1918 We will remember them Read Online Free PDF Page B

the whisky was open.
    “You are right Bill, those new Fokkers are handy little buses.  They cleared away a bit quickly though.”
    I began to fill my pipe and I nodded, “I reckon they do have shorter endurance.  The others hung around a lot longer.”
    “Sorry about your chaps, Gordy.”
    He nodded glumly. “It wasn’t anybody’s fault either.  The Bristol was hit by ground fire just as he began to pull up to escape the Fokkers. I thought he had made it but he didn’t seem to have enough power to escape and he nosedived into the German lines.  They wouldn’t have known anything about it, either of them.”
    I frowned. Our engines had been reliable for some time.  Why this sudden loss of efficiency?
    “I will have to have a word with Jenkin and Fall.  Freddie said they pulled out of formation.”
    Ted nodded, “I saw that. I figured something must have happened.”
    “Something did.  Lieutenant Jenkin decided to go after a triplane and Jack Fall followed him.”
    Archie nodded, “Use my office. I am going to take a leaf out of your book and have a bath.”
    “Thanks sir.” I went to the ante office and said to Senior Flight Sergeant Jameson, “Could you send Lieutenant Jenkin and Lieutenant Fall to the Colonel’s office? I need to have a word with them.”
    “Yes sir.”
    I filled my pipe as I sat down in Archie’s chair.  I needed to calm myself down. They were both young pilots. I knew that many pilots, these days, came directly from school and to them war was a game; an extension of cricket or rugby.  We did not, however, have the luxury of being able to give them a long period to settle in.  They had to hit the ground running. I struck a match to light the pipe.
    Jameson tapped on the door and said, “The pilots you wish to see Major.”
    “Come in!”
    There was a huge contrast in the attitude of the young men.  Lieutenant Fall looked distraught while Jenkin had a confident almost happy look.
    “Sit down.” My pipe had gone out and I took a moment to relight it. 
    Lieutenant Fall burst out, “I am so sorry sir.  I couldn’t see beyond the other buses and I didn’t know that the Germans were there.”
    Jenkin gave him a superior look and shook his head.  The pipe was drawing well and helped to keep me calm. “The fact remains, Jack, that you have a mirror and can see what is behind you. You knew that the air was clear there.  You job is to follow the flight. I accept that the orders are to follow the bus in front and that somewhat mitigates your actions.”
    “Mitigates? I am sorry sir, but we are here to shoot down the Hun not to fly in nice straight lines.  I saw a German and I went after him.”
    I nodded and gave Lieutenant Jenkin a smile, “You shot down the German did you?”
    “Well no sir.  I mean it was my first time up I had to get my eye in.”
    “And while you were getting your eye in, four of our aeroplanes were hit and two of our pilots wounded. If we have to go up tomorrow we will be down to half our numbers. Yes, you need to, as you say, get your eye in , but the first thing you need to do is learn how to fly in combat.  I am disappointed in you both, especially you Jack.  I had high hopes for you. I will not make this a written reprimand but any more deviations from the standing orders will result in punishment.”
    “Yes sir.”
    “Sir that is unfair.  I was only doing my best.  I should not be punished for that!”
    “And you are not being punished, however if that is your best then I am not impressed, lieutenant! Get out of my sight before I do ground you!”
    My bath, that evening, was more than welcome.  Bates gave me a disapproving look as he poured a kettle of boiling water in to warm it up.  He prided himself on the perfect temperature of the water. “Will you be flying in the morning sir?  I was talking to Senior Flight Sergeant Lowery and he thought there might be a problem with your aeroplane.”
    “I am not sure.  It may be we are not