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diff --git a/old/53168-8.txt b/old/53168-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a80a5e5..0000000 --- a/old/53168-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3659 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's In the Royal Naval Air Service, by Harold Rosher - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: In the Royal Naval Air Service - -Author: Harold Rosher - -Contributor: Arnold Bennett - -Release Date: September 28, 2016 [EBook #53168] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - -Apparent typographical errors have been corrected. The use of hyphens -and of accents has been rationalised. - -Italics are indicated by _underscores_. Small capitals have been -replaced by full capitals. - - - In the Royal Naval Air Service - - [Illustration: - _Photo: Vandyk_ - FLIGHT-LIEUT. HAROLD ROSHER, R.N.] - - - - - In The Royal Naval - Air Service - - BEING THE WAR LETTERS OF THE LATE - HAROLD ROSHER - TO HIS FAMILY - - WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY - ARNOLD BENNETT - - - LONDON - CHATTO & WINDUS - 1916 - - - - - _First Published_ _Sept., 1916_ - _Second Impression_ _Sept., 1916_ - - _All rights reserved_ - - PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED - LONDON AND BECCLES - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - INTRODUCTION 1 - - SECTION - - I. TRAINING 11 - - II. ON HOME SERVICE 23 - - III. RAIDS ON THE BELGIAN COAST 47 - - IV. WITH THE B.E.F. 61 - - V. TAKING A NEW MACHINE TO FRANCE 93 - - VI. WITH THE B.E.F. AGAIN 101 - - VII. ON HOME SERVICE AGAIN 121 - - VIII. WITH THE B.E.F. ONCE MORE 125 - - IX. ON HOME SERVICE ONCE MORE 133 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - - FLIGHT-LIEUTENANT HAROLD ROSHER, R.N. _Frontispiece_ - - THE LATE FLIGHT-LIEUT. RIGGALL, R.N., ON A - GRAHAME-WHITE "BOX-KITE" 14 - - THE FAMOUS 873 AVRO FLOWN BY FLIGHT-COMMANDER - S. V. SIPPE, D.S.O., AND BY FLIGHT-LIEUT. ROSHER 34 - - BRINGING THE PILOT ASHORE AFTER A FLIGHT - ON A SOPWITH SEAPLANE 44 - - "SHORT" SEAPLANES AT ANCHOR OFF SPITHEAD 44 - - FLIGHT-LIEUT. HAROLD ROSHER, R.N. 54 - - SQUADRON-COMMANDER IVOR T. COURTNEY, R.N. 76 - - ONE VICKERS FIGHTING BIPLANE PHOTOGRAPHED FROM ANOTHER 84 - - A VICKERS FIGHTING BIPLANE 84 - - THE OVERTURNED MORANE 90 - - A SNAPSHOT OF LIEUT. ROSHER 90 - - A ZEPPELIN AIRSHIP 108 - - A ZEPPELIN IN THE DOUBLE SHED AT JOHANNISTHAL 108 - - A TAUBE-TYPE GERMAN MONOPLANE 108 - - LIEUT. ROSHER FLYING A BRISTOL "BULLET" 114 - - A FIRE CAUSED BY LONG-RANGE BOMBARDMENT 114 - - FLIGHT-SUB-LIEUT. WARNEFORD, V.C. 114 - - A BRISTOL SCOUT BIPLANE (OR "BULLET") 136 - - THE MORANE "PARASOL" MONOPLANE FLOWN BY - FLIGHT-SUB-LIEUT. WARNEFORD, V.C. 136 - - A B.E. 2C BIPLANE 144 - - A NIEUPORT BIPLANE 144 - - A BLÉRIOT MONOPLANE 144 - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -Harold Rosher was born at Beckenham on the 18th November, 1893, and was -educated at The Dene, Caterham, and subsequently at Woodbridge. Although -as a boy he suffered severely from acute asthma and bronchitis, he did -well at school; and the pluck which carried him through the moral -distresses of asthma helped him to hold his own in games, despite the -fact that up to the age of sixteen he was considerably under the average -height. As his health did not cease to give anxiety, he was taken for a -holiday to India (being with his father the guest of the Maharajah -Ranjitsinhji, Jam Sahib of Nawanagar) in 1909. In 1913, for the same -reason, he made a trip to South Africa with his sister. It was his -health again which helped to decide his career. An open-air life was -considered to be essential, and he became a student at the South Eastern -Agricultural College, Wye, remaining there until the outbreak of the war. - -One of Harold's greatest chums at the Agricultural College was a young -and rich German landowner named K----. At the latter's invitation Harold -spent the summer vacation of 1913 in Germany, and the two young men -toured on motor-cycles through a great part of Germany and Austria. In -August 1914 K---- was to celebrate his majority, and had asked Harold to -the festivities. But on August 2nd, when war appeared inevitable, he -wrote a letter of farewell to Harold in which he said that he did not -expect they would ever meet again. The next day he telephoned from -Charing Cross as he was leaving England, and Harold was overheard saying -to him on the telephone: "Well, if we meet, mind you don't shoot -straight." - -On the day of the declaration of war, Harold applied for a commission in -the Royal Naval Air Service, and in order to save time he went -immediately as a civilian pupil to Brooklands, where several months -previously he had once been taken up in the air as a passenger. In the -few days which elapsed before the War Office commandeered the Brooklands -Aerodrome and ejected every civilian Harold progressed rapidly in the -craft of flying. He was gazetted a Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant in -the R.N.A.S. on August 18th and reported himself at Hendon. He remained -there about six weeks, obtaining his aviator's certificate. - -The letters which form this book were written between August 1914 and -February 1916. They are spontaneous and utterly unstudied documents, and -they have been printed almost exactly as Harold wrote them. Many of them -are quite ordinary; most are spiced with slang; the long ones describing -his share in the great historic raids are thrillingly dramatic. But it -would not be wise to set some letters above others. None should be -missed. Each contributes its due realistic share to the complete picture -of an airman's life in war. - -It is well that we should have every opportunity of estimating what that -life is. For the air service is still quite a new service. Its birth -lies within the memory of schoolboys. Few outsiders can imaginatively -conceive for themselves the conditions of it, conditions in which the -hour of greatest danger is precisely the hour of spiritual solitude and -separation from all mankind. Further, the air service is now actually -engaged in creating those superb precedents which members of the older -services find ready for their fortifying and encouragement when the -crisis comes, and this fact alone entitles it to a most special -sympathetic attention from the laity. So far as my knowledge goes, no -other such picture, so full and so convincing, of the air-fighters' -existence has yet been offered to the public. Here, perhaps, I may -mention that some organs of the London Press long ago desired to print -the principal descriptive letters of Harold Rosher, which in private had -aroused the admiration of journalists and literary men; but it was felt -that complete publication of the entire series within the covers of a -volume would be more proper and more effective. - -Three days after the date of the last letter Harold was killed. On 27th -February, Major Risk, the C.O. of the Dover Aeroplane Station being away -on duty, Harold, as second in command, was in charge. Among other duties -he had to train new pilots on fast machines, and he would always -personally test a new machine or a newly-repaired machine before -allowing anybody else to try it. On that Sunday morning he ordered a -number of machines to be brought out of the sheds for practice flights. -Among them was one which had just been repaired after a mishap three -weeks earlier. The pilot had already got into his machine. Harold told -him to get out as the machine was untested, and himself took it up for a -trial flight of eight or ten minutes. Everything seemed to go right -until Harold began the descent about a mile away from the Aerodrome. -Then, at a height of 300 feet or less, the machine suddenly made a -nose-dive and crashed to the ground. Harold was killed instantly. The -disaster occupied seven seconds, At the inquest nothing was ascertained -as to the cause of the accident. One theory is that the controls jammed. -Harold was buried on the 2nd March at Charlton Cemetery, with full naval -honours. The cemetery is on the cliffs within sight of the Aerodrome, -and while his body was being lowered into the grave aeroplanes were -flying overhead. - -It is permissible to quote a few Service opinions about Harold Rosher's -attainments and achievements during his short career as an airman. -Commodore Murray F. Sueter, C.B., R.N., wrote to Mr. Frank Rosher, -Harold's father: "In my opinion he was one of our best pilots; always -ready for any service he was called upon to perform. Mr. Winston -Churchill was very pleased with his work in the early part of the war, -and had he been spared I am sure he would have made a great name for -himself." Wing Commander Arthur N. Longmore, R.N., under whom Harold had -served longest, wrote: "You have the consolation of knowing his splendid -record at Dunkirk. He was among the finest pilots I ever had out there, -always cheerful and ready for his work. He will be a great loss to the -Air Service, which loses not only a first-class pilot, but also an -excellent officer." Major Charles E. Risk, Squadron Commander, R.N., -wrote: "Harold, or Rosh as we always used to call him, was one of my -very best pals and a very fine officer and First Lieutenant. Everyone -loved him. He was an absolute 'Sahib,' a very good pilot, hard-working, -and absolutely trustworthy." And Captain Charles L. Lamb, R.N., wrote: -"He returned with some of the others from abroad last autumn for a rest, -and very shortly afterwards I selected him from a large number of -officers to become the Executive Officer of the Dover Air Station, which -was then starting. Although quite young, he immediately displayed great -organizing abilities, and also possessed the gift of command of men, -which is unusual without previous training, and fully justified my -selection. At his own request he was shortly proceeding abroad in -command of a Flight, and would undoubtedly have gained his promotion in -the near future. I have said little as regards his skill as a pilot, -since this was probably well known to you, but he was undoubtedly in the -first flight. This skill, however, I consider of secondary importance in -life as compared with the far rarer gifts of command and organization -which he undoubtedly possessed." - -I had the acquaintance of Harold Rosher, and when I met him I was quite -extraordinarily impressed by his bearing and his speech. In age and -appearance he was a mere boy--a handsome boy, too, in my opinion--but -the gestures of youth were restrained. He was very modest, but he was -not diffident. In the presence of men older than his father he upheld in -the most charming and effective way the dignity of his own generation. -He talked quietly, but nobody could escape the conviction that he knew -just what he was talking about. All his statements were cautious, and in -giving a description or an opinion he seemed to dread superlatives. He -had the eye and the voice of one who feared no responsibility, and who, -having ruled himself, was thoroughly equal to ruling others. He was -twenty-two when he died at work. - - A. B. - - - - -I - -TRAINING - - -I. - -_To his Father._ - - The Blue Bird, Brooklands Aerodrome, Weybridge. - 11th August, 1914. - -DEAR DAD, - -Am getting on famously and having a most amusing time. After I wrote you -yesterday I went out and had my first lesson. Mr. Stutt, our instructor -[for the British and Colonial Aeroplane Co.], sits immediately behind -you, controls the engine switch and covers your hand on the stick. He -took me straight up two or three hundred feet and then volplaned down. -He always does this with new pupils to see how they take it. I think I -managed to pass the ordeal all right. I had two or three flights -backwards and forwards, and then another turn later on in the evening. -Stutt is an awfully nice fellow, very small but very capable. On all -sides one hears him recommended. When in the air, he bawls in your ear, -"Now when you push your hand forward, you go down, see!" (and he pushes -your hand forward and you make a sudden dive), "and when you pull it -back you go up, and when you do this, so and so happens," and so with -everything he demonstrates. Then he says, "If you do so and so, you will -break your neck, and if you try to climb too quickly you will make a -tail slide." It's awfully hard work at first and makes your arm ache -like fun. The school machines are very similar to the Grahame-Whites. -You sit right in front, with a clean drop below you. We never strap -ourselves in. The machines are the safest known, and never make a clean -drop if control is lost, but slide down sideways. - -When it got too dark we went in and had dinner, all sitting at the -middle table. Could get no one to fetch my luggage, so decided to go -myself after dinner. Unfortunately, I attempted a short cut in the dark -and lost my way. After stumbling round the beastly aerodrome in the dark -for an hour, I eventually got back to my starting point. I was drenched -to the knees, and the moon didn't help me much on account of the thick -mist. It was about 10.30 p.m., so I gave up my quest; the prospect of -the long walk and heavy bag was too discouraging. - - [Illustration: - _Photo: F.N. Birkett_ - THE LATE FLIGHT-LIEUT. RIGGALL, R.N. - _On one of the Grahame-White school "box-kites," - in the early days of his training_] - -I turned in in my vest and pants and had a good night. Was knocked up at -4.30 this morning and crawled gingerly into my still wet clothes. A -lovely morning, very cold, and it was not long before I got wetter -still, as the grass was sopping. Had two more lessons this morning, of -about 15 minutes each, and took both right and left hand turns, part of -the time steering by myself. Stutt says I am getting on. The machines -are so stable that they will often fly quite a long way by themselves. -Am now quite smitten, and if weather continues fine, I shall take my -ticket in a week or ten days. Hope to be flying solo by Thursday or -Friday. Experienced my first bump this morning. While flying at 200 -feet, the machine suddenly bumped,[1] a unique sensation. These bumps -are due to the sun's action on the air and are called "sun bumps." It's -owing to these that we novices are not allowed to fly during the day. To -experienced airmen they offer no difficulty. - -There was a slight accident here this morning. One of the Blériot people -(known in our select circle as Blérites) was taxying [running along the -ground] in a machine without wings. He got too much speed on, and the -machine went head over heels and was utterly wrecked--man unhurt. With -the Blériot machine you first have to learn to steer on the ground, as -it's much harder than ours. The men look awful fools going round and -round in wee circles.... - -Very nice lot of fellow pupils here that I am getting to know, one naval -man with a whole stock of funny yarns. Nothing to do all day long but -sleep. Went into Weybridge this morning and got my suit case. Flora and -fauna quite interesting. I live only for the mornings and evenings. More -anon. Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -II. - -_To his Father._ - - The Hendon Aerodrome, Hendon. - 7th September, 1914. - -DEAR DAD, - -Only a few lines, as it is already late, and I still have plenty to do. -The latest excitement down here is a balloon, especially for our use. It -is to be up all night, and we have to take turns in keeping watch from -it; four hour shifts, starting to-morrow night. She has 4,000 feet of -wire cable, but I don't suppose we shall be up more than 1,500 feet. It -will be frightfully cold work, and in all probability we shall all be -sea-sick. - -On Saturday night we had a Zeppelin scare from the Admiralty. I was on -duty and called out the marines, etc., etc. Ammunition was served round -and the machines brought out. Porte [J. C. Porte, Wing Commander, R.N.] -went up for a short time. - -Tons of love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -III. - -_To his Grandmother._ - - The Hendon Aerodrome, Hendon. - 7th September, 1914. - -DEAREST GRANNY, - -Can only send you a few lines just now as I am so frightfully busy. -Thanks so much for your letter received two days back. Am hard at it now -from 4.30 a.m. to 11.0 p.m., and one day in five for 24 hours on end. -Our latest acquaintance is a captive balloon in which we are to take -turns to keep watch in the night. It will be terribly cold work. The -watches are 4 hours each, and we shall probably be about 1,500 feet up -in the air--the full limit of cable is 4,000 feet. I quite expect we -shall all be horribly sea-sick, as the motion is quite different from -that in an aeroplane. There is also a rumour that we are going to have -an airship down here. We had a Zeppelin scare the other night and had -all the marines out, ammunition served round, searchlights manned, and -aeroplanes brought out in readiness. It was quite exciting for a false -alarm. - -It's pretty chilly work sleeping in tents now. Unless you cover your -clothes up overnight, they are sopping wet in the morning. Also there is -a plague of crane flies here, which simply swarm all over one's tent. -These are all little troubles, however, which one takes philosophically, -and at the same time tries to picture mentally the distress of those at -the front. Hope I shall be out there soon; they seem to be having quite -good fun. - -Must cut short now, so goodbye, Granny dear. Heaps of love. - - Ever your loving grandson, - HAROLD. - - -IV. - -_To his Father._ - - The Hendon Aerodrome, Hendon. - 11th September, 1914. - -DEAR DAD, - -Many happy returns. I started writing you last night, so that you might -get my letter first thing this morning, but was fated not to finish it. - -We had another false alarm and my place was on the 'phones. I didn't get -off until 12.30 a.m., so gave it up as a bad job and started afresh this -morning. - -I expect you will have seen in the papers about the accident last night. -Lieut. G---- went up in the Henri Farman, and on coming down made a bad -landing--internal injuries--machine absolutely piled up. Nacelle[2] -telescoped and the tail somehow right in front of the nacelle. The -accident is expected to have rather a bad effect on the _moral_ of the -pupils. Personally it doesn't affect me; and anyhow I didn't see G---- -at all, as I was bound to the 'phones. - -Things are going on much better with me. Yesterday I did five straights -[straight flights] alone and managed quite well, having excellent -control of the machine, and making good landings, except for the first -straights in the morning, when it was rather windy and in consequence -the machine was all over the place. - -By the way, this is now the third successive night that we have had an -alarm. Have not yet been up in the balloon but am looking forward to it. -I never thought that we should come down to an old (1902) gas bag. - -Heaps of love and don't let Mummie get alarmed. You must bear in mind -that night flying is ten times more dangerous than day. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -NOTE. - -_An interesting letter, written in September, is missing. In this the -waiter described a balloon trip that he made over London in the dark, -ultimately coming down near Ashford, and having an exciting experience -while landing._ - -_Early in October, 1914, the aviator went from Hendon to the Royal Naval -Air Station, Fort Grange, Gosport. A letter of this date is also -missing. It described his first cross-country flight, when, owing to -engine failure, had to make three forced landings (from heights of about -4,000 feet), all of which he managed safely without damaging his -machine. The engine was afterwards found to be faulty. In this letter he -referred to the Commanding Officer's pleasure that he had made so good a -beginning._ - -[1] Met an air-wave. - -[2] The nacelle is the short body of an aeroplane, as found in all -machines with propeller behind (usually called "pusher" machines). - - - - -II - -ON HOME SERVICE - - -V. - -_To his Father._ - - Royal Naval Air Station, - Fort Grange, Gosport. - 14th November, 1914. - -DEAR DAD, - -Many thanks for note received this morning. Shall try to get home for -inoculation in about a fortnight. From what I can make out, we shall not -get our squadron together until the end of January. We were to have gone -over at the end of this month. We may, however, go over in pieces, a -flight at a time. If the Germans reach Calais, we shall stay here -permanently for home defence, but at the rate we are progressing, we -shan't be ready until March, and then, maybe, the war will be over. I -must say I want to see some of it, and one would be bound to get a -second stripe if one went across. - - 15th November, 1914. - -Have spent quite a successful first day over at Whale Island:--squad -drill, Morriss tube and Webley Scott firing practice. I got on famously. -The Morriss tube is particularly easy. It merely becomes a matter of -getting all on the bull. It's a grand place to wake one up; everything -is done at the double. - -My cold is awfully heavy and I'm feeling pretty rotten. - -Best love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -VI. - -_To his Father._ - - The Queen's Hotel, Farnborough, Hants. - 18th November, 1914. - -DEAR DAD, - -Thanks so much for your birthday letter [his 21st birthday], which I had -just time hurriedly to read through this morning. Late last night we had -orders to shift, and everything has been a rush ever since. I have left -all my luggage at Fort Grange and have only a small dispatch case with -me. Am very disappointed. As the C.O.'s machine was not ready to go, he -collared mine, and I am travelling as passenger. However, it can't be -helped. - -We left Fort Grange about ten this morning and arrived here after an -hour's run. It was awfully cold and we had to come down here owing to -fog. I am afraid I can't tell you where we are going or any other such -details. You must rest content with what I have told you at present. We -are very comfortably fixed up here for the night. The place is packed -with generals and staff officers, as we are practically in Aldershot. It -will be very slow here this evening. I thought of trying to get home for -the night, but it's out of the question. There is no need to be in the -least alarmed as to my safety, as I am probably not going where you -expect. - -Tons of love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -VII. - -_To his Father._ - - Royal Naval Air Station, Kenton Lodge, - Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - 25th November, 1914. - -DEAR DAD, - -Received letters forwarded from Fort Grange last night. It was much too -foggy for my trip to Hartlepool yesterday afternoon, but I went for a -short flip [flight] around, and am glad I did so, as I found out the lie -of the land. - -This morning it was beautifully clear, and I started off soon after 9.0 -a.m., with a mechanic, to patrol the coast up north to Alnmouth. It was -awfully cold with rather a strong cross wind. I got right above one lot -of clouds. It's a wonderful sight too, as in the distance there is a -mountain covered with snow. It was simply ripping. My engine was going -strong, and after circling round till I was 1,500 feet up, I made -straight off for the coast. It was magnificent. Anything I wanted to -look at closely I just did graceful spirals round, or zigzagged, banking -the machine up to right and left. I have never enjoyed a trip so much -before. I was away an hour and twenty minutes; quite long enough, as I -could hardly feel my hands or feet on coming down. I think we shall be -here another fortnight, with luck. - - 30th November, 1914. - -Have had no time to write at all these last few days. Half my birthday -letters are still unanswered.... Weather has been far too bad for flying -the past two days. - -Best love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -VIII. - -_To his Aunt._ - - Royal Naval Air Station, Kenton Lodge, - Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - 27th November, 1914. - -DEAR AUNT ETHEL, - -Thanks so much for your birthday letter. I only received it the night -before last and have been unable to answer it until now. - -You are right about flying. As soon as one gets well into the air, -things seem to take on quite a different aspect. It is the same as when -one gets on a high hill, only in a greater degree. - -Our work of patrolling the coast is very interesting, but unfortunately -Newcastle seems to be either enveloped in a thick fog, or a gale of wind -prevails, so that we are not getting as much flying as I should like. It -is beginning to get extremely cold work too now, especially on a frosty -morning. - -Our billet here happens to be the German Consulate, a lovely modern -house, so that we are most comfortably settled. I think we are moving -again in a fortnight's time. - -Please give Granny my best love. As soon as I can get home I shall pop -over and look you all up. At present I see no chance of getting off. I -tried to get to Hartlepool this morning, but the weather was too bad so -I abandoned the attempt. - -Heaps of love. - - Ever your loving nephew, - HAROLD. - - -IX. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Naval Aeroplane Squadron, - Kenton Lodge, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - 8th December, 1914. - -DEAR DAD, - -Have had a great day. Motored out to Redcar on business and visited -Durham Cathedral on the return journey. It's a magnificent spot. The -Cathedral is on top of a high hill with the river flowing through a -ravine on one side and two fine old bridges. It's one of the finest -sights in England. The town itself, too, is very quaint. Have heard no -more about going to the front.... - - 10th December, 1914.[3] - -The C.O. is now in France, and from what I can gather is making -preparations for us all to go out immediately after Christmas. I don't -think there is much chance of being able to get home for Christmas. -However, one can never tell, so we will hope for the best. - -I went for a flip around yesterday afternoon for ten minutes, but it was -far too thick to see anything, so came down. Best love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -X. - -_To his Mother._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 30th December, 1914. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Another sudden move. Monday night some of us received orders to shift -here the following morning. I got all my gear packed and off in the -transport first thing, and kept my little hand-bag in the machine. Two -went off before me, as I burst a tyre to begin with--rather a bad start. -In my second attempt I got well off, but found my air-speed indicator -was not working and my compass dud, so came down again. As I could -procure no more, I decided to start. I nearly upset getting off, as my -foot slipped on the rudder and I got a bump at the same moment. The -engine was going none too well, but I pushed off towards the coast, and -all went well for a time. Then came signs of engine trouble. The revs. -[revolutions] dropped suddenly to below 1,000, and she missed badly and -back fired. I at once shut off petrol and volplaned down from 4,000 -feet. I glided two miles before I could find a field to satisfy me, but -having picked it, made a good landing. Some farm hands and two special -constables soon turned up and informed me that I was miles from -anywhere. My exact position was between two small villages, Ripe and -Chalvington, and four fields away from a road (and that not a main one). -The nearest town of any size was Lewes, a matter of seven miles--no -motor vehicles, but I might possibly get a trap. - -Just then a fellow turned up, and said he had a motor bike and side car, -which he put at my disposal. This I accepted, and, after trying the -engine, left the two special constables in charge, and tramped across -the four swamped fields (up to my neck in mud) to the road, and went -into Lewes in the side car. There I found a big garage, where they -professed to know something about Gnome engines. (I had landed, by the -way, at about 12 noon.) I got them to put some tools on a car, and out -we went again to Ripe. Then followed much tinkering, and I got the -engine going and started off. I had circled round once, when the engine -again back fired, bang! bang! and I made another hurried descent two -fields away from the last. All this time, of course, quite a crowd had -collected, and the vicar of Chalvington had come up and had brought me -some sandwiches, for which I was very grateful, it being 3.0 p.m., and I -had only a hurried breakfast. - -We next ran the engine again, and she at once back fired and caught fire -at the carburettor. This burnt out without doing any damage, and we -diagnosed the complaint as a broken inlet valve-spring in No. 5 -cylinder. By the way, when in Lewes I had 'phoned through to Fort -Grange, and they sent me on some mechanics, as the garage men could help -me no more. - -I once more left the special constables in charge and returned to Lewes. -(The vicar, I should have told you, offered me a bed for the night.) I -again 'phoned from Lewes [to Fort Grange] and then returned to the -machine, which I had moved behind a hedge out of the wind, and had -pegged and roped down and covered up. - - [Illustration: - THE FAMOUS 873 AVRO BIPLANE - _Flown by Flight-Commander S. V. Sippe, D.S.O., in the raid on - Friederichshafen, and by Flight-Lieut. Rosher in the two big raids on - Ostende and in his raid with Major Courtney on Hoboken. The machine - survived to be returned to England for school work. She is here shown - on the point of starting for Friederichshafen_] - -By this time it was 5.30 and dark and very cold, and I was greatly -cheered by five mechanics and a driver turning up. Two I left in charge -of the machine, and then drove round in our service car (in which the -mechanics had arrived) to the vicarage, where I had a belated tea and a -hearty welcome. Mrs. McElroy is delightful. Dinner followed almost -immediately, and very excellent at that. At 8.0 p.m. my car arrived for -me, the mechanics having found a satisfactory billet. I once more set -out for Lewes and rattled out the colonel of the territorials, and -requested a corporal and three men to guard my machine, as my men had -been working the whole of the previous night. - -This all took some time, so I sat down and chatted with the other -members of the staff, and had a drink and smoke, and also two trunk -calls, one to Dover and the other to Fort Grange, where I heard that -Riggall[4] had also come down with engine trouble at Hastings, 30 miles -further on. This cheered me considerably. I didn't get away from Lewes -till 10.0 p.m. At Ripe I posted my territorials and gave them their -orders. It was fortunately a lovely moonlight night, freezing hard, and -with no wind. I got back to the vicarage at 11.30 p.m. and retired at -midnight--a lovely hot bath and beautifully soft bed, with a fire in my -room! - -I turned out next morning at daylight and drove out to the machine, -which is an 80 Avro,[5] brand new (never been flown before, not even -been tested), and found my men at work as per instructions. I returned -for breakfast (the vicarage was a good two miles away), and then rushed -back to my machine and found that a C.P.O. [Chief Petty Officer] had -turned up from Gosport in another car, on his way to Riggall at -Hastings, with a whole new engine. I at once hot-stuffed [requisitioned] -one of his inlet valves and set the men to work changing it, while I -once more went into Lewes, looked up the colonel and used his 'phone. - -On getting back at 12.30 I found my machine all ready, so went on to the -vicarage, packed up my things, had a slice of cake, bade them all -farewell, and pushed off. The wind had got up considerably and the -clouds were very low, but I thought I would try and get off. I started -up and got well away. It was awfully bumpy, and I got tossed about all -over the place. When I got to 1,000 feet it was much steadier, so I -headed straight for the coast, and as I climbed, I started getting into -the clouds. The first were at 1,500 feet, and I kept on running through -them till over 2,500 feet. The wind was stronger than I had thought, and -I fairly raced along. The engine was still a bit funny, but I stuck to -it, and was past Dungeness in no time. Then I got right above a whole -sea of clouds, and only got occasional glimpses of Mother Earth now and -again between gaps. I didn't like this, as I couldn't see where I was -going, especially as my compass was not accurate, and if I started -flying below them, I should only be a thousand feet up This would have -been worse, as I was not sure of my engine, and if it had given out I -should have had to land within a mile in any direction, as against a -four-mile radius if I were 4,000 feet up. - -While thinking over all this, I passed another gap, and looking back, -caught a glimpse of Dover harbour. It was rather lucky, as I had -overshot the mark. I switched on and off, and dived down through the -opening to 1,000 feet, and then looked around for the aerodrome. I did -quite a wide circle before I spotted it. It was awfully bumpy and pretty -nearly a gale blowing. I was just going to land when I saw two red flags -ahead to mark bad ground, and then a lot more. Nearly all the ground was -bad, so I flew right over into the wind and turned to the right just -before the cliff out of