"Very odd." … "Wonder why…" "I made sure," said the compartment. "I don't understand…"
They didn't understand. Neither did a-many thousands in London who had been equally certain of "Gothas over" on such a perfect night. Neither even did they understand in the homes of "poor little Bantam" and "good old Happy," whither telegrams were already wending, addressed to the next-of-kin.
But the Huns understood. And so did the Raid-Killers.
When you pray and hear them say
Baby prayers to-night,
"Guardian angels keep us safe
Till the morning light,"
Give a word and give a thought,
If you've one to spare,
To your guardian air men
Flying "over there."
notes
1
Casualty Clearing Station.
2
E.A. Enemy Aircraft.
3
Tracer bullets emit smoke and flame to allow the shooter to follow their flight.
4
E.A.=enemy aircraft.
5
Cushy=easy, soft.
6
Poor Blanky Infantry.
7
Except that names are altered, the paragraph is reprinted here word for word as it appeared in a daily paper and was read by thousands of men in the line at the time of the first retreat in the spring of 1918. I have the cutting now. – B. C.