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Title: War Flying
Author: Hutcheon, L. F.
Language: English
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WAR FLYING
WAR FLYING
BY A PILOT
THE LETTERS OF “THETA” TO HIS HOME PEOPLE
WRITTEN IN TRAINING AND IN WAR
_And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky._--CAMPBELL.
BOSTON
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
1917
THESE--
FROM “THETA” TO HIS MOTHER
PREFACE
This little volume of “Theta’s” letters to his home people is offered
in the hope that it may prove useful, and not for glory or reward. The
Royal Flying Corps in war-time works in secret. Many of our gallant
lads would gladly become pilots if they knew how to set to work, and,
approximately, what they would have to face. When “Theta” decided to
try to enter the service he had nothing to go on save a determination
to “get there” and a general idea of the difficulty of achieving his
purpose. His careless and unstudied notes, written at odd moments in
the work of training and of war, do show how a public-schoolboy may
become a flying officer and how he may fare thereafter. Names, dates,
and places, about which the Censor might have concern, have been
concealed, and extraneous matters have been omitted. The letters are a
cheery and light-hearted record, and may stimulate others. From first
to last they have not contained a grumble.
It should be understood, however, that the experiences of the writer
must not be taken as typical of those of all pilots at the front. The
R.F.C. has different squadrons for different duties, and different
types of machines suited to the nature of those duties. In the faster
type of machine it is possible to do better and more dangerous work,
and, even in one’s own squadron, the duties of a colleague may have
been more onerous and more trying than those described. In a fighting
squadron the pilot may have almost daily combats in the air; in
another, he may have very long and very trying reconnaissance work.
“Compared with that of some squadrons,” writes “Theta,” “our work is
pleasant.”
_November 26, 1916._
CONTENTS
PAGE
ORDERED OVERSEAS (AFTER KIPLING) 17
INTRODUCTORY
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IDEA 23
BOOK I
_IN TRAINING_
I. FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE 33
EARLY IMPRESSIONS 33
MY FIRST FLYING LESSON 34
ON GOING “SOLO” 38
TAKING A TICKET 41
FIRST CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT 44
II. SOME EPISODES: AND A “CRASH” 47
III. FROM PASSENGER TO PILOT 53
BOOK II
_ON ACTIVE SERVICE_
R.F.C. ALPHABET 56
I. THE OPENING MOVEMENTS 57
SOMEWHERE 57
MAP STUDY 59
A FORCED LANDING 61
ARCHIES 62
AGED NINETEEN 64
A CONCERT 65
II. INCREASING THE PACE 67
FRENCH AVIATOR’S BAG 67
THE ENEMY IN OUR MIDST 68
“HOT-AIR STUFF” 71
A BIG “STRAFE” 72
LOOPING THE LOOP 75
NIGHT FLYING 80
PHOTOS 81
HIDE AND SEEK 82
“MISSING” 85
PANCAKING IN A WHEAT FIELD 87
AN EXCITING LANDING 89
DUAL CONTROL 90
III. STORM AFTER CALM 94
BACK TO DUTY 94
A GOOD STORY 96
A FOKKER’S FLIGHT 97
A TAIL PIECE 98
NIGHT BOMBING 99
GESTICULATION IN MID-AIR 102
A FIREWORK DISPLAY 104
A MIXED GRILL 106
STALLING 110
AN AIR FIGHT 116
ORDERED OVERSEAS
(_After Kipling_)
Does he know the road to Flanders, does he know the criss-cross tracks
With the row of sturdy hangars at the end?
Does he know that shady corner where, the job done, we relax
To the music of the engines round the bend?
It is here that he is coming with his gun and battle ’plane
To the little aerodrome at--well _you_ know!
To a wooden hut abutting on a quiet country lane,
For he’s ordered overseas and he must go.
Has he seen those leagues of trenches, the traverses steep and stark,
High over which the British pilots ride?
Does he know the fear of flying miles to eastward of his mark
When his only map has vanished over-side?
It is there that he is going, and it takes a deal of doing,
There are many things he really ought to know;
And there isn’t time to swot ’em if a Fokker he’s pursuing,
For he’s ordered overseas and he must go.
Does he know that ruined town, that old ---- of renown?
Has he heard the crack of Archie bursting near?
Has he known that ghastly moment when your engine lets you down?
Has he ever had that feeling known as fear?
It’s to Flanders he is going with a brand-new aeroplane
To take the place of one that’s dropped below,
To fly and fight and photo mid the storms of wind and rain,
For he’s ordered overseas and he must go.
_Then the hangar door flies open and the engine starts its roar,
And the pilot gives the signal with his hand;
As he rises over England he looks back upon the shore,
For the Lord alone knows where he’s going to land.
Now the plane begins to gather speed, completing lap on lap,
Till, after diving down and skimming low,
They’re off to shattered Flanders, by the compass and the map--
They were ordered overseas and had to go._
_INTRODUCTORY_
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IDEA
I
The first number of the well-thumbed file of _Flight_, carefully kept
by “Theta” up to the present day, bears date July 30, 1910, just two
years after the first public flight in the world. At that time this
particular public-schoolboy was thirteen years of age. His interest
in aviation, however, dated from considerably before that period, and
its first manifestation took the form of paper gliders. Beyond the
fact that they could be manipulated with marvellous dexterity and
that they could be extremely disturbing to the rest of the class in
school, no more need be said. In December 1910 “Theta” felt that he
had a message on airships to convey to the world, and he communicated
it through the medium of the school Journal. Thenceforward he wrote
regularly on flying topics for the Journal, and for four years acted
as its Aeronautical Editor. Throughout 1911, with two school friends,
he also assisted in producing _Aviation_, a cyclostyle sheet of small
circulation proudly claimed as “the first monthly penny Aviation
journal in the world.” Therein the various types of machines were
discussed with all the delightful cocksureness of youth, and various
serial stories based on flying adventures duly ran their course. For
some years he pursued the construction of model aeroplanes with an
assiduity that may well have been fatal to school work and games,
and that was kept up until the German power-driven model drove the
elastically-propelled machines into the realms of toydom. A motley
crowd of enthusiasts used to gather every Saturday and Sunday in one of
the great open spaces of London for the practice of their craft--nearly
all boys in their teens, occasionally one or two grown-ups with
mechanical interests. When the War came the group broke up. Some of
them took up real aircraft construction; others became attached to the
Air Service, naval and military, as mechanics. At least two became
flying officers.
In July 1911 “Theta” obtained his first Pilot’s Certificate, from an
Aero Club which he had assisted in founding. The document is perhaps
sufficiently interesting to reproduce:
No. 1
X.Y.Z. AERO CLUB: PILOT’S CERTIFICATE
I hereby Certify that “Theta” has passed the required tests for
the above-named Certificate. The tests have been witnessed by
the undernamed:
R. H. W. and J. H. C.,
who are Members of the X.Y.Z. Aero Club.
The tests are as follows:--
1. Flight of 100 yards.
2. Circular flight of any distance provided the machine does
not touch the ground and lands within fifteen yards of the
starting-point.
3. Or (alternative) flight of any distance when machine flies not
less than six feet higher than the starting-point.
4. Flight lasting at least eight seconds.
The above tests have been approved by the members of the Club.
(_Signed_) R. H. W., _Secretary_.[1]
J. H. C., _President_.[2]
The tests would have been very different a few months later, and really
wonderful long-distance flights were afterwards accomplished.
In order to be able to write with some authority, “Theta” kept abreast
of all developments in Aeronautics, reading with avidity all the
literature on the subject and visiting the flying-grounds. The first
aeroplane he saw in the air was when Paulhan gave a demonstration of
flying at Sandown Park. Subsequently numerous pilgrimages to Brooklands
and Hendon were made.
There followed visits to France in the vacations. On the second visit
“Theta” and a companion, it was afterwards discovered, cycled round
the rough and narrow stone parapet of a fort when a single slip would
have meant precipitation into a moat on one side, or into the sea on
the other. It was a test of nerves. The return from the third visit
was memorable. “Theta” had left his portmanteau on a railway platform
in Normandy and his waterproof on the Cross-channel steamer; but he
arrived at Waterloo serenely content with the wreck of his model
aeroplane wrapped up in an old French newspaper and a bathing-towel.
His knowledge of French and his customary luck, however, served him,
and the missing impedimenta duly followed him up in the course of a
day or two. Of his French friends--three brothers--one was killed in
the opening months of the War; a second was wounded and taken prisoner
by the Germans, after an adventure that would have won him the V.C.
in this country; and the third, as interpreter, was one of the links
between the Allied forces at the Dardanelles, and is now engaged on
similar work.
A few months before war broke out “Theta” visited Germany and
photographed the Zeppelin “Viktoria Luise” and its hangar at Frankfort.
He was immensely struck by the ease with which the huge airship was
manipulated, and with its value as a sea scout; but as a fighting
instrument he put his money on the heavier-than-air machines. So
grew day by day, month by month, and year by year--without the least
slackening--that interest in aviation which came to fruition in war
time.
II
“Theta” was born in May 1897; the War broke out in August 1914. On
his eighteenth birthday “Theta” decided that it was time to “get a
move on.” His ambition from the first had been to enter the Royal
Flying Corps. This was opposed chiefly because of his youth and
seeming immaturity and the excessive danger attached to training.
But fate, impelled by inclination, proved too strong. He had been
a member of his O.T.C. for four years, and had attended camps at
Aldershot and Salisbury Plain; but he deliberately set his face against
“foot-slogging.” He urged that though he was old enough to risk his
own life he was not old enough to risk the lives of others--his
seniors--by accepting an infantry commission.
After many preliminaries an appointment was secured at the War Office
with a High Official of Military Aeronautics. There “Theta” was
subjected to a curiously interesting catechism which seemed to touch on
nearly every possible branch of activity under the sun except aviation.
Finally the High Official, probably seeing a way of ridding himself of
a candidate who had accomplished little or nothing of the various deeds
of daring enumerated in the Shorter Catechism, suggested an immediate
medical examination on the premises. That ordeal safely passed, “Theta”
returned to his catechist, who said wearily, “Well, we’ll try you, but
you know you have not many of the qualifications for a flying officer.”
“Theta” returned to school to await his summons, which was promised
within two months. The school term ended; a motor-cycling holiday in
Devon followed--and still no call. On the return to London a reminder
was sent to the War Office. There immediately came a telegram ordering
“Theta” to report for instruction at what may be called Aerodrome “A.”
Training began almost at once with a joy-ride of ten minutes’ duration.
But the weather was for the most part what the aviators in their
slang call “dud.” An “abominable mist” hung over the aerodrome, and
consequently, though the period of instruction was fairly prolonged,
the opportunities for flights were few. There was much waiting and
little flying, and the bored youth was driven to music and rhyming to
fill up the interstices. But before the end of the year a good deal had
been accomplished. At the close of his eleventh lesson “Theta” was told
to hold himself in readiness for a “solo” performance.
After four more flights came the successful tests for the “Ticket”
which transforms the pupil into a certificated aviator. This
preliminary triumph was celebrated the same evening by a joy-ride at
nearly 2,000 feet, the highest altitude that “Theta” had reached on a
solo performance. Nearly four years and a half had elapsed between the
schoolboy “Ticket” and the real thing.