the wind. All this time I was bobbing about like -a cork, gusts throwing me all over the place. I got half round my turn, -broadside into the wind at about 100 feet, when a huge gust got -underneath my left wing and tail and swept me right across the aerodrome -to the ground. It was all a matter of seconds till I hit the ground. My -aileron, or warp control, was useless (at the time I thought the wires -had broken). I just managed to flatten out and straighten up a little as -I hit the ground sideways. Both wheels buckled right up and brought me -to a standstill, myself quite unharmed, and the machine with wonderfully -little damage. I was awfully annoyed, as I was very keen on pitching -well at the end of my journey. - - 1st January, 1915. - -The last two days have been beastly, nothing but wind and rain. Riggall -is still held up at Hastings. I shouldn't be surprised if his machine -has blown away by now. I see in this morning's paper that I have shipped -another stripe [Flight Lieutenant], so things are looking up a bit. - -There was a huge din here to usher in the New Year--bells, whistles, and -all the ships in the harbour blowing their sirens for fully a quarter of -an hour on end. The feeding here is excellent, and we have music to -accompany tea and dinner. There are between three and four hundred -rooms, and all full up. We have to take turns in sleeping up at the -sheds two miles away (my turn to-night, ugh!). We leave here at 7.45 -p.m., and are relieved at 9.0 the next morning. This means 10 o'clock -breakfast by the time one has got back here and had a bath and a shave. - - 10th January, 1915. - -What a life we lead and how we suffer! It is now half-past six and I -have just had tea. My previous meal was a scrappy breakfast at 8.30. -Dover is the very devil of a place to fly over. It's very hilly, and so -of course one gets the most appalling bumps and, in addition, a very -poor selection of landing grounds in case of engine trouble. The -aerodrome is right on top of the cliffs, and on two sides we have a -beastly drop. If one's engine fails when getting off in these -directions, the best thing one can do is to pray, and hope the bump -won't be too big when it comes. - -I was nearly caught this way to-day. Yesterday I flew an Avro to Deal -and back, while my passenger made some wireless experiments. To-day I -patrolled the South Foreland for an hour and a half (9.0 to 10.30), my -passenger armed to the teeth. Beastly cold it was too. At one o'clock I -got a panicky message saying 14 hostile aircraft were coming over from -Dunkirk, and I was ordered up at once. I had just got nicely over the -valley when my engine went bang! bang! bang! I hastily turned off my -petrol and looked around for a place to pitch. The only field reachable -was a very bad one. In addition, I pitched badly, but broke nothing, and -luckily came to a standstill a few yards from a pond! The trouble was an -inlet valve gone, the same as happened at Lewes, resulting in back -firing into the carburettor, which catches fire--most unpleasant. I get -awfully cold feet. I would much sooner come down with a bump than be -cremated. Personally I think it's worse than the crank shaft breaking, -and that puts the fear of God into you, I can tell you. My machine is -out in the open to-night. I hope to tee it up and get back to-morrow. I -did a fine spiral [spiral descent with the engine shut off] to-day. - -The hostile aircraft never came, of course. We are always hearing of -Zeppelins dropping bombs on Birmingham, London, etc. All the same, they -_are_ coming, I am sure, and in a bunch too. - -It's just dinner-time and I'm awfully hungry, so love to all. Could see -France as plain as Punch to-day. Dunkirk is visible from 5,000 feet. - - 11th January, 1915. - -Another day of toil, but no flying. It's my turn to sleep up at the -sheds too, a joy I am not looking forward to. - -I wish we could get out to the front. It's rotten to keep on seeing army -machines going across. I would much rather come to a sticky end out -there than here. - - 23rd January, 1915. - -I am once again installed in the sheds for the night, and beastly cold -it is too. I am going to invest in a Jaeger flea bag [sleeping bag]. - -To-day has been the best day we have had so far, clear, frosty and dead -calm. I crashed into the atmosphere first thing this morning and flipped -around for 55 minutes. By then I was as cold as----, so pitched in the -'drome. I flew from Dover to Deal with both hands off the controls, just -correcting with a finger when necessary. I have elastic bands on the -stick which hold it where it is set. I ended up with a hair-splitting -spiral, with the machine banked up to about 55°. I only did three or -four complete turns, but kept on until I was scared stiff. When you bank -a machine over 45°, your rudder turns into your elevator and _vice -versa_. To come out of a spiral, you just shove everything the wrong way -round and wait and see what happens. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XI. - -_To his Father._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 20th January, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -So you are home again at last. Did you get the letters I wrote to -Liverpool when you were going off? - -There has been very little doing here lately. Awful bobbery last night -over the Yarmouth scare. We were standing by our machines until -midnight. I think they [the Germans] are sure to pay us a visit soon. I -hope it isn't at night, though. I flew for about half an hour this -morning. The French coast was as plain as Punch. - -We each have our own machines at last. Mine is the actual machine that -Sippe [S. V. Sippe, D.S.O., Squadron Comdr., R.N.] had on his stunt to -Friederichshafen. Our chances of getting out to the front are remoter -than ever, and each of these silly raids puts us further back still. If -old Rumpler [the German airman] hadn't taken it into his head to drop a -bomb on Dover on Xmas day, we should in all probability have been over -the other side by now. - - 22nd January, 1915. - -There has been a bit of a scare on to-day, but it has resulted as usual -in nothing, except that I missed my lunch. I quite enjoyed my patrol -though. I was up an hour and twenty minutes and pottered around Deal. My -beat was from the South to North Foreland and back. It was rather thick -up [in the air], but I had an excellent view of Margate, Ramsgate, etc. -I kept at about 4,000 feet. It was a bit cold, but not so bad as I -expected. - - 28th January, 1915. - -We all took the air at once to-day for the Admiral's benefit; quite a -fine display. - - No. 1 Aeroplane Squadron, Dover. - 4th February, 1915. - -We have four young marine officers just joined up with the Squadron to -act as observers--rather a good idea, but they had a somewhat rough -initiation this morning. Just after I had been enlarging to them on the -safety of flying nowadays, there was a damned awful smash. An Avro came -down in a nose dive from 400 feet. There wasn't much left of it and the -occupants were very lucky not being done in. B---- was pilot and came -out with a badly sprained ankle, cuts, bruises and shock; and S----, the -observer, who was in front, broke his right arm above the elbow and -dislocated his hip, besides cuts, etc. I was in the air at the time, -with Riggall as my passenger. He saw the accident, but I didn't know of -it until I got down. B---- is our flight commander, so I suppose our -move is once more indefinitely postponed. - -I am putting in for leave this week-end, and think I shall get it with -luck. Am just getting rid of an awful cold. Riggall and Maude [J. D. -Maude, Flt. Comdr., R.N.] are both pretty rocky too--sort of flu or -something. Am enclosing a photo of my machine [Avro] 873. I think I told -you it was the one Sippe used on his raid [on Friedrichshafen]. The one -next it, [Avro] 875, is Babington's [J. T. Babington, D.S.O., Squadron -Comdr., R.N.], and the next belonged to Briggs [E. F. Briggs, D.S.O., -Squadron Comdr., R.N.] who was captured [in the raid]. - - 9th February, 1915. - -We had an old seaplane wrecked outside the harbour yesterday. The engine -failed and a destroyer went out to tow the machine in. Unfortunately, -the sea was rough and the destroyer rolled into the thing, damaging it -so badly that it eventually sank. The pilot and passenger were taken off -safely. It was quite interesting, watching from the top of the cliffs -through glasses. - -Love to all at home. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - [Illustration: - BRINGING THE PILOT ASHORE AFTER A FLIGHT ON A SOPWITH SEAPLANE] - - [Illustration: - "SHORT" SEAPLANES AT ANCHOR OFF SPITHEAD] - -[3] About this time Lieut. Rosher returned to Fort Grange. - -[4] Gordon Riggall. He and the writer both received their commissions on -the 18th August, 1914, and from that day onwards served together, -sharing the same risks. He was killed on the 16th February, 1915. - -[5] Manufactured by A. V. Roe & Co., Ltd. - - - - -III - -RAIDS ON THE BELGIAN COAST - - -XII. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Aeroplane Squadron, - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 12th February, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -I wrote home last on Wednesday, and, as you no doubt guessed, there has -since been something on. I could not, of course, let you know, as our -success or otherwise depended greatly on secrecy. Wednesday was a very -busy day. I tested my machine for half an hour in the morning, and by -the evening everything was in tip-top running order. During the day ... -machines arrived from Hendon, Eastchurch, etc., etc., also ... seaplanes -turned up. Among the Hendon crowd was Grahame White and one or two -others I knew. - -Thursday morning we were up betimes, and the weather being good, the -D.A.D. [Commodore Murray F. Sueter, C.B., R.N., Director of Air -Department] decided we should start. We had fixed up our maps, etc., -overnight; my orders were to drop all my bombs on Zeebrugge. It was a -bit misty over the Channel, and I was one of the last to get away. We -went in order--slowest machines first, at two-minute intervals. I pushed -off just after 8 a.m., climbed to 2,000 feet and streaked off over the -Channel. We had four destroyers at intervals across the Channel in case -our engines went wrong, also seaplanes. It was mighty comforting to see -them below. I got my first shock on looking at my rev. [revolution] -counter, which was jumping from 950 to 1,200, when it should have been -steady at 1,150. The machine was, however, pulling well, so I didn't -worry. - -In due course I struck Calais and headed up the coast about seven miles -out to sea. I passed Gravelines and Dunkirk where I had reached 6,500 -feet. Then a huge bank of black clouds loomed ahead. Our orders were to -land at Dunkirk if clouds were too bad, but as two machines sogged on -ahead of me, I pushed on too. It started with a thin mist and then -gradually got thicker. I continued so for about ten minutes, and then -found that, according to my compass, I had turned completely round and -was heading out to sea. The clouds got thicker and the compass became -useless, swinging round and round. I was about 7,000 feet up and -absolutely lost. The next thing I realized was that my speed indicator -had rushed up to 90 _miles_ an hour and the wind was fairly whistling -through the wires. I pulled her up, but had quite lost control. - -A hair raising experience followed. I nose-dived, side-slipped, -stalled,[6] etc., etc., time after time, my speed varying from -practically nothing to over 100 miles an hour. I kept my head, but was -absolutely scared stiff. I didn't get out of the clouds, which lower -down turned into a snowstorm and hail, until I was only 1,500 feet up. I -came out diving headlong for the earth. As soon as I saw the ground, I -of course adjusted my sense of balance, and flattened out. I was, -however, hopelessly lost. The sea was nowhere in sight, and, so far as I -could judge, I was somewhere over our own line behind Nieuport. - -I steered by my compass (which had recovered, being out of the clouds) -and after a short time picked up the coast. I then tried to skirt round -the snowstorm inland, but it went too far. Next I tried to get along the -coast underneath the storm, but also failed at this, so, feeling awfully -sick, I started back for Dunkirk, fully expecting to be the one failure -of the party. On arrival there, however, I found them all back but one, -and all had had similar experiences. One man turned completely upside -down in the storm. - -By the way, what finally decided me to come back was this. After trying -to get under the storm along the coast (I had got very low down, about -3,000 feet), I heard two or three bangs, but took no notice. I happened -to look round, however, and saw three nice little puffs of smoke about -100 yards behind me. Then came another, much nearer. "Shrapnel," says I, -and off I went to Dunkirk. - -I was pretty cold on arrival, having been two hours in the air. Grahame -White came down in the sea and was picked up by one of our destroyers. -Pottered round the aerodrome for a bit, and looked at French and Belgian -machines. Anthony Wilding[7] is stationed there, also Carpentier,[8] -whom I didn't see. - -Motored into the town for lunch and had a look round. Out to the -aerodrome again in the afternoon, but nothing doing. Slept on the -_Empress_ overnight. We first lay down on the couches in the saloon, -then turned in at 11 p.m., awfully tired. At 3.0 a.m. the stewards came -in to lay breakfast. At 5.30 we were all up, still tired, dirty, and -feeling rotten. Motored out to the aerodrome in the dark, awfully cold, -ugh! I was one of the first off (in the dark). I didn't relish it a tiny -bit. The weather was misty and cloudy, and very cold. Off Nieuport I was -five miles out to sea and 4,000 feet up. Before I came abreast of it, I -saw flashes along the coast. A few seconds later, bang! bang! and the -shrapnel burst a good deal short of me, but direction and height -perfect. I turned out to sea and put another two miles between me and -the coast. By now a regular cannonade was going on. All along the coast -the guns were firing, nasty vicious flashes, and then a puff of smoke as -the shrapnel burst. I steered a zigzag course and made steadily out to -sea, climbing hard. - -The clouds now became very troublesome. Ostend was simply a mass of -guns. After flying for three-quarters of an hour, I reached Zeebrugge. I -had to come down to 5,500 feet because of the clouds. I streaked in -through them, loosed my bombs, and then made off. I was hopelessly lost, -and my performance of the day before was repeated in the clouds. I got -clear, however, at 4,000 feet, heading straight out to sea and -side-slipping hard, the earth appearing all sideways on. I fairly -streaked out to sea, and then headed straight home. I got back after 1½ -hours in the air. - -As to what happened generally, I can't tell. It may possibly appear in -the papers. Maude came down in the sea and was picked up. I got back -here shortly after 4.0 p.m. by boat. Am bringing my machine back later, -I expect. I thought of wiring you to come down for the night, but find -it's not feasible. After all, Dover isn't such a bad place, I'm -thinking. I don't mind owning that I have been scared stiff once or -twice in the last two days. They are hitting with shrapnel at 8,000 -feet. They reckon to get third shot on for a cert. One machine came back -riddled with bullets. The pilot had got down to 450 feet in the mist. - -With the very best love to all at home, - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - [Illustration: - _Photo: Vandyk_ - FLIGHT-LIEUT. HAROLD ROSHER, R.N.] - - -NOTE. - -_The following is the Admiralty's official account of the raid described -in the foregoing letters_:-- - -"During the last twenty-four hours, combined aeroplane and seaplane -operations have been carried out by the Naval Wing in the Bruges, -Zeebrugge, Blankenberghe and Ostend districts, with a view to preventing -the development of submarine bases and establishments. - -Thirty-four naval aeroplanes and seaplanes took part. - -Great damage is reported to have been done to Ostend Railway Station, -which, according to present information, has probably been burnt to the -ground. The railway station at Blankenberghe was damaged and railway -lines were torn up in many places. Bombs were dropped on gun positions -at Middelkerke, also on the power station and German mine-sweeping -vessels at Zeebrugge, but the damage done is unknown. - -During the attack the machines encountered heavy banks of snow. - -No submarines were seen. - -Flight Commander Grahame-White fell into the sea off Nieuport and was -rescued by a French vessel. - -Although exposed to heavy gunfire from rifles, anti-aircraft guns, -mitrailleuses, etc., all pilots are safe. Two machines were damaged. - -The seaplanes and aeroplanes were under the command of Wing Commander -Samson, assisted by Wing Commander Longmore and Squadron Commanders -Porte, Courtney, and Rathbone." - -_Harold Rosher went back to France on 13th February, 1915, and three -days later took part in a further great raid, of which the following is -the Admiralty's official account_:-- - -"The air operations of the Naval Wing against the Bruges, Ostend-Zeebrugge -District have been continued. - -This afternoon 40 aeroplanes and seaplanes bombarded Ostend, -Middelkerke, Ghistelles, and Zeebrugge. - -Bombs were dropped on the heavy batteries situated on the east and west -sides of Ostend harbour; on the gun positions at Middelkerke; on -transport waggons on the Ostend-Ghistelles road; on the mole at -Zeebrugge to widen the breach damaged in former attacks; on the locks at -Zeebrugge; on barges outside Blankenberghe, and on trawlers outside -Zeebrugge. - -Eight French aeroplanes assisted the naval machines by making a vigorous -attack on the Ghistelles aerodrome, thus effectively preventing the -German aircraft from cutting off our machines. - -It is reported that good results were obtained. - -Instructions are always issued to confine the attacks to points of -military importance, and every effort is made by the flying officers to -avoid dropping bombs on any residential portions of the towns." - -AIR RAID, 16TH FEBRUARY, 1915.