1917 Eagles Fall (7 page)

“Signal the troops on the ground that there is a column of German soldiers marching to the front.  Tell them we are going to attack them and then repeat to the others.”

“Sir!”

I headed east. They would see us but we would be ten little dots high in the sky. I cocked my Lewis.  I still could not change the magazine despite Doc Brennan’s exercise ball.  I was recovering far slower than I used to.

“All done, sir.  Captain Sharp’s gunner said A flight will climb above us.”

Charlie was really on fire these days.  By having his five aeroplanes above us we would have protection as well as the option of a second attack. I could see that it looked like a regiment below us.  They had the new German helmet we had heard about. They were fresh troops. That, in itself was ominous.

“Ready, Lumpy?”

“Sir!”

I pushed the stick forward and we dived. The engine being behind us seemed to make less noise than those with an engine in front and we dived a couple of thousand feet before the soldiers seemed to react. By then it was too late.  They could make the ditches but that was all. I emptied the magazine down the ditch which ran along the side of the road.  Lumpy fired obliquely at the other side. At that speed we were over and through the thousand or so men and climbing as their small arms fire ineffectually tried to hit us.

I banked to starboard, partly to head home and partly to see the effect of the attack. I saw bodies littering the road.  Had we had bombs then we could have destroyed the whole column, there was little point in using Hutton’s Mills bombs; the Germans would have aeroplanes heading for us now.

I kept the two flights low as we ate up the ground back to the airfield.  It was good practice for it kept you on edge and your reactions became faster. Fast reactions made for better pilots.

The men were elated when we landed and that elation lasted right until dinner.  However when Major Leach and Captain Marshall arrived late with very serious expressions on their faces then we knew that something was wrong.

“Gentlemen, there is a new German squadron at the front.  They are all the new Albatros D.IIIs and they are brightly coloured.  They all have red on them and their leader has a totally red aeroplane.”

One of the new chaps shouted, “Well they should be easy to spot, what!”

“Tell that to the six pilots and crews of the FE 2Bs of 28 Squadron because they were all either shot down or forced to land behind enemy lines!”

Our war changed the next day. We learned that the new squadron was Jasta 11.  I have no idea how we discovered that save that there must have been British spies working behind the German lines. We also heard that the squadron leader was someone called Baron Manfred Von Richthofen. His name became increasingly familiar as the year went on. We gathered that he liked to publicise himself. Surprisingly we learned much about him through German newspapers for, unlike us, the Germans publicised their heroes.  We liked to keep them hidden.  Everyone knew the generals and their names but the likes of Lanoe Hawker and Albert Ball were only known within the small world of the RFC.

Major Leach held an emergency briefing.  “From now on we patrol as a squadron.  Until now the Gunbus has proved to be tougher than any other aeroplane we have. Six aeroplanes destroyed by six Albatros and no losses is a serious state of affairs. We cannot assume that our luck will hold”

“But sir how can we do our job?” Johnny Holt was always acutely aware of our responsibility to the troops on the ground. “The foot sloggers have worse odds and take greater casualties than we do.”

It was Captain Marshall who gave him the sad but brutal truth. “It takes longer to train a pilot than a footslogger and all he needs is a rifle.  The Gunbus takes some time to manufacture. The fact of the matter is we can’t afford to take so many casualties and to lose aeroplanes.” He waved a hand at the squadron. “There is one pilot here from 1914 and only four more from 1915.“ He let that sink in.  “There is no long term life expectancy in the RFC so let us do what the major wants and not make it easy for Fritz eh?”

I knew the men were frustrated.  It seemed cowardly somehow but until we had better aeroplanes then we would have to eat humble pie and travel mob handed.

Bates was delighted. “Oh this is much better, Captain Harsker. Look what happened when you only had two aeroplanes with you.  You were shot down! No, I will sleep easier now.”

The Major led us the next day while Lieutenant Kay’s aeroplane was repaired. As I had seen German troops moving up towards Cambrai we patrolled that sector. We left early for there were reports of aeroplanes in the vicinity. As soon as we reached No-Man’s Land we saw the two reconnaissance aeroplanes. They were obviously photographing our lines.  That was normally the prelude for either a raid or an offensive. As soon as we began to climb they decided that discretion was the better part of valour and headed east.

