William Augustus Wellman

Name: Wings
Author: William Augustus Wellman

Wings (1927)

Summary

“Wings”, published in 1927, is a work by William Augustus Wellman. It explores elements such as David, Jack and planes.

Quotes from Wings (William Augustus Wellman)

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ Daybreak... Along the battlefront a dream-like stillness... in the trenches, men crouching shoulder to shoulder, hardly daring to breathe....
Laying Bangalore torpedoes, to tear a way through the barbed wire which had protected them so long.
"I'll square things up for Dave—or I won't come back!"
The idling motors quicken.... Flight by flight, like eager birds of prey, the airplanes leave the ground. The big drive of the air is on!
Driven by a mad desire to avenge his comrade, Jack plunges across the German lines—alone! ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ The enemy retreat becomes a rout—
VICTORY
The uproar of battle dies away. Over ground strewn with the dead, Jack heads his plane for home.
There before him—a lone German plane—heading straight for the American lines!
"Jack!"
Only the hated Iron Cross—only another foe to be slain without mercy—
"Jack—don't you know me?"
"He has not long to live. So young! Come, Monsieur—"
"I stole the plane—thought maybe I could get across the lines—"
"Dave—Dave! You're not badly hurt—I'll get a doctor—"
"If it were any use, myself would have gone. It is minutes only, Monsieur—"
"C'est la guerre!" ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ Once Jack had picked her out of a bonfire—and sometimes he regretted it.
"Gee, can't you let a man work in peace?"
Almost an automobile....
"The new speed gears'll make 'er travel like a shooting star."
"The shooting star.... Say——what a great name for her!"
"D'you know what you can do when you see a shooting star?"
"Well....you can kiss the girl you love."
"Maybe I will."
"All right, Mary. See you later."
Sylvia Lewis had an advantage over the small-town girls. She was a visitor from the city.
David Armstrong had an advantage, too—his was the wealthiest family in town. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ German balloons are up—back of Hill 124! They're breaking up our whole troop movement! Get after them."
"Friendship means a hell of a lot to you, doesn't it?"
"All set?"
The eyes of the enemy, spotting our troop movements....
"Shell!"
"Hey, Red—snap out of it!"
An enemy battle squadron closes in behind to cut off the two Americans.....
To protect his flying mate, David hurls himself into a desperate combat—
David's first wild rush disposes of one enemy—
Then another German falls.... ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ As Jack hurls himself at the Gotha, David tackles the two battle-planes.
Pursuing one Fokker, David lays himself open to attack by the other.
Heedless of danger, David follows his prey....
The remaining German gives up the fight.
Meanwhile, Jack follows the unwieldy dragon in its lumbering, zig-zag flight....
Zooming upward to pour a stream of fire into the belly of the monster—
"Say! ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ The score evens—German No. 2 is brought down by American No. 2—
—but in turn American No. 2, off guard one moment, pays the price!
The American leader is hit!
The fight spreads out.... David is singled out for attack by the famous Captain von Kellermann....
David's machine-gun jams, leaving him at the mercy of his foe.
But there was chivalry among these knights of the air....
Meanwhile Jack—separated from the rest—finds two Fokkers on his tail.
OIL
A chance shot has killed Jack's motor....his only hope is to dive earthward and trust to luck—
Help comes from a near-by British trench. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ A giant Gotha, mightiest of German bombing planes, takes on its deadly load for a dash across the lines....
"Our Intelligence reports a secret concentration of the enemy at Mervale. Proceed there directly and blow it off the map!" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ I'll go where—wherever bes' bubbles are!"
"She has bubbles even in 'er eyes—she wins—"
"Li'l Bubbles...."
"—I'm gonna kiss you!"
"All leaves cancelled——ordered to report back to the front immediately!"
AMERICAN MILITARY POLICE
Paris
To: All Military Police:
You are instructed to notify the officers and men listed below to report to their commands at once under penalty of court martial:
"And you wearing a uniform, too—daytimes!"
"Put your clothes on! You can't get away with this sort of thing in the A. E. F. It's back home for you, sister." ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

William Augustus Wellman, Wings (1927)

“ Mrs. Bell Thomas asks for volunteers for a unit of the Woman's Motor Corps of America.
Those who can drive Ford cars are especially desired.
Jack and David began to believe they were never to see any real planes——then, suddenly ground school days were over!
"My name's White."
"Glad you fellows are in here, Powell. We'll see a lot of each other."
"Got to go out and do a flock of figure eights before chow."
AlmondMilk
Chocolate
THE GENUINE BEARS THIS SIGNATURE [...]
ALMOND
"Why the bear? ”

William Augustus Wellman

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Quotes from Wings (William Augustus Wellman)

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