June 21st, 1918

Engine troubles (server not showing on Kali) forced a last start. I cursed the luck as I was now a full 15 minutes behind my flight. Once fixed, I took the sky ready with a full roll of film. I calculated that given my lateness, I would miss the intended rendevous at the xxxxxxxx base. As such, I decided to try and intercept the flight on the way to the designated target. I flew to an altitude of only 1k, prefering speed over height in trying to find my wingmen.

With the sky clear of any contacts, I found myself at the target. I decided to risk it, and proceeded to make a successful photographing run of the target. After taking stills of the target, and my map to confirm position (see attachments), I proceed to return towards the xxxxxxxx base. It was along this return route that I made contact with Herr Feldwebel Graser (14). I took position on his wing as he himself made a photo run on xxxxxxxxx. Afterwards, we both returned to base.

Upon landing, I handed my film rolls to the ground crew and grabbed a cold drink as they loaded up a fresh canister. Herr Graser and I waited for any escorts to return to the base, in the hopes of carrying out a possible second run.. Yet none came. Several times the Air Raid sirens blew, but the skies remained clear. The ominous wail spoke of the dangers..of the allied sharks swimming just beyond the safety of our base.

20-25 minutes had passed and still no sign of any other pilots. Herr Graser and I decided to risk a xxxxxxxx flight to xxxxxxxx, using the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Herr Graser took the air first, with me scheduled to leave 5 minutes after as so we both would not be caught. I left a minute early, circling the base to get some alititude before striking xxxxxxxxxxxxx.

I was just crossing into the very tip of NML when I gazed upon a horrible sight in the distance. A plane on flames, surrounded by 3 others. My gut told me to abort, and so I swung around and headed back for the safety of xxxxxxxx base, hoping I wouldn't be spotted. The three white specks below me however, followed. The thumping of Flak told me of their alliegance. I decided to run south, flying over every flak emplacement I could in the hopes that my speed and their fire would drive out the hungry hounds slobbering at the thought of feasting on my poor recon plane.

We crossed the xxxxxxxxx base and I saw they had both closed the distance and nearly matched my altitude. "Verdammt Spads"..had to be given that sort of speed. I pushed the nose down some to gain speed, but alas, a futile gesture against such a machine. It wasn't long before the fire red streaks of bullets passed by my head. I swung her down now. The base behind me was my only hope. If I could just land and stop, I would be safe. My poor recon plane was doomed, but we had others.

The three spad were on me hard. I jinked left and right, bordering on a stall to keep their bullets from striking home. One low pass over the base and the machine gunners opened up. Still, I was in poor position to try a landing, so I had to go around again. Spad 10 hounded me, trying to get his aim on the mark. He drew in close to my tail and in desperation, I flew right towards one of our hangers. Just before impact, I pulled hard up and left. The spad, apparently locked on killing me, didn't realize where he was. THE ALLIED PILOT CRASHED RIGHT INTO THE HANGER! I almost shrieked with joy as his flaming wreck tumbled into the backfield of the base.

Just ahead of me, turning for a pass, was another of the spads. A rage boiled up in me. I turned to meet his pass and my gunner opened up as we closed. Luckily, his bullets went wide. I swung the big plane around, getting inside his turn and my gunner went to work on him. The spad knew he was in a bad position, and tried to extend. I keep him in my ܥe Reports from last session (in no particular order, edited for public release.)

Helmut Flik24k #15

Stuggled to catch up to combined flight and finally lost contact at 2145 Decided to fly on to mission objective. At 2153 arrived over objective and took photograph. Returned to airdrome rendezvous at 2215 but landing was very hard. I am worried about the status of the photographic plates. At 2220 sent photos to HQ. Waited at airdrome for 25 minutes. During this time had a very hard time getting my very modern machine to fly again. I missed my regular crew chief and his expertise. At 2245 Feldwebel Ahrens landed and I tried but was unable to determine if his group met with success. As I struggled with getting my plane flyable, Feldwebel Ahrens took off. I tried to follow but had to return to base immediately because of the poor condition of my plane.

Respectfully, Feldwebel Helmut

Took off from base with flight (Kugelfang #11, vonSchtupp #13) flew in company with kites from flik24k to refuel. Learned of 2-seater pilot's talking too much in a local public house last night and dressed him down for it - it wouldn't save us.