--Harold Rosher sent no written account of -this raid, as he returned to Dover immediately after taking part in it. -Describing his experiences in the raid, he stated that his instructions -were to drop his bombs on a certain place behind Ostend. On leaving -Dunkirk he flew up the coast. When he got past Nieuport, he came under -heavy fire, and headed out to sea. Off Ostend the firing was terrific, -and seeing ahead a big bank of clouds he continued past Ostend until he -got above them. Thus concealed he turned and came inland, and was able -to reach his objective unobserved. The explosion of his bombs was the -first intimation the enemy had of his presence. Anti-aircraft batteries -immediately opened fire on him, but by that time he was making off, and -flying some miles out to sea, he came back down the coast in safety to -Dunkirk. One can imagine the strained anxiety with which those who come -back from raids such as this, await the arrival of overdue comrades. On -this occasion three of them, including Harold's special chum, Flight-Lt. -Gordon Riggall, never returned. - - -XIII. - -_To his Father._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 24th February, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -I arrived here safely in excellent time after quite a comfy journey. Mr. -and Mrs. Riggall left yesterday, but during the course of the afternoon -I received a very nice letter from him ... [Their son, Lieut. Riggall, -was "missing"]. - -If you can possibly manage it, come down to-morrow (Thursday) night. In -case I am unable to meet you at the station, come straight on to the -Burlington. I will reserve you a room. The Dunkirk boat was missed twice -by torpedoes yesterday. She is now running very irregularly. I cannot be -certain as to my movements, but will put you off by wire if necessary. -On arrival here I found all my letters had been forwarded to the other -side, also my Gieve lifebelt.... - -I think I just got away from home before you all quite spoilt me. It's -awfully bad for one, you know, and mustn't occur again or I shall be -getting quite beyond myself. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my -leave (except the being "shown off" part, which I endured with as good a -grace as possible), but I don't want any one to run away with the idea -that I have done anything extraordinary. One has only to go across the -other side to realize that everybody out there is doing his best. Army -pilots are flying day after day for hours on end, under fire, and trench -life must be no less trying. After all, when one comes to think of it, -it was what I joined the Air Service for, and probably when all is said -and done, the everyday routine will prove a much tougher job than these -occasional stunts. - -Well, I've gassed long enough, so goodbye and very best love to all at -home (mind you come down to-morrow night unless I wire you otherwise). - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - -P.S.--The watch is keeping excellent time and the pipe is settling down -into first-rate smoking order. - -[6] Nose-diving, making a vertical descent. - -Side-slipping may occur to a machine that has lost her flying speed, and -always occurs if the bank is too great or too little when turning. - -Stalling, loss of flying speed. - -[7] The Tennis Champion, killed in action 12th May, 1915. - -[8] Georges Carpentier, the boxer, French airman, injured in an -aeroplane accident, 12th August, 1915. - - - - -IV - -WITH THE B.E.F. - - -XIV. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Naval Aeroplane Squadron, B.E.F. - 1st March, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -I only had time to scrawl off a few lines to you this morning, as the -mail was just going out. We have been pretty busy the last day or so -getting things shipshape. I am at last settled in a quite nice house -with seven others. Maude and I are the two senior inmates, so are -running the establishment. Unfortunately, we have no bath, but five -minutes' walk from here there are some public baths, where we can get a -hot tub any time between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. - -We are acting as our own censors here, and also have to censor all the -men's letters--some of them are most amusing. There is nothing exciting -at all happening. Weather has been pretty bad and shows signs of getting -worse. - -Have just run out of ink, am now writing with coffee! - - 4th March, 1915. - -We are settling down by degrees. Our house is really beginning to get -quite comfortable. Wilding has been staying here with us the last few -days. - - 6th March, 1915. - -Had my first letter from you this morning, dated the 3rd, for which many -thanks. It's the first news of any sort from home since we have been out -here. Weather still continues very bad and, personally, I shouldn't mind -a little more of it still. - -Did I tell you that my Gieve lifebelt had turned up? You can't imagine -how firmly attached I am to it. I can't bear parting with it at night. -The flask I have filled up to the stopper with rum--brandy and whisky -are unprocurable. - -We don't get much in the way of light literature, so any weekly papers, -such as _Sketches_, _Tatlers_, _Punch_, are looked on as great luxuries. -By the way, is the watch keeping good time? I had the chance of being -inoculated the other day, but didn't think it worth while. I may be done -later, possibly. - -Love to all at home. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - -P.S.--There is a rumour that we get a week's leave after being out here -three months. - - -XV. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Aeroplane Squadron, B.E.F. - 7th March 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Have just got your letter of the 4th inst. It arrived late in the day, -after Dad's. I am afraid this has missed the mail; so won't go off for a -couple of days. I have just come off duty; we get three days at it on -end. There's no baccy to be procured out here, so could you send me on a -½ lb. tin of Friars' Mixture (medium)? - -Am just back from a little bomb-dropping stunt over Ostend, but keep it -quiet until it appears in the papers, or if it doesn't, allow say a -week. It was bitterly cold and took about 1½ hours. I pushed the old bus -up to 8,000 ft., right above a terrific layer of clouds. It was a most -wonderful sight. I only got occasional glimpses of the earth and sea, -and was not fired at at all--in fact, I don't think I was ever even seen. - -It's quite impossible for me to let you know my whereabouts in France, -but I seem to have a vague recollection of telling you where I was going -before I left. If you can remember, all well and good. If not, put two -and two together, and the answer is ----? - -Heaps of love to all, and Cheer O! for my week's leave in 3 months' time. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -NOTE. - -_The following is the Admiralty's official account of the raid described -in the foregoing letter_:-- - -"Wing Commander Longmore reports that an air attack on Ostend was -carried out yesterday afternoon (7th March) by six aeroplanes of the -Naval Wing. Of these two had to return owing to petrol freezing. - -The remainder reached Ostend and dropped eleven bombs on the submarine -repair base and four bombs on the Kursaal, the headquarters of the -military. - -All machines and pilots returned. - -It is probable that considerable damage was done. No submarines were -seen in the basin. - -The attack was carried out in a fresh N.N.W. wind." - - -XVI. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Aeroplane Squadron, B.E.F. - 8th March, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -I have struck rather an unfortunate day to-day. To begin with, this -morning I was taxying my machine to the far end of the aerodrome, to -start off into the wind, when I got into some very soft ground--result, -before I knew where I was, I found the machine standing up on its nose. -Fortunately, the only damage was a broken propeller, which didn't -matter, as it was already chipped and was going to be replaced. In the -afternoon I had quite a good trip, just over an hour, and quite long -enough, as it has been pretty nearly freezing all day long. I made a -good landing, but a second or so after I actually touched the ground, a -tyre burst, and I all but turned a complete somersault. For several -seconds I was quite vertical, and then the machine fell back. One or two -things were bent, but on the whole remarkably little damage. The skid -broke and leading edge of one wing tip. A wheel also buckled up, but I -should be going strong again by tomorrow. - - 12th March, 1915. - -Still going strong and things on the whole keeping fairly quiet. There -has been another little bomb-dropping episode, in which I didn't take -part, however, as my machine was undergoing some repairs. Please send on -my fur coat at once, as my leather one has given out suddenly--am -sending it back to Gieve's immediately on receipt of other. - - 14th March, 1915. - -Many thanks for letter, _Flight_, and the _Aeroplane_, received -yesterday. The days are lengthening out tremendously now, and we manage -to get in quite a good walk after tea along the front. There is an -excellent promenade, crowded with the town folk, and most gorgeous sands -with heaps of very pretty shells. The sands make a most perfect landing -ground and have already come in very useful in emergency. - -I flew a Vickers gun bus [gun-carrying biplane] the other day (you saw -one at Dover, I think). I didn't like it much. For one thing it was very -badly balanced, and secondly, I don't like a monosoupape [engine] (100 -h.p. Gnome). My own machine I can get so perfectly balanced that I can -let go the controls for minutes on end. Had a delightful trip to-day -to.... It's most interesting watching the shells burst. Somebody's -beginning to push pretty hard in places, I can tell you. We hear the -guns hammering away day and night now. - -Our aerodrome here is a beastly small one. I have had several narrow -shaves already of running into things, and feel sure that before long I -shall "crash" something. I think that I shall shortly have an -opportunity of flying a monoplane. Am looking forward to it "some." - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XVII. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Naval Aeroplane Squadron, B.E.F. - 15th March, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Have had a great time to-day. First thing in the morning the C.O. gave -Maude and myself the whole day off. We promptly secured a car, passports -and pass-words, had an early lunch, and then sallied forth full of hope -to see the WAR. Our password held good until we got into Belgium, and -then proved "dud." The sentry, however, very kindly supplied us with -another. We were rather unfortunate in getting a tyre punctured, but -half a dozen Belgian soldiers rushed up and asked us if we wanted any -help, and how many men. They carefully explained they would do anything -to help the English. Eventually they did everything for us. The place we -visited was the same as I went to when over here before. This afternoon -it was being rather heavily bombarded. We left our car outside the town, -shells bursting within 50 yards of it. We then sallied forth on foot -into the town--terrific bangs from the French guns firing near us, and -shells fairly whistling overhead. You can tell when they are coming near -you by the sound they make. The French soldiers are quite wily, and -scuttle away like rabbits, when they hear one coming near. In the town -several shells burst very near us, and fragments of stone and dust fell -freely around us--rather too warm for my liking. There was quite a -difference since I was last there, several more buildings being reduced -to ruins. One shell hole would have concealed 40 or 50 men easily. We -only stayed half an hour, and saw quite enough. - -Two Frenchmen were killed here this evening. They stalled and -side-slipped from about 80 feet in a Voisin and were killed instantly. -From what I heard they were smashed to bits. It's all luck. B---- fell -400 feet and only sprained his ankle, and these two fellows broke every -bone in their bodies. The machine caught fire on the ground and was -burnt to bits. I saw the remains this evening. Two French machines and -four pilots are missing from a little bomb-dropping stunt of theirs -yesterday. You never hear of these things at home, but flying casualties -are heavier than one is led to believe. A short time back the R.F.C. -[Royal Flying Corps] lost five in a week! - -Have just discovered that the Duchess of Sutherland and Lady Rosemary -are running a hospital out here. - -French sanitary arrangements are really extraordinary. I don't believe -there is a drain in the place. Such things are unknown in small French -towns. - -Am sending you a cheque for £20, as it is an awful nuisance getting cash -here. I want you to send me on £5 at once in notes and the rest as I -ask, as I don't want a lot of money about me. Also I expect I owe you -something for flea bag, etc., and I am sure to be wanting other things -later. Am sending you on the pins and brooches. - -Very best love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XVIII. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Naval Aeroplane Squadron, B.E.F. - 16th March, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Whatever induced you to do it? The tobacco, etc., arrived, but the -toffee had all melted, and a more sticky mess you can't conceive. It was -as much as I could do to read your letter. I managed to rescue some of -the toffee and the general opinion on same is that it is very good. Two -letters from Dad and the sleeping bag arrived by same mail, for which -many thanks. - -I had to make a hurried landing on the sands to-day owing to an exhaust -cam [valve operating mechanism] breaking. Flew my machine back in the -evening. Have just started another three days' duty. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XIX. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Naval Aeroplane Squadron, B.E.F. - 21st March, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -Very little news of interest to tell you. I was sent out suddenly -yesterday afternoon late to look for a Zepp, but saw nothing. It was -dusk by the time I got back, and an inlet valve went just as I was -coming in. I couldn't reach our aerodrome, but just managed to scrape -into the Belgian one alongside. The French brought down a Taube to-day -and one yesterday (anti-aircraft guns). They are getting nearly as hot -as the Germans. I can tell you that some of us are beginning to think -our chances of seeing England again are somewhat remote. - -To-day has been the most perfect day we have had out here so far. This -afternoon I shot a wild duck with a Webley-Scott pistol at 50 yards. It -was the 6th shot, but the others were all very close--not bad shooting, -eh? - -The _Punches_ turned up alright, but much later than the other -papers--all much appreciated. Best love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XX. