It Was a Problem of Mud That Turned Trooper Bishop Into an “Ace” of the
Royal Flying Corps
It was not unnatural that intrepidity in the air should have commanded
more of public attention and enthusiasm during the war than did the
courage, daring and amazing fortitude of the men in the trenches. The
sensation of novelty makes stronger appeal to the curious interest
of humanity than do deeds and events no less masterful though more
familiar to experience. So it was that the invaders of the air, who
fought their duels or delivered their assaults above the clouds, came
in for the lion’s share of the popular plaudits,—the miracles of the
flyers having the advantage of the romantic and picturesque over the
miracles of the men who kept their feet on the earth. That is why there
are more stories of the one than of the other. But are they not wonder
stories? The career of any of the “Aces,” American, French, British,
Italian, German, compels an affirmative answer.
[Illustration:
© _Underwood and Underwood._