Then came a transfer to another and more advanced type of machine.
On this there were but three flights with an instructor, and then
another “solo” performance. Towards the close of the year “Theta” left
Aerodrome “A” for Aerodrome “B,” having in the meantime been gazetted
as a probationary second lieutenant, Special Reserve.
The advanced course occupied about three months. It proved more
exciting in many ways. In the elementary portion of training “Theta”
saw many “crashes,” none of which, however, proved fatal. In the
second, war conditions more nearly prevailed, and at times--when, for
example, three colleagues lost their lives in flying, and a Canadian
friend who shared his hut in training was reported “missing, believed
killed,” within a few weeks of reaching the front--the stern realities
of his new profession were driven home.
But youth is ever cheerful and optimistic. In fulness of time there
came a flight of a covey of seven “probationaries” in one taxicab to an
examination centre for “wings,” a successful ending, followed shortly
afterwards by final leave, an early-morning gathering of newly made
flying officers at Charing Cross Station, the leave-taking, and the
departure to the front.
Training was over; the testing-time had come. Before his nineteenth
birthday was reached “Theta” had been across the German lines.
His letters may now be allowed to “carry on.”
BOOK I
_IN TRAINING_
(OCTOBER-APRIL)
I
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
[Sidenote: Early Impressions.]
Arrived here O.K. and reported. Spent the best part of the morning
signing papers and books, and buzzing around. On the way across to the
hangars discovered two R.F.C. men lying on the ground trying to look
like a mole-hill, and fidgeting with a gadget resembling an intoxicated
lawn-mower, the use of which I have not yet discovered. Am posted to
“A” Flight (and wondering when I am going to get it, so to speak). You
report at six o’clock if you are on the morning list; at nine o’clock
if you are not. When you report possibly you go for a joy-ride, weather
and number of pupils permitting. You spend some time in the shops,
followed by a lecture and then drill. At four o’clock you report again.
If it’s fine, and the officers don’t feel too bored with life, they may
take you for a flight, but it is generally some one else they take and
not you. Then you smoke till 5.30 p.m., when you go home. However, I’m
enjoying myself, and the pupils seem a decent lot. I don’t think there
will be anything doing for the next few days, as there is an abominable
mist all over the place. The machines are the safest in the world.
* * * * *
Have had a ten minutes’ flight this evening. It was splendid, and felt
perfectly safe. Machine seems quite simple to control. I had my hands
on the dual set, and felt how the pilot did it. Don’t expect I shall
get up again for a long time. I was quite warm, and felt happy, calm,
and confident.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: My First Flying Lesson.]
My first flying lesson was in the gathering dusk of a cold evening, but
an extra leathern waistcoat and an overcoat and muffler kept me warm. I
mounted to my seat behind the pilot in the nacelle of the huge biplane,
fastened my safety belt, donned my helmet, and sat tight.
A duologue ensued between the pilot and the mechanic who was about to
swing the propeller and to start the great 70-h.p. Renault engine.
“Switch off,” sang out the mechanic.
“Switch off,” echoed the pilot as he complied with the request.
“Suck in,” shouted the mechanic.
The pilot moved a lever. “Suck in,” he echoed.
The mechanic put forth his strength, and turned the propeller round
half a dozen times or so to draw petrol into the cylinders.
“Contact,” he shouted.
“Contact,” came back the echo from the pilot as he switched on.
A lusty heave of the propeller, and the engine was started.
For a moment the machine was held back, while the pilot listened to
the deep throbbing of the motor, and then, satisfied with its running,
he waved his hand, and we began to “taxi” rapidly across the aerodrome
to the starting-point. The starting-point varies almost every day, as
the rule is to start facing the wind. Then we turned, the pilot opened
the throttle wide, and a deep roar behind us betokened the instant
response of the engine. With the propeller doing its 900 revolutions a
minute we were soon travelling over the ground at 40 m.p.h. The motion
got smoother, and on looking down I found to my surprise that we were
already some thirty feet above the ground. A slight movement of the
elevator, and we started to climb in earnest. A couple of circuits and
we were 700 feet up.
The pilot looked round and signalled to me to put my hands on the
controls. I did so, and then--apparently to test my nerves--he started
doing some real sporting “stunts,” dives, steep-banks, and so on--in
fact, everything but looping the loop. However, it did not occur to me
at the time to be nervous, I was enjoying it so much. And so at last
the pilot, who kept casting furtive glances at me, was satisfied, and
taking her up to 1,000 feet put her on an even keel, and took both his
hands off the controls, putting them on the sides of the nacelle and
leaving poor little me to manage the “’bus.” This I did all right,
keeping her horizontal and jockeying her up with the ailerons when one
of the wings dropped a little in an air pocket. On reaching the other
side of the “’drome” he retook control, turned her, and let me repeat
my performance.
Then, again taking control, the pilot, after a few more stunts,
throttled down till his engine was just “ticking over,” and did a _vol
plané_ from 1,000 feet into the almost invisible aerodrome. A gentle
landing in the growing darkness and rising fog, a swift “taxi” along
the ground to the open hangar, and my first lesson in aerial navigation
was concluded.
The teaching methods may be considered rather abrupt, but they are
those adopted now by all the flying schools. The pupil is taken up
straight away on a dual-control machine to a height of about 1,000
feet, and then is allowed to lean forward and amuse himself with the
second set of controls, any excessive mistake being corrected by the
pilot. After a time he is allowed to turn unaided, to do complete
circuits unaided, and finally to land the machine unaided. If he does
this successfully he is sent “solo,” and after a few “solos” is sent up
for his “ticket” or Royal Aero Club Certificate. At the time of writing
I am doing circuits unaided, but I hope, weather permitting, to have
come down unaided by the time this appears in print.--_Reprinted from
the School Journal._
* * * * *
Have not been up again, but hope to go up to-morrow. Am enjoying
myself, and am quite fit.
* * * * *
Had a nice flight yesterday with Captain ----. If fine, hope to have
another to-morrow.
* * * * *
Up this evening. We passed over a field and spotted a B.E. smashed. It
had run into a hedge. No one hurt; machine new.
* * * * *
Three flights yesterday, and would have gone “solo” in the afternoon
but a pupil smashed the solo machine.
* * * * *
Nothing doing! Nothing done!
* * * * *
[Sidenote: On Going “Solo.”]
At last I have gone “solo.” On Sunday and Monday two of our machines
were smashed by pupils on their first solos and both machines had to
be scrapped. In consequence, the pilots have been rather chary about
letting us go up alone, and we too have been wondering whether we were
fated to follow the example of the others.
At length, however, Captain ---- sent up X this evening, and _he_ got
on all right. So he turned to me suddenly and said, “Well, you’d better
go and break your neck now.” Thus cheered, I gave my hat as a parting
gift to Y, shook hands mournfully all round, and amid lamentations and
tears took my seat for the first time in the pilot’s seat.
“Contact,” etc., and my engine was running. I pointed her out into the
aerodrome, and then turned her to the right; but “taxiing” is almost
as tricky as flying, and before I could stop it the machine had turned
completely round. However, I got it straight again, and taxied to the
starting-place.
A “biff” of my left hand on the throttle, and the engine was going all
out. Faster and faster over the ground; a touch of the controls, and we
were off! The next thing I recollect was passing over a machine on the
ground at a height of 200 feet, and then I was at the other end of the
aerodrome. This meant a turn; so down went the nose, then rudder and
bank, and round we came in fine style. A touch on the aileron control,
and we were level again. Thus I went on for ten minutes, and as Captain
---- had told me to do only one circuit and I had done considerably
more, I decided to come down.
It was growing dusk, so it was as well that I did. I took her outside
the “’drome,” then pointed her in, put the nose down and pulled back
the throttle.
The roar of the engine ceased, and the ground loomed nearer. A very
slight movement of the controls and we flattened out three feet above
the ground and did a gentle landing.
A touch on the throttle, a roar, and I taxied back to the waiting
mechanics. “Good landing,” sang out one of them, and a moment later
some half a dozen pupils were shaking me violently by all the hands
they could find and all talking at once in loud voices. “Where’s my
hat?” I asked, and a crumpled object was handed to me. Then up came
Captain ----, very red in the face, and looking exceedingly happy.
“Damn good, ‘Theta’!” and so it ended. Heaps of love to you both.
* * * * *
Went “solo” last Wednesday and shall be surprised if I do so again
before Christmas. It is cold and misty, and when not misty it is windy;
when it is neither it rains and so on, but mist from the marshes is the
worst by far. So sometimes we sits and thinks and cusses and smokes;
and sometimes we just sits.
* * * * *
Have been up again at last--the first time for a week. Four solo
flights to-day. Went up 1,500 feet on the third and stayed up an hour
on the fourth, between 900 feet and 1,000 feet. It was lovely flying
this evening, but bumpy and airpockety this morning.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Taking a Ticket.]
“Theta,” C. Av. What! At last I am a certificated pilot. As soon as
I arrived this morning they sent me up for my ticket, although (as I
said) I had never done a right-hand turn alone! I took my ticket in
fine style, landing right on the mark each time, while X, who went up
first for his, was helping to extricate his machine from a ditch. He
finished his tests, however, all right afterwards. When I landed after
finishing my eights, my instructor said I could consider myself “some
pilot” now. I went up to nearly 2,000 feet this evening for a joy-ride,
and stayed up until I got bored and it got dark and began to rain.
Well, I have got my ticket without “busting” a wire, so I hope I shall
keep it up. Was overwhelmed with congrats, from pupils, etc. I expect I
shall be transferred to “B” flight, and get taken up as a passenger so
as to learn to fly another type.
* * * * *
Up this morning for a joy-ride with Sergeant ----, and got into a fog
bank and lost sight of land and sky. Got out of it all right in the
end. Rather interesting.
* * * * *
To-day was the first nice day for flying for a week, so the officers
and men arranged a football match! All the same I did manage to get a
flight; so cheer-o. I had my hair cut yesterday, and a new glass put in
my watch. To-day I find my glass cracked, and my hair grown almost as
long as before, in the night.
* * * * *
Whizzing through the azure blue
In an aeroplane, say you.
Must of sports the nicest be;
So it is, but then, you see,
The only part that can give pain
Is the return to earth again.
Got on splendidly to-day. Went solo all right. This type is much nicer
to handle than the other, but you land faster owing to higher speed.
This I managed so well that Sergeant ---- clapped his hands and said
“Very good!”
* * * * *
The wind has been blowing.
Ye gods! How it blew!
Stopped bicycles going.
Not one pilot flew.
Up above--eighty-five!
Down below it blew--well--
In this place dead ’n’ alive
It is absolute ----!
(Deleted by R.F.C. Censor as not being sufficiently expressive.)
However, we attended a very boring lecture, and walked through slud and
mush at drill time; so we have not done so badly.
* * * * *
Some poets say,
As well they may,
Congenial surroundings
Conduce a lay
With rhythm gay,
And artful phrase compoundings
With helpful muse
To air their views
On Nature’s grand aboundings.
E’en so as joy and sorrow
Do in cases bring forth tears
(A simile to borrow),
In this case it now appears
_No_ sunshine sets the muse to work
In humble little me;
’Tis wind, and rain, and fogs that lurk
Drive _me_ to poesy.
