From Biplane to Spitfire by Anne Baker

Author:Anne Baker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / Aviation
ISBN: 9781783379767
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2004-02-18T16:00:00+00:00

But, as Brancker did not arrive for three weeks Geoff was in charge of his RFC during the great battle. The night before, 30 October, the troops were moved up to Beersheba and the RFC were up on defensive patrols from dawn to dusk, to prevent even one German aeroplane from slipping through the defences. That very day, however, one German aircraft did manage to avoid the RFC. On its return it was shot down, the pilot was captured and papers and maps were found on him showing that if he had returned safely the position of the troops would have been given away. Allenby congratulated Geoffrey and the disaster of the 1st Battle of Gaza was avoided. Eighteen months earlier the siege of Kut might have been avoided if the aircraft flown by Major Reilly had not come down behind enemy lines.

Geoffrey again wrote to Peggy on the same day:

My darling one, I am writing this on the eve of a battle. The letter will not go until after it has begun so no secret is out. I have been at it all day and for many days and feel happy about most timings. We brought down a Hun today, making the third. Isn’t that good? We captured the pilot. Brancker is expected to land about the 1 November and will take this all from me! Crunch!! But it means I ought to see you before long and that is a great joy. The C-in-C sent his congratulations over the Hun brought down. I like him so much. He is a real man and that is everything. I do not know whether Brancker will come up here post haste or whether he will mess about in the Delta. I hope the latter. I wonder also whether he comes out as a Major General; I rather think he does, but am not sure. I can see him enjoying this, it is so ripping. And such a good lot of fellows to work with. But under its present organisation it is hard work.

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