Aeronautics: Tradition

“Jump for your lives. I’ll hold her until you’re all clear!” yelled Pilot Bernard Gully of Britain’s Royal Air Force above the droning roar of his remaining motor one day last week. With its other motor out of commission from a backfire, the ungainly Vickers Virginia X bomber wallowed heavily 2,000 ft. over Surrey. While Pilot Gully fought to right the ship, four members of the crew crawled obediently back to the tail, bailed out one by one, jerked their parachute rip cords, floated peacefully earthwards. All but Aircraftsman Lewis (who broke his leg) landed safely. Flying Officer Page, the assistant pilot, stood by until the crippled bomber sank to 200 ft., then went overside. His parachute opened, but failed to check his plunge to death.

As with many a master mariner on a foundering ship, it was then too late for Pilot Gully to save himself. Still struggling with his plane, he crashed before he could cut the ignition switches. The ship burst into flames, incinerated Pilot Gully with his hands still gripping the controls.