* * * * *
Cleaning wires with emery paper is grand exercise, albeit a trifle
monotonous. However, the pay (15_s._ 6_d._ a day) is good. And as we
pass we hear the voice of R---- weeping for his pupils (which are not)
and will not be comforted.
* * * * *
A most wonderful exhibition of flying by Hawker, Raynham, and Marix.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: First Cross-country Flight.]
Did you see your little son to-day emulating the antics of Nature’s
aerial ornithopters? I left Aerodrome “B” about 10.15 a.m. and went
over to S., then I branched off at right angles for W., but as I was
about 4,000 feet up I could not pick it out from the other parks and
commons, and so, finding myself running into a formidable set of
clouds, I “about turned,” and after taking my map from my pocket and
studying it on my knee for a few minutes, I found out where I was and
set out for Aerodrome “A.” I found it all right, landed, had a chat
with the pupils, borrowed a “bike” and went round to my old rooms,
with chocolate for Betty. Teddie, the dog, was overjoyed to see me....
I soon got going again and did a few circles over the hospital where
Mrs. S. was nursing, climbed to 2,000 feet, and followed the railway
to--home! Here I did a circle, trying to cover the houses of as many
of my old friends as I could, and then made off at right angles to the
railway for Aerodrome “B.” Before I left home I dropped four letters
with streamers attached--two to you, one to A. C., and one to the Head.
Only a few words inside, so it does not matter whether they are lost
or opened by some one else. I have no idea where they fell. I could
see Aerodrome “B” eight miles away directly I left you, and landed
beautifully in time for lunch. I covered the distance in about seven
and a half minutes, having had a ripping morning. I hope you saw me;
and if you did, how much money did Dad win betting it was _me_?
* * * * *
The following extracts are from a letter from home which crossed the
above in post:
“We saw you. It was all very interesting, and has sent a thrill
over the neighbourhood! To ease your mind I may tell you that
your letter was duly picked up and delivered within three hours
of your visit.... The Mater saw an aeroplane passing over
earlier in the morning and told me she was sure you had taken
Betty her chocolate. Later it became borne in upon me that you
were on your way back. I went to the door. Immediately there
came the roar of a Gnome-engined biplane, and I yelled ‘Here
he is.’ Up came the Gnome-engine biplane, gaily waving its
propeller; then it turned and circled round home. I gurgled ‘It
is Theta,’ seized my handkerchief and waved it violently. Then
there fluttered down from the aeroplane some little things
that glittered in the sun as they fell, and we _knew_ it was
your machine.... Then you appeared to go up over the school
grounds and so home. I watched you till you were only a speck
in the sky, and then turned away. I shall hope when I wake in
the morning to have the scene described as it appeared to you
from above. Meanwhile our hearty congratulations on your first
cross-country flight.”
II
SOME EPISODES: AND A “CRASH”
(_Extracts from “Theta’s” Private Log-Book_)
Date. Remarks.
_November._ Stalled machine all round aerodrome. Captain L----:
“Flying with your tail between your legs: looked d--d
dangerous.”
„ Wind screen completely frosted over; had only done few
solos; had to take machine to 1,000 feet, lean out, and
clean screen.
„ Same day got in hot air over factory chimneys. Hell!
_January._ Second solo on new type. Side-slipped through turning
without flying speed. Ghastly sensation. Captain ----:
“You would have been killed on any other machine but a
----.”
„ Another side-slip, but not so bad; pulled her out of it.
„ First forced landing. Connecting rod broke, and inlet
valve went. Machine ought to have caught fire. Was two
miles from the ’drome. Just got in, machine vibrating
horribly from 2,200 feet down.
_February._ Worst day so far flown in. Chucked about like a leaf.
No goggles, so could hardly see. Nearly strafed
officers’ mess. Landing all right, but frightful day.
„ Engine lost 100 revs. per minute over trees. Had to
“bird’s-nest”; unpleasant. Lucky engine did not cut out
altogether.
„ Rising over hangars when another aeroplane rose and
headed me over tree, and kept too close. Had I not
turned quickly at low altitude might have rammed me.
Unpleasant.
„ Cut out just in front of trees at 50 feet. Steep bank;
quick right-hand turn; landing close beside trees. O.K.
„ As passenger; pilot, Lieutenant ----. Engine missing
badly over trees. Attempted to land in small field,
but seeing would crash into trees at the other side at
40 m.p.h. pilot put nose up, and with missing engine
cleared them by inches, the wheels actually touching
the top. Then more tree dodging and steep banks just
above ground, landing in aerodrome.
_March._ Climbed into clouds and steered by instruments out of
sight of earth for practice. Spiralled down.
„ Climbed 7,000 feet. Glorious view from above of clouds
4,000 feet below me. Most beautiful spectacle I have
ever seen. Climbed till engine would go no higher, then
stopped engine and did right- and left-hand spirals
down, landing without starting engine again.
„ Started on cross-country to A. Mist very thick; lost my
way, and found myself over London [No compass.--_Ed._]
Turned and discovered Aerodrome “C” below me, so
landed. Later, when mist cleared, restarted, but a
following wind and mist made me over-shoot A., and
landed in field near D. to find out whereabouts. Engine
refused to start, so pegged down machine for the night,
and ’phoned H.Q.
„ Restarted next day when weather cleared up, but all
landmarks covered by snow. Landed in field again, but
decided to go on. So restarted, and again lost my way.
Circled over town and railway, but could not decide
what they were, and could not find a landing-ground.
Eventually I found one and landed, just stopping in
time at the other end. Kept engine ticking over, and
was told was four miles from A. Restarted, clearing a
large tree by one foot; saw blizzard coming up; had no
time to land, so headed into it and flew for twenty
minutes at 200 feet altitude unable to see either
instruments or ground. Wind and storm increased in
violence; was frequently blown up on to one wing tip,
the machine side-slipping once to within a few feet of
the ground, and just recovering in time for me to clear
a house. Driving snow prevented machine from climbing
and nearly drove it to earth. When a lull came and I
saw a clear place beneath, I promptly circled round,
clearing semi-invisible trees by a matter of inches (I
was told). Finally landed well, and was running along
the ground when a fence dividing the field in two
loomed up a few yards ahead. Elevated, and the nose
cleared it, but the tail skid did not, and caught the
fence, bringing the machine down on its nose with a
crash, and turning it over. My head went through the
top plane, and I remained suspended upside down by my
safety belt.
„ Propeller smashes in mid-air.
„ Tested new-rigged machine which had not been flown
since it was smashed. Weather very bad for flying, much
less testing a reconstructed machine. Did not seem to
answer well to the controls and flew left wing down.
Landed machine successfully and reported on it.[3]
III
FROM PASSENGER TO PILOT
The following notes from “Theta’s” Diary show the progress from novice
(with accompanying pilot) to certificated aviator (solo):
---------------+----------------------+----------------------------
Height. | Course. | Remarks.
---------------+----------------------+----------------------------
350 ft. |Circuits of Aerodrome |Calm and even; dusk;
| | rested hands on controls.
| |
1,000 ft. |Round Aerodrome |Smooth; dusk; felt controls.
| |
1,000 ft. |Aerodrome and |Had control a little time,
| neighbourhood | and did left-hand turn.
| |
900 ft. |Aerodrome |Controlled along straights.
| |
800–1,000 ft. |Aerodrome with |Bumpy. Had control along
| occasional turns | straights for some time.
| outside | Did several left-hand
| | turns, and one complete
| | turn right round.
| |
600–700 ft. |Aerodrome |Did circuits, turns, and
| | one landing.
| |
600 ft. |Aerodrome |Bumpy; so did not get much
| | control.
| |
500 ft. |Aerodrome |Controlled circuits, and
| | two landings.
| |
600 ft. |Aerodrome |Entire control; recovery
| | from bank not quite quick
| | enough. One landing.
| |
400 ft. |Aerodrome |Better; two landings.
| |
300 ft. |Aerodrome |Two landings; taxi and
| | take off. Told to go solo
| | in afternoon.
| |
300 ft. |Aerodrome |Two good landings; one
| | bad. Too bumpy for solo.
| |
400 ft. |Aerodrome |Bumpy; one landing.
| |
300 ft. |Aerodrome |One landing; bumpy.
| |
300 ft. |Aerodrome |Entire control, and then
| | sent solo.
| |
350 ft. |Aerodrome |First solo; a few circuits
| | and smooth landing.
| |
500 ft. |Aerodrome |All right.
| |
800 ft. |Aerodrome |Bumpy; landed with engine
| | ticking over too fast.
| |
1,500 ft. |Aerodrome |Climbed too steeply and
| | nosed down too much on
| | turns. Very bumpy.
| |
700–1,000 ft. |Aerodrome |Calm; flew for half an
| | hour solo; landing fairly
| | good. Climbed at better
| | angle and turns slightly
| | better.
| |
500 ft. |Figure eights in |Did first part for ticket
| ’drome | successfully, and landed
| | right on T.
| |
500 ft. |Eights in ’drome |Did second part of ticket
| | right again, landing
| | within few yards of T.
| |
580 ft. |One wide circuit with |Completed tests for R.A.C.
| engine switched off | Certificate.
| |
1,600 ft. |Aerodrome |Joy-ride; landed with too
| | much engine.
---------------+----------------------+----------------------------
BOOK II
_ON ACTIVE SERVICE_
R.F.C. ALPHABET
=A= stands for Archie, the Huns’ greatest pride,
=B= for B.E., our biplane they deride.
=C= for the “Crash” when by “A”[4] “B” gets hit,
=D= for the Dive before “C” ends the flit.
=E= is for Engine, which sometimes goes dud,
=F= is Cold Feet, as you wait for the thud.
=G= is the Gun that you keep on the ’plane,
=H= as per “trig”[5] is the height you attain.
=I= am the Infant who flies a 2C,[6]
=J= the Joy-stick on most ’buses you see.
=K= is the Kick that you get from a gun,
=L= a forced Landing, too oft to be done.
=M= for Mechanic; in France most are “firsts,”[7]
=N= for the Noise that A makes when it bursts.
=O= which is oil, stops the seizing of E,
=P= Petrol used by the E of the B.
=Q= is the Quiet one gets on a glide,
=R= the Revolver you keep by your side.
=S= is for Side-slip, some Shot, or a Stunt,
=T= is the Thrill of a big Fokker hunt.
=U= Under-carriage, first to go in a smash,
=V= a V.P.[8] oft precedeth a crash.
=W= the Wireless, for directing big guns,
=X= =Y= =Z= I don’t want, so I’ll give to the Huns.
I
THE OPENING MOVEMENTS
[Sidenote: “Somewhere.”]
I am here at last. Where that is, however, I can’t tell you.... We
had a good journey, but while I was snoozing the carriage door--which
must have been carelessly shut by one of our men--opened, and one of
my field boots departed. I had taken them off so as to sleep better. I
told a police corporal at the next station, and he is trying to get it.
I had to put on puttees and boots, and pack the odd field boot.... You
would hardly believe we were on Active Service here, although we are,
of course, within hearing of the big guns. There is a stream near by
where we can bathe. We have sleeping-huts fitted with electric light,
nice beds, a good mess, and a passable aerodrome. The fellows all seem
nice, too. I have met three of our squadron before.
