Jasta 18
6 Schwalbe
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: Jasta 18
Aircraft: Albatros D.Va
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: #4 & #5 unshared, #3 shared with Pendragon
narrative: Flying with gentlemen from both Jasta 12 and 27 we combined our forces and headed for the front to attempt
to engage the Belgians. We headed south and encountered a large formation of enemy aircraft. I counted seven at the time
which made the fight even. The Belgian machines dove on us and we all scrambled to react to the threat. Twisting and
turning I took a short burst at a SPAD who I believe was number 15. This had no affect on him and he ran to regain the
advantage of height. I then noticed a lone Nieuport machine on the edge of the fight and I gave chase. When I closed on
him I fired a short burst. He then turned to dive away and I immediatley fired another burst and it seemingly struck the
pilot for the plane went into a terminal spin. As he spun I saw the number 4 on his upper wing. I then turned my
attention back to the main battle. I saw a Hanroit attacking one of my memebers so I sent a hail of fire into his
fuselage. He then broke for home. I scrambled to reform my forces. I counted four of my gentlemen left. 3 were missing.
We were near our front so I hope they were only forced.
We regrouped at Roulers and then proceeded to the front again. Heading north to gain altitude but but quickly saw
flak bursts from our field behind us. We turned to engage and found ourselves outnumbered. I attacked a Hanroit number
5 who dove on one of my men who just took off. He immediately caught on fire and I lost sight as I turned my attention
to another HD1 attacking one of my other gentlemen. I fired a long burst into the plane. He turned and tried to break
from combat but he was too low to gain energy. With help from Pendragon we forced him to land just outside or Roulers
airbase. The Belgians then broke for home with 3 or so SPADs and again we landed to refuel and rearm. Unfortuantley
Uhlan crashed upon landing but was able to walk away. With myslef and Pendragon we again headed for the front hoping to
engage the Belgian forces and destroy them. We encountered two spads east and shot them up fairly well but not enough to
bring them down. Both sides then turned and headed home for the day.
8 Burckhardt
PilotStatus: WIA
Squadron: Jasta 18
Aircraft: Albatros D.Va
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
narrative: Took off with flight. Not long after we started our patrol route we ran into a flight of NME. They held the
alt. advantage however we continued to maneuver and finally they committed to the attack. I engaged several NME one of
which was a nieup. #10 I was able to put in several good shots at it before it dove for the deck. My wingman #6 engaged
him and proceeded to shoot him down. I stayed high and covered. I then, was engaged by a Spad “#12?” and we then had
several turns trading shots until he also dove for the deck. During this fight I drove off several NME from wingmen’s
tails one of which was our #10. Though I lost sight of him when the Spad engaged me.
We reformed our flight and landed at a near by base. After a short look over of our mounts by the mechanics, we were
again ready to take off. After taking off we again formed up however it wasn’t long after that several of the flight
developed engine trouble and had to return to base. I again found myself alone and figuring I would be an easy target
decided to return to the AF and wait for their repairs. I circled the AF waiting and watching while they climbed up. I
could see that our AA were firing at a approaching NME flight. I continued to wait and watch them. A Hanriot dove and
attacked and managed to put some bullets into me until I was able to maneuver around on his tail. We twisted and turned
but he could not shake me. The rest of the flight then engaged me. A Spad zoomed in and put a good burst in me but I was
determined to get that Hanriot. We continued our dance with me still on his tail pumping lead into him until I could not
take the fire from behind anymore. I turned and tried to put some lead into my attacker but at once was attacked by
another NME. I decided that it was time to disengage. About that time I could see that the rest of the flight was
engaging. I was at once wounded and decided that since the AF and safety were waiting below I would take advantage of it.
I made a head long dive for safety however a Spad, I think the one I had engaged the first time was on my tail and doing
a good job of trying to shoot it off. I lost all rudder control and my elevator was very sluggish. I continued with my
dive even though I realized my speed was probably going to carry my past the end of the field. I set down at a very fast
speed and immediately turned off the engine. The plane set down nice but then took a bounce up into the air again. At once
I turned back on the engine. I managed not to nose it in and again put it down, again shutting off the engine. The Spad
was still there and put one last bust into me, which ended up shooting off one blade of my prop. I still had no rudder
control and my speed car rubbery not far off the field. I managed to unbuckle and roll out of the plane falling on my
injured arm. I ran to safety and was at once attended to by field personnel.
