Every fighting unit had been given comprehensive plans of the objectives and of the ground over which they were to advance. The air units were especially drilled in the battle plans, for Great Headquarters would look to the Observation section and to the pursuit planes for a full measure of information as to how the battle went.
Major Cowan’s pursuit group was only one of the 236many ready to begin operations on this new front, but none could have shown more enthusiasm and eager expectancy than did this group of young men who wolfed down their evening meal and jested in a strained, light-hearted manner that betrayed the nerve tension under which they were laboring. To-morrow morning was the start of the Big Show!
All the pilots were present at this meal save Siddons, who had taken off alone, in a two-seater, a few minutes before sundown. He had let it be known that he was reporting to Observation for special duty, and no one seemed sorry to see him go.
The evening meal was scarcely finished when McGee and Larkin were forced to withdraw from the good-natured kidding match by a summons to report to Major Cowan. They obeyed, grumbling, and with heated, spirited contention that they were beyond doubt the most command-ridden lieutenants in the entire A.E.F.
“He wants to spend half the night with those maps all of us have been getting goggle-eyed over for the last two days,” Larkin complained as they approached Cowan’s hut. “He’s a map hound, if there ever was one! I think that bird knows every trench line, strong point, pill box and artillery P.C., between here and Sedan. And so do I! He’s pounded it into my head.”
“I wish I knew as much,” McGee quickly resigned 237himself. “This drive is all so sudden and unexpected, to me, that I hardly know where I am right now. I’ve an idea the Old Man is going to tell me I can’t go along.”
“Don’t worry, fellow,” Larkin told him, pausing at the Major’s door. “Every guy with two arms, two legs and two eyes will be along on this little fracas. Believe me, this is to be some show!”
As they entered they noticed that Cowan stood with his back to the door, bending over a large map spread out on the table.
“What did I tell you?” Larkin whispered to McGee. “We’re in for a session of night map flying.”
McGee did not hear him. His interest was upon a sergeant and four privates who were seated on a bench against the wall just to the right of the door. He noted that they wore side arms only, and that on their sleeves were the blue and white brassards of the Military Police. M.P., eh? Then something was up!