* * * * *
I have been up several times, but have not had a job yet. I have been
learning the district, and how to land and rise on cinder paths ten
feet wide. The ground here is rather rough, and it speaks well for our
under-carriages that they stand up to it so well. A good landing is a
bounce of about twenty feet into the air, and a diminuendo of bounces,
like a grasshopper--until you pull up. A fairly bad landing is a bounce
of fifty feet and diminuendo. Every one here is cheerful, and thinks
flying is a gentleman’s game, and infinitely better than the trenches;
when your work is over for the day, there is no more anxiety until your
next turn comes round, for you can read and sleep out of range of the
enemy’s guns. What a pity the whole war could not be conducted like
that, both sides out of range of each other’s guns all the time!
One of our more cheerful optimists feels sure the war will end in the
next four or five years.
My field boot has turned up, much to my surprise. It was forwarded on
to me by our local Railway Transport Officer.
We are having quite a good time in our squadron and are rejoicing in
bad weather. Our messing bill is reasonable, and cigarettes and tobacco
are very cheap; so are matches.
* * * * *
I have just been over to get some practice with the Lewis gun. They
are rather amusing toys, for you get rid of 100 shots in ten seconds,
as you are probably aware....
I took up a mechanic who is a good gunner, to act as an escort to
one of our men who was going photographing. The corporal was awfully
amusing. He was always getting up and turning round, or kneeling on his
seat looking at me and signalling to me. I thought several times he
was going to get out and walk along the planes. The flight was quite
uneventful. Next time I write I hope to be able to tell you what the
trenches are like; at present, owing to low clouds and bad weather, I
haven’t been able to look at them.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Map study.]
On Thursday I went up with an officer observer on a patrol, to look for
Huns and gun flashes, etc. We could not see anything above 3,000 feet;
so we came down to 2,500 feet and flew up and down the lines--well on
this side, though--for a couple of hours. I thus got a splendid view of
the trenches on both sides for miles, and it was awfully interesting
to see the fields in some places behind our lines, originally green
pasture land, now almost blotted out with shell holes and mine craters.
There has been a craze here for gardening recently, and people are
sowing seeds sent over from England, and building rockeries and what
not. A counter-craze of dug-out digging was started by our C.O. so as
to provide a place of retreat if over-enthusiastic Huns come over some
day to bomb us. The dug-out was almost finished when the rain came and
converted it into a swimming-bath. The dug-out mania has now ceased.
Thanks for your advice about studying maps. If I carried it out as you
suggest in all my spare time, this is something like what my diary
would have been for the past week:
3.30 a.m. Wakened for early patrol work. Weather is dud, so study
maps until:
8.30 a.m. Breakfast. Raining, so return to room to study maps.
12.30 p.m. Snatch ten minutes for lunch, and get back to maps.
4.30 p.m. Have some tea, having violent argument meanwhile on
contoured and uncontoured maps. More study.
8 p.m. Break off map study for dinner; then go to bed and study
maps till “lights out.”
Here ends another derned dull day.
Still I quite understand what prompted your advice. If one does get
lost, however, one has only to fly west for a few minutes till one
crosses the lines, and then inquire, as we never go far over the lines
unless escorted.
I have been up two mornings running at 3.30 for work, but the weather
has been “dud.” We do not always get early work, of course; we take it
in turns.
I was up over the lines yesterday about 4,000 feet and they put up a
few Archies at me. They were rather close, so I zigzagged to a cooler
spot.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A Forced Landing.]
This morning we were up at half-past two o’clock. We got up 8,000 feet,
and awaited the signal to proceed from our leading machine; but the
clouds below us completely blotted out the ground, so we were signalled
to descend. When I had dived through the clouds at 5,000 feet, I
discovered to my surprise what appeared to be another layer of clouds
down below, and no sign of the ground at all. I came lower and lower
with my eyes glued on the altimeter, and still no sign of the ground.
Finally I went through the clouds until I was very low, and then
suddenly I saw a row of trees in front of me, pulled her up, cleared
them, and was lost in the fog or clouds again. I decided that that
place was not good enough, and, not knowing where I was, I flew west by
my compass for about a quarter of an hour and came down very low again.
This time we had more success, and could occasionally see patches of
ground fairly well from about twice the height of a small tree. We
cruised around till we spotted a field, and, after a good examination
of it, landed all right, and found on inquiry, to our great relief,
that we were in France. The observer-officer and I shook hands when we
landed. We returned later in the day when the weather cleared up. I
am not the only one who had a forced landing, but we all came out all
right, I believe.
I was getting some well-earned sleep this afternoon when there came a
knock at the door of my hut, and R. H. W. walked in. He is not far from
me and so motor-cycled over. He stopped to tea, and I showed him round.
We are very hard up for games, so I want you to send me a Ping-Pong
set--wooden or cork bats, and a goodly supply of balls.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Archies.]
(_To B.C._) I have been putting off writing to you till I can tell you
how I like German Archies. Well, I can tell you now; that is, I can
tell you how I don’t like them if you promise not to show any one else
this letter. Still, perhaps I’d better not; you are such a good little
boy and have only just left school; perhaps one day when you are grown
up I’ll tell you my opinion of Archie.
Yesterday I was some miles across the line with my observer, as an
escort to another machine, and was Archied like the--er--dickens,
shells bursting all round and some directly under me. Why the machine
wasn’t riddled I don’t know. I was nearly 10,000 feet up too. The
Archies burst, leaving black puffs of smoke in the air, so that the
gunners could see the result. Those puffs were all over the sky. Talk
about dodge! Banking both ways at once! ’Orrible. What’s more, I had
to stay over them, dodging about until the other machine chose to come
back or finished directing the shooting. Both W. and J. who came here
with me got holes in their planes from Archie the day before yesterday,
and W. had a scrap with a Fokker yesterday and got thirty holes through
his plane about three feet from his seat. The Fokker approached to
within twenty-five feet. W. had a mechanic with him, and he fired a
drum of ammunition at it, and the Fokker dived for the ground. So the
pilot was either wounded or--well, they don’t know how the machine
landed, but are hoping to hear from the people in the trenches. The
funny part is that the Fokker attacked as usual by diving from behind,
and W.’s observer turned round and fired kneeling on the seat; but W.
never saw the Fokker once during the whole fight or after. W. had his
main spar of one wing shot away, and several bracing wires, etc., so he
had a lucky escape.
My latest adventure is that my engine suddenly stopped dead when I was
a mile over the German lines. My top tank petrol gauge was broken, and
was registering twelve gallons when it was really empty. I dropped
1,000 feet before I could pump up the petrol from the lower tank to the
top, and was being Archied, too; but I could have got back to our side
easily even if the engine had refused to start, though it would have
been unpleasant to cross the lines at a low altitude. I have had the
petrol gauge put right now. Incidentally, not knowing how much petrol
you have is rather awkward, as I landed with less than two gallons at
the end of that flight; that is ten minutes’ petrol.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Aged 19.]
It is rather strange having a birthday away from home, but the letter
and parcels I got to-day made it all seem like old times.... I have
done some night flying here, and when I was up 2,000 feet I could see
flares and lights over in Hunland. I stayed up some time, and finally
by a colossal fluke did the best landing I have ever done at the
Aerodrome.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A Concert.]
I went to a concert at Wing Headquarters the other evening; it wasn’t
at all bad. “The Foglifters” had really quite good voices, and some of
the turns were excellent. One made up as a splendid girl. The programme
may interest you:
_IN THE FIELD_
Lieut. ---- presents, by kind permission of Lieut.-Colonel
----, his renowned Vaudeville entertainment,
THE “FOG-LIFTERS.”
(They are thoroughly disinfected before each performance.)
PROGRAMME
PART I
1. The Fog-lifters introduce themselves.
2. C---- tries--but can’t.
3. B---- sings a Warwickshire song in Yorkshire brogue.
4. Six-foot picks his mark.
5. B---- on his experiences in the Marines.
6. C---- relates his visit to Hastings.
7. T---- on Acrobatic Eyes.
8. The Second-in-Command ties himself in a knot.
9. Six-foot warns the unwary.
10. The Fog-lifters, feeling dry, retire at this point for a drink,
and leave you to the tender mercies of H----. “Watch your
watch and chain yourself to your seat.”
PART II
11. T---- thinks of leave.
12. The “Boss” makes a bid for the biscuit.
13. B---- and his Favourite Topic.
14. Rather a Fagging Turn.
15. B---- in Love.
16. T---- endeavours to sing a Sentimental Song.
17. Six-foot shows B---- how it’s done.
18. The Second-in-Command excels ’iself.
19. B----’s memories of the Spanish Armada.
20. Six-foot and C---- have a Serious Relapse.
_The Beginning of the End._
THE KING.
II
INCREASING THE PACE
[Sidenote: French Aviator’s Bag.]
Only time for a few lines before the post goes. I was flying at a
quarter to three o’clock this morning. I was orderly pilot, and a Hun
was reported in the neighbourhood. I went to bed after two hours’
flying and was knocked up again, and spent another couple of hours
in the air--all this before I had anything to eat or drink. Luckily
I was not at all hungry or thirsty. The Hun I was chasing (or rather
looking for) on my second patrol was brought down a few miles from our
aerodrome by a French aviator. The pilot and observer were killed.
Neither my observer nor I saw anything at all of the fight, as we were
patrolling further down the line. You bet I was fed up when we landed.
The smash was brought to our place and taken away by the French. The
machine seemed essentially German--very solid and thick, weight no
object. The French aviators were very nice. I had a chat with them.
The rumours at the aerodrome were various--one that I was brought
down; another that I had brought down a Hun; and a third that a French
aviator and I had had a scrap!
* * * * *
[Sidenote: The Enemy in our Midst.]
Here is a true story. There was some night flying at one of our
aerodromes the other day, and a machine came over and fired a coloured
light asking “Can I come down?” The people on the ground fired one in
reply meaning “Yes,” and a completely equipped German biplane landed
and a guttural German voice was heard shouting for mechanics. He got
them all right, but they were R.F.C. and not German mechanics. The
coincidence of the signals was extraordinary. The machine--it was an
Aviatik--was in perfect order, and has since been flown and tested
by the R.F.C. It was wonderfully kind of them to plank their machine
down in that aerodrome, and the surprise on both sides must have been
extremely comical to watch when the Hun discovered it was an English
’drome, and the mechanics discovered it was a Hun pilot.
I know that this is Sunday, as we have had a lot of work to do. I have
just come down from my job. I went up at 12.30 and landed at 3.40. Not
a bad flight? I was up and down the lines patrolling most of the time.
Our escort lost us soon after leaving the ’drome, but it didn’t matter.
I got Archied two or three times, but nothing really annoying. They
are very clever with those guns. For instance, when I was a mile and a
half or perhaps less on our side of the lines they fired Archie on the
French side of me, hoping I would turn away from it and so get within
better range. They generally let you cross the lines in peace, so as to
entice you over as far as possible, and then let you have it hot and
strong all the way back....
I have just been to look at the machine. Apparently one of those
Archies got nearer than I thought, for a piece of shrapnel has made
a 6-inch hole in the tail plane. The shrapnel must have been spent,
because it has only pierced the bottom surface of the tail, and has not
penetrated the top. I was rather pleased when I found that, as it is
something to say that your machine has been hit by Archie.
