Hungry for breakfast, Dawson and Simms hurried to the mess hall. Inside, the rest of the pilots were already gathered around a table. The two captains quickly filled their plates with eggs and fried potatoes, then joined the others.
Settling into his chair, Captain Dawson watched the pilots feverishly racing through their morning meal. The men were so preoccupied with their food, they barely noticed their Squadron Leader and Captain Simms had joined them.
Dawson looked at Simms, embarrassed by the behavior of his fighter pilots. Then he realized it wasn't a lack of table manners, but the constant interruption of the "scramble" alarm that allowed little time for courtesy. The pilots had grown accustomed to being called to their planes as many as three and four times a day. A quick spoon and huge bites were essential to an RAF pilot hoping to complete a meal. Even conversation waited until after the entire group of men finished scooping the last morsels of food from their plates.
But once they had their fill, the pilots immediately started rattling off stories over cups of coffee and morning tea. Dawson and Simms sat quietly, listening to the men spin their yarns. Occasionally the two Captains would roll their eyes at each other, reacting to some of the more colorful and exaggerated tales that tumbled from the mouths of the younger pilots.
Soon the entire group focused on a lighthearted argument between Lieutenant James Hyatt and the ever mischievous Brian Gainey. Both pilots had recently received official credit for a "shared victory" over an enemy Heinkel bomber. And yet, Lieutenant Gainey's recollection of the battle completely dismissed any involvement on Hyatt's part. Not surprisingly, Lieutenant Hyatt's version of the story entirely excluded Gainey.
Almost instantly, the other pilots joined in the playful teasing. Captain Simms looked at Captain Dawson and gently shook his head. Dawson sat back in his chair. Holding a cup of tea to his lips, he tried to hide his laughter.
Lieutenant Gainey boldly detailed his story for the other pilots, "I was trailing behind the Heinkel's left wing and hit the engine with a short burst. Then I could see the tail gunner had me in his sights, so I rolled a bit right and lined up behind the other. I fired another quick squirt, and the second engine was in flames."
"That's rubbish!" Hyatt snapped. "The second engine was in flames because my bullets ripped it to shreds! I dropped practically 3,000 feet and came in on the right side of the bomber. A touch of the trigger, and I took out the engine and the rest of the wing with it."
"I don't think so, James," Gainey tauntingly disagreed. "It was just good flying on my part. I'll teach you how sometime."
Groans of disbelief went up from everyone around the table. The two young pilots continued arguing over the truth of their stories. Remaining silent, Simms and Dawson were satisfied to let the men have their fun.
"Brian, your story is just idiotic!" Lieutenant Hyatt shouted in an exasperated voice. "You were a mile away from that bomber when I flamed it!"
Throwing his arms wide to show Gainey's distance from the fight, the back of Hyatt's hand knocked Captain Dawson on the arm. Instantly, the boisterous crowd of pilots fell silent. When Hyatt turned to apologize for accidentally bumping Dawson, his jaw dropped. The cup Dawson was holding had spilled all over his suit.
The back of Hyatt's hand knocked Captain Dawson on the arm.
Bathed in hot tea, Captain Dawson shouted, "Blast it all!"
"Oh, Captain... I... I am so sorry," Hyatt stammered. "Let me help you clean up."
Regaining his composure, Dawson replied, "It's all right, Lieutenant." Wiping at the spill with a napkin, he added, "My flight suit is already a little rank from the last few days of action anyway."
Seeing the look of panic in the young pilot's eyes, Dawson tried to relieve the tension by teasing, "Apparently you two are as dangerous on the ground as in the air. Just remember lads, I'm on your side!"
A burst of laughter from everyone at the table filled the room. Hardly missing a beat, the men quickly went back to their boastful stories. However, when Captain Simms looked at his watch and informed the group it was time for the morning briefing, the fleeting moment of fun ended. In practiced unison, the squadron of pilots stood up from their chairs. Still chatting, they started on their way to the Operations Building.
