A Twist of Fate
Love and The Great War
by
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What transpired next is the stuff of legends and often never properly recorded to provide a man’s full measure of courage, determination, and calculated risk at an intense moment of danger. Quentin caught up with a Boche plane just as the German had damaged the engine on one of the British bombers. The enemy pilot was surprised by te tracers that cut holes in his wings and fuselage, and turned to engage his adversary. The duel was on. The German was capable and cool under fire, immediately deciding to get the upper hand on his attacker. He eluded Quentin on two occasions before turning the tables on him and executing a complicated maneuver to get the SPAD XIII into his gun sights. Quentin cut his air speed and did a stall to avoid the searing line of tracers that missed his plane by inches. He applied throttle, powered up to increase his air speed and gained altitude over the German.
This German is very good,. If I’m not careful, he’ll get the drop on me, thought Quentin. They traded different tactics and techniques, each trying to gain an advantage. The German would go on the attack, and then Quentin became the hunter. The Boch pilot did not realize the American was conserving his ammunition. The SPAD’s maneuverability and speed on more than one occasion evaded the German’s bullets. Quentin was patient and analyzed the German’s attack proclivity to use a banking half turn and quick partial roll to slip across the SPAD’s wing span or tail assembly and fire his machine-guns. Quentin decided to set a trap for the German.
After doing an Immelmann maneuver, Quentin gave the German the opportunity to use his banking shot while making a hard right turn. Instead of banking or climbing to avoid the German, Quentin decreased power to the point of stalling the SPAD, before adding power and executing a tight roll, pulling up slightly and sending a stream of bullets from his machine-guns into the air where the Fokker would pass. The German, while coming out of his maneuver, literally flew into the American’s stream of bullets. Several bullets hit the Fokker, damaging its motor and front underside. Quentin was on the German immediately after making a quick loop and roll to come in behind the Fokker and damage the tail assembly. The German was helpless. He could barely control the badly damaged Fokker.
Realizing his helpless predicament the German pilot turned toward Quentin and saluted, waiting for the coup de grace. Quentin nodded to recognize the German’ salute and was ready to shoot down his adversary. However, Quentin hesitated. He scanned the sky for enemy fighters and satisfied they were alone, made a chivalrous decision. No, I’m not going to kill you, he thought. You’re too good a pilot, and brave to die such a mean death. I can’t let you escape to fly another day and shoot down Allied planes. No, he told himself, I’m not going to shoot you down. I’m going to capture you.
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About the Book
Few novels have been written about American flyers during World War I. A Twist of Fate is a compelling book that tells the story of an American Cajun from Louisiana who goes to France after graduating from college and flies with a French squadron. He is shot down, but recovers. While recuperating, he meets and falls in love with a beautiful, aristocratic woman in a loveless marriage. He navigates the intrigue and propaganda attempts by Allied groups, with the advice and friendship of a talented American diplomat. He returns to the war and becomes a celebrated “Ace” and earns medals for bravery in combat. He is sent to America to do a bond tour, but returns to France as an American squadron leader. His love for the French woman leads to a strong and passionate relationships that helps him survive The Great War.
About the Author
Roberto de Haro is Mexican American, a native Californian. A University of California, Berkeley graduate, he earned a doctorate and is a retired professor and senior university administrator with career service at major research institutions in California, Maryland and New York. Roberto was an American Council on Education Fellow, completed the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management, and served as a consultant to the Johnson Administration. He was a trustee for The College Board, and served on cultural exchange and advisory groups to Mexico, Spain and Cuba. After retiring, Roberto has published fourteen novels, most of them winning literary awards. Roberto is a member of the California Writers Club and lives in Marin County, California.