The ping-pong set has arrived.
* * * * *
I’ll let you know right enough when I want any more garments. Our linen
goes off to be washed at any old time, as there are plenty of laundries
near here--an old woman, an old wooden bat, and a smooth worn stone by
a dirty stream. The stuff comes back wonderfully clean, however.
Don’t you worry about my food while night flying. I get that all
right; it was a very ’ceptional case the other day. If we have an
early stunt we always get hot cocoa and bread-and-butter. But you see,
I was orderly pilot that day, and the Huns weren’t polite enough to
ring me up the night before and tell me what time they were coming;
and so I had to move rather more quickly when they did come. I can get
chocolates and biscuits at the Canteen here.
This is what you will call another “restful” letter because I have had
no flying yesterday or to-day. We rather like bad weather here when it
is sufficiently bad.
Dunno why the other squadron was “mentioned” in despatches. They have
about seven of our chaps there--perhaps that’s why--or perhaps the
General lost some money at bridge to the C.O., or perhaps they drew
lots for it.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: “Hot Air Stuff.”]
I had some ping-pong to-day--quite a relaxation after the job I did
this morning. I went out with an observer on a howitzer shoot, an
officer in this case. We went over to the lines, arriving there about
11.15 a.m. and “rang up” the battery. All being well, we ploughed over
the lines to have a look at the target in Hunland. The battery then
fired, and the observer watched for the burst and wirelessed back
the correction. Each shot fired meant a journey over the lines, and
each time we went over the Huns got madder and madder, and loosed off
“Archie” at us in bucketsful.
Archie to right of us,
Archie to left of us, etc.
We were fairly plastered in Archie. Each time I crossed the lines I did
so at a different altitude. The first five times I climbed higher each
time to throw the range out, and the next five times I came down a bit
each time. The last five times I was so fed up with their dud shooting
that I went across at whatever altitude I happened to be at, and that
probably upset ’em more than ever! At any rate they fired about 600
shells at us in the course of that “shoot,” allowing roughly forty
shells per crossing (at least) and fifteen crossings, and the only
damage they did was to put a small hole through my top plane. My, they
must have been disgusted![9]
The “strafe” took place between 5,000 feet and 6,000 feet altitude. The
Archies got so near sometimes that we went through the smoke from the
shell. Of course it would never do to go on flying a straight course;
it is a case of dodge, twist, turn, and dive at odd and unexpected
moments, and when it gets really too hot, run away and come back at a
different altitude.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A Big “Strafe.”]
The Bosches started a big “strafe” yesterday, and so kept us all
busy on counter battery work; that is, spotting the flashes of the
“hun-guns,” and wirelessing down their positions to the artillery, who
either fire at them or note their positions for a future occasion. With
all the German guns going, the woods behind the lines were a blaze of
flashes, and we sent down as many in the afternoon as the battery had
got in the previous six weeks. The artillery were naturally rather
bucked. It was a wonderful sight seeing all the shells bursting along
the miles of trenches, and the huge white spreading gas shells at
intervals. One could hear the bang of our big guns when they fired
salvos from under us, and at times we got bumps from the shells passing
near us in the air. “Shell bumps” are fairly common, and I have had
them before. I don’t know how near the shells pass, but moving at that
speed they would affect the air for a long way round. I felt them at
5,000 feet once. They were not being shot at us, but shells which pass
through to Hunland, so:
[Illustration]
* * * * *
We got a wireless report here of a naval battle and not a cheery one at
that. We are all waiting to see what the papers will have to say about
it to-morrow.... Later: The C.O. has just been on the ’phone about the
naval battle, and we are relieved to hear that it was not so bad as we
had heard at first, or rather that the German losses were not so few as
we were told.
I must stop, as I have some letters to censor. “Hoping this finds you
as it leaves me, in the pink.”
* * * * *
We have had two or three days of rest, as the weather has been too bad
for flying.... The naval battle was not a defeat after all, and it
seems a case of “as you were” in France; so we just sit here and play
ping-pong and wait for the Army to win the war.
* * * * *
We have just had the papers with the news of the loss of Kitchener. We
got the story by wireless a couple of days ago, but could not believe
it until we saw it actually in print. It is a big blow, though probably
morally more than in any other way....
Bad news has come through from the wing. Our ten days’ leave will in
future be cut down to seven days from time of leaving here; that means
five clear days in England. I only know this, that I shall be pleased
to have leave in England, however short it is. It is a case of “so near
and yet so far.” An hour and a half or two hours’ flying on a clear
day would land me at home for tea--always providing I did not miss
my way. But we don’t have such a bad time here on the whole, and I
am perfectly frank with you in my letters. On carefully analysing my
feelings, I believe I am actually enjoying the life, for we certainly
do have the best time of any branch of the Army when our job is over.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Looping the Loop.]
I had a job in the morning yesterday. A slight bombardment was on, and
the C.O. sent me up to stop it. It was a beastly day--rain stings at
seventy miles an hour--and it was cloudy and misty. We stayed a couple
of hours, got a few Archies and came home.
The afternoon cleared up, and my Flight Commander suggested I should go
up and practise with a camera and some old plates. So up I went, and,
with the camera tied on very securely in case I “accidentally” turned
upside down, beetled off to a spot behind the lines where I played
a delightful game of “make-believe.” Fixing on an innocent little
farmhouse as my objective, I dodged imaginary Archies on my way to it,
and, regardless of the laws of aerial navigation, put my machine in
such postures that the farmhouse was sighted by the camera.
I tried a dozen or so shots at it, and then, as I had reached a height
of 6,000 feet, I thought I would try to do my first loop. I shoved
the nose down 70--80--90--100 miles per hour. The pitot tube did not
register any higher; the liquid went out at the top. Then, when at a
speed of approximately a hundred and twenty miles an hour, I pulled the
“joy-stick” back into my tummy, and up went the nose--up--up--and there
I was, upside down, gazing at the sky. Gee, how slowly she seems to be
going! Ah!! she’s over at last. The white blank overhead changes to a
black mass of earth rising up at me, and the nose dive part is over
too, and a final sweep brings me level.
I glanced at the altimeter. I had lost 400 feet.
Cheer-o! Now I’ll write home and tell them. No, I _must_ do another. If
I did only one they would think I had funked it after the first shot.
Down goes the nose, then up--up--and slower--slower. By Jove, she’s
going to stick at the top of the loop this time. Too slow; centrifugal
force is not great enough. My feet seem to lose their contact with the
floor.
I grip the “joy-stick” fiercely with both hands. Ah! She’s over. Now
the rush down, and then level once more. Now I’ll get off to the
aerodrome and show them how to do it.
[Illustration]
I did a couple more quite close to the aerodrome--beauties; and then
came down in a steep spiral. They were all at a height of 6,000 feet,
and I only lost 400 feet each time. Four good loops at the first time
of attempting a loop isn’t bad considering I had never even looped as
a passenger. Strangely enough, I wasn’t half so excited as I expected
to be, and once accomplished, the feat seemed easy and not out of the
ordinary. But to set your minds at rest I do not intend to go in for
stunting.
I am quite bucked, though, at having done it, and it was a curious
sensation, to say the least. I have been heartily congratulated: they
were “d--d good loops!”
* * * * *
Thanks ever so much for the pastries and the cake. They were ripping.
But really, though, you mustn’t trouble so much over me in the food
line, for we have to pinch ourselves and tell each other “There is a
war on” sometimes when we get some unusual delicacies. By the same post
I got a pound of lovely nut chocolate from S. We had a tremendous scrap
in the Mess over it when I discovered what it was, and it ended up
with the box of chocolate on the floor, with me on top of it, and five
people on top of me. When they discovered that the more people there
were on top of me the farther off became the chocolate, they got up,
and I handed it round in the usual civilised manner. It was great fun,
though, and the chocolate being in a tin did not suffer.
We had a visit from Ian Hay’s friend to-day, if you recall a certain
incident in the trenches. He recently got the Military Cross.[10]
* * * * *
One of the difficulties I have to contend with here is finding out the
correct day and date. Days here are all one to us, and it has even
sometimes to be put to the vote.
Yesterday I spent four and a half hours in my machine! Not all in the
air, though. I took up fifteen different passengers, and gave them all
a spiral. They were sent over to see what signalling on the ground
looks like from a ’plane. I don’t think any of them had been up before.
At Hendon I should have made between £30 and £40 for that.
As I was going out of the aerodrome I flew over a passing car and we
waved merrily to each other. Then I chased the car, slowed my engine
and dived at it, and a little later flew after it again. The driver
must have been watching me too closely, for he went into the ditch. My
passenger was awfully bucked about it.
I suppose you know we have adopted the new time now. It only alters the
hour of our meals, however; our work goes on according to the light and
the weather.
Cricket is the great “stunt” here in the afternoon and Rugby in the
evenings. The mornings are spent in repairing the damage of overnight
caused by the Rugger. All this, of course, provided the little
incidentals of flying, and so on, do not interfere to excess. The
batsman is out-numbered by fielders in the proportion of fifteen to
one, and for his further annoyance he may not smite the ball more than
quite a moderate distance or it counts as out. Still, the game provides
much amusement, and as the batsman generally ignores the boundary rule,
and smites at every ball on the principle of a short life and a gay
one, it is also conducive to short innings.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Night Flying.]
I had another twenty minutes’ night flying a couple of nights ago, and
did a good landing. It was almost pitch dark, as there was a long row
of clouds at 2,000 feet which hid the moon. We had flares out, and a
searchlight lighting up the track; but from the moment you start moving
you go out into inky darkness, flying on, seeing nothing till the
altimeter tells you that you are high enough to turn. Then round, and
the twinkling lights of the Aerodrome beneath. Higher, and gradually,
as you become accustomed to the dark, you pick out a road here and a
clump of trees there, till finally the picture is complete. At length,
you throttle down the engine and glide--keeping a watchful eye on the
altimeter, aerodrome, and air speed indicator. When about 400 feet
up you open out your engine again, and fly in towards the aerodrome,
stopping your engine just outside. Then you glide down and land
alongside the flares.
As I write, I hear a lively bugle band in the distance on the march.
More troops going up to the trenches, I suppose. Our gramophone still
plays on, our gardens and flower-beds are blooming, and all is well.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Photos.]
To-day I went up to take photos, and went over the lines four times,
carefully sighting the required trenches, and taking eighteen photos.
I spent nearly two and a half hours in the air, and when I got back
I found the string that worked the shutter had broken after my third
photo, and the rest had not come out. It was disappointing, because
my last three journeys over the lines need not have been made, and
incidentally it would have saved getting a hole through one of my
planes.
J. saw a scrap in the air to-day in which one of our machines was
brought down. He was too far off to help. The report came in first
that it was my ’bus which was down, but neither I nor my escort machine
saw the fight, which must have been some distance off.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Hide and Seek.]
All goes well, and I have finished my job for to-day (a three hours’
patrol) without seeing a Hun or getting an Archie. Two of us went up
and F had streamers on his wings; he was going to direct the flight,
and I was to follow him. It was very cloudy, and F being in a skittish
mood played hide-and-seek round them. This was good fun for the first
hour, but after that it became boring. Once, when I was following him
a short distance behind, he ran slap into the middle of a huge cloud.
