WAR

—
During the next four months Guynemer flew voluntary patrols as often as the
weather permitted, hoping to get another crack at a Boche. He had a number of
chances but did not succeed in bringing down an aeroplane. When uncertain
weather set in, he spent much of his grounded time at his father's house in
Compiegne.
Sunday, December 5, 1915, Guynemer was flying alone when he caught
sight of two Boches over Chauny, near Compiegne. He attacked the nearer one,
firing a short burst at about 150 feet, then firing again, a long burst at about 60
feet. The machine fell in a tailspin. He did not wait to see it crash but turned his
attention to the other, which was now high-tailing for home. Guynemer gave up
on the second and flew back to where he guessed the first should have hit, but
could find no sign of it. Where did it go It had to crash—that machine was out
of control when it fell. He was running low on gas and he couldn't circle around
indefinitely trying to spot the wreck. He glanced at his watch. Noon. His mother
and father would be coming out of Mass now. He headed toward Compiegne and
landed as close to town as he could, then climbed out of his aeroplane and ran.
"Father!" he yelled, "I've lost my BocheV
"You've lost your Boche"
"An aeroplane I shot down. I have to get back to the squadron, but I don't
want to lose him."
"Of course not, but tell me, what do you want me to do"
"Go find him for me! He should be out in the direction of Bailly, towards
Bois Carre."
With that he dashed off and returned to the squadron. His father organized
a search and the body of a German pilot was found but no wreck.
With the Storks les Cigognes—Guynemer was transferred to Verdun in
March 1916. Now he was no longer flying over his own front yard. He could not
celebrate each victory with stunts over his father's house. He had served his
apprenticeship, had, in fact, become an Ace, but the transfer to Verdun meant
something more. Now he would have to grow up.
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