate my breakfast happily. I think I had just flirted with a nurse. I was not certain but Ted, the squadron’s ladies man, had said that flirting w
as the first stage to an assignation. I was getting ahead of myself. Goodness only knew how long I would be here.

  That was the last time I saw the lovely Nurse Porter alone that day. The next time I saw her was with a hatchet faced sister and a doctor who reeked of cigarette smoke. I was told that Doc Brennan had done a good job. That was superfluous information; I knew he had done a good job. I was told that I would be bed bound for a fortnight and after another week I might be fit to recuperate at home.

  I wondered about that as I lay in the bed looking out at Hyde Park in the June sunshine. It was a long journey to Burscough and I would only be there for a mere four days before I would have to make the arduous return journey. I would cross that bridge when I had to.

  I waited, eagerly, for Nurse Porter’s appearance the next morning. I had wondered about getting up to shave. An orderly had completed that task the previous day but he had not arrived until ten o’clock. I decided it was not worth incurring the nurse’s wrath. She was a little later than usual and she had a beaming smile on her face.

  “I didn’t know how important you were Captain Harsker.”

  I was nonplussed. “Me, important? I don’t think so.”

  “Well we had a phone call this morning from a Lady Burscough who said she was on her way to town and could she come to see you this evening. She will be here at six o’clock. ” She seemed impressed. For me she was just Lord Burscough’s wife; a nice lady but her presence would not make me an important man. “I’ll get Cyril the barber to come a little later today so that you look smart for her ladyship.”

  The matron and the sister were of the same opinion as Nurse Porter, and my bed was completely remade, the room had a fresh bunch of flowers and, to my embarrassment, two nurses gave me a bed bath. Sadly neither of them was Nurse Porter.

  My evening meal was brought forward to five o’clock and the sister watched over me as I ate it. Had she been able to feed me she would have done so to get it over with quicker! Eventually I saw that it was nearly time for the visit. I knew that Lady Margaret Burscough would not have minded how the room looked but the matron obviously felt she had standards to maintain.