noon
But just as an anti-aircraft battery would take a new sight on him , he would manage to whip out of the brilliance of the `` Peeping Tom '' and into blessed black sky that hid him from view . And just as many times he saw lights catch Freddy 's plane , and make the English-born air ace do his trick dance before getting out of sight again . As a matter of fact , the closer they came to Evaux the more guns started shooting at them , and the more searchlights sprang into action . The sky was lighted up almost as though it were high noon . There were few `` black '' spots , and cold sweat trickled down Dave 's face as shells seemed to burst right on top of his wings , and even inside the cockpit -- which of course they did n't . `` We 're going to have to be good ! '' he muttered , as he dropped the Spit 's nose and cut down into momentary concealment .