I did see our #6 shoot down one of the NME though I don't know the #. This I am a bit sketchy on as I was fighting off
the blackness of passing out. I do remember #6 passing overhead a while later and waving down at me. I managed to make a
feeble wave back at him as the flight joined back up after running the NME away from the field.
S!
Burckhardt
9 Uhlan
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: Jasta 18
Aircraft: Albatros D.Va
AircraftStatus: damaged
TimeIn: 1 hour+
narrative:Took off with flight and made our redezvous with Jasta 27. Patroled the front and spotted a large flight
ahead and above us near Roulers. As I signalled Schwalbe they appeared to turn towards us. After some jocking about
trying to keep tabs on my wingman AND my own 6, I heard gun fire. Looking around I found tracer to my right below and
dove onto the 6 of a Hanriot chasing one of ours. As I fired into him a heard spandaus and saw at least two other streams
going by me into the Hanriot, so I broke off and climbed to provide cover and get my bearings.
The fight drifted down and I scanned for enemy crates. I spotted someone headed for me and I turned for him. I locked
onto him and as we came close enough to see who the other was, we both opened fire. SPAD #20 and I danced for the longest
time when I glimpsed another SPAD below us trying to join the party. The three of us played about in the clouds trying to
get the upper hand until Schwalbe arrived with Pen and Burkhardt. The SPAD exercised the better part of valor here and
headed west.
While refueling the ground gunners opened up on some impertinant Belgian loner, but he was long gone when we finally
took to the air.
Taking off with just 3 of us from J18 and Pen from J27 we headed north when Pen encountered engine problems. Whatever
affected Pen's crate, was caught by Schwalbe and I later as we both had to but down with sputtering engines. Burkhardt
circled overhead as we waited for the engine repairs.
Taking off again; we no sooner sighted the front when Pen's crate backfired and he dropped from the formation. I lost
track of Burkhardt high overhead, so we turned back toward the drome to regroup. As we approached I spotted several
contacts and signalled lead just as tracer fire appeared ahead and below. I followed Schwalbe at a distance until he
dove on a SPAD that itself was diving into the fray. Before following him in, I checked around and found another SPAD,
up here, so I waited and watched to make sure he wasn't considering coming in. I spotted the other SPAD emerge from the
fight and dove onto him. My friend up high turned to join the escapee, so I dove in after. Schwalbe and Pen were in on
the chase already, but the SPADs were took quick to catch. I trailed them to the front, not realizing Schwalbe and Pen
had broke off already, and repling to their parting flares, turned for home.
I turned back to the drome and buzzed the field getting a land signal, banked around and dropped down to land. I hit
too hard and bounced, came down and broke the gear. The Alb spun around and took some wing damage before it skidded to
a stop.
So ends the Flander's Fields campaign.
Jasta 27
10 von Blur
PilotStatus: WIA
Squadron: Jasta 18
Aircraft: Albatros D.Va
AircraftStatus: destroyed
TimeIn: -1 hour
narrative: Sortie 1:
We encountered a formation of enemies outside Ypress. While trying to get into position to fire on an enemy when I
think I received some gun fire and lost my lower wing. I immediately dove towards the ground to land. Then an enemy came
in behind me and fired some more on me, he mostly missed. I managed to touch down, which sent my craft in a spin. I lost
all but one wing when I finally stopped. I was roughly 1km from Reulers, so I headed there for some medical attention. I
had broken my right arm and was bleeding from a laceration on my head but managed to make it home where I collapsed on
the airfield. I am now writing to you from the medical ward. They tried to get me... I cheated them out of that. :)
S! to all the aviators in this war.
12 Pendragon
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: Jasta 27
Aircraft: Albatros D.Va
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: #3 HD1 share with our #6
narrative: Flew with my Jasta and J18 and after about 20 min flying time was engaged by numberous enemy. 3 EA seemed
to attack me att once even though I was in the middle of the pack. I had to dive out of formation to stay alive as one
of the EA was a HD1 and could out turn me. 1 of my fellow engaged him off of me.
Later I dove on a spad I saw attacking one of ours below and chased him off, our #10 was forced to crash land though.
#6 picked me up as i futily pursued the spad who got him.
