there the Germans had doubtless expected to emerge in assault, while
their artillery made the essential barrage to stay any possible
resistance while their infantry crossed the stream. But the Allied
bombardment, made possible by Erwin's daring final flight across the
Bluff towards his own quarters, had made Appincourte futile so far as
that assault went. Still Fritz might be there. He was there -- that
is, a few of him. They were watching for a signal - the blue flare of
a rocket that should tell Fritz of another air raid.

But the noise of motors close above confused his calculations. Why
were the Entente airmen flying so low? Might they not be up to more
devilment with regard to Appincourte? The blue flare had gone up.

But it happened that Fritz did not see it. Fearing now that many bombs
might be dropped their defenseless heads, and with the whir of many
motors in their ears, all the time growing louder, nearer, the small
squad of night sentries, scudded as one man for the small dugout. This
had been made immediately after the Bluff was wrecked by the
bombardment. In there they cuddled, expecting the deafening explosion
of many bombs over or on their heads, determined to fly back to their
advanced trenches at the first let-up of the expected deluge.

But no bombs descended. The motor thunderings passed, then dwindled,
but towards the east. What did that mean?

Their sergeant was telephoning hurriedly as to what was happening:
"Airplane motors close overhead. No bombing yet. Watch out."

Thus it happened that Bauer's first (and last) signal was rendered void
insofar as it went. The raiders escaped the German fire for the time