A writer of adventure stories for boys would be hard put to it to invent any situation more thrilling than that in which Squadron-Commander Richard Bell Davies, D.S.O., R.N., and Flight Sub-Lieutenant Gilbert Formby Smylie, R.N., found themselves while carrying out an air attack upon Ferrijik junction.Smylie's machine was subjected to such heavy fire that it was disabled, and the airman was compelled to plane down after releasing all his bombs but one, which failed to explode.The moment he alighted he set fire to his machine.Presently Smylie saw his companion about to descend quite close to the burning machine.There was infinitedanger from the bomb.It was a question of seconds merely before it must explode.So Smylie rushed over to the machine, took hasty aim with his revolver, and exploded the bomb, just before the Commander came within the danger zone.Meanwhile the enemy had commenced to gather round the two airmen, whereupon Squadron-Commander Davies coolly took up the Lieutenant on his machine and flew away with him in safety back to their lines.Davies, who had already won the D.S.O., was given the V.C., while his companion in this amazing adventure was granted the Distinguished Service Cross.
The unexpectedness, to use no stronger term, of life in the R.F.C.in war-time is well exemplified by the adventure which befell Major Rees.The pilot of a "fighter", he saw what he took to be a party of air machines returning from a bombing expedition.Proceeding to join them in the character of escort, Major Rees made the unpleasant discovery that he was just about to join a little party of ten enemy machines.But so far from being dismayed, the plucky airman actually gave battle to the whole ten.One he quickly drove "down and out", as the soldiers say.Attacked by five others, he damaged two of them and dispersed the remainder.Not content with this, he gave chase to two more, and only broke off the engagement when he had received a wound in the thigh.Then he flew home to make the usual laconic report.
No record of heroism in the air could be complete without mention of Captain Ball, who has already figured in these pages.When awarded theV.C.Captain Ball was already the holder of the following honours: D.S.0., M.C., Cross of a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and the Russian order of St.George.This heroic boy of twenty was a giant among a company of giants.Here follows the official account which accompanied his award:--"Lieutenant (temporary Captain) ALBERT BALL, D.S.O., M.C., late Notts and Derby Regiment, and R.F.C.
"For most conspicuous and consistent bravery from April 25 to May 6, 1917, during which period Captain Ball took part in twenty-six combats in the air and destroyed eleven hostile aeroplanes, drove down two out of control, and formed several others to land.
"In these combats Captain Ball, flying alone, on one occasion foughtsix hostile machines, twice he fought five, and once four.
"While leading two other British aeroplanes he attacked an enemy formation of eight.On each of these occasions he brought down at least one enemy.
"Several times his aeroplane was badly damaged, once so severely that but for the most delicate handling his machine would have collapsed, as nearly all the control wires had been shot away.On returning with a damaged machine, he had always to be restrained from immediately going out on another.
"In all Captain Ball has destroyed forty-three German aeroplanes and one balloon, and has always displayed most exceptional courage, determination, and skill."So great was Captain Ball's skill as a fighter in the air that for a time he was sent back to England to train new pilots in the schools.But the need for his services at the front was even greater, and it jumped with his desires, for the whole tone of his letters breathes the joy he found in the excitements of flying and fighting.He declares he is having a "topping time", and exults in boyish fashion at a coming presentation to Sir Douglas Haig.It is not too much to say that the whole empire mourned when Captain Ball finally met his death in the air near La Bassee in May, 1917.
