1914 (British Ace) by Griff Hosker

Author:Griff Hosker [Hosker, Griff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sword Books Ltd
Published: 2014-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The aeroplane seemed slower to climb but then I realised we now had a full load of fuel and our baggage. “Well Flight, have you our route all ready?”

“Yes sir. Straight down the river and turn south at the coast and then a hop over to Calais.”

“Good. I don’t fancy having to climb over the hills and waste fuel. This way we can keep low.”

We did keep low. To me we appeared to be skimming over the rooftops but, later when we landed, I was told we were four hundred feet in the air. The warm boots certainly helped as did the balaclava. It was cold and overcast. I was pleased that we were flying low.

I had the map folded so that I could trace our course. I kept checking for the different landmarks and I told the captain time we passed one. “You are doing a fine job. Could you stand and check that the others are still following?”

I couldn’t refuse an order but I was petrified. I undid the seat belt and then held on to the two sides as I stood. I tried to crane my neck around but I could see nothing. I turned myself in the cockpit. I was terrified. The sides barely came to my knee. I could be tipped out at any time. Eventually I faced the rear. I could see the grin on the captain’s face. “Scary eh William?”

“Yes sir. I’m just glad that the uniform trousers are brown.” I heard him laugh. I could see the two planes. They were echeloned back from our port wing. The Avro was slightly lower than the F.E. 2b. “They are both there sir!”

“Right then face the front and tell me when to turn.”

The journey was uneventful until we struck the coast and then flew over Dover. “Dover sir. We need to head due east.”

“Right Flight. Cock and arm the Lewis.”

“Sir?” I could not keep the incredulity from my voice. This was the English Channel.

“Intelligence has it that there are a couple of Huns around. They sometimes fly over Dover. Keep an eye out eh?”

I knew that I would never be able to discriminate a German from a British plane. I had to unfasten my seatbelt to stand and to cock the gun. I quickly sat down and fastened my seatbelt again. I pulled out my rifle and loaded it. It may sound cowardly but I worked out I could fire the rifle from a seated position. I was not ready to fight quite yet!

The water looked grey and cold from our lofty position. I stirred myself. I was supposed to be watching for the enemy. I was happy when I saw the old Medieval Tower of Calais appear ahead.

“Calais, Captain Burscough. Turn south and follow the coast.” I knew that I would need a compass to give him more precise directions in future. So far we appeared to be on course and, I think, making good time. I knew that we were faster than the Avro and so the captain could go faster if he had to.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.