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Squadron, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 23rd March, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Another fine day, and let's hope the weather will last. The town this -afternoon is crowded with small girls all in white--long skirts and -veils--confirmation, I suppose. - -Have spent a very busy day tuning up my bus, and am not over satisfied -with it now. To-morrow at the crack of dawn I am off on another stunt, -this time more hazardous than ever. When I start thinking of the -possibilities, or rather probabilities, I go hot and cold by turns; so -endeavour to switch off on to something else, but it keeps coming back -to the same old thing. Am not posting this until just before I start, -but all the same can tell you no details. By the time you get this, I -shall either have returned safely or be elsewhere. The papers will no -doubt give you more news than I can at present. Suffice it to say, that -my journey will be round about 200 miles and will last 4--5 hours. It is -even doubtful whether we shall have enough petrol to bring us back. It's -a first-rate stunt though, and I suppose a feather in my cap, being one -of the chosen few. - -Very best love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXI. - -_To his Mother and Father._ - - No. 1 Squadron, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 24th March, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM AND DAD, - -Another successful little jaunt. Five of us were chosen to go--Capt. -Courtney [Major Ivor T. Courtney, Squadron Comdr., R.N.], Meates (who -travelled up to town from Dover in the train with Dad), self, and two -subs named Andreae and Huskisson. Courtney and I got there and back, -Meates [B. C., Flt. Lieut., R.N.] came down in Holland with engine -trouble, and is interned.... Andreae [P. G. Andreae, Flt. Lieut., R.N.] -lost his way in the clouds and fog, and came back, and Huskisson [B. L. -Huskisson, Flt. Comdr., R.N.] did the same, only dropped his bombs on -Ostend on the way. Our mark, by the way, was the submarine base at -Hoboken, near Antwerp. - -Yesterday morning we were to have gone, but the weather was not good -enough, and last night we slept at the aerodrome, so as to get off at -the "crack of dawn." This morning we got up about 3.30 a.m. (thank -goodness, the weather was warm), and breakfast followed. It's mighty -hard to get down eggs and bread and butter at that hour. We cut for the -order of starting, but decided to keep as near one another as possible. -I went off last but one, at 5.30 a.m., and streaked out straight across -the sea. We were pretty heavily loaded, and my bus wouldn't climb much. -I saw one machine ahead of me, but lost it almost immediately in the -clouds, which were very low (2,500 feet), and it was also very misty. - - [Illustration: - _Photo: Russell, Southsea_ - SQUADRON-COMMANDER IVOR T. COURTNEY, R.N. (MAJOR R.M.L.I.) - _Who led the raid on Hoboken, described in the accompanying - letter_] - -Our course was right up the coast, past Zeebrugge, and then cut in -across the land. At the mouth of the Scheldt I got clear of some of the -clouds and saw Courtney behind and 2,000 feet above me, my machine then -being about 5,000 feet only. He rapidly overtook me (we were all on -Avros, but his was faster), and from then on I followed him over the -clouds. Unfortunately, over Antwerp there were no clouds. Courtney was -about five or six minutes in front of me, and I saw him volplane out of -sight. I had to go on some little way before I spotted the yards myself. -I next saw Courtney very low down, flying away to the coast with -shrapnel bursting around him. He came down to under 500 feet, and being -first there, dropped his bombs before he was fired on. - -As the wind was dead against me, I decided to come round in a -semi-circle to cross the yards with the wind, so as to attain a greater -speed. I was only 5,500 feet up, and they opened fire on me with -shrapnel as soon as I got within range. It began getting a bit hot, so -before I got quite round I shut off my petrol, and came down with a -steep volplane until I was 2,500 feet, when I turned on my petrol again, -and continued my descent at a rate of well over a hundred miles an hour. -I passed over the yards at about 1,000 feet only, and loosed all my -bombs over the place. The whole way down I was under fire, two -anti-aircraft in the yard, guns from the forts on either side, rifle -fire, mitrailleuse or machine guns, and, most weird of all, great -bunches (15 to 20) of what looked like green rockets, but I think they -were flaming bullets. The excitement of the moment was terrific. I have -never travelled so fast before in my life. My chief impressions were the -great speed, the flaming bullets streaking by, the incessant rattle of -the machine gun and rifle fire, and one or two shells bursting close by, -knocking my machine all sideways, and pretty nearly deafening me. - -On my return I found my machine was only hit twice--rather wonderful; -one bullet hole through the tail and a piece of shrapnel buried in the -main spar of one wing. I have now got it out. - -I found myself across the yards, and felt a mild sort of surprise. My -eyes must have been sticking out of my head like a shrimp's! I know I -was gasping for breath and crouching down in the fuselage [body of the -machine]. I was, however, by no means clear, for shrapnel was still -bursting around me. I jammed the rudder first one way and then the -other. I banked first on to one wing tip, and then on to the other, now -slipping outwards, and now up and now down. I was literally hedged in by -forts (and only 1,000 feet up), and had to run the gauntlet before -getting away. I was under rifle fire right up to the frontier, and even -then the Dutch potted me. - -My return journey was trying. Most of the time I had to fly at under 500 -feet, as I ran into thick clouds and mist. I pottered gaily right over -Flushing, and within a few hundred yards of a Dutch cruiser and two -torpedo boats. I got back home about a quarter of an hour after -Courtney, having been very nearly four hours in the air, and having -covered, I suppose, getting on for 250 miles. - -Have not yet heard what damage was done. The C.O. was awfully braced. - -I had some breakfast when I got back, wrote out my report, had lunch, -and then a very, very hot bath. To-morrow I am going out with Courtney -to see the War, as we have been given the day off to do as we please. - -My engine gave me several anxious moments. For some reason it cut right -out over the Scheldt, and I had actually given up all hope when it -picked up again. It was pretty risky work flying several miles out to -sea, only just in sight of land too, but our surprise (or I should say -Courtney's) of the Germans was certainly complete. - -Must really stop now. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -NOTE. - -_The following is the Admiralty's official account of the Antwerp -raid_:-- - -"The Secretary of the Admiralty yesterday afternoon [24th March] issued -the following communication from Wing Commander Longmore:-- - -I have to report that a successful air attack was carried out this -morning by five machines of the Dunkirk Squadron on the German -submarines being constructed at Hoboken near Antwerp. - -Two of the pilots had to return owing to thick weather, but Squadron -Commander Ivor T. Courtney and Flight Lieutenant H. Rosher reached their -objective, and after planing down to 1000 feet dropped four bombs each -on the submarines. It is believed that considerable damage has been done -to both the works and to submarines. The works were observed to be on -fire. In all five submarines were observed on the slip. - -Flight Lieutenant B. Crossley-Meates was obliged by engine trouble to -descend in Holland. - -Owing to the mist the two pilots experienced considerable difficulty in -finding their way, and were subjected to a heavy gunfire while -delivering their attack." - -_The French official communiqué gave precise details, thus_:-- - -"At Hoboken the Antwerp shipbuilding yard was set on fire and two -submarines were destroyed, while a third was damaged. Forty German -workmen were killed and sixty-two wounded." - - -XXII. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Squadron, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 26th March, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -I had quite a good time yesterday with Courtney, although the weather -was so bad. We started out gaily through Bergues, a ripping little town, -then Cassel, a most delightful spot. It is perched up on a hill in the -middle of a plain and you get a grand view around. We visited some -R.F.C. people at St. Omer, had lunch there and then went out to Wipers -(Ypres). There was nothing doing there, but even though we had all sorts -of passes, we could not get near the firing line. The Cloth Hall and -Cathedral we thoroughly inspected though--most lovely places, utterly in -ruins. The remainder of the town is really very little touched--nothing -like Nieuport, where there is not a whole building anywhere. We got back -home about 6 p.m., having enjoyed ourselves immensely and feeling quite -tired out. My troubles weren't over though, as I found a little "chit" -awaiting me, asking me to dine with the Commander. - -The First Lord wired his "congrats" to us through Longmore--some feather -in our caps, what! This morning I see all sorts of garbled accounts in -the newspapers. My photo in the ---- is awful. ---- ought to be shot. - -Must close as the mail is just going out. Best love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXIII. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Squadron, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 31st March, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -We can hear the guns when the wind is our way, and on a clear day we can -see shrapnel bursting in the air. What do you think of this story, the -latest from the trenches? It's not quite a drawing-room one! - -One Tommy, speaking to another over the trenches:--"Ello, Bill, got a -lice over there?" "Garn, we ain't lousy." "I mean a boot-lice." - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - -P.S.--Meates did get to Hoboken and came down in Holland on return -journey. - -Tell Dad to let me know when he is coming, as near as possible, so that -perhaps I can arrange to meet him. The boat does not cross here every -day, but he can also come _via_ Calais. Think I can fix up a room over -the road. - - -XXIV. - -_To his Sister._ - - No. 1 Squadron, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 1st April, 1915. - -DEAR OLD GIRL, - -I really feel I owe you a few lines, as you have honoured me with -several epistles lately, which I fear have remained unanswered. - -Did my last letter to Mother arrive very sticky? It left here sopping -wet, and thereby hangs a tale. I hadn't time to re-write it, as the mail -was just going out. I unfortunately had the letter on me and, in -conjunction with myself, it got rather a bad ducking. - -I was sent up with an observer this morning in a Vickers gun bus (a -pusher machine), and all went well until coming home, when my engine -petered out, when I was only 400 feet over the town. I hadn't much -choice of landing grounds, and preferred to come down in one of the -docks to landing on a house-top or in a maze of telegraph wires. I -pancaked [flattened out] as much as possible, but hit the water with a -bit of a biff. Things then began to happen pretty suddenly. I remember -seeing my observer shot out into the water about twenty yards ahead, and -the next thing I knew was that I was under the water and still in the -machine. I was scared "some," and the water tasted beastly salt, but I -pulled myself together, and says I to myself, ses I, "Harold, my boy, if -you don't keep your head and get out of this damn quick, you'll drown -for a cert like a rat in a trap." So I carefully thought out just where -the top plane would be, and disentangled myself from things in general. -It took a long time though, and I was relieved "some" when I bobbed up -to the surface. I was rather surprised at keeping afloat very easily, as -I had heaps of clothes on. - - [Illustration: - ONE VICKERS FIGHTING BIPLANE PHOTOGRAPHED FROM ANOTHER] - - [Illustration: - A VICKERS FIGHTING BIPLANE - _It was on a machine of this type that Lieut. Rosher plunged into the - Docks at Dunkirk_] - -On arrival at the surface, I found my observer hanging on to the -machine, and it didn't take me long to get a hold on it myself. We were -only about 40 yards from the side of the dock, but didn't venture to -swim, as the sides were twenty feet high, and the ladders only just -reached to the water. There were no boats at all there, but we soon had -a hundred or so dock hands around the side, all of whom seemed to talk -very volubly, but were very incompetent. The water was icy cold and we -were very cold before coming into it. With some difficulty I managed to -undo a button or so and blow out my Gieves waistcoat, but it wasn't -really necessary as I was keeping afloat well. After a bit some life -belts were thrown out, and two men came out on a little raft. I swam to -a life belt and my observer (Collen) [Lieut. A. R. Collen, R.M.A.] got -on the raft. We both had to be hauled up out of the dock with ropes, and -by the time we got on _terra firma_, it was as much as we could do to -stand up. We were in the water about 20 minutes, and I don't think I -have ever been so cold before. - -We walked rapidly off to the aerodrome, half a mile away, and there had -a stiff rum and milk, and stripped in front of a fire and had a good rub -down. We had lunch wrapped up in towels and were then rigged out in blue -jerseys and blue serge trousers. This afternoon we have both had a hot -bath and are feeling none the worse. The C.O. was very amused about the -whole proceeding and laughed heartily at us. The machine is but very -little damaged, but will take some salving. My pocket book, cheque book, -etc., are all in a nasty sticky state. Thank goodness! I hadn't my gold -watch. My clothes (including new fur coat) are, I am afraid, all ruined. - -This afternoon Garros [Lieut. Roland Garros] shot down a Taube from his -Morane. The poor wretches were burnt to death. Two of our people raided -Zeebrugge and Hoboken again this morning. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving brother, - HAROLD. - - -XXV. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1, Naval Aeroplane Squadron, B.E.F., - 12th April, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -Many thanks for letter received yesterday telling of your safe return. I -think you must have omitted enclosure. By the way, the papers turned up -the day after you left. - -Have been very busy the last two days with our new busses. None have -been flown yet, but we are prepared for fireworks. Three men have been -killed on them in Paris in the last month. Babington and Sippe are both -back. S---- G---- turned base over apex on landing his tabloid [fast -scouting machine]. - - 15th April, 1915. - -Sad to relate, I have decided to part with old 873. She was really -getting too ancient, and has now been packed up and is going to be sent -home for School work; too bad, isn't it? It would have been a far better -ending had I crashed her. I have written up her raids inside the -fuselage--(1) Friedrichshafen, (2) Zeebrugge, (3) Ostend, (4) Ostend -again, and (5) Hoboken--some record! I asked permission to fly her home, -but the C.O. didn't bite. I was awfully disappointed. - -My new bus is a Morane parasol, 80 h.p. Le Rhone. They are supposed to -climb like fire and do over 80 miles per hour, but are very touchy on -the elevator and rather trying to fly. I have not yet been up in her. - -Garros brought another machine down to-day, and a Frenchman managed to -fly back to our own lines after having one foot smashed by shrapnel over -Ostend. - - 17th April, 1915. - -Very little news of interest to tell you, but here goes for what there -is. My Morane parasol was ready to-day and Babington tested it. If the -weather is fine to-morrow, I shall float forth on it into the "ethereal -blue." Not having flown a monoplane before, I am all of a "doo-da." - -Yesterday I went out to see the War at N----. Though a fine day, the -Bosches were not bombarding, so we went around in peace, and I brought -back a few shell fragments with me which you may find interesting. For -the rest, our miserable lives continue much as before. The Frenchmen -here have lost a machine to-day, but the R.F.C. brought down an Aviatik -at Wipers, so that makes us all square. - - 19th April, 1915. - -I have flown my Morane twice. It is a most comic affair, but I think I -shall like it when I get more used to it. It is very light on the -controls, especially the elevator, and gets off the ground before you -can say "squeak." Garros was missing last night, and there has since -been a rumour that he is a prisoner of war.