One night they learned that a squadron of “bombers” was scheduled to set out long before daylight. Their destination was a certain German city where it was known heavy reserves of troops, lately drawn from the Russian front, were being held until they were needed to take the place of war-weary men who had been fighting for long weeks day after day, and would soon need a rest.
“I wish we were going along with the boys,” sighed Jack, as they planned to stay up and watch the departure in the moonlight. “I’d like to say I’d been off on one of those raids we’ve heard so much about. The fact is, Tom, so far I haven’t had a first chance to bring down an enemy machine, or even engage in a serious fight.”
“Well, if we did go,” his chum told him, “I hardly think it would be in Nieuport fighting planes. We’re still lacking a little in skill and experience.”
“But we could manage a heavy Caudron, you know, and already we’ve learned how to manipulate the bombs that are to be cut loose. Besides, it would be mighty fine for us to be together, Tom. I’m getting a bit tired of trying to talk with a jolly Frenchman who can’t manage much United States, while I’m a pretty lame duck with my French.”
Tom smiled. He too felt the same way, and would have liked nothing better than an opportunity to go up with his comrade. Not for the sake of talking, however, since it is next to impossible to hold any connected conversation in the air while the motor is droning, or thumping madly, so close to one’s ears, and with their warm hoods covering a good portion of the head.
“Perhaps another time, Jack, we may manage to go along,” he told the drooping one. “I mean to speak to the captain about it. He has considerable influence at aviation headquarters, you know, and may be able to put in a good word for us. As you say it would be experience for us both; and we want to learn everything there is to know about this game.”
“Well, don’t forget, and speak soon. I understand they mean to push this bombing business for a while now, in the hope of breaking up certain big plans they’ve learned the Crown Prince is thinking of putting through.”
They waited up to see the bombarding unit depart in the moonlight. This came to pass about eleven o’clock that night, so as to have the full benefit of the moon. They had a long journey ahead of them, and the machines were slow and cumbersome when compared to the fleet Nieuports.
Each machine, the chums noticed, carried two men, the pilot and the observer. The latter’s duties were especially to release the deadly bombs that were strung under the frame, when the proper time arrived. He was also in position to use the rapid-fire gun with which each plane was armed.
After the squadron had vanished the boys stood and listened to the sounds growing fainter in the distance. Some shooting followed, the Germans trying to pot them as they crossed over the lines, but without success, since they had already attained considerable altitude, and the firing was done at random.