Hey Gang- Help!

Kirby · 23 September 1999, 10:58 AM

Years ago I read a short story (novella?) about two WWI British servicemen, one a torpedo boat officer and the other a (bomber?) flier. As I recall each took the other along on a combat mission because neither had ever understood what dangers faced the other.

I'd really like to read that again. Is anyone familiar with such a tale and if so, please tell me the name of the author and the title.

VBR
Kirby

P.S.
Still can't send e-mail; still fighting that virus.

23 September 1999, 12:16 PM

Kirby,

I think you may be referring to the short story by William Faulkner titled, 'Turnabout'. It is an excellent story.

Interestingly Wayne Ralph mentions in his biography of Barker that Faulkner had trained (or set out to train) to be a pilot in the RAF but did not complete his training in time to see combat. At any rate Faulkner did write several pieces relating to WWI, more than one with aviation as a central theme. Apart from perhaps some inaccuracies (he does refer to 'canvas' aircraft at least once), they do make good reading.

regards,

MDD

23 September 1999, 03:07 PM

While no fan of William Faulkner I have to admit that this was a swell tale. It is I believe "Turnabout". Though it may appear under another name. It is a venture for him into a "realisim" that helped give some credibility to his alleged experiences flying "Over There". WF graduated to solo status in "Camels" but got no further from home than Canada. Too bad he didn' do a few more like this one. I believe it may have been done as a film and there would be the possibility for the ususal Hollywood nonsense of renaming a perfectly adequately titled piece of literature. hope this helps. VBR. LEB

Kirby · 23 September 1999, 04:40 PM

Michael and Lee

Thanks guys. I think you're both right. Now to find it again.

VBR
Kirby

Kirby · 23 September 1999, 05:11 PM

Lee I checked it out and you were right again. Apparently a movie titled "Today We Live" was made, based on Faulkner's short story "Turnabout". It had an impressive cast but the synopsis I read didn't seem to have a lot to do with the original story. Again VBR Kirby

Amy · 24 September 1999, 05:23 AM

Der Alte,

Although you can't send email, can you receive any?

Amy

Kirby · 24 September 1999, 08:45 AM

Liebling

I sure can. Been missing you.

Der Alte

28 September 1999, 05:37 PM

DMM: I believe that what Falkner wrote was fiction, since he never experienced either the experience of a dogfight or a torpedo attack, his writing would be purely derivative and vicarious. There is no way that you can experience the total fear of combat just from reading about it, as your imagination can take you only so far...but all is not lost because you probably had an experience in other circumstances in your life that generated the same kind of fear in your own body. Billy H/EOM/9/28/99.