The lieutenant won the cross for the exploit, and the boys received honorable mention from the government.
CHAPTER XIII
A DARING BOMB RAID TO THE RHINE
The exploits of the lieutenant and the boys soon became the talk of the camp. From enemy sources more was learned later about the results of the destruction of the oil station, which fully confirmed the earlier reports of the great damage which had been done. Although up to this time there had been some objection raised against the flights of the boys it must be said that after that event there was no one to criticise them.
During the winter months not much was done excepting scout work, as the weather was too severe for the men in the trenches to attempt any advances, but as the spring months came on everything became more active, thus imposing greater duty on the air fleet.
Not much of personal interest to the boys took place until May, when the great raid was planned to attack the munition factories and chemical works at and near Ludwigshafen, on the Rhine.
"Ralph, did you hear that there is going to be a big expedition this week right into Germany?" said Alfred, who had been with the lieutenant at headquarters early one morning.
"No, although the boys are always talking about something of that kind," replied Ralph.