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

the only love struck young pilot.  I knew, however, that all such thoughts had to be expunged from my mind or else I would be jeopardising not only my own life but also the lives of my pilots!
    We watched Major Leach and the other flights as they took off. The five aeroplanes seemed a pitifully small number to me. Ominously, we heard the constant crump of artillery shells as the German lines were pounded. We would have a better idea of the success of the attack when we flew over in the afternoon.
    I spent the morning with the pilots and gunners I would be leading. Carstairs apart, the pilots had all flown with me before and knew my ways.  I was aware, however that we had two new gunners.  They deserved to have the same information as their pilots. “Today we begin the first of many such patrols over the battlefield. We will fly in two columns.  Lieutenant Hewitt will lead his flight and I will lead the other.” I pointedly looked at Carstairs.  “You, Lieutenant, will play follow my leader with Lieutenant Hewitt.  Where ever he goes you follow.  You do not deviate one inch from that position.”
    “What if I am attacked?”
    Gordy snorted, “You have a gunner, Sonny Jim and a gun fore and aft. You stick to my tail! If I look around and find you are not there then you will be in for it my lad!”
    The new officer looked a little petulant as he said, “What happens if you are shot down?”
    Gordy coloured bright red, “Then you had better pray that I am dead or else I will come and kick your backside all the way from here to Blighty! You keep me safe!”
    The others chuckled but I knew that it was a fair question. “In that event you follow Lieutenant Holt and my flight.” I could see the new gunners looking at each other nervously. “If things get a little hot there we have a defensive formation we use.  It all depends on us flying in a circle so ‘ follow my leade r’ is a good practice. Make sure you have plenty of ammunition and that you have checked your guns before you fly. It is a little hard at five thousand feet with a bunch of Huns attacking you. One last thing, avoid following them over their lines. All we need to do is to keep them from our side of the front. Any questions?”
    They all shook their heads. I pointed to Lumpy and Sergeant Laithwaite. “These two sergeants are the most experienced in the squadron; you new lads have a chat to them.” I was pleased when the two new gunners almost ran to speak to the old hands.
    I began to fill my pipe as the others wandered off.  Gordy joined me. “I see what you mean about Carstairs.  I hope he doesn’t turn out to be another Garrington-Jones.”
    “We will have to make sure he doesn’t then.  Perhaps a taste of combat will change him a little.”
    “Perhaps.”
    We stood by our Gunbuses waiting for the return of the rest of the squadron.  The big guns had stopped and we could just hear the ripple of distant machine gun fire. It was many miles away and seemed, remote somehow. I knew that it would become much closer and soon. The sight of five aeroplanes heading for the field was a welcome one. They had all survived but we saw much damage on many of the aeroplanes. The Gunbus had an enormous wingspan and was a big target for the German gunners.
    When they had all landed we went over to speak with Major Leach and Ted. “It is a little hot over there, Bill.  The advance looks to be going well.  They have taken the first set of German trenches.” The Major shook his head, “The trouble is that brings us closer to the Hun.  In the last half hour this morning they sent more flights against us. Luckily we were on our way back and they were reluctant to follow us.” He gave me a meaningful look.  “They will be ready this afternoon so take care.”
    “Yes, sir.” I turned to Gordy. “Fly just above me, say two hundred feet and astern of Johnny.”
    “You have something in mind?”
    “They had a few books in the hospital and one of