I said to myself, “If you think I am going to follow you there you’re
jolly well mistaken”; so I waited outside the cloud, and was gratified
to see him come out at the bottom in a vertical bank, about 500 feet
directly below me. It turned out that he had been pumping up the
pressure in his petrol tank, roaring with laughter as his passenger
gave a little jump at every pumpful, for the passenger sits on one of
the large petrol tanks, which swells or “unkinks” itself as you pump,
and to his disgust he had run slap into the cloud without seeing it. It
was a wonderful sight among the clouds, and to see the other aeroplane
dodging in and out of grottos, canyons, and tunnels, poking its nose
here and there, sometimes worrying a zigzag course through a maze of
cloudlets, and sometimes turning back from an impenetrable part with a
vertical bank, outlining the machine sharply against the cloud. Finally
we came down to a height of 5,000 feet, and there, just by the lines,
we had a sham battle for the amusement of the Tommies in the trenches.
* * * * *
“I have nothink to write about this time. I got a letter from Bert the
other day, he’s out in France, and old George’s group is called up too.
I wonder when those Saterday nites with them will cum back, they were
times. Then that supper with me and him at Eliza’s after--my! Everyone
thinks as how the war will be over with luck in a few years’ time. ’As
Pa got that job or is he still at the ‘Green Man’? Well hoping this
finds you as it leaves me at present, in the pink. I wish you’d send
our cook the resepe for them cooked chips you used ter do on Saterday
nites. Give my love to Rose.”
No, I’m still sane--merely a temporary lapse owing to an overdose
of censoring. The squadron yesterday, noticing that I was orderly
officer, decided to give me a run for my money, and wrote millions of
letters.
My Flight Commander--one of the finest fellows I have ever met--is busy
cooking tobacco with E. in a tin by means of a spirit lamp! They are
trying to determine its “flash point,” and I have sent word round to
the M.O. to stand by with stretchers.
I was up with K. yesterday, strafing some trenches. We started at
3,000 feet and the clouds descended lower and lower till we ended up
at a height of 1,200 feet over a well-known town, where it became too
wet and too hot at the same time for our job. To-day the clouds are
crawling about just over the ground, so there is nothing doing.
Our food here is English right enough. We get French bread as well,
and it is generally preferred to ration bread. The gardens here have
flowers--planted out mostly--pansies, nasturtiums, etc. I suggested
that asparagus would be rather a good thing to plant, but the idea
didn’t seem to catch on!
There is no reason whatever to be worried about not receiving letters.
If there is ever a move either way it would not affect the R.F.C.
to any great extent. It couldn’t improve German Archie shooting or
anything of that sort. No fighting on the ground can reach us, and in a
big bombardment it only means that we are kept fairly busy directing
the fire of our batteries, etc.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: “Missing.”]
Sorry I shan’t be able to write you to-day except this rough note
written in my biplane. I have finished my job, and am writing in the
hope of catching the post. There is bad news to-day. My pal B., who was
on a bombing stunt this morning, has not returned, so I am afraid he
may have landed in Hunland. I am just doing a long glide down to the
aerodrome; my passenger has asked me not to spiral down as he has got
a bad head. I enclose his note. His writing is better than mine, as
he has written on a soft pad. (Enclosure:--“Got a rotten head, so go
steady, will you?”)
* * * * *
I’ve got a top-hole souvenir now. It is a machine-gun bullet which my
rigger found in my fuselage--that is to say, the aeroplane fuselage. It
is bent “some,” as it smote something rather hard--a bomb.
I went up to take some special photos for the C.O. to-day, but the
weather was very bad, and the sky as smothered in clouds as I was in
Archie, and that is saying a good deal. It took me three trips over
the line to get five photos. Four came out, including on them corners
of clouds I was dodging. The Huns got our range to a nicety, but there
was not a scratch on the machine. One Archie burst just in front of us,
and I looked up to see the corporal I had as passenger disappear in the
smoke as we actually went through it. It was like going through a tiny
cloud. I have heard and seen plenty of Archie before, but never before
_smelt_ it. The C.O. was rather pleased, though only one photo was
really of any use.
The engine in my machine has put up a record for the squadron. It did
over a hundred and ten hours’ running without being touched or even
having the sparking plugs changed. It was still going strong when we
changed it and put a new one in. I have tested the new one and flown
with it, and it is very good.
We are kept well up-to-date with the London theatre news by the fellows
who come back from leave. They also bring the records of them back for
the gramophone, and now the camp resounds with music from “The Bing
Boys are Here” and “Mr. Manhattan.”
To people who think this branch of the Service the most dangerous, you
can say I’d sooner be here than in the trenches these days, and I think
the opinion of the whole corps is the same.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Pancaking in a Wheat Field.]
I ran out of petrol a quarter of a mile from the aerodrome, and had
to land in a field of wheat about five feet high. I had been up three
hours and twenty minutes non-stop when my petrol ran out, and the gauge
still showed three gallons in the tank, though it was bone dry. I was
700 feet up and had to make up my mind where I was going to land in
about four seconds. I brought her down, and pancaked her beautifully
into the field about three yards from a road. It is jolly hard to land
in wheat without turning over, but I did it without hurting the machine
at all; in fact J. flew it that evening on a night stunt. We wheeled
it from the field along the road back to the aerodrome inside half an
hour. My passenger said he enjoyed the flight more than any other he
had had!
At the present moment there is _some_ storm on. J. is playing the
violin not two yards from me, and I cannot hear a single note except
during lulls. Perhaps it is just as well.
One of our squadron was out on a stunt the other day. Next day the
’phone was continually on the go, and there was so much “hot air” in
the office that it was dangerous to fly over on account of the bumps.
Several of us have got special leave to go to a flicker show some way
off, and a tender is coming in a few minutes. I am very fit, and we are
all a very happy party. I am sitting on my bed, in my little hut about
8 feet by 6 feet. It is really quite snug. Washstand, etc., and shelves
and books _and_ boots and clothes. Diabolo (home made) is the latest
craze here! Here comes the tender, so I must catch the post first.
* * * * *
I was up on photos to-day. I hope and expect these are the last for a
while. I had quite a job getting them owing to clouds. I flew about
behind the German lines for over an hour before I could get a single
photo, owing to there being no holes in the clouds. I got practically
no Archie, and got the photos.
I went to the flicker show the other day and it was quite good. A
splendid divisional band, a Charlie Chaplin film, and tea, _and
patisserie_! Ah!
I think Gillespie’s book (_Letters from Flanders_) most interesting.
I have only dipped into it here and there at present, but am going to
read it through. Send some more as soon as you like.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: An Exciting Landing.]
Blessed if I know what to write about. I did the three-hour patrol
yesterday, but it was very cold and cloudy and no Huns ventured out.
A visitor landed at our ’drome from night bombing and a bomb blew his
machine up on landing. He calmly got out of the scrap-heap and walked
away. It was a miraculous escape, and most of our people who were
asleep thought it was a Hun bombing us. The engine was still running
on the ground, and the C.O. stopped it by using a fire extinguisher in
the air intake--a jolly clever and plucky thing to do, as there were
gallons of petrol all around, and, for all he knew, more bombs.
There is a darling puppy here belonging to one of the men, and I
go round and have a chat with it every morning when I inspect my
transport. It is a jolly little thing, and quite looks forward to my
visits.
* * * * *
At the Base was a Censor,
He chopped up my letter;
Thus he was a base Censor,
Or why didn’t he let her
Go by? Yet he’d some sense or
News even better
You’d get in my letter.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Dual Control.]
I am at present flying a machine fitted with dual control. A couple of
days ago I went up to test it and E. came with me. We trotted round
the country very low and stunted gently over neighbouring villages.
You can easily tell when people are watching you, as in looking up the
black blob of the hat changes to the white blob of the face. We went
up again yesterday, and when I had taken the machine to 2,000 feet or
so, I signalled E., and he fitted in his control lever and took charge.
I then had a pleasant little snooze of twenty minutes or so, waking
up now and then to give my lever a pat in the required direction when
he did not get the machine level quickly enough after turning, or
something like that. He did jolly well, turning the machine splendidly
sometimes. Then, when it was just about a quarter of an hour before
dinner time he took out his lever, and I brought the machine down in
the most gorgeous spiral I have ever done. Absolutely vertical bank on.
M. was very amusing afterwards. “Quite a good spiral that,” he said
patronisingly to E., “for a first attempt.”
I was up again this morning for two and a half hours with E. The
weather was hopeless; our altitude was often under 2,000 feet by the
lines. To relieve the monotony E. flew me for about half an hour while
I observed--the clouds and mist! Finally, we got up a bit higher, and
just before it was time to come home did a beautiful spiral quite close
to the lines for the benefit of a few thousand Tommies and Huns in the
trenches--just to show there was no ill-feeling, you know.
I had just got my letters to-day when I was sent up, so I had to take
them with me, and read them in the air on the way to the lines.
* * * * *
I took up some chocolate the other day when I was on patrol, and gave
some to the observer in the air, and we munched away for some time.
He was a sergeant, one of the ancient observers, and he did not know
that when I waggled the joy-stick--thus shaking the ’bus from side
to side--I wanted him to turn round. I waggled away for about five
minutes, and he sat there quite contentedly, thinking to himself
(as he afterwards told me) that it was rather a bumpy day. Then I
started switch-backing and he endured that, though on what theory I
don’t know. Finally I nearly had to loop him to persuade him to turn
round, and when he did so he had a grin on his face and a sort of
“Think-you-can-frighten-me-with-your-stunts-you-giddy-kipper” look as
well.
The newspaper stories of the firing in France being heard in Ireland,
the north of Scotland, and Timbuctoo amuse me greatly. Those people
must have “some” ears.
* * * * *
I was most frightfully sorry that you hadn’t received up to Sunday my
letter about the postponement of my leave. It must have been a rotten
disappointment, and I raged round the camp until I finally simmered
down again. Never mind, it won’t be long.... Six people have just
invaded my 8 feet by 6 feet hut. That is one of the ways superfine
Virginias depart this life quickly. Rescued the inkbottle from an
untimely death as a billiard ball, the cue a rolled-up map; violent
cussin’, almost worthy of Mother Guttersnipe caused E. to vamoose and
the others buzzed off.
My dear old ’bus (or aeroplane as the authorities insist on its being
called)[11] has gone under at last. One new pilot too many was called
upon to fly it, and I may be bringing home a new walking-stick! I have
not been flying it for a week now, as I have a nice new--er--machine to
fly. But E. and I did all our “hot-air stuff” on the other ’bus, and I
looped it.
* * * * *
The splendid news has come through that my pal B. is “safe and well
though a prisoner.” W., who is on leave, wired us.
I shan’t write to-morrow, as if all goes well it will be a race between
this card and myself to get home first. The very best of love to you.
* * * * *
III
STORM AFTER CALM
[Sidenote: Back to Duty.]
Back to work and my old friend Archie quickly. I was on bombing
yesterday, not very far over the lines though, and there were about
---- of us. It was a wonderfully pretty sight to see the bombs going
down in a string, dwindling, and finally disappearing below. Bags of
Archie were flying around, but my “machine” was not hit at all. I was
first up to-day and we had a non-stop flight of nearly three hours,
ranging some batteries. The weather was pretty dud, but W. and I
managed all right. S. is missing, as perhaps you have heard. He was on
a long bombing stunt. He is reported unhurt and prisoner of war.
