1917 Eagles Fall by Griff Hosker Read Free Book Online

discomfort. I changed the subject to take the attention away from my former gunner who still looked as though he was on the station at Victoria. “I was talking to Lord Burscough.  He flies the DH 2.”
    “I hear they are a nice little machine.”
    “Oh they are but they are as slow as our Gunbus. He and his squadron were badly knocked about by those new Albatros fighters with the twin machine guns.  He said that the Germans just couldn’t miss and they flew rings around his aeroplanes.”
    I began to fill my pipe.
    “Are there any new aeroplanes on the cards for us?”
    I lowered my voice as Lord Burscough had been in his cups when he had told me. “There are two: a Bristol with a synchronised machine gun and rear gunner and a nippy little single seat number made by Sopwith.  They call it a Pup and it has a synchronised machine gun.“
    “Just the one though.”
    “Just the one.”
    “Then the Hun still has the advantage.”
    The journey back was more sombre and there was less jollity and fewer jokes.  We played cards or just closed our eyes and thought of the pleasant time we had all had in England.
    The major had sent a truck for us.  I think he and the others were keen for their leave to commence.  As soon as I dismounted he said, “Go and see Doc Brennan.  I want to know if you are fit to fly.”
    I turned to go and then asked, “Something up?”
    “We lost Bertie Cole the other day.”
    “I thought we were staying on our side of the lines?”
    “We were but the Germans decided to come over and play. They flew rings around us. Anyway, if you aren’t fit then I shall have to stay.”
    When I reached the sick bay the doctor had just finished packing. He smiled when he saw me. “Is it still itching?”
    In answer I proffered the knitting needle I had borrowed from my mum. “If it wasn’t for this I would have gone mad.”
    “That is a good sign it means it is healing. Jackson!”
    His orderly came in, “Sir.”
    “Get me the cutters, we’ll take off the plaster.”
    I sat in the chair.  I was excited to be getting rid of the cumbersome plaster cast which had made me so reliant on others. I should have noticed that Jackson had his hands on my shoulders; it was a warning I missed.  Doc Brennan went carefully but the cold steel did catch the tender point where the break had been and I winced.  I was determined not to show pain for I wanted to be returned to active duty.
    When the cast came off I felt the cold air on my bare and exceedingly hairy arm but I smiled. Doc Brennan laughed.  “You should be on the stage Bill.  That hurt like buggery I dare say.” He examined the arm and was very careful not to hurt it. “A compression bandage, Jackson, and it will need changing every day.  Make sure that Captain Harsker reports every morning or you have my permission to stop him flying!”
    Jackson grinned, “It’ll be a pleasure sir!”
    “Now you are fit for duty but for goodness sake take it easy with the arm.  At least it is your left one so you are less likely to strain it.” He went to his desk and brought out a rubber ball. “Every day I want you to squeeze this five hundred times in the morning and five hundred times at night.  If you are bored during the day then use it as often as you can.  It’s called physiotherapy.  All the rage apparently.  And now I will bid you farewell and enjoy a decent leave with my wife and children.”
    “Thanks, Doc, you are a brick!”
    “Be careful, Bill.  You take too many risks and from what I hear you have a young lady now.  Think of her.”
    I left the sick bay and returned to the office.  The Major and the Captain were both there. I smiled, “He gave me the all clear.”
    I saw the relief on Archie’s face.  It had been a long time since he had had a leave. “It should be quiet. Headquarters have told us that there will be no offensive in our sector over the Christmas period.  Just tootle about and show the lads in brown we are