Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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THE SENIOR MAGNET 22 voe uneasily at the gray-haired man sitting calmly at the desk, then continued as before, I’ve never got one.” Sit down, Ziltz,” said the commander softly, and then went on in a quiet voice, his tone always the same. What are you going to do about it, Ziltz?” Why, sir. I’ve done all I can do. I’ve told you about your mistake. I could say that you made a mistake, and it would be easier for you to tell the boys than for me to tell them.” He wiggled uneasily and almost slipped off his chair. And take a razzing from the boys, eh? They’ll make it pretty hot for you, Ziltz.” You mean, sir, you want me to go get two German ships and fix things that way?” Two, man! I want you to get fifty!” The Commander grinned. I want you to make those razzers eat dirt. I want to see the men in the hangars rushing to the tarmac when they see your ship swinging down. I want to see the ambulance men on their toes when you bump the tarmac for fear you might be scratched up a bit. You have had the name of 'wash-out.’ No one expects anything of you. That is why they call you 'Crash.’ Well, I’ve given you a start. What are you going to do? Tell them I’m a liar or go out and work out on those Germans?” Crash rose to his feet. Strange and wonderful thoughts were racing in his brain. Sir, I’ll try.” Crash raced to the hangar and ordered the sergeant to drag out a ship. The boss of the hangars turned toward the group of mechanics and gave a sharp order. Ship for Pilot Ziltz.” Crash sighed with relief as he saw the ship being wheeled out. He’d put one over on the sergeant, anyway. That fact gave him confidence in himself. Five minutes later, Crash was weaving his way up through the blue sky. In a few moments, the tarmac was a mere dot on the surface of the earthJ He pulled on the throttle and headed for the east. He glanced at the ground below and made a comparison with his map. He was above the American field guns. Not minding the roar of the guns below, he flew on. Suddenly from no where in particular, an enemy ship came out of the fog and headed toward him. For an instant, the old worries descended on him. Crash caught a grip on himself, as he remembered what the Old Man had done for him. Pressing the stick trigger to warm up his forward gun, he nosed his ship downward. As he kicked the left rudder, the tail of the enemy ship came in his ring-sights; he pressed the trigger and was conscious of a thin whine as bullets sped through the air. The Fokker, by making an outside loop, took itself out of danger. Just then, his dash-board instruments were torn into pieces as the enemy swooped past him. Again Crash kicked and struggled at his instruments as he tried to get the Fokker in his ring-sights. At last after many

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THE SENIOR MAGNET 21 Two Unclaimed Ships Merle Hughes A GROUP of pilots were gathered before the notice board, their mouths wide open as they read the latest news that was tacked up there by the Company Commander: Second Lieutenant Ziltz. Albatross Scout. Down in flames over Verdun. Confirmed. Second Lieutenant Ziltz. Combat Fokker, type unknown, crashed behind enemy line. Confirmed. There was no mistake about the report. There it was in neat typewritten script with the Old Man’s solid signature beneath it. There surely must be a mistake, for the pilots knew that Crash Ziltz was sitting at the table behind them, Crash who had smashed more good ships than they had lost to the enemy, the only man in the outfit who had failed to make good. It was impossible. Crash’s one-point landings and his unfailing ability in evading crossing the line were known throughout the company, but Crash had at last scored a homer. Ugh!” Crash gasped as a heavy hand thumped his bony shoulder. Scott, the leader of the dawn patrol, leaned down and whispered, Come on and tell me how you brought down two Huns while we were getting our beauty sleep.” Me!” Crash exclaimed in surprise as he leaned his chair back towards the wall. As he glanced up at the circle of faces, he read in them something that had never been there before, real friendliness. Crash was very happy. At last, he was accepted, one of the gang, but why? Some of the boys had always spoken to him in a friendly way, but to have Scott, the leader of the dawn-ers,” slap him on the back! Crash was overwhelmed. What was it all about? I don’t get you guys,” he said. ”It isn’t my birthday, and my aunt hasn’t willed me any money yet.” Two large hands grabbed Crash beneath his shoulders, lifted him to his feet, and gently helped him toward the notice board. There it is, you red-dyed murderer. All O. K. and correct. Cut out the Simple Simon dope, or I’ll slap you.” Crash gazed at the board. His jaw dropped. His tongue moved, but forcing his lips to open, he finally gulped out, Listen you guys—,” he broke off. He couldn’t tell them. He’d tell the Old Man, the Company Commander. Crash gave the gang a second surprised look and then made a run for the Commander’s office. Without the formality of knocking and waiting for the gruff invitation to enter, Crash flung open the door of the Squadron Commander’s office. You’ve made a mistake, sir,” he burst out. Credited me with two ships and—.” He stopped for no reason at all and gazed

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THE SENIOR MAGNET 23 seconds of fighting, he got the Fokker in his ring-sights; he felt a queer sensation as he watched his bullets tear through the cock-pit of the Fokker. What had been a mighty fighter of the air was now swooping to death in a cloud of smoke. He must get another to put the Old Man straight. Some instinct caused him to look around; he found that he had run into a trap; he was cornered. Between him and his own lines were four Fok-kers. Even as he banked to make some kind of a stand for himself, one ship fired on him; but Crash’s maneuvers caused the shots to go wide. Desperately, he sent his ship into the midst of the Fokker formation. Caught off their guard by the mad maneuver of Crash, one of the German ships went to the earth in black smoke. The next moment, the other three were whipping the air about him with their stinging bullets. The guns of one red-nosed Fokker were spitting a shower of bullets at the defiant ship. Crash took a sudden dive towards the earth, pulled out of his dive, and riddled the bottom of the Fokker with his bullets, sending another ship out of the one-sided fight. Crash did not get away untouched. While he was pouring his bullets into his adversary, the other two Fokkers jumped on his tail. Above the roar of the ships, he heard the guns below and noticed a wire on his left wing part as a stray bullet from one of the ships made a hit. Falling out of control, Crash let his ship fall toward the earth, which is a trick to lure on an enemy ship. The other two ships became careless, thinking that they had at last downed Crash’s ship and came roaring after him. Crash suddenly pulled back on his stick, expecting to see the wings of his ship float on past him, but the wings still held; and with a long swing upward, Crash came under the diving Fokkers who could not get out of his sights, and he had the luck of seeing another Fokker going down, a burning ship. The other pilot, seeing what had just happened to his fellow ships, evidently thought that they had been fighting an ace or a devil, and turning tail, opened his throttle and headed for home. Crash resolved that from now on he would handle his ship like others handled theirs. Without worrying, he’d maintain real speed for the landing and make a job of it from start to finish. Five minutes later, a very much battered ship glided down to the tarmac with a dead engine. From hangars, there came running a score of mechanics. Crash was anxious. Would he make a mess of the landing and smash the ship? Recklessly, he slipped down at high gliding speed. Within two feet of the tarmac, he drew the ship level and prayed that he would make a good landing. With a bounce, the ship hit the ground, ran for fifteen feet; the left wing suddenly tipped; and then, the crash. Crash climbed from the wreck and stood looking at his ship. Fine landing, sir!” the fight sergeant’s voice said. Landing gear was badly shot up and gave out.” Crash made a run for the Commander’s office and rushing in at the door saw the Old Man sitting at his desk. Well, Crash, am I a liar?” said the Old Man in his steady voice.