* * * * *
I shot a bullet into the air,
It fell to earth I know not where.
When we were up to-day P. emptied a drum of ammunition from the gun
over the lines--not firing at anything in particular, but just to
test the gun. The empty cartridges as they were ejected landed with
clockwork regularity on the top of my head. I said to myself, “This is
some hail.”
Last evening E. and I went in a tender to the battery we had been
working with in the morning and saw the wonderful ruins of a town near
there. We were really quite close to the lines, but luckily there was
no shelling, and we got back O.K.
We have a game here now which is something like tennis. Instead of
racquets and balls, we use a rope quoit, which must be caught and
returned as per tennis, but must not be held in the hand or thrown
over-arm. I had a game of solo yesterday with three others, and I have
discovered two people who are frightfully keen on “Scramble Patience.”
Gee whiz! One of them knows practically all Gilbert and Sullivan by
heart as well. Isn’t it extraordinary how “Scramble Patience” and
Gilbert and Sullivan always seem to go together? We went for a walk
last evening, and sang the Nightmare song through, and several from
“Patience” and the “Yeomen,” etc. We are getting a tennis court made
after all; it is progressing quite well.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A Good Story.]
Here is a story as it was told to me. One of the best pilots at the
front one day crashed on the top of some trees. He got out, and was
standing by the remains of his machine when a Staff Officer came up
and remarked, “I suppose you’ve had a smash!” “Oh n-no,” stuttered the
pilot, who was, to put it mildly, somewhat savage, “I _always_ l-land
l-ike this.” The Staff Officer, annoyed in his turn, said, “Do you know
whom you are speaking to? What is your name?” To which: “Don’t try to
c-come the comic p-policeman over me. Y-You’ll f-find my n-number on my
t-tail p-plane.”
I was called at four this morning, and leapt heroically into the air
at five. It was confoundedly cold, but I had a thick shirt and vest,
a leather waistcoat, double-breasted tunic, the fleece lining from my
waterproof and a leather overcoat, so I just managed to keep warm.
* * * * *
Yesterday I was in the middle of a game of tennis when, with one or
two others, I was ordered to fly over to a neighbouring aerodrome to
be ready for a special job in the morning. I landed there all right
and reported, and went into the mess-room slap into the arms of an
old schoolfellow. I was chatting with him when the C.O. sent for me
to explain the nature of the work before us. I went into his office,
and the other pilots detailed for the work came in, and to my utter
astonishment I recognised another old schoolfellow. I had dinner with
him and stayed the night there. This morning the weather was too dud
for our work and it was washed out, and we returned to our aerodromes.
I brought back my bed, valise, pyjamas, etc., with me in the passenger
seat of the aeroplane. I had to fly back without my goggles, as I had
lost them at the other aerodrome.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A Fokker’s Flight.]
One of our pilots had my machine up to-day and met a Fokker. His (or
rather my) machine was damaged, but he spun round and let fly at the
Fokker. Then his gun jammed, but to his surprise the Hun went off home
“hell for leather.” The R.F.C. have absolutely got the Huns “stiff” in
the air, partly owing to our “hot stuff” new machines, and partly to
the pilots. But a Fokker running away from the machine L. was flying
must have been a comical sight. My machines always seem to be unlucky
when in the hands of other pilots.
To-day I have done very little else but sleep, and the weather has
done very little else but rain. I tried to get my hair cut this
morning at a village not far away, but was informed that it was after
twelve o’clock. “Surely not,” I said, and the barber said “Si,” and
unblushingly produced a watch showing about ten minutes to twelve, and
motioned me away. However, I got some magazines, and chocolate, and
some new shaving soap and razor blades.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A Tail Piece.]
Just now I bid fair to outdo H.’s record of unpleasant stunts, as I
nearly had a third within twenty-four hours. The first one was just to
whet my appetite, so to speak, but although I only went a few miles
over the lines I was Archied the whole blessed time. The Huns must have
spent fortunes on Archie in the last week. I hit something with one
of my bombs that made a colossal burst--probably some Hun ammunition.
Yesterday they started on me just before I got to the lines, and, I
think, went on until I was a good ten miles the other side. Then the
Archies started from the place I was going to bomb, and clattered away
for ages, but they were not nearly so good as those near the lines,
as they haven’t got so much practice. There were some wonderfully
near shots, and the machine was badly shaken by one which made a most
appalling crash just behind the tail. I was horribly scared, of course.
I looked round, saw the tail still there, said “Remarkable!” and went
on. The Hun aerodrome was a very nice-looking place. It had two landing
T’s out--great white strips of sheet, and there was a machine on the
ground. I dropped several bombs there, one landing on the road beside
the ’drome and one by the landing T. I don’t know if I hit any of the
sheds or not, as it was rather cloudy, and I could not see the effect
of all my bombs. When I had finished I came back with the wind, nose
down, at _some_ pace, and hardly got an Archie at all. I was jolly
pleased when it was over, and pleased too (in a way) that I had been,
as it really was interesting to be so many miles behind the lines and
see their aerodromes, etc.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Night Bombing.]
Well, I went night bombing yesterday--rather an Irish way of putting
it, though! I went up after dinner, and as it was a bit misty I
signalled down “bad mist.” They signalled to me to come down, but I
wasn’t having any, and turned my blind eye to ’em and beetled off.
You see, from the ground it didn’t look misty, and so, as I didn’t
want any doubts on the subject, I sloped off towards the lines. I soon
lost sight of the flares and then became absolutely and completely
lost. Everything was inky black and I could only see an occasional
thing directly below me. My mapboard was in the way of my compass, so I
pulled the map off, chucked the board over the side, and then flew due
east for about a quarter of an hour, when I saw some lights fired. I
crossed the lines about 4,000 feet up and tried to find my objective,
but it was no go. I went about four miles over, and came down to 2,000
feet with my engine throttled down, but could not even recognise what
part I was over, owing to the mist. Then, to my surprise, the Huns
loosed off some Archie nowhere near me, so I expect they couldn’t see
_me_; but it looked ripping. They got a searchlight going and flashed
it all round, passing always over the top of me. Then some more flares
went up from the lines, and I could see the ground there beautifully,
as clear as day, and some deep craters, but it did not show me
sufficient to enable me to recognise what part of the lines I was over.
Deciding it was hopeless, I set out for home, flying due west by my
compass. It seemed ages before I picked up the aerodrome lights again,
and I was afraid I might have drifted away sideways, but I spotted
them all right, and just as I was nearing them, passed another of our
machines by about 200 yards in the darkness. He was a wee bit lower
than I was, and as he passed I could see his instrument lights in his
little cabin. I then switched on some little lights I had on the wing
tips, and flashed my pocket lamp--you know, the one I had in Germany
and at Penlee--and then gave an exhibition of spiralling and banking in
the dark. They said it looked topping from the ground. Then I signalled
down “N.B.G.” and came in, “perched” (with all my bombs on, of course),
and made a perfect dream of a landing.
Altogether I had really enjoyed myself, and would much rather do night
bombing than day bombing. The only thing that annoyed me was that I
couldn’t find my target, ’cos the bombs would have looked so pretty
exploding in the darkness. I didn’t get up until about twelve o’clock
this morning, and I am playing tennis at 5.15, so it has its advantages.
A little red spider has just landed on me and buzzed off again; that’s
lucky, ain’t it?
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Gesticulation in Mid-Air]
Have just had a forced landing. M. was up with me, and I yelled to
him to work the throttle from his compartment. He smiled benignly on
me, not understanding or taking much heed. Finally I stood up, waved
my arms at him, and shouted. He turned round, and, thinking that I
had a mad fit on, put his thumb to his nose and extended his fingers.
Finally, realising what I wanted, he tried the throttle, but did not
succeed in working it, and in his turn waved his arms. We must have
been a comical sight up there, wildly waving our arms at each other.
As we couldn’t use the engine and were descending, I warned M. that we
were going to have a forced landing. He tumbled to that all right and
removed the gun from behind his head and put it on the front mounting,
just in case--er--we met a hedge! We reached the aerodrome all right a
couple of thousand feet up, and spiralled down. Just as I was coming
in to land, another machine cut in ahead of me, but as I had no engine
I couldn’t “wai-at” (like Peg), but just perched behind him and dodged
him. So all ended well, for I made a perfect landing.
* * * * *
Have just been up with E. We spotted a storm coming up and ran for
home. I came down to land, and found myself going too fast, so had to
go round again. Great loss of dignity! I came in again, this time right
at the end of the aerodrome, and closed the throttle, but the blessed
machine went on flying, and I switched off just in time to prevent
running out of the aerodrome. The throttle had become incorrectly set
and the engine continued to run at half speed, although the throttle
was entirely closed. We just got in before the rain came down.
* * * * *
I was up 8,000 feet this morning, but the whole sky was clouded over
and one could not see the ground. Flying just above the clouds it was
gorgeous; one felt like leaning out and grasping a handful of snow and
making snowballs, the clouds were so fluffy and white. I had a splendid
game of tennis yesterday, and was in topping form. Lightning services.
Swish!
* * * * *
To-day has been “some” day. It started raining in the early hours
and is still going strong. We are going to have floats fitted to the
machines so as to take off the lakes!
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A Firework Display.]
Inasmuch as I was out all yesterday afternoon trying to get my hair
cut, I was unable to write to you. Sorry. I was up at 2.45 a.m., and
of course it was pitch dark. I left the ground shortly afterwards by
flares, and had hardly got up a thousand feet when my engine began to
misfire, go “chug-chug,” and lose its revs. I signalled that I was
descending, and came down, trying not to come in too low, as I was
afraid my engine might not pick up. Result: I came in too high (not
having had time to get used to the dark), and had to open up my engine
and crawl round again at a couple of hundred feet. Again I essayed
to land, but failed, and by this time I was absolutely furious with
myself. I gave a glance at the rev. counter, and saw that the engine
had found its revs, again and appeared to be running smoothly; so,
feeling that fate had willed me to stay up, I sent down “Engine O.K.
now,” and went off to the lines. Just after I left the aerodrome,
clouds came up, and the C.O. would not let the next pilot go. I found
my way quite well (in a blue funk, though, lest my engine should let
me down), crossed the lines, picked up the road I was to follow, and
finally reached the place I was to bomb. Here I ran into clouds and had
to come down to between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. I dropped my bombs all
right, and saw them explode--as good as a Brock’s firework display.
Moreover, I heard the bangs from them, and felt the machine bumped by
the rush of air caused by the explosions. Flying back by compass, I
soon picked out some flares which I headed for. Realising that I was
over the wrong aerodrome, I looked round, spotted ours, got there, did
a good landing, reported, and went to bed again.
* * * * *
My Flight-Commander has gone home after being out nearly eleven
months. We are all sorry to lose him, I am sure there is no better
Flight-Commander in all France.
* * * * *
I have just come down from a long and rather boring job with E., which
took us from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the upper regions. I had trouble
with my engine yesterday, and had a forced landing, managing to get
into the aerodrome and land in a cross wind. I had a repetition of
the stunt to-day when testing it. We have now solved the trouble--a
semi-choked petrol pipe. I am booked for tennis shortly, so will write
more another time.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: A Mixed Grill.]
