“Good! Take off at once! I will at once get out all other available ships and lead them against the lines at Chateau-Thierry. You’ve the head start, and must, therefore, take Dormans. Snappy, now!”
A cheer went up from those pilots who a moment before had been cursing the luck that had left them behind. They started running for the hangars.
As McGee climbed into his plane, Yancey “blipped” his motor and shouted, “Who said this wasn’t a joy-ride?”
The revving motors drowned out all other sounds. Helmets were given a last minute tug.
191McGee looked along the line and lifted his hand. The nine others chosen for dawn patrol signaled their readiness.
Out came wheel chocks, motors roared into the smooth sound of ripping silk as one by one they lurched down across the field and took the air.
The heart of every man in the flight, save McGee’s, was racing in tune with his motor. Here was a mission so much more exciting than any dawn patrol.
Harass the advancing enemy! And their line of supplies! Storm down and spew out lead on the bridges where the troops would be crossing! Here was action of the highest order, in which, in all probability, formation flying would be broken up and it would be every fellow for himself.
McGee alone knew the danger and hazard of their mission. In a big push the enemy planes would be out in great number, determined to sweep the air free of resistance. To harass troops, McGee knew, they must fly low. In so doing they would run a constant gauntlet of machine gun and rifle fire, in addition to frequently traversing the line of flight of high angle heavy artillery. It was not pleasant to think of meeting up with one of those big G.I. cans loaded with enough high explosive to demolish a building. Just get in the way of one of them and what would be left could be placed in a small basket. Added to all this was the fact that all altitude was sacrificed, and 192a green pilot, out cutting eye-teeth, needs altitude in case of attack.
To McGee the outlook was gloomy enough. Doubtless the venture would run up a stiff casualty list, but every needed sacrifice must be made here! And now! The French and Americans below must not let the Hun break through. Paris, all too near, was the objective of the drive. If they broke through and reached Paris–well, they must not break through!