1916 Angels over the Somme (British Ace Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

are short of pilots and aeroplanes but I have been assured by General Henderson himself that we will be given everything that we need to wrest control of the skies from the Hun. We are expecting more pilots and aeroplanes when they become available.”
    There was much cheering and banging of glasses. Major Leach stood and his Scots’ voice boomed out, “Shut up you noisy buggers!”
    Silence fell in the smoky mess. “Now a word of warning; Intelligence has told us that the Germans have reorganized their squadrons into Jastas, or hunting packs. We know that they like to stay on their side of the lines but they will attack in numbers. They will have plenty of fuel and support.  That will make life difficult for us. Our skills as pilots will make life impossible for them.”
    This time Major Leach gave up as the buzz of conversation drowned out anything else he might have said.
    Gordy lit a cigarette, “Well, Bill, it looks like you are stuck with me.”
    “I am not worried about that. I know you and Ted better than almost any pilot in the squadron. I am happy to be given the afternoon flights, it means the Germans will have the sun in their eyes.”
    Ted groaned, “And that means we will have it in our eyes in the morning.  Great!”
    “We will need to watch the front line; from what the colonel told me they are trying to draw us over their lines.”
    Gordy nodded, “That’s how they got my new lieutenant.  It was his second flight over their lines and he followed one of them.” He shook his head.  “He never stood a chance. He forgot my orders not to go chasing them.”
    “Remember we will be outnumbered.  We might have to use the circle.”
    “With just five aeroplanes?  Will it work?”
    “We will have to wait and see.” I suddenly noticed the new officer out of the corner of my eye.  He was sitting alone. “He is the joker in the pack.  You will need to keep your eye on him.”
    “As he is the only one left in my flight that shouldn’t be a problem.” Poor Gordy did not seem to have much luck with his new pilots.  He had lost three whilst I still had both Carrick and Holt.  They were almost the most experienced pilots in the squadron now and yet a few weeks ago they had been nervous young men just out of flying school.  You grew up quickly at the front; or you died.
    As I left the mess I wasn’t too sure about Gordy’s assessment of Carstairs but I had other things on my mind.  I had letters to write and the first one would be to Beatrice.  Our walks in Hyde Parks and hurried conversations in the ward were not enough.  I needed to tell her how I felt.  We lived a precarious existence.  I did not want to die before telling her how I felt.  When I had written Beatrice’s letter I would write home.
    I was woken by the shelling at the start of the offensive.  I heard later that it could be heard in Hampstead Heath.  All I knew was that it woke me. I sat up with a start. The constant cracking told me it was not a summer storm. I stood and looked at my table; I saw that I had just written the one letter to Beatrice.  I had fallen asleep after signing it. I felt guilty.  I would write home when I returned from this afternoon’s mission. I addressed the envelope and took it to Randolph’s office.  As Adjutant he got to censor all of the letters we sent. He was a gentleman and a fine chap but I was not sure I would want him reading my innermost thoughts.  I had, however, no choice in the matter.
    He was at his desk when I entered. “A letter home.”
    He took it and was about to put it with a pile of others when he saw the address and felt the weight. “A girl you met in Blighty?” I nodded.  “His face softened.  He was a married man as was the colonel.  “I will be discreet, Bill.  You can trust me.”
    “I know Randolph it’s just… you know?”
    He smiled, “I know.  I had the same thing with Gordy when he met his young lady.”
    I felt better after that.  I was not