Air Stories, April 1936 — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

AIR STORIES of ‘‘A’”’ Flight might be seen diving on the target, or having its guns tested onthe range. The success of his methods was reflected by the mechanics, who took a greater pride than ever in the particular machine for which they were responsible and the number of Huns accounted for by its pilot. It was an almost unheard-of event for an engine in Savage’s flight to fail in the execution of its duty. Whenever he was not flying, Savage worked in the sheds, superintending the rigging of his machines, or making small improvements in the cockpits and gun-mountings. At the end of ten days he knew the family history of each man, and most of their personal ambitions. Warton, during this period, had done no flying over the lines, as the Major considered that he needed a rest. How- ever, he assisted Savage with the ground work, and with the training of new pilots in the air. When, eventually, he obtained per- mission to resume war flying, he fas- tened the single streamer of a deputy leader to the rudder of his machine, and followed Savage with the enthusiasm of one week’s active service combined with the experience of six months. CHAPTER V Death of a Hero FTER a few days’ flying, Warton began to understand the secret of Savage’s success, and to realise that it was not only knowledge of aerial tactics and the use of sun and clouds upon which he relied, but also upon know- ledge of the German pilot. The Huns always seemed to do what Savage wanted them to, while of tricks and ruses he had no end. In the course of three weeks’ flying, Savage never made one mistake in leadership, and his flight added another eighteen enemy casualties to its list. ‘‘T haven’t made a mistake yet, old son,’’ Savage remarked one day, pen- sively, ‘‘ but when I do, it’ll be the finish of me.”’ Instead of moving into the flight com- mander’s hut with Dawson and Colley, who led “B’”’ and ‘‘C”’ Flights respectively, he insisted on remaining in his old hut with Warton and Lastor. This decision received particular approval from Ryeward, who was almost genial throughout an entire evening on account of it. Because of his excellent work— he already had fifteen confirmed victories to his credit—Savage was recommended for a bar to his M.C. A few days later the bar was awarded to the Wing Equip- ment Officer, who had the same name, and who had won the Military Cross with the infantry. Savage affected to be much amused by the error, but his speech became even more bitter and sarcastic from that day. ‘* Decorations, my _ son,’’ he remarked grandly to Lastor, ‘‘ form an economical way of paying a man through his pride instead of his pocket. It is more politic to give a widow the cross her husband has won than the amount of money he could have earned as a beggar in the streets.’’ But the strain of his unsparing efforts was already telling on Savage, and, lately, he had formed a habit of starting nervously at every sound. The Major, who had been watching him closely for some time, approached him on the subject of returning to England. ‘* Not at all necessary, sir,’’ answered Savage. ‘‘I am merely practising so that when I go home I may win sym- pathy from the sentimental by playing the part of a nerve-racked airman.’’ The Major laughed, and decided to allow him another week before sending in his papers for Home Establishment. Warton, too, was getting very worried over Savage’s condition, and taxed him with overwork. ‘‘ You know you can’t keep it up, old man,’’ he said seriously. ‘‘You’re averaging about eight hours flying a day with all these practice forma- tions and stuff, and you’re making an absolute wreck of yourself. Look here, why not cut out these extra shows you do with me? You’ll be going home soon, and neither of us really wants any 318 CoOnniclooo SJ (Cl QO)