[9] This is, of course, a -nasty knock for us. - -A Frenchman had rather a bad accident here this morning. He ran over the -bank at the top end of the aerodrome in a Voisin and turned a complete -somersault. The machine immediately caught fire. The passenger got off -all right, but the pilot was badly burnt. Five minutes after they got -him out one of his bombs went off with a terrific bang. The machine was -entirely wrecked. - - 24th April, 1915. - -Just a few lines to let you know I am still in the land of the living. I -see in the papers that Colonel Rosher (Dorsets) has been killed in the -Persian Gulf. The Dorsets seem to have had a pretty rough time. - -Spenser Grey [Squadron Commander Spenser D. A. Grey, D.S.O., R.N.] and -Marsden [Flt. Lieut. M. S. Marsden, R.N.] paid a visit to Ostend to-day -with bombs, and Sippe was turned upside down on the ground in a Morane -by a gust of wind this afternoon. He was unhurt, but the machine was -badly damaged. - - 27th April, 1915. - -Many thanks for the torches, papers, etc. There is nothing much doing -here at the moment. According to the papers, the Germans are making -another dash for this place. There is certainly a hell of a row going -on. We hear the guns day and night. - - 29th April, 1915. - -Not a line from anyone for quite three days! Whatever has become of you -all? There has been some excitement here to-day. To begin with, three -enemy aircraft came over here before breakfast, and then another between -eleven and twelve o'clock. It was most comic to see our infuriated -machines dashing off into the atmosphere in pursuit, with not an earthly -chance of catching them. Soon after eleven o'clock there was a big -explosion in the town and we all did a great leap into the air. From -then, for nearly three hours, we were shelled with the greatest -regularity at five minute intervals. We all climbed on to the roof of -one of our sheds and watched through glasses the explosions, occurring -to the second almost; big stuff it was too, 12" I should say, and fired -from the back of Nieuport, quite 20 miles away. The total bag was 40 -killed and 60 wounded. They put about 20 shells into the town, one only -500 yards from the Sophie.[10] To give you an idea of the damage they -do, one shell wrecked two houses entirely and half of both houses on -either side. Windows were broken in the streets all round--"some" mess, -I can tell you. - -Love to all, - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - [Illustration: - THE OVERTURNED MORANE - _To which reference is made in the accompanying note. Lieut. Rosher - was under the machine when the photograph was taken_] - - [Illustration: - A SNAPSHOT OF LIEUT. ROSHER - _Taken about the period of this accident_] - - -NOTE. - -_About the end of April Lieut. Rosher crashed on his Morane at Dunkirk. -The machine overturned and was completely smashed, but he came out -uninjured._ - -[9] Lieutenant-aviator Roland Garros (French) was forced to land near -Ingelmunster, in West Flanders, on the evening of the 18th April, and -was taken prisoner. - -[10] The villa where he was billeted. - - - - -V - -TAKING A NEW MACHINE TO FRANCE - - -NOTE. - -_In the second week of May, 1915, Harold Rosher arrived home -unexpectedly with orders to fly a new machine, a B.E. 2 C, from Hendon -to Dunkirk. He tried the machine, but was not satisfied with the engine. -On the 12th May, however, he telephoned to his father to come to the -aerodrome to lunch with him, as he intended, if possible, to make a -start immediately after lunch. The latter accordingly joined him, and -about 3 p.m. Harold got into the machine and his father bade him -farewell. As he rose, one could hear the engine missing, and at about -1000 feet, realizing that there was clearly something wrong, Harold -turned back to the aerodrome. Mechanics from the makers were sent for -and they spent a day or two on the engine. On the 16th as he was told -nothing more could be done to it, he decided to move off. He got across -to Dunkirk, and his experiences_ en route _are described in the -following letters_. - - -XXVI. - -_To his Mother._ - - The Grand Hotel, Folkestone. - 17th May, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -I was up betimes yesterday morning, but did not get away from Hendon -until about 7.0 a.m. I could only secure half a dozen biscuits and a cup -of tea before leaving. It was very thick, and clouds at 4,000 feet. I -went _via_ Harrow, Staines, and Redhill. Once at this last place, all -you have to do is to follow the railway line, which runs straight as a -die to Ashford. My engine was most alarming, making all sorts of weird -noises, and I was kept very busy the whole way spotting the field I -should land in if it petered out. - -A pretty strong head wind made the going slow, and just after Redhill I -ran into rain. I stuck it for half an hour, getting very wet and seeing -hardly anything. Then the engine showed serious signs of giving up the -ghost. What finally made me decide to come down was that I couldn't get -any pressure in my petrol tank. I went on a bit and then chose a -good-looking field with a road on one side and some houses at one -corner. Here I landed in great style. - -On getting down, the field was not quite so good as it looked from -above, being on a slope and with a somewhat uneven surface. The usual -crowd collected, despite the rain, and I soon had the machine covered up -with tarpaulins and a territorial guard installed. I had breakfast with -a Mr. and Mrs. R---- close by, and afterwards went into Headcorn, a mile -away, and telephoned to the Admiralty, etc. I had lunch with the R----s -and five daughters (swish, I was all of a doo-da!), and then spent the -whole of the afternoon trying to get my beastly engine to go. It's an -awful dud. - -I eventually took the air before an admiring crowd at about 5.0 p.m., -and made for Folkestone soon after. It was a wretched evening, and -though it had stopped raining, I had to come down to under 2,000 feet to -avoid clouds. I caught a glimpse of Wye when passing Ashford. Made a -very stunt landing here and met a R.F.C. officer I know. We came -straight on to the Grand, and after a drink at the Metropole, I had a -bath, then dinner and a smoke, and went to bed. To-day it is blowing a -gale and raining cats and dogs. Am proceeding to Dover first opportunity. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXVII. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 19th May, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -I have at last arrived safely at my destination. Yesterday was a rotten -day, but I motored to Dover in the afternoon and from there into St. -Margaret's Bay, where I saw the holes made by the Zepp bombs. They were -most disappointing, being very small, one foot by six inches deep. They -were incendiary and not explosive. - -I took the air from Folkestone this afternoon at 3.15 and circled round -for 15 minutes, getting to only 2,000 feet. At that I pushed off across -the Channel. My engine developed a most appalling vibration, and I -hardly hoped to reach the other side. I arrived at Calais at 1,500 feet, -and struggled on up the coast here. - -Things are much as usual. I am taking an 80 Avro out to an advanced base -to-morrow morning, the B.E., of course, being useless. Maude and Andreae -are at Whale Island, the Commander in town, and Sippe and Wilson [J. P. -Wilson, D.S.O., Squadron Comdr., R.N.] in Paris. We are all at the -aerodrome and most uncomfy--Baillie [Lieut. J. E. Innes Baillie, R.M.A.] -on leave, and Courtney going on sick leave to-morrow. Please send the -gramophone at once. - - 21st May, 1915. - -Here I am, going strong at our advanced base, only five miles behind the -firing line. I was up yesterday morning at four, but did not get away in -the Avro until five, as it was very misty. I arrived here in due course. -We have a ripping little villa at ----. It is a most interesting place; -the King of the Belgians lives here. We were shelled the night before -last, and a Taube came over this morning and dropped a bomb at the end -of the aerodrome. Will write more later. - - 22nd May, 1915. - -Nothing very much in the way of news. A Taube came right over the -aerodrome this morning at about 7,000 feet. I at once went after it in -the Avro, but got nowhere near. First thing this morning I saw a Maurice -coming down vertically and spinning hard--lost sight of it behind the -housetops--pilot and passenger badly hurt--was surprised to hear they -were alive. It was a horrid sight. Anxiously awaiting arrival of -gramophone. - - 23rd May, 1915. - -Turned out soon after five this morning and went up for an hour and a -half waiting for Taubes. I chased several allied machines, but found -nothing hostile. Had not been down twenty minutes before one came out. -Later on in the morning two came right over the aerodrome. I went up in -pursuit, but got nowhere near them. Things are pretty lively on the -whole. Besides the regular artillery, there is an intermittent cannonade -of anti-aircraft guns, either from us at the Taubes or from the Huns at -us. The sky becomes absolutely dotted with little puffs of shrapnel, -which are visible for half an hour at least. - -This evening I went into the town. It's full of life, a band playing and -all the shops open. - -Babington flew my B.E. yesterday,[11] and the beastly thing nearly -caught fire. We are getting a new engine for it from Paris. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - -[11] This was the machine he flew from Hendon to Dunkirk. - - - - -VI - -WITH THE B.E.F. AGAIN - - -XXVIII. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., - B. Squadron, B.E.F. - 29th May, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Have not written for ages, but you must excuse, as we have been so busy. -This is really my first opportunity. All sorts of things have been -happening. To begin with, the Commander announced the other night that -the whole wing is going to be recalled within the next two months, so I -shall anyhow be home again before long--expect to go into seaplanes. - -We had a Zep scare the other night, though it was blowing half a gale. -We were at the aerodrome all night, and went up at 3.0 a.m. for an hour -and a half--eventually got to bed at 6.0 a.m. and slept until 10 o'clock. - -We have been having some lovely weather lately, except the last few -days, which have been bad. All the same we keep flying in any weather, -sometimes two and three trips a day. - -I went out to the War the other afternoon to see one of our -anti-aircraft guns. We fired into the German trenches, and about two -minutes later they replied with zest. Four or five shells whizzed over -and burst about 30 yards behind us in a field. I picked up some -fragments almost too hot to hold. We were within 1000 yards of the Huns -and could see their and our own trenches rippingly through glasses. - -Have given up chasing Taubes. One can never get them. We have -commandeered an old bathing hut for our office at the aerodrome, and -have rigged up an awning outside, and bought deck chairs. You should see -us all lying back in the sun with field glasses glued to our eyes, -watching the various aeroplanes, with shrapnel bursting all round them. -Our shooting is awfully bad on the whole. - -Our villa is first-rate, and oh! the gramophone has arrived safe and -sound. Willing hands helped to unpack it, and we got it going in record -time. It is immensely appreciated. We had some Belgian officers to -dinner the other night, and last night we visited them. They are awfully -good fellows and we got on famously. Last night was great fun. The -Belgian C---- had unfortunately swallowed two submarines by mistake, and -the only English he knew was, "To your eyes." This we drank, also -"England toujours" and "Vive les Belges." English and French songs were -sung, etc., etc. There was a huge uproar. The Belgian C---- would insist -on wearing B----'s hat, and bestowed many kisses on the badge before -parting with it. - -I do wish my camera would arrive, as I am missing some great -opportunities. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXIX. - -_To his Sister._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., - B. Squadron, B.E.F. - 30th May, 1915. - -DEAR OLD GIRL, - -Just a line or so, which I fear will be late, to wish you many happy -returns. I suppose I shall have to forget these occasions very shortly, -or at least to pretend to. Am enclosing a pound note for you to get -yourself some oddments, as there is nothing to be had out here. I went -into Dunkirk for lunch to-day--every one was very cheery. I had a -wonderful view of part of the front this evening, every trench and shell -hole standing out with extraordinary clearness. Am hoping to be home -again before long. - -Very best love. - - Ever your loving brother, - HAROLD. - - -XXX. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., - B. Squadron, B.E.F. - 1st June, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -Have had quite a number of thrills since I wrote last. Yesterday -afternoon I reached a height of 10,400 feet on my Avro on a -reconnaissance, which is my height record so far--some vol plané -descending. - -In the evening we had a 'phone message, "Stand by to attack Zeppelin," -and on looking out, there it was as large as life a few miles out to sea -and very high. We rushed up to the aerodrome and got off by 8.40 p.m. I -went straight out to sea after it and got to 6000 feet in 15 minutes, -but was never within ten miles of the thing. I wasn't overtaking it at -all, but on the contrary it was gaining on me, and after half an hour I -lost sight of it. The sun, of course, was right down by now and I -steered home by various lights on shore, for the coast was quite -invisible. Had some difficulty in picking out the aerodrome, although -huge petrol flares were out, but made quite a good landing. I came in -very flat but never saw the ground at all. I touched it when I thought I -was still 50 feet up, and also caught the top of the hedge coming into -the aerodrome--it was most deceptive. G----, you will remember, was -killed at Hendon through not flattening out soon enough. - -We next had some dinner, but mine was spoilt through a message from the -Commander, which contained instructions for me to drop bombs on an -airship shed at Gontrode, near Ghent. The moon rose soon after midnight -and at 1.30 a.m. I started off. Things in general have a most depressing -aspect at that hour of the morning. I went out to sea _via_ Zeebrugge, -and then cut inland. When I arrived at the place, there was a thick -ground mist and dawn was just breaking. I could not see the sheds at -all, but two searchlights were going hard. I half circled round, when -lo! and behold! I sighted the Zeppelin coming home over Zeebrugge. I -turned off due east to avoid being seen, intending to wait until he came -down and then to catch him sitting. But my luck was out. One of the -searchlights picked me up, and anti-aircraft guns immediately opened -fire on me. - - [Illustration: - A ZEPPELIN AIRSHIP BEING USED FOR TRAINING _PERSONNEL_ AT THE - JOHANNISTHAL AERODROME, NEAR BERLIN] - - [Illustration: - A ZEPPELIN IN THE DOUBLE SHED AT JOHANNISTHAL, WITH THE SMALLER - PARSEVAL SHED NEXT DOOR] - - [Illustration: - A TAUBE-TYPE GERMAN MONOPLANE] - -Then a curious thing happened. The Zeppelin sighted me (I think the -searchlights were signalling) and immediately came for me. This was the -tables turned on me with a vengeance, and the very last thing I ever -dreamt of. It was a regular nightmare. I was only 6000 feet up, and the -Zepp, which was very fast, must have been ten. Without being able to get -above it, I was, of course, helpless and entirely at the mercy of his -maxim guns. I don't think I have been so disconcerted for a long time. -We had "some" race! He tried to cut me off from Holland, but I got -across his bows. He was a huge big thing, most imposing, and turned -rapidly with the greatest of ease. I hung around north of Ghent, -climbing hard, and reached 8,500 feet, but the Zepp wasn't having any. -He wasn't coming down while I was there, and I, on the other hand, -couldn't get up to him, as he had risen to some fabulous height, so -after a bit I pushed off home feeling very discontented at such an -unsatisfactory ending. What else could I do? I wasn't going back on the -chance of spotting the sheds, with anti-aircraft guns waiting for me -below and a Zepp ready to pounce on me from above. - -I disposed of my bombs in the sea before landing, and got back after -three hours in the air--eventually got to bed at something after 6 a.m. -Have been in to see the Commander to-day, and he was kind enough to tell -me I had done all that was possible. He also gave me a little job, which -necessitates my getting away soon after midnight to-night. Pray the Lord -my engine holds out! - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - -P.S.