Archie took us high above the front lines.  We had four cameras amongst the squadron and the gunners photographed the German lines which would be assaulted. None of it would be a surprise.  When our next offensive came we would have to patrol well behind the enemy lines and I did not relish the prospect.

Six Halberstadts appeared and I wondered if they would take us on.  Lumpy’s eyes picked out the squadron markings and he told me it was the same squadron we had knocked about a little.  They were wary and when Archie took the squadron east, then they left. It was something of an anti climax when we headed west. I was philosophical.  We had suffered no casualties and stopped the observers taking photographs.

I was lying in my bath when Bates burst in.  I knew that something terrible had happened for it was not his usual style.  His face was red and his eyes were wild.

“I am sorry to burst in, sir, but the captain just received a message. Lord Burscough and five of his pilots were shot down.  He is dead!”

I was stunned.  How could that be?  Lord Burscough was the finest pilot I had ever known.  I had been his gunner and he had taught me how to fly. He was like an imperious eagle and yet he was now dead.  The DH 2 had been one of the few new aircraft which had shown promise.  If his lordship had died flying one as well as half of his hand-picked squadron then what chance did the rest of us stand?

I was suddenly aware that John was weeping.  He had enjoyed his time at the Big House.  It had been his world and he been enchanted with both his lordship and Lady Mary.  They had fitted his mental picture of a perfect pair of aristocrats. The death of Lord Burscough would shatter his world and make him even more fearful for me.

“If you want to take the night off…”

He stiffened, “Oh no, sir. His lordship did his duty and I shall do mine.”

As he dressed me I thought about the effect on mum and dad.  They had known him since he had been a child it would be as bad as losing me or Bert. I hoped that they were strong enough to survive the shock.

That evening, after the loyal toast, Captain Marshall stood.  There were just five of us left who had flown with Captain Burscough, as he had then been. “Gentleman can you raise your glasses in memory of a fine pilot, a courteous gentleman and one of the best officers to serve in this squadron: Lord Burscough.”

We downed our drinks in one and there was a sombre, almost funereal atmosphere. It contrasted with the heady days in summer, before I had been shot down, when we had felt invincible.  Now doubts were creeping in.  Even when I had been shot down I had been convinced that we would survive.  Now I was not certain. Perhaps Gordy had it right, and Charlie.  Maybe I should live for the moment.  Marrying Beattie as soon as possible was now a priority.

We knew things were serious when, after a week of storms where no flying was possible, we had a visit from the commander of the Royal Flying Corps in France, Major General Hugh Trenchard.  I had seen him before but I was more familiar with General Henderson.

I thought he would just wish to speak with Archie but I was summoned to the office.  There were just the three of us there. He gave me a wry look.  “General Henderson has mentioned you more than once, Captain Harsker.  You may not be the ace with the greatest number of kills but you are certainly the one that people talk about.”

There was little I could say to that, “Well sir, I always try to do my duty.”

“I don’t doubt that for one moment and no criticism was implied.  Smoke if you wish.” The three of us filled our pipes.  When his was going he continued, “I wanted you here because I know that you like to go on the offensive whenever you can.  I have heard of you taking on odds of four to one.  That is what I like.  Now I know that it may seem the wrong time to go on the offensive when the Germans had superior aeroplanes. I happen to believe that offense is the best form of defence.”

I looked at Archie. “But General Trenchard, the FE 2 is a dependable aeroplane but it has seen its best days.  Bill here is the best pilot in the squadron but he would stand no chance against this Von Richthofen and his red painted Albatros.”

“I am sorry, Major Leach, but this Baron is just one man a man with one squadron.  I know that we have more aeroplanes than the Germans.  Are you telling me that our pilots aren’t good enough?”

“No, I am saying, General Trenchard, that our aeroplanes aren’t good enough.”

“Hmn.”  He looked at me. “You are a bit quiet.  Cat got your tongue?”

I smiled, he sounded like my dad. “No sir.” I rose and went to the cupboard with the models of the aeroplanes. “You are a pilot sir so I know you will understand.” I modelled to show him what I meant. “The Gunbus has fine defensive qualities.  We have two guns at the front and one at the rear. But we are slow. When the Albatros comes at us it has two Spandau machine guns firing steel jacketed bullets. They fire at a gunner with no protection.” I smiled, “I was a gunner and I know how scary it is.  They can kill the gunner on their first pass.  They do the Immelmann turn and get behind us.  From what I have heard this is easy in the new Albatros. We have no protection if the gunner is incapacitated.  We used to be able to counteract the Immelmann when it was the Eindecker; they were slow.  The Albatros is so fast and nippy that they can turn inside us come up behind and we have a crashed Gunbus and a dead pilot. And that sir, will happen no matter how good the pilot is.”