The second engagement had me taking off from repairs for mechanical difficulty and finding about 3 EA attacking our
poor #8 he fought valiantly till i climbed up to the fight and shot many rounds into enemy #3 who was hot on his tail.
Suddenly our #9 and #6 came out of nowhere and tore our enemies new assholes. The fight was suddenly over as I again
futily pursued another spad away. Uhlan(#9) had a rough landing and #8 was foreced down so It was down to me and
Schwalbe(#6).
He led me on a short patrol where we found the 2 spads survived from the last two battles. what LUCK! they did not see
us and Schwalbe set us up good for a killing pass. Luckily for the spads they are tough crates and one of them even
poured some led in me as I hotly pursued enemy #20 again. I broke, but it was a feint and aquired the other spads 6 to
return the favor and he flew away too. Schwalbe wisely led us back home, our duty fulfilled.
13 Karl Spandau
PilotStatus: WIA
Squadron: Jasta 27
Aircraft: Albatros D.Va
AircraftStatus: damaged
TimeIn: -1 hour
narrative: Formed up sans our FL with main body. Bounced. Shot up by Belgian HD pilot #5, lost elevator, stalled out
trying to evade and land, then went arse over teakettle to the ground. HOwever, despite finishing up on my back, had one
lower wing, and half of the other intact. I lived!
Only compensation for this was that while Belgian HD#5 was fixated on me, he was getting filled with lead from at least
one of our side...
Not sure, but think I was the first killed this go round... at least on the German side...
14 Gewin
PilotStatus: KIA
Squadron: Jasta 27
Aircraft: Albatros D.Va
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: -1 hour
narrative: took off with mt SQ. Encountered a group of Belgies over the mud and they had the alt. One took a dive at
me and popped me a few times but as he flew away I managed to get a few rounds in his ass end. saw a HD on a wingies but
and chased him down to the mud I followed him to his side as i was finishing the job I was jumped by a SPAD. I turned to
face him and let loose a burst. He kept coming and as I tried too duck he flew in to me! Well,well, well, what the belgies
couldn't do with bullets they did with there bulldozers! Twice I have been Rammed!
FA5b
17 Fw. Ishmael
PilotStatus: ok
Squadron: FA 5b
Aircraft: Rumpler C.IV
AircraftStatus: ok
TimeIn: 1 hour+
Claims: I claim #16's self-respect
narrative: Hit two targets. Destroyed one bridge in neuport area, and damaged a factory in Dunquerke. The latter target
was bombed from 3000 meters for a direct hit!
As I left the Donkuerque area, I heard the sound of an engine that was not my own!
I looked around and right beneath me and to my six was a Spad7!!!
Slowly, my rear gunner cocked and checked the rear gun and I myself made no fast movements - alowing the SPAD to
approach. The enemy came ever closer into range but still we let him come. Not until he was less than three plane lengths
behind us did I jerk back on the stick - providing the rear gunner with a clear shot.
The SPAD opened up at the same time but we nailed him with a couple hits right off the bat - and I saw the splinters fly
from his machine.
Then commenced a long running battle betwen us and the SPAD. Each of us trading shots. We got the worse for it but the
SPAD was taking damage. Everytime he got into position, we made the range and started hitting - forcing the EA to pull off.
We zigged and zagged, dodged and deeked. All the time going lower and lower and firing at the target whenever a shot
allowed itself. Finally, we were down to less than 1000 meters. The Spad came down once again and opened fire, then -
"click click."
He had exhausted his ammunition.
I considered returning fire with the rear or front gun, as we'd still much ammo remaining. But I figured our chances
of bringing down our foe were slim to none, now that he had no reason to put himself directyl behind us. Instead, I waved
back to him while my rear gunner gave a salute.
The enemy returned our salute and shrugged - pointing to his guns. The three of us shared a laugh in the middle of the
air, now that our hostilities had been forcibly brought to an end by the limits of technology.
Our "new friend" then gave us an escort of sorts the remaindee of the distance back to the front lines - though i doubt
he's have been much help to us should any of his friends come close enough for him to signal.
Once we reached the front, we all saluted once more and he broke off for home.
He was flying #16 SPAD7.
We made it the airfield at Roulers, but the control wires had been so badly shot up, I nearly lost it on landing! After
one or two jumps and a side-slip, the ship came to rest. We two got out - much relieved.