Just found this on my Son's Computer!...He is nearly twelve..plays OFF..and seems to have a good grasp of what it was like!!...enjoy!..and well done Son!..hahaha
(I thought it would be interesting from it's title!...lol)
Another Cold January morning as I open my eyes, to the feeling of Butterflies in the pit of my stomach.
It's getting worse instead of better!...I thought I would get over them by now...but how can you, when just yesterday, I watched Wilson jump, burning from his Camel!
It could of course be due to the large quantity of Brandy I got through in the mess last night?...or the thought of what may await me in the skies this morning.
"Thanks Cecil" I say through my hungover lips, as my tea is placed next to me by my Sergeant.... God, my mouth tastes like a Gunners Glove!
"What time is it Cecil?"
"6:00am Sir...still a bit dark, but looks to be a clear day"
Bugger I thought...kind of wanted a Lie in.....
"Going to bag a Hun for us again today Sir?"
"I'll do my best Cecil" I grimmace, as the hot tea burns my lips!
"Breakfast at 6:30 Sir...Briefing at 7:00"...he turns and walks out, closing the door behind him!
I get myself dressed...in the Kings Own Uniform...lightly stroking the RFC insignia...
"I wonder if the King will allow me to keep his damn uniform when this is all over?....Bloody right he will!..either that, or bury me in it!"
I walk towards the Mess hall, to get my Breakfast....the light is much better already...and the Cold Winter Sun does her best to slightly warm my face as I walk.
"Hi George!...how's your head this morning?..You drunken old Sod!!"..... It's Peter, my Wingman... I smile as I watch him approach
"Bloody Hell...It's cold this Morning..The Huns will have Icicles hanging off their Spandau's" He laughs as he catches up to me in a run
"Wish they did!..I am sure they will soon warm up, trying to blow my tail off! I reply...Wonder what joyous Job the Brass have thought up for us today?"
"Doesn't matter old boy!... With me looking after your pretty little Backside, while you get all the bloody Glory eh?"
Peter is right of course...He has saved my neck up there more than once!...Such a Likeable Chap... 4 yrs my Junior, but already a man...and a Killer...... at 19 yrs old!
What a bloody waste of time this whole damned war is..
"Never mind Peter...it'll all be over by Christmas" I say
"Yes, but which bloody one!?"...we both say in unison.... and chuckle, as we enter the Mess tent.
"SCRAMBLE!!"...Incoming German Aircraft!.....Peter and I rush outside in time to see 6 German Aircraft approaching from the NorthWest
"Bugger", shouts Peter as we both rush towards our Parked Camels.. "I was sort of looking forward to eating something"...
I don't have time to reply, as I jump into the Cockpit of my Camel... CONTACT!..I shout to my Ground crew, as the first Spandau's open up on the Airfield...drawing two deadly parallel lines in dirt along the ground towards me as I hit full throttle to get Airborne.
A quick glance left and right, as I climb away, and begin my turn towards where I believe the enemy to be...but no sign...at least...not at first.
5 of them are all over Peter...Albatros Fighters....Black tails...I have seen these Bastards before!
I swoop down towards the Melee, hoping Peter can avoid them long enough for me to arrive....but with a sinking feeling, I see a dot come away from his aircraft..... Just a dot to me...but a Wing to him!
His Camel catches fire, and spirals out of control....his tormentors break off their attack, as Peter's Camel Smashes into the Woods at the end of the Airfield....they turn their attention to me!
TBC