“I see.  Well explained. You see I thought the gunner in the front was the deterrent but you are saying that he is not.”

“Not with two guns firing at him, sir.  It is simple mathematics.  The Hun has twice the chance of hitting us.  The pilot is, in some ways, protected by the body of the gunner. We get through more gunners than pilots.”

He was silent for a while.  I learned that he was a thoughtful man. “I am glad I had this chat with you.  Look, I will try to get you the new Sopwith Pup.  It is a single seater but it is nippy and it is fast.  It has a synchronised Vickers machine gun.  It’s the best I can do until we can get the Bristols built.” He looked at Archie, “Any malt, Major?”

“Aye sir.” He poured us three glasses and the general toasted us. 

“However, I still want you to take the fight to the Germans.  You have done it before.  Fit bombs to your buses and harass their rear areas. If this Red Baron fellow turns up then you have my permission to run.  You have shown here at 41 Squadron, that you have the ability to achieve more with the Gunbus than anyone other squadron on the Western Front. I want you to buy me a month to get the new aeroplanes out to the squadrons.” He lowered his voice. “By March we will be preparing for a new offensive and you will be operating behind German lines.  Hopefully when we reach spring you should have three new aeroplanes, perhaps more.”

We waved him off and then Archie shook his head. “I think yon general has just signed the death warrant for most of the young laddies in this squadron Bill.”

“We’ll just have to do our best then.  We can use the old technique of two flights bombing and two escorting and watching out for fighters.”

He laughed, “The glass is always half full with you, isn’t it Bill?”

Surprisingly enough the general’s surprise visit made us more optimistic.  We knew that we were in trouble but the fact that we were considered so good gave us hope.  The gossip permeated the whole squadron and evening saw us in high spirits.  Part of it was due to the fact that the storms had not abated and we would not be flying the next day but the rest was down to the general.

Charlie also showed a different side to himself. He had really come out of his shell since meeting Alice. He had had a little too much to drink, but then we all had. He began to tell us about some of the shows he had seen in London with Alice.

“We saw this marvellous chap from the north east, Mark Sheridan.  He’s getting on a little bit but he sang some wonderful songs.”

Gordy winked at Ted, “Sing us one!”

“I haven’t got a voice, I …”

Ted started clucking like a chicken and the young pilots began to chant, “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

Red faced he said, “Very well then.” He took off his jacket and struck a pose.  When he began to sing I couldn’t believe what a good voice he had.

“
Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside
I do like to be beside the sea!
I do like to stroll along the Prom, Prom, Prom!
Where the brass bands play:
"Tiddely-om-pom-pom!"
So just let me be beside the seaside
I'll be beside myself with glee
And there's lots of girls beside,
I should like to be beside
Beside the seaside!
Beside the sea!”

The mess exploded.  It was like a release of tension and emotion.  He had to perform it a second and a third time.  Ted and Gordy disappeared during the third rendition and emerged with tea towels on their heads and aprons around their waists.  They vamped it up as women next to Charlie and performed it a fourth and fifth time. I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my cheeks.

The rest of the evening was joyous.  Archie took me to one side.  “I think your sister has done more for morale than a hundred Christmas tins from the king.”

The exuberant atmosphere continued into February.  Partly that was because we had few missions to fly and the Red Baron and Jasta 11 could not slaughter anymore of our comrades. Two things happened quite quickly: the weather cleared and the first of the three Pups promised to us arrived.

Although I was keen to try the new beastie out, Flight Sergeant Lowery and Major Leach were adamant that the mechanics and armourer should examine them first now that they had finally arrived.  Bearing in mind what had happened to Lieutenant Kay when he flew a factory fresh fighter I concurred. It would only mean a delay of a day or two and then I would have to allocate Lumpy to another pilot.  I knew that he would be unhappy.  I immediately thought of Ted. They would make a good team. One was dour and one was ebullient.  Nothing ever got Flight Sergeant Hutton down.