Crossed front with charges and encountered #17 in bound. Caught a glint up high ahead and spotted 3 spots very high moving north to south from one cloud to another. As charges turned for home I kept flight behind, and then head 90° to 2-seater course to draw EA away. Ea continued south so we turned east towards home. Settled on course and looked for EA seeing them in trail formation turning to east and growing larger. Continued east, climbing to just over 2k alt when EA began dive. Signaled break and turned to engage. In ensuing fight I identified 3 spads numbered 3, 8, and 10 on top wings. Spad were hard to spot, but I knew my flight, and where they were they was likely a Spad ahead or behind. Saw rounds strike home on each Spad, but could not bring one down. Same with other members of my flight. Did succeed at driving them off wingmen several times, but they killed vonSchtupp and his plane crashed in NML. Put more rounds into more Spads until I ran out of ammo. Chased #8 with empty guns until another Spad fired on me and I began losing fuel. Signaled RTB and tried to draw off Kugelfang's antagonist when the engine flamed. I cut the engine and split S to the east. (a list of names scrolled by as having left the game-I figured it was too late now, might as well ride it down) landed just short of the grass and rolled into friendly territory. Jumped out and sat on the edge of a shell hole brushing off singed hair and watched my Albatros burn. When it was nearly done, I lit my cigar off of it and began walking towards the nearest gun emplacement. I learned from troops nearby that Kugelfang was taken to a field hospital, and his plane towed to a nearby field. vonSchtupp's Albatros stands like a spire in the middle of NML to mark his grave.

Uhlan, Hauptmann, Flik61j

A long, lonely flight in the empty blue. Mechanical problems delayed my departure. When I arrived I noticed that I was the only member of my squad able to fly. I took off, intending to try to catch up to my charges, but after several minutes mechanical problems again forced me to return. After a few quick adjustments I took off again. Because I was alone I decided to fly at a very high altitude. After climbing behind our lines I crossed enemy lines along the intended path to the target. I flew to the target and back, then patroled our lines. During this long flight I neither saw nor heard any sign of other aircraft. No sightings, no AA fire, no sirens, no bells. Running low on fuel I landed and took off again for another uneventful flight. With darkness closing in I decsights, letting the gunner pop away with the lone spandau. The third spad put a long burst into the ground behind me, forcing me to break from his friend.

I came back around, a little more cognitive of my bad situation, and ran back for the base a bit behind me. I do not know why, but the two remaining spads broke south and were soon out of range. Badly shot up, I leveled my plane and headed for the field. Sadly, upon touchdown the landing gear gave and my poor battered plane skid to a halt next to one of the hangers. Johann, my gunner, and I crawled out from the plane and looked at each other with disbelief. We cried for joy as we embraced, realizing how close to death we had just come, and yet walked away safe. Our plane was a wreck. But she had done her job. Good photos of the bridge, one spad forced to the ground, another two driven off. Johann and I both cut pieces of her tail fabric off. We intend to mail them home and hope that when this is all over, we will have the chance to pick up those peices of fabric and tell our families how we owed her our lives.....

Sebastian

Well, for once we've had some excitement. It started out a beautiful day. Our flight was smooth to the rendezvous point. There was an ugly scene right there on the landing strip, though. The Hauptmann giving one of our recon pilots the "what for" for talking too much while in town. We were to learn later how tragic such unguarded talk can be. Our orders were to escort the photo crates to the target area. After everybody had smoothed their feathers and recomposed themselves we got on our way.

We got to the target without incident but not long after turning back 3 enemy SPADs pounced on us. It was a hell of a fight. I saw von Schtupp go down. And the Hauptmann and I were fighting the three of them. I'm pretty sure that Uhlan shot down a spad with a big #8 on the wing. I flew over the wreckage several times. At least I think the wreckage was the SPAD, it may have been von Schtupp. It seemed like the enemy planes just didn't feel the effects of our bullets. Every now and then one of them would try to out turn us. The SPADs are nice planes but that's not their high point. Several of these pilots knew what to do though. They would come in, get some shots and extend away outrunning us. We would use our turning ability to dodge them once they had a bead on us. And we stayed close together. That is how we survived so long.

