Air Stories, April 1936 — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WINGED WARRIORS and they’ve given me his flight. By the way, he was sorry he couldn’t look you up, but he was too busy.’’ ~**So this silly ass is now our flight commander !’’ interposed Ryeward, opening his lips for the first time. The remainder of the dinner was spent discussing the new development, and the possibilities of the flight. ‘‘ What I first want to do,’’ said Savage, counting the items on nis fingers, ‘‘is to teach the beggars to fly ; none of them know anything about it at present. Then to fly in formation; then to learn the country ; then to recognise a Hun when they see one; and, finally, to shoot him down when they do recognise him. All that will take time, and, mean- while, I suggest, Warts, that you and I, with the co-operation of our skilful observers, do voluntary two-machine shows for the express purpose of con- founding all Huns of every size, shape, manner, and description, that defile the heavens by their presence. No; I’m speaking seriously now. Is it a bargain P ’’ ‘‘It is,’? replied Warton fervently. Then the four leant across the table and put their heads together to discuss Ways and means of attack, until the lights went out as a hint that it was time for them to leave the restaurant. N their arrival at the camp, which was greeted by much yelling and cheering, a number of excited individuals seized Warton and carried him into the mess, where he was forced to sit in a very dazed condition upon the table. An air-raid was in progress at the time, so the electric light from the work- shop lorry had been cut off, and the room was illuminated only by a _ candle mounted in the neck of an empty bottle. The flame, set flickering by a draught, threw long, dancing shadows and revealed strange expressions on the men’s faces. Puzzled to find a meaning in all this uproar, Warton stared smiling at the Major, who was advancing towards him with a great display of solemnity. Still at a loss for a clue, he sat perfectly still while the Major pinned to the lapel of his tunic an enormous M.C. ribbon, consisting of a strip of blanket with a bar of violet ink running down the centre. ‘‘Telegram from Brigade dated the fifth inst.,’? intoned the Major, ‘‘ an- nounces the award of the Military Cross to Lieutenant J. Warton for i He was interrupted by Warton, who jumped from the table and bolted through the door, intending to barricade himself in his hut. But he was restrained by Savage and dragged back. It was late in the night by the time he went to bed. On the first occasion that he saw himself in a mirror, with the decora- tion sewn beneath his wings, he was obliged to suppress a smile of satisfaction ; but after two days the ribbon appeared no stranger than the wings themselves. Under the command of Savage, ‘‘A ’’ Flight found itself compelled to live more energetically than had ever been necessary while Fories had led them. Being himself a most finished pilot, an excellent shot, and wise beyond his years in his recognition of the import- ance of work, Savage chased his men up into the sky when they would rather have been playing ping-pong, or led practice formations when the weather was too bad for even a line patrol. At this some grumbled openly, until his sarcasm beat them into silence. But the value of his training was made manifest when, with a formation of six, as against the four that Fories had usually handled, he destroyed nine machines and a balloon on one patrol. The fact that not one man during that morning’s fighting lost his position in formation, or placed himself in a dangerous situation, gave ample tes- timony to the discipline with which he controlled his flight. ‘‘A’’ Flight was proud of itself, for every pilot in the flight, after being led by Savage for a fortnight, had shot down at least three enemy machines, and, moreover, had an excellent chance of surviving his six months in France. From being dis- satisfied with the incessant practice flying, they became enthusiastic, and at every minute of the day some machine 317 COnniclooo SJ (Cl Q)