[Illustration: Cover art] DASTRAL OF THE FLYING CORPS THE GREAT ADVENTURE SERIES Percy F. Westerman: THE AIRSHIP "GOLDEN HIND" TO THE FORE WITH THE TANKS THE SECRET BATTLEPLANE WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE Rowland Walker: THE PHANTOM AIRMAN DASTRAL OF THE FLYING CORPS DEVILLE McKEENE: THE EXPLOITS OF THE MYSTERY AIRMAN BLAKE OF THE MERCHANT SERVICE BUCKLE OF SUBMARINE V 2 OSCAR DANBY, V.C. S.W. PARTRIDGE & CO. 4, 5 & 6, SOHO SQUARE, LONDOND, W.I. [Frontispiece: "DOWN, DOWN WENT THE BLAZING MASS FOR A COUPLE OF THOUSAND FEET."] DASTRAL OF THE FLYING CORPS BY ROWLAND WALKER AUTHOR OF "BUCKLE OF SUBMARINE V2," "THE TREASURE GALLEON," "OSCAR DANBY, V.C." ETC., ETC. [Illustration: Publisher logo] S.W. PARTRIDGE & Co. 4, 5 & 6, SOHO SQUARE, LONDON, W.I. MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN _First Published 1917_ _Frequently reprinted_ To THE PILOTS, OBSERVERS AND AIR-MECHANICS OF THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS, THIS STORY OF ADVENTURE AND PERIL IS Dedicated PREFACE THE GREAT WAR OF 1914 opened the floodgates of hatred between the nations which took part and this stirring story, written when feelings were at their highest, conveys a true impression of the attitude adopted towards our enemies. No epithet was considered too strong for a German and whilst the narrative thus conveys the real atmosphere and conditions under which the tragic event was fought out it should be borne in mind that the animosities engendered by war are now happily a thing of the past. Therefore, the reader, whilst enjoying to the full this thrilling tale, will do well to remember that old enmities have passed away and that we are now reconciled to the Central Powers who were opposed to us. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. DASTRAL WINS HIS PILOT'S BADGE II. THE FERRY PILOT III. OVER THE GERMAN LINES IV. STRAFING THE BABY-KILLERS V. A BOMBING RAID VI. A ZEPPELIN NIGHT VII. COWDIE, THE "SPARE PART" VIII. THE RAID ON KRUPPS IX. THE GIANT WAR-PLANE X. HIMMELMAN'S LAST FIGHT XI. "BLIGHTY" DASTRAL OF THE FLYING CORPS CHAPTER I DASTRAL WINS HIS PILOT'S BADGE "One crowded hour of glorious life, Is worth an age without a name." --SCOTT. AT the time of which I write, the smoke of battle still filled the air. The freedom of men and nations, the heritage of the ages, hung in the balance, so that even brave men were often filled with doubt and despair. The German guns were thundering at the gates of Verdun, seeking a new pathway to Paris, for the ever-growing British army had barred the northern route to the capital of France and the shores of the English Channel. But even the attempt to hack a way through Verdun was doomed to failure, and the first rift of blue in a clouded sky was soon to appear.