Once in this maelstrom the Hauptmann flew by me. I caught a glance of him signalling return to base. I quickly checked my position and headed for home. I continued to dodge the SPADs as two of them seemed to be following me and taking shots as they could. Looking back I saw another valient Austrian in the fight (I think #10--but we don't have a #10). But I also saw a plane falling in flames though I could not tell who it was. My own plane was in sad shape. The engine had taken hits and was running rough. The bullet holes surrounding the cockpit shook my nerves. Our cause must be just for me not to have died in this. I was low when I crossed our lines with a not so silent prayer. I was even more relieved when I heard my wheels touch the solid earth. Sadly, I'm sure the enemy will get credit for forcing me down but I'm happy to be alive. The plane I fear is so wrecked it will be some time before she flies again. At least I did not need to burn it in no-man's-land. It was a sobering trudge home.

[Note: As I was coming across the lines I got the message that the server was asking me to leave because I was out of sync with the other players. I didn't want to exit since I was still within combat range of the enemy. I continued to fly (blindly--that is one big message box!) and once I heard my wheels on the ground I said OK to the message. This took me out of the game. Frankly, I was intending on landing anyway since I just recieved an "oil pressure dropping" message also. I do not know what type of message is recorded in the server log in this type of situation.]

Meched twice, saw One of our boys coming home with some pictures so I decided to not go out again.

#2 Pendragon

Sir: I regret to inform you that shortly after reaching our first recon target, and upon meeting 3 enemy aircraft (spad XIII), I was shot in the head and killed after a very short fight. I beleive I damaged two of the Spads, but not seriously.

von Schtupp

Anxious to fly another mission I could hardly sleep last night. I woke up several times to go the hanger to check on my airplane and to insure the mechanics had fueled the plane and it was loaded with ammo. As always it was a job well done.

With the success of the Baush and Lomb multiplate camera that Feldwebel Ahrens used on the last mission I decided to give one a try myself. I secured one from supply, which I almost had to sign for in blood and promise on my Grandmothers grave to bring it back in one piece.

21:00, I and LT. Pendragon took off from xxxxxx on a South West course to meet with 41j stationed at xxxxxx who was to provide us with escorts. Upon reaching xxxxxx we altered our course to fly a westerly heading. We never saw the 41j. I guess they mever made it the rendezvous point.

We flew west between allied bases xxxxxxxx and xxxxxxxx. I noticed an unmarked air base and made a note of its location so we could take a photograph of it on the way back.

21:23, We altered our course to fly to the North West on a direct heading to photograph the xxxxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxx.

21:25, LT Pendragon had a mechanical failure and dropped from site. I wanted to follow him, but I knew the mission was of the outmost importance. God be with him. I will take care of Inga for him. I look forward to the care packages.

21:29, Arrived at xxxxxxxxxxxxx. The trip was un-eventful until now. The is lots of Flak in the area. I report no AA guns or aircraft.

21:30, After getting a quick snapshot of xxxxxxxxxx, I turned to a xxxxxxxxx heading. I immediately noticed a bridge connecting two halves of a town just south of xxxxxxxxxx. Making a dive for the xxxxxxxxxxx I got gutsy and asked Helmet for the camera, I snapped this just as the Air Raid Sirens started blasting away. I did not notice any AA guns, but I was still in the flak area of xxxxxxxxxx..

21:32, Just south of this xxxxxxxx, is a xxxxxxxxx. I figured it would make a good photo. AA guns were heavy at xxxxxxxxxx.

21:32, Since the AA fire was so heavy in this area, I decided to make a fast change in heading and make a run for that unmarked airfield while I was still alive and still had some film. I turn xxxxxxx and snapped of a picture of my map. This was almost a disaster as I nearly dropped the camera handing back to Helmet. Supply would have cut my balls off if I had lost that camera. Not to mention HQ and the loss of intelligence data.

21:39, I headed back for that unmarked Air Field between xxxxxxx and xxxxxxxxxx I saw earlier on the flight into enemy territory, I found it and snapped this photo. I also took a photo of the map.

21:40, I had encountered no enemy aircraft on either of my last two missions, not that I want to, I would rather recon and live to tell about it. But I got gutsy, and wanted to see if I could knock on the door once or twice. I flew slightly off course to take a photograph of base #8. