No Longer a Game by Andrew Wareham

Author:Andrew Wareham [Wareham, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B06WVQMGP8
Publisher: The Electronic Book Company
Published: 2017-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

“You have a range of a little more than one hundred and twenty miles, Tommy. That won’t take you very far over Belgium.”

Tommy stared at the map and was forced to agree with his CO.

“Add to that, sir, things look different at night, so there ain’t a lot of point to peering at them in the daytime. Scrap the reconnaissance, I think, sir.”

“Definitely, Tommy. Trenchard wants you to go out on a series of lone patrols over the lines, searching for any targets that may be available. He thinks it is possible that if there are four or five of you out at random and picking off the occasional two-seater then the Fokkers may be pulled into chasing you, and leave the poor little BEs and REs alone, to an extent. He knows that escort ain’t possible so wonders if decoys might work. He said as well that he is aware of the dangers involved, but he thinks that if anyone can do it, you can. Try it for a week and then he wants you to ‘do the pigeons’, whatever that means.”

“What it is to be known to the brass! I am so good, they must work me to death. Can I borrow Blue and Joe and Micky to show them how the Morane works, sir, and let them have the chance to go out? They will probably be flattered at the opportunity.”

Major Kite gave his permission, reluctantly, as he was not sure he approved of letting young pilots loose out of sight. They had no sense of mortality – death happened to other people who were not as good as them – and would casually take ludicrous risks.

“Balloons are forbidden, Tommy. Tell them that. There is a rumour from Intelligence that a Fokker was shot down earlier in the week having strayed within range of a Drachen. Much bad temper, no doubt. Trenchard was heard to laugh as he read the report. By the way, you have not told me the significance of the pigeons.”

“For those mad buggers in Belgium, sir. They spy on the Hun and then post their reports by pigeons. They need some more, it seems. I don’t think I can imagine anything more brave, sir; cold-bloodedly living under the Germans’ noses and spying, for a year now and no end in sight – one mistake and they’re shot.”

“Takes some doing, Tommy. They have my respect.”

“Obviously, sir, the Brigadier should not have explained the details to me – the fewer who know about it, the less the risk. I was told recently that the Hun has hundreds of spies in France.”

“Then silent I shall be, Tommy.”

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