Well, I have a little news for you this time. To let you down lightly,
I will first tell you that I am having several new walking-sticks made,
and with your usual Sherlock Holmes intelligence you will deduce, quite
accurately, that I have carefully and conscientiously reduced a B.E.2C.
to its molecular constituents--in other words, “crashed it.”
Now don’t worry, as I am perfectly all right and thoroughly enjoying
life.
To sum up my work for the last twenty-four hours, I have had three
forced landings, four hours’-odd flying, and one night flight, and a
crash--not bad, eh?
The three forced landings within that short space of time constitute
almost a record. It was with my own machine, and each time some trouble
with the engine broke out when I had got up 500 feet. Each time that
we thought that we had discovered the trouble and I took her up again,
she cut out just the same. By great good luck I managed to get back
into the aerodrome. On one occasion I had bombs on too! Now the machine
is being practically pulled to pieces and altered by almost raving
mechanics.
I had, as I wrote you yesterday, a three and a half hours’ non-stop
flight, and later was down for night bombing. I was all on my own, and
several people said they thought it was too misty. However, the C.O.
asked me if I would like to try, and I said I was quite willing, and
got ready.
I went up all right, though from the time I passed the last flare I
saw absolutely nothing. There was a horrible ground mist, worse than
it looked from the ground, and with no moon everything was black as
ink. I could not tell whether I was flying upside down or anyway, and
the machine was an old one and not very stable. I looked round at the
flares and found I was flying all on the skew, left wing down, and I
put that right; but not being able to see even a white road directly
below me, I knew it was hopeless trying to leave the vicinity of the
’drome, and signalled that I was coming down. So down I came.
I had been told to land down wind, owing to trees being at the other
end of the ’drome. Well, there wasn’t much wind, but what little there
was I had pushing me on instead of holding me back. Likewise I lit a
flare at the end of my wing, and although that enabled me to see the
ground directly below me, I couldn’t tell my height. I expected to
touch ground by the first flare, but owing to these things and the
fact that I was flying a strange machine the engine of which “ticked
over” rather fast, I did not touch ground at the first flare--but at
the last. The landing was all right, but I plunged merrily on into the
pitch darkness until I came to a nice new road and a ditch which pulled
up ye machine with a “crunch”! It at once began to take up peculiar
attitudes, similar to those of a stage contortionist, and endeavoured
to mix up its tail and rudder with the propeller. At any rate, this is
how the machine looked a second afterwards:
[Illustration]
The flare on the wing tip was still burning, and I had hardly time to
get over my surprise at the bombs not bursting, when it occurred to me
that there might be a lot of petrol knocking about. “This is no place
for me, my boy,” I thought, and undid my safety belt double quick and
slid down one of the wings to the ground.
Meanwhile some dozens of breathless mechanics and officers arrived
at the double, and made kind inquiries as to my health. I am
absolutely certain they were infinitely more scared than I was, and
they all seemed relieved when I told them I was all right. I then
lit a cigarette (as being the correct thing to do), observing with
satisfaction that my hand was quite steady, and walked up to the C.O.
and apologised. “Oh, that’s all right, as long as you are all right:
J--, just ring up the Wing, and tell them our machine has landed.”
Everybody was bucked that I got out all right. One of our pilots said
he didn’t know how I managed to land at all, and thinks I was jolly
lucky.
At any rate, it is experience and it didn’t hurt me in the least, so
I have nothing to grumble about. By the way, I don’t expect to get my
next leave much before Christmas at any rate, as there is none going
here just now.
* * * * *
I had a good game of tennis yesterday, and took up my machine to test
it again. This time the engine ran perfectly and I did some splendid
stunts coming down. When I had landed, an officer who was visiting the
aerodrome came up and thanked me for my “beautiful exhibition.” I felt
inclined to pass the hat round. I have just come down now, and have
been taking photos. Archie was scarce owing to clouds, but the clouds
made it harder for me to photo. Made a topping landing.
* * * * *
Just come down from a shoot. G. was up with me, but I did the shoot. We
got some pretty good Archie at us, and as the artillery did not shoot
well, I dropped a couple of bombs on the target. I must get tea, and
then to tennis.
* * * * *
I have not much news to-day, except that I have had a splendid game of
tennis, and a rather pleasant bombing raid. We went a long way over,
past a Hun aerodrome, and got hardly any Archie at all, owing to the
clouds. I got a beautiful shot with one of my bombs, on a railway
station--my objective. On the way back I did a spiral on the other
side of the Hun lines, and one of our chaps, thinking I was a Hun
going down, fired a drum of ammunition at me. I told him he must be a
rotten shot, and had better have some practice on the range with me.
Altogether it was quite a jolly flight.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Stalling]
I was testing my machine round the ’drome this morning when it occurred
to me to indulge in a few stunts. I obtained the sanction of my
passenger, and we proceeded to do vertical banks, stalls, and tail
slides, much to the enjoyment of a group of officers who (I heard
afterwards) were watching. I found it most enjoyable. Perhaps you don’t
know what “stalling” is. You are flying level so:
[Illustration]
then you pull the nose of the machine up so:
[Illustration]
till at last it becomes perpendicular, so:
[Illustration]
when of course it gradually slows down and stops dead in the air,
sticks there a moment, and then falls so:
[Illustration]
and plunges on until it regains sufficient speed to bring it under
control again and level. The feeling after the machine has stuck
at the top, and then falls down, is the “left your stummick up
above--tube-lift feeling”--only more so.
* * * * *
E. and I have been on a cross-country flight. The exhaust pipe blew
off, and as the hot exhaust then became directed on the petrol tank,
we decided to land, and came down in a nice little field, pulling up
six inches from a ploughed field, and conveniently near a hospital.
However, we didn’t need the hospital, and soon got the machine to
rights, but are stuck here owing to rain. We are, however, near a town,
and are going to a “flicker show” to-night to see Charlie Chaplin.
We have “fallen” among friends here, for there was an officers’ mess
within a hundred yards of where we landed, and we are being splendidly
treated. Altogether an ideal place for a forced landing.
* * * * *
My adventures of the past two days remind me of the great motor-cycle
ride R. and I had from Devon to London. Let me see--it was the day
before yesterday, I think, that I last wrote you, and told you about
our forced landing. Well, E. and I and two others went to the cinema
and saw “Charlie” in the evening, and stopped the night in an hotel.
The next day we made a few purchases, and when the rain stopped I went
up alone from the field to dry the machine and examine the weather. I
had hardly left the ground before I went slap into the clouds at 50
feet. I turned quickly and crawled back just above the ground, missing
a factory chimney by a few yards, and plunged down again into a bigger
field close by the other, pulling up a couple of yards from a hole in
the ground. Later in the day when it cleared up we started again, and
we were only a few miles away when the blessed exhaust pipe popped off.
The petrol tank started getting hot again, so we had to come down, and
it took us an awful time to find a decent field. They were all humps
and bunkers and hazards, where, if we had landed, we should have gone
head over heels. At last I found a good place, and perched, pulling up
with the wing tip touching a bundle of hay. We stopped a car, and E.
went on it to the aerodrome for help. However, I got a spare bolt from
the car, and while they were gone repaired the damage myself, got two
farm labourers to hold the machine while I swung the propeller, and
started the engine myself. Then I clambered into the machine and went
off alone, getting to the aerodrome just as my helpers were leaving.
* * * * *
The weather is pretty dud. You remember the two games of Patience I
used to play--the Four Aces and the Idle Year. They have caught on
here tremendously; every one from Flight Commanders down is playing
them. I am thinking of sending to Cox’s for my passbook. Four of us
played pitch and toss yesterday with pennies for two hours, and I lost
sevenpence. The gambling fever has gripped.
I took up a Scotch sergeant a couple of days ago. He was a perfect
“scream.” “Can you tell me where ahm tae pit ma feet, an’ where ahm no
tae pit them.” He quite enjoyed the flight, though, and looked round
once with a huge grin, and said “Bon!” By the way, I saw a very curious
sight the other day, and a very rare one. I saw two of our shells pass
in the air while I was flying. They were not near me, but I just got
an impression of them as they went down. You can, I believe, see them
go if you are standing behind the guns, but P. is the only one in our
Flight who has seen them from the air.
I think the idea of dividing R.F.C. Squadrons up by public schools is
splendid, but, alas! impossible.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: An Air Fight.]
Yesterday G. and I were doing a big shoot some four miles or so over
the lines, and as it was a bit misty we went up to about 6,000 feet and
sat right over our target for about a quarter of an hour. There was a
Hun patrol of three machines buzzing around that neighbourhood, and
when they got within a few hundred yards, I thought it was about time
to draw G.’s attention to the matter. He sat up with a jerk, gave a
quick glance round, never noticed ’em, and glued himself on his target
again. “All right,” I said to myself, “you’ll wake up with a jump in a
minute.” To my surprise two of the Huns took no notice of us and went
on, while the third circled about very diffidently watching us. Once
he passed right over about 200 feet above us, and at that moment G.
looked up. You could see the black iron crosses painted on a background
of silver on the wings, and at that G. moved, and damn quickly too. I
was busy watching the Hun, and didn’t feel a bit excited or nervous. I
watched and waited, and then suddenly the Hun stuffed his nose down and
swooped behind us, and we heard his machine gun pop-popping away like
mad. I waited till he was about a hundred yards away, and then did a
vertically banked “about turn” and went slap for him, and let him have
about forty rounds rapid at about seventy yards range. G. had his gun
ready to fire, when the Hun turned and made for home. We chased him a
short way just for moral effect, and then went back to our target and
on with our job. We were awfully surprised when he didn’t come back.
I suppose we scared him or something. This little chat took place
about 7,000 feet up, and five miles on their side of the lines. Was up
’smorning; jolly cold. The guns are going like Rachmaninoff’s Prelude.
* * * * *
Before I stop I want to say this: If my adventures and amusements are
going to cause you loss of sleep when they are over, you ain’t a-goin’
to hear no more. Please don’t let them disturb you. I have generally
forgotten all about them by the time your return letter arrives.
[END]
PRINTED BY
HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD.,
LONDON AND AYLESBURY,
ENGLAND.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Now with the gunners in France.
[2] Interned in Germany since outbreak of war.
[3] In his private Log Book “Theta” apportions to the various
“episodes” a figure showing the probable value of each narrow escape.
From this it appears that he reckoned he ought to have lost his life
fifteen and a half times!
[4] Archie = Anti-aircraft.
[5] Trig = Trigonometry.
[6] 2C = B.E.2C.
[7] Firsts = 1st Air Mechanics.
[8] V.P. = _Vol Plané_.
[9] In his private log book “Theta” sets out the cost of petrol
expended by him on a non-eventful flight, and the cost to the Huns of
the Archies fired at him, drawing out a balance of cash profit or loss
to the R.F.C.
[10] The Prince of Wales.
[11] Reference to a humorously satirical caution against the use of the
terms “’bus” or “plane” instead of “aeroplane” or “machine.”
Transcriber’s Notes
Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a
predominant preference was found in the original book; otherwise they
were not changed.
Footnotes, originally at the bottoms of pages, have been collected,
resequenced, and moved to the end of the book.
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "War Flying" ***
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