--I hear the Zepp dropped bombs at ----. I must have followed him -half-way across. - - -XXXI. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B. Squadron, B.E.F. - 2nd June, 1915. - -DEAR MUM, - -Just a line to let you know how I fared last night. I left the aerodrome -in the moonlight at one in the morning and I did not at all relish it. I -went out to sea past Zeebrugge and cut in over Northern Belgium. Could -see the lights of Flushing quite plainly, but it was quite hopeless to -find my destination, owing to a thick ground mist, so I returned, -dropping my bombs on Blankenberghe on the way. I was only away 1¾ hours, -and it was just getting light as I got back. I landed with the help of -flares and got to bed by 4 a.m. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXXII. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B Squadron, B.E.F. - 5th June, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -Very little news to tell you, but thought you might like a line or so. I -saw in the papers that poor old Barnes[12] has been killed and Travers -[H. C. Travers, Flt. Sub-Lieut., R.N.] slightly injured. You remember -meeting them both at Hendon. Their names appeared in the casualty lists, -so I presume it was not an ordinary smash. Have heard no particulars, -but I should fancy they both went up at night after the Zepps, and -either had an engine failure or misjudged landing. That's another old -Hendonite gone, though he wasn't one of the original ones, and don't -think he is in the big photo group. - -We lost a seaplane pilot out here the other day. He was brought down off -Ostend. Also an awfully nice Belgian I know was taken prisoner two days -ago. - -Have returned my Avro to headquarters and am now flying my B.E. again. I -only hold the controls just on getting off and on landing. I don't like -them [the B.E. machines] in bad weather. They are too automatic. I have -been getting some fine views lately of the lines. It's most interesting -up this way. - -Babington went home some days ago and Sippe is now in charge here. He -has been unwell the last three days, so I am left in command of the -station--four officers under me, over 30 men, machines, and seven or -eight motors of various descriptions. - -Have hopes of being given a Nieuport in a day or so. They are fast -scouts, supposed to do over 90 miles per hour, and should get a Zepp -with one with any luck. Don't know when I am rejoining Babington. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXXIII. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B Squadron, B.E.F. - 5th June, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -I think you cannot have been getting all my letters, as I have never let -10 days go by without a line or so. You are so insistent on numerous -letters that you must really excuse the margin or I shall reduce to -postcards. Yes, I got the five pounds all right and am urgently wanting -the other. You don't seem to fully realize yet that I have left Dunkirk, -and that there is not, and never has been, such a thing as a bank within -miles of the place. The camera and papers turned up yesterday, for which -many thanks. Do send _Flight_ and the _Aeroplane_. I have not seen them -for weeks. Am just about fed up with this place. We are being turned out -and having tents up at the aerodrome. - -Big haul last night. Warneford [R. A. J. Warneford, V.C., Flt. -Sub-Lieut., R.N.] caught a Zepp at 6,000 feet and did it in, and another -was caught in its shed by Wilson and Mills [J. S. Wilson, D.S.C.; F. -Mills, D.S.C., both Flight Comdrs., R.N.]. - -There was also a huge fire at the hospital here last night. All the -wounded men were got out, and the sands were strewn with them in beds, -etc. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXXIV - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B Squadron, B.E.F. - 8th June, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -We are now in tents. Great news about Warneford, isn't it? He certainly -deserves the V.C. Am going to fly a Nieuport to-morrow. - - 12th June, 1915. - -Things have been going on much as usual the last few days, but to-morrow -I am going down south somewhere (I don't yet know where) to do some -spotting for the army. Expect to be away about ten days or perhaps two -weeks. Address all letters as usual. It will probably be some time -before I receive them. I quite expect I shall run across a number of -people I know. It should be an interesting visit, plenty of shell fire -though, no doubt. - -I flew a Nieuport the other day and hope later to get one of my own. -Have not yet heard from Babington. Fear our chances of getting away with -him are very slender. - -Gramophone going strong. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - [Illustration: - LIEUT. ROSHER FLYING A BRISTOL "BULLET"] - - [Illustration: - A FIRE CAUSED BY LONG-RANGE BOMBARDMENT - _Photographed from an aeroplane_] - - [Illustration: - FLIGHT-SUB-LIEUT. WARNEFORD, V.C., AND HIS MORANE "PARASOL"] - - -XXXV. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B Squadron, B.E.F. - 19th June, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -It's ages since I wrote, but it can't be helped, as I have been so -awfully busy. For the last week I have been in the neighbourhood of La -Bassée, and of course by now you have seen in the papers all about the -heavy fighting there. The bombardment was terrific, quite impossible to -describe. One day, in the afternoon, I saw it all from above. The small -section of trenches they were shelling was simply a mass of smoke and -dust, a perfect hell. In the evening of the same day I went out in a car -to a point of vantage about three miles behind the line. It was a -wonderful sight. Though not near enough to see the infantry advancing, -we had, all the same, a fine view. Whenever there was a slight lull in -the firing, we heard the maxims and rifles hard at it. - -There is no mistaking the battle line in this part of the world--a long, -narrow winding blighted patch of land, extending roughly N. and S. as -far as the eye can see. In the middle of it two rows of trenches, in -places only 50 yards apart, stand out very conspicuously. These are our -first line and that of the Huns. Behind each are the second and third -lines, with little zigzag communicating trenches between. It is most -interesting. There are some beastly Archies [anti-aircraft guns] though, -which come unpleasantly near first shot. Machines are being hit day -after day. - -Am more or less comfortable on the whole, but running short of socks and -hankies. Am also being bitten to death and "hae my doots" about their -being mosquitoes. Terrible trouble with machines. I crashed an -undercarriage the other day and cannot get an engine to go. Isn't it -terrible news about Warneford? He fell out of his machine, not being -strapped in. Babington is in hospital. His foot is giving him trouble -again, so fear we shall not get away with him yet awhile. - -The dust out here is appalling. Will write again as soon as I can. - -Best love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXXVI. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, B.E.F. - 24th June, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -Very little news. From what I can see, we are likely to be down here for -at least another two weeks. I don't much mind, as in a way I would -sooner be here for a little. The change though has rather worn off. Am -not a bit comfortable, my billet being a horrible dirty place, with all -sorts of weird odours. Food pretty fair, but none too clean, and all -eating utensils invariably very dirty. - -I suppose tennis is in full swing at home. Pity I'm not due for another -spot of leave yet. I got the parcel of papers all right, but not -_Flight_ and the _Aeroplane_. Think they must have gone astray. - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 21st July, 1915. - -I flew my old B.E. back here [Dunkirk] yesterday, as it has been hot -stuffed [requisitioned]. I admit it is rather a dud, but I had no wish -to exchange it for a Voisin. After some little trouble I persuaded the -Commander to let me have a Morane instead, and tried quite a nice one -this morning, the first time I have flown one since I smashed. They are -beastly unstable things, and I fully expect to turn this one over before -the week is out. The Commander is keeping me here for a few days' rest -before returning to the R.F.C. Dunkirk is quite a lively place nowadays. -The Huns have dropped bombs on the aerodrome twice in the last week, but -fortunately none of the lads were killed. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -NOTE. - -_On the 25th July, 1915, Harold Rosher arrived home on two days' leave, -having come across to attend a conference._ - - -XXXVII. - -_To his Father._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 28th July, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -Have had a ripping journey back. The country down to Folkestone was just -too lovely for words, especially round Ashford. Saw Milverton [the house -where he was born] on the way. Had a first-rate crossing, and was met by -one of the Rolls [Rolls-Royce car] at Boulogne, so your wire arrived all -right. Had lunch at the "Folkestone" before starting back, and then a -topping run here. Went out to see the lads at F---- in the evening. -Sippe is back again and Baillie in great form. He sends his chin chins, -and I gave him yours. - -A Hun came over at midnight last night and bombed us. His eight bombs -fell nearly a mile away, though. - - 31st July, 1915. - -More excitement. I was due for an anti-aircraft patrol this morning, and -just as I was ready, a little before 4.0 a.m., a Hun machine came over -and bombed us. Three bombs fell within a hundred yards of me. I went up -after him at once, but lost sight of him in the air, so continued the -usual patrol. When I got back, I found that six other machines had -followed the first, arriving about fifteen minutes after. None of their -bombs did any damage at all. They seem determined to _strafe_ this -place. A regular cloud of machines goes up after them whenever they -appear, but we haven't had much luck as yet. - -Expect to be stationed at Dover again in about ten days, for a little -while anyhow. The Commander seems to think I don't look fit enough to go -out to the Dardanelles. Apparently they are being bowled over with -dysentery. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - -[12] Flight Sub-Lieut. Henry Barnes, killed in an accident near London, -4th Oct., 1915. - - - - -VII - -ON HOME SERVICE AGAIN - - -XXXVIII. - -_To his Father._ - - R.N. Flying School, Eastchurch. - 3rd August, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -I left Dover yesterday afternoon on B.E. 2 C, and had a convenient -engine failure at Westgate. Landed in the aerodrome and had a chat with -Maude before proceeding. Arrived here in due course--it is a most -desolate spot. Shall be here anything between three days and three -weeks. Saw Babington here soon after I arrived. - - 10th August, 1915. - -I don't seem to be able to get away from this damn war. Last night "old -man Zepp" came over here--"beaucoup de bombs,"--"pas de success." Two -machines went up to spikebozzle him, but, of course, never even saw him. -A sub went up from Westgate and came down in standing corn. He turned -two somersaults. Have just heard that he has since died. I knew him -slightly. We have a terrific big bomb hole in the middle of the -aerodrome and numerous smaller ones at the back. Expect to be back in -Dunkirk on Sunday next. "Pas de Dardanelles." We are going into khaki -though. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XXXIX. - -_To his Father._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 12th August, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -Have just arrived here from Eastchurch, having been suddenly recalled, -and am now told to be ready to cross to Dunkirk in half an hour--no -gear, dirty linen, "pas de leave"--what a life! - -Shall try hard to get some leave in a week or so's time. Anyhow I must -get my khaki outfit. - -Love. - - Your loving son, - HAROLD. - - - - -VIII - -WITH THE B.E.F. ONCE MORE - - -XL. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 13th August, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Got aboard and were off by 8.0 p.m. last night--our ship a comic old -tramp with absolutely no accommodation. It took us 6 hours to make -Dunkirk and we were not allowed off until 8.0 a.m. this morning. Spent -the night walking about or trying to get a little sleep on deck--thank -God! it was not rough. We are all "fed to the teeth!" In all probability -we shall remain out here another six months now. - -The Zepp that was bombed from here had actually been towed right into -Ostend harbour. Everyone that went had his machine hit, and one man is -missing. This place was bombarded again the other day with the big gun. -Expect we are in for a merry time. - -Love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XLI. - -_To his Mother._ - - No. 1 Wing R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 26th August, 1915. - -DEAREST MUM, - -I am being kept very busy out here. Last night there was a comic raid on -the Forest of Houthulst. It is six or seven miles behind the lines near -Dixmude, and the Huns use it as a rest camp--beaucoup de stores and -ammunition there too. The French idea was to set it on fire with -incendiary bombs. Over forty machines took part, including self--perfect -weather conditions--no clouds but very hazy, so when one got high up one -was almost invisible. I got just over 11,000 feet, but even then had one -or two shots near me. Below me the air was simply a mass of bursting -shrapnel. French artillery also opened fire on the place. There must -have been beaucoup de noise in the forest. Most amusing--a really soft -job as some one remarked. - -Love to all. - - Your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -NOTE. - -_The French official account of the raid described in the foregoing -letter was as follows_:-- - -"A remarkable series of air raids against German positions or works of -military value are reported in yesterday's Paris _communiqués_. In two -of them the air squadrons were larger than any previously reported since -the beginning of the war. - -In one 62 French airmen took part.... - -The other great raid was undertaken by airmen of the British, French, -and Belgian armies, and the British and French navies, to the number of -60. Acting in concert, they attacked the Forest of Houthulst, in -Belgium, north-east of Ypres. Several fires broke out. All the -aeroplanes returned safely.... Previously the largest squadron of -attacking aeroplanes was one of 48 machines--of which 40 were -British--which attacked the Belgian coast on February 16th last." - - -XLII. - -_To his Father._ - - No 1 Wing, R.N.A.S., B.E.F. - 26th August, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -What do you think of the 40 warships bombarding Zeebrugge? We were all -due out there, of course, some spotting, and fighters to protect the -spotters. As luck would have it, the weather was dud--clouds at 1,500 -feet--with the result that no one got there except a solitary fighter, -and he was rewarded by a scrap with a German seaplane. I got just past -Ostend, but gave it up as engine was running none too well. - -By the way, Bigsworth [A. W. Bigsworth, D.S.O., Squadron Comdr., R.N.] -this morning dropped a 60 lb. bomb bang on top of a German submarine and -completely did it in--jolly good work. - - 29th August, 1915. - -As things stand at present I understand I am not going out to the -Dardanelles. I must say I am awfully disappointed, as I was always -rather keen to go out there, but I may possibly have a better job. For -all I know it may be to rejoin Babington. - -Went out to Furnes yesterday afternoon to collect more of my gear. While -out there, a German machine came over and dropped six bombs on us. One -went right into our tent and three fell within forty yards of me. No one -was hit. We all ran like stags. - - 2nd September, 1915. - -Many thanks for your numerous letters, including two forwarded, and -beaucoup de periodicals. With luck I shall be home in time for your -birthday. - -Many alterations are taking place here and we are being sadly split up. -Andreae and I are very soon going to Dover to join a mythical "C" group. -At present Andreae and I are its sole components--even a Squadron -Commander is not yet appointed. I am to be 1st Lieut., good for me, but -fear they may yet put in a Flight Commander. In all probability we shall -be in England over two months. Shall know a heap more in a few days. - - 9th September, 1915. - -Very little news except that we had the monitors bombarding Ostend the -day before yesterday. It was a fine sight from the air. A Frenchman was -badly hit in the leg going out there, but went on, dropped his bombs and -got back. He is not expected to live. Another Frenchman broke his leg -this morning in an accident. Four new subs have turned up here and I am -to go home as soon as they can fly the fast machines--it should be -within 10 days. I ought to have gone home by rights about two weeks ago. -Am flying over when I eventually do come. The last two machines that -went over both crashed at Folkestone--shall probably do the same. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - - - -IX - -ON HOME SERVICE ONCE MORE - - -XLIII. - -_To his Father._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 13th September, 1915. - -DEAR DAD, - -Am back again in England at last and am expecting to get two weeks' -leave in a day or so. I got here at midday yesterday, having flown over -from Dunkirk on a Nieuport. Drove out to Margate yesterday afternoon -with Spenser Grey. Shall probably go out again on the 1st December. - - 14th September, 1915. - -Just a line to let you know my probable movements. Though I am due for -two weeks' leave, it seems improbable that I shall get it just yet -awhile, but shall not be returning to Dunkirk until December 1st, when I -shall remain out there for two months. - -I have just taken over the 1st Lieutenant's job on this station, and -this is keeping me busy no end. I am the senior officer, bar the C.O., -in fact 2nd in Command, and am responsible for everything going on at -the station, _i.e._ all executive work, etc. It is, of course, all new -to me, and I find myself at sea every now and again. It is, however, a -great opportunity. You should see me take parades (divisions, we call -them), swish! - -Please send me on, as soon as possible, my new monkey jacket and new -pair of trousers, also new hat. My present uniform is most disreputable, -covered in oil, etc., and must be scrapped at the earliest opportunity. - - 29th September, 1915. - -I knew I should forget it, your birthday I mean. I suddenly remembered -it whilst shaving this morning. I have been carrying a two-year-old note -book about with me too, to remind me, as it was marked in it--pas de -good though, and it's such a long time ago now. Beaucoup de work, or I -would have written sooner. - -I have just heard a nasty rumour that I am returning to Dunkirk on -October 15th. We are getting 40 subs down here in a few days. That means -tons more work for me. - - 4th October, 1915. - -I think I shall get my leave (10 days only) next week. Risk [Major C. E. -Risk, Squadron Commander, R.N.] asked me if I would like to remain here -as 1st Lieutenant, an awful question to decide. I think I shall let -things stay as they are and take my flight out to Dunkirk on October -15th. It seems too much like giving in to stay here. - - 30th October, 1915. - -You picked me out a ripping train! It took me four hours to get down -here with a change at Faversham. When I arrived at the Priory Station I -was told it would be half an hour before the train could proceed to the -Harbour, so had to get out and walk. I got in here at ten past ten, and -the last straw was that Betty had no sandwiches left. - -Graham [C. W. Graham, D.S.O.,[13] Flt. Lieut., R.N.] nearly killed -himself this afternoon. He got into a spinning nose dive on a Morane -parasol, and by the Grace of God got out again at 500 feet. In all -probability I shall get my leave after this next lot of pilots have gone -out to Dunkirk, but that remains to be seen. - - 14th November, 1915. - -Am postponing my leave until still later, as it is rather important for -me to stay here at the moment. Good things so very rarely come off -though. I shall be most bitterly disappointed, however, if another two -months does not see me on Active Service again. - - 30th November, 1915. - -Can you come down this week-end? I have great hopes that Husky and -Baillie will be back from the other side. - -Apparently they had quite a good bag a day or so ago, one Hun seaplane, -one submarine, and a bomb bang in the middle of a T.B.D. [torpedo boat -destroyer]. - -Risk is away most of this week, but should be back by Saturday. He flew -a Maurice over from Dunkirk last week and made quite a landing on -arrival. - - 15th December, 1915. - -I so much enjoyed my too short week-end. I fear I shall not be able to -get up to Town again until after Xmas. Had quite a nice journey down, -making Stewart's [W. S. Stewart, Flt. Sub-Lieut., R.N.] acquaintance on -the way, likewise his wife's. - -Risk said he thought I had been away months, and seemed quite relieved -to see me back again. Graham and Ince [S. Ince, D.S.C., Flt. Sub-Lieut., -R.N.] have put up a first-rate performance. They were not shot down. -Graham came down low to see the Huns in the water, and his engine never -picked up again. The Hun machine caught fire, and must have had bombs on -it, for it exploded on hitting the water. Both machines fell bang in the -middle of the fleet, which was duly impressed. Graham, of course, turned -a somersault, and both he and Ince were nearly drowned. - - 1st January, 1916. - -Had a great evening last night. A crowd of us went to dinner with G---- -to see the New Year in. We did it in style. To-morrow I am lunching with -the Bax-Ironsides.[14] - -I looped on a B.E. 2 C. in great form the other day. If I had not been -very securely strapped in, I should have fallen clean out. As it was, -the cushion in the passenger's seat fell out and vanished. One seems to -be upside down for a frightfully long time. I did the trick out in the -country at between three and four thousand feet. The first time I had -barely enough speed, so had a second shot and got up to over 100 knots. -I really thought the wings would fall off! We had two topping crashes -yesterday, but neither of the pilots hurt. - -Tons of love and a prosperous New Year. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - [Illustration: - A BRISTOL SCOUT BIPLANE (OR "BULLET")] - - [Illustration: - THE MORANE "PARASOL" MONOPLANE - Flown by Flight Sub-Lieut. Warneford, V.C., when he destroyed a - Zeppelin] - - -XLIV. - -_To his Grandmother._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 27th September, 1915. - -DEAR GRANNY, - -Am so sorry to hear you have been having such a rotten time, but trust -you are by now well on the road to recovery. - -I have been having an awfully busy time lately. The King came down here -to inspect us on Thursday, and shook hands with all the officers in the -afternoon. - -Am by degrees helping to get together another squadron to go out to -Dunkirk. We are due across there half way through next month. I am not -particularly anxious to go out again just yet, unless we can really get -a move on. - -I hope before I go to get a little leave. I am due for two weeks, so may -see you in the near future. - -Heaps of love. - - Your loving grandson, - HAROLD. - - -XLV. - -_To his Father._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 3rd January, 1916. - -DEAR DAD, - -I have got wind of something rather priceless ... for when the war is -over, I will tell you a little about this scheme, only remember it's -strictly private and confidential, so you must not mention it to any one. - -In a nutshell it's this, a flight from ---- to ----. It sounds rather -impossible at first, but I think quite a number of people would have a -shot if they could get some one to pay expenses. This is where I get a -look in. The experience anyhow would be wonderful. One of the subs here -has just put me up to it, and says he has everything arranged. That -sounds rather rapid, but he has written for an appointment, so I shall -be able to let you know later how things go. In the meanwhile lie doggo -and do come down this week-end, if possible, so that we can talk things -over. - -Very best love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XLVI. - -_To his Mother._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 4th February, 1916. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Just a short line to let you know I am crossing to Dunkirk to-morrow, -weather permitting. I am flying a R.A.F. B.E. across and returning the -same day, in a Nieuport if available, otherwise in a destroyer. Am quite -looking forward to the trip. Have already crossed the Channel three -times by air and about twelve by water. - -Beaucoup de love. - - Your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -XLVII. - -_To his Father._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 5th February, 1916. - -DEAR DAD, - -Had a most interesting day yesterday. Started off across Channel for -Dunkirk soon after 8.0 a.m. in a R.A.F. B.E.--engine running badly at -first, but picked up. A most priceless morning with a slight following -wind--5,000 feet at Calais, and made Dunkirk in about ¾ hour from here. -All the lads in great form, but Petre [J. J. Petre, D.S.C., Flt. Comdr., -R.N.] and Peberdy [W. H. Peberdy, F. Sub-Lieut., R.N.] in Paris, and -Mulock [R. H. Mulock, D.S.O., Flt. Comdr., R.N.] in hospital with a -chill. Baillie going strong, also Beard [G. H. Beard, D.S.C.,[15] Flt. -Comdr., R.N.], Haskins [F. K. Haskins, D.S.C., Squadron Comdr., R.N.], -Graham, Peal [Lieut. E. R. Peal, D.S.C., R.N.V.R.], etc., etc. Breakfast -and then a good look round. The Baby Nieuports are priceless. I flew one -and went up the coast to La Panne and Furnes. When I got back I drove -out to Caudekirk to the new aerodrome, and then back for lunch. - -At 2.0 p.m. I started home in a Nieuport and made Folkestone in just -over the hour--rather a strong head wind. At Folkestone I spent 1½ hours -trying to restart my engine, but with no success, so telephoned for a -car--tea at the Grand and back here in time for dinner. Have been to -Folkestone this afternoon with Ince and his brother and Husky. - -Heaps of love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - -P.S.--Flew back at 2,000 feet. - - -XLVIII. - -_To his Mother._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 9th February, 1916. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Many thanks for letter. Am still going strong. Flew four different types -of machines to-day, two of them new ones, one a Shorthorn Maurice, and -the other a Blériot. The Blériot is the first monoplane I have flown -other than a parasol. - -You have heard me mention Graham (with Ince he brought down the German -seaplane). Well, he has just had an awful bad crash at Dunkirk. Penley -[C. F. B. Penley, Flt. Sub-Lieut., R.N.] also has crashed badly twice -out there, and is now back on sick leave. Ford [E. L. Ford, Flt. -Sub-Lieut., R.N.] too is home on sick leave with his head cut open, as -the result of a bad crash, and his passenger is not expected to live. If -one goes on flying long enough, one is bound to get huffed [killed] in -the end. - -By the way, Commander Lambe [Capt. C. L. Lambe, Wing Captain, R.N.] has -shipped another stripe. He is now Wing Captain and acting Captain. - -Yesterday I flew to Chingford in a B.E. 2 C. with Blanch [N. C. Blanch, -Flt. Sub-Lieut., R.N.] as passenger. It was awfully cold. It took 2½ -hours going, _via_ Ashford, Redhill, Brooklands and Hendon. Blanch took -the B.E. back, and I took a new Bristol Scout and did the return journey -direct (east of London) in an hour. Saw the Pemberton-Billing -quadruplane at Chingford. - -Best love. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - [Illustration: - A B.E. 2C BIPLANE] - - [Illustration: - A NIEUPORT BIPLANE - (_Commonly known as a "1½ plane" owing to the small lower plane_)] - - [Illustration: - A BLÉRIOT MONOPLANE] - - -XLIX. - -_To his Father._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 11th February, 1916. - -DEAR DAD, - -Had hopes of seeing you for a few minutes to-day. Had the weather been -fine, Husky and I were motoring to Town in the morning with Capt. Lambe -in a Rolls, and both bringing machines back in the afternoon from -Chingford. As it is, of course, the weather is impossible. - -I was away first, in under three minutes, the other day when the Germans -were reported over Ramsgate. I was over the North Foreland in quarter of -an hour at 6,000 feet. Was just turning, when I sighted a seaplane miles -below me, so cut off my petrol, and did a spiral vol plané towards it. -At 4,000 feet I ran into mist and lost him temporarily, but picked him -up again and chased him up the mouth of the Thames almost as far as -Herne Bay. Then he turned and shot under me, and I'm blessed if it -wasn't a Schneider Cup, one of our own machines from Westgate! I did not -hear that bombs had been dropped until I saw it in the papers the -following morning. I thought the scare was about our own seaplane. - -Visited the Blimps [small airships] this afternoon at Capel. They are -really most interesting. - - 13th February, 1916. - -Many thanks for note received this morning. As far as I can see, there -is no chance of my going out to the other side yet awhile. Husky goes on -the 25th and Andreae a little later. Two good crashes to-day. First -Blanch on a new Avro--engine failure and landed down wind in a ploughed -field. The second was better still. A man hit the one and only tree -within miles, in getting off on a B.E. He left half a lower plane in the -tree and carried a branch or so on with him for some little distance -before crashing to earth. - -I hear Graham is no better. He fractured the base of his skull and also -has internal injuries. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -L. - -_To his Mother._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 20th February, 1916. - -DEAREST MUM, - -Another raid on Deal to-day, five bombs dropped and one man killed. I -took over the War flight this morning, and had a patrol in the air at -the time. I myself and others were off within a few minutes of receiving -the signal, but no one even saw the machine. - -Over sixty ratings arrived this morning without warning, and I had to -make all arrangements for them to be fed, housed and washed. All of them -were Derby recruits and had been in the Service 24 hours, mostly graded -as A.M. 2nd class. None had seen an aeroplane before. They were -butchers, grocers, cotton spinners, weavers, etc. - -The C.O. goes away to-morrow for 2 weeks. Sippe, Andreae, Husky, Viney -[T. E. Viney, D.S.O., Flt. Lieut., R.N.], etc. go to Paris in a day or -so, and I am left to run the Station, School and War flight, keeping up -a continuous patrol with four machines. - -Love to all. - - Your loving son, - HAROLD. - - -LI. - -_To his Father._ - - Hotel Burlington, Dover. - 24th February, 1916. - -DEAR DAD, - -Many thanks for letter received yesterday. - -Risk is still in town. I would far sooner get out East somewhere than -any home station or Dunkirk. I understand shortly there will be great -alterations in the R.N.A.S. Rumour has it again that we are to give up -land machines entirely and stick to seaplanes. - -Drove over to Eastchurch yesterday on business, roads in places 18" deep -in snow. Coming back I had a priceless skid and finished up in a ditch. -No one hurt or even shaken. Returned here by train, and car came on -to-day. It was very little damaged, steering arm bent, and one wheel -slightly out of truth. It was really rather comic. - -Did you hear how Usborne and Ireland[16] were killed? If not, will tell -you later. T---- was burnt to death. - -Love to all. - - Ever your loving son, - HAROLD. - -[13] Since this book was first published Lieut. Graham has died. - -[14] Sir Henry Bax-Ironside, late Minister in Bulgaria. - -[15] Since this book was first published Flt. Comdr. Beard has been -killed. - -[16] Wing-Commander Neville F. Usborne, R.N., and Squadron Commander de -C. W. P. Ireland, R.N., were killed 23rd Feb., 1916. - - - THE END - - - PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, - LONDON AND BECCLES. - - [Illustration: - "CW"] - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's In the Royal Naval Air Service, by Harold Rosher - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE *** - -***** This file should be named 53168-8.txt or 53168-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/1/6/53168/ - -Produced by MWS, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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