Summary: June 15th, 1918
Mission: Mission card #6 (Recon Air)
Drome #5 photographed
Claims:
Kugelfang #11: #12
Gräser #14: #20
Losses:
Helmut #15: Killed in action(twice) 2 HBC2 destroyed, 2 kills awarded to enemy.
Die Eule #13: Killed in action, Alb D3 destroyed
Flik61j:
Kugelfang #11
Status: Alive
Plane: Alb D3 Damaged
Claim 1 victory, #12
The day started off looking like a disaster. Logistics were bad. The machines did not want to start. Those that did suffered mightily from mechanical failures. There were three of us scheduled for this patrol. Our fourth had been transferred to the recon squad because they were short of pilots. But we were scheduled to rendesvous with them and escort them across the lines where they could do their work. We never did.
The three of us took off, Hauptmann Uhlan (#12), Feldwebel Graser (#14) and I (#11), and headed south hoping to meet our recon planes. This seemed futile so we headed across the lines to see if maybe they had gone ahead. We had no contact for a long time. We stayed in formation, though, every bit a professional force even if we were greatly outnumbered. Eventually, Uhlan started to dive. I followed and searching ahead found his prey. A lone aircraft hugging the ground. He had pulled away from me in the dive so I could not see the details but I believe he dispatched the poor man quickly. At least the plane did not burst into flames. Perhaps the pilot lived but I doubt it.
As I recall we shortly came across another plane. It looked like it was preparing for a landing at an enemy airfield. As we got closer we could tell that there were 4 or 5 panes on the tarmac. We buzzed around for a while, not willing to risk the anti-aircraft MGs that surrounded the field but the enemy just sat there. Oddly enough, a lone Italian two place plane took off (#20 I think). I figured he was either very brave or not very observant--and deaf as well with all the air raid sirens going off. We all three descended on him like vultures. I hung back a little to watch to see if the others would come to his assistance but they stayed firmly planted on the ground. I decided to join in the turkey shoot. After a pass I glance behind me to see where he was and I saw the Italian and Graser collide with a horrible crack. Graser went into a spin and I figured he was a goner. I remember that the Italian was still in the air when I swung around and I was able to put a long burst into him. He seemed to still be in control of his plane but I could not be certain. As we passed I heard my own wings ripping from an impact with his landing gear. He hit the ground shortly thereafter, whether from the effects of the gunfire or either of the two collision I do not know. No doubt he had lead from all of us in him.
We circled a bit and I noticed that my wings were structurally weakened. They creaked from almost any maneuver. I was glad when the Hauptmann started back towards our own lines. I was excited about getting my first victory on this front and worried that I would not get home to savor the feeling! The Hauptmann circle several times, searching for enemy aircraft, I presume. I just wanted to make it home in one piece. But we had further adventures in store for us.
After climbing for some altitude and seeing one of our own airplanes high above, we encountered a silver scout plane (#19). I could not tell if it was an American Nieuport or an Italian Hanriot. The planes look so much alike. We started the dance but I got the worst of it. Several times the nimble plane was able to pepper me with lead. Every time I tried to evade my wings would protest and threaten to hurdle me to my doom. Though Herr Hauptmann often forced the enemy away from me I feared that he would not dispatch him soon enough. I began to climb out of the fight. Eventually the EA decided it had had enough and he made a break for home. I was able to put several long bursts into him but the range was too great to do much harm. By this time I had blood streaming into my eyes and my plane was riddled with holes. Uhlan signaled to me that he was out of ammo. We were a fine pair! Me, bloody and battered, the Hauptmann, unarmed. And we were still deep in enemy territory.
Luckily the flight home was uneventful. I intentionally stayed low once we got over the lines with every intention of landing anywhere I could if we encountered the enemy. Sure enough they were about. As we came into sight of the landing strip we could hear the claxons wailing. The enemy were somewhere close. We came in for a perfect landing, our planes not more than 3 meters apart. The sirens soon quite. Apparently the enemy has no stomach. Off to the kasino for us!
Hustled into our new location with most of our equipment still on the road. Took off as soon as anything resembling order appeared. Headed xxxxx to rendezvous with our recon flight and/or Flik41j. No contact made with either so we went over to enemy territory. Made a short curcuit and head back across when I spotted a lone aircraft west bound below us. Dove on contact and saw Italian markings. Despite dive, could not do more than keep up with EA which Kugelfang, Gräser and I followed to an enemy drome. Broke off persuit before entering the drome's AA range and took note of some 3-4 other EA on field.
We hovered off the end of the field until an Italian Pomilio #20 took off headed east. All three of us attacked the aircraft making multiple passes as the crate developed engine trouble after a collision with Gräser and both crash landed.
Grasser was seen being led from the wreckage of his Albatros by Italian troops.
At approx. 2200hrs. in company with #11 and #12 engaged ea. in area c-2-4. Scored hits on two passes, Collided on 3rd pass (Warping)? Successful crash landing in enemy territory, pilot Ok. Claim partial kill. Am I captured or not?
Flik24k:
Helmut #15
Status: killed in action
Plane: 2-HBC2's destroyed
entered session 2045, exited: 2240 Saw and engaged enemy aircraft, completed photo recon sortie. Claims: 1 photo of drome #5
MY SAD BUT PERSONALLY GRATIFYING STORY At 2045, started session at airdrome ###. At approximately 2130 took off flying due west. At altitude 1200M leveled off and made best possible speed toward enemy airdrome #5 of sortie mission. Began descent to 1000M as visibility was poor at higher altitude. At 1000M, saw enemy airdrome #5 slightly to the south and proceeded to line up for best photographic position. Staying at 1000M and directly over enemy airdrome #5, took photograph.
At this point I decided to return to friendly air space as quickly as possible rather than try to follow prescribed orders for three reasons:
1. I was alone
2. no fighter escort within sight
3. I had achieved one sortie objective
I therefore headed immediately due east in a slight descent, (for maximum speed), towards friendly air space. Once over our side of the “mud” I turned due north for airdrome ### and HQ.
At 2205 made a successful landing at airdrome ### and exited the session at 2207 to deliver photo’s to HQ. I decided to go for 2nd sortie versus valor and headed for enemy airdrome #2.
By flying what I thought was the safest route, I found enemy airdrome #2, lined up for photo and succeeded to get another picture. At this point, quite happy with events, I decided to retrace my path to HQ.
With the front line in sight a single enemy fighter pounced on me. After a short and fruitless effort to get as low as possible and flying as fast as possible I lost control of my aircraft and shortly afterwards consciousness.
FROM THE CRYPT
At 2230 I promptly erased second photo, restarted session at airdrome #19, my “faux pas” (sorry for using the language of an enemy) and took of for enemy airdrome #2 again.
I reached the front lines and again was pounced on by another (maybe the same) enemy fighter. Within a much shorter time I was out of control and loosing consciousness. AGAIN.
Currently considering changing my name from Helmut to Lazarus.
Flik41j:
Die Eule #13
Status: Killed in action
Plane: Alb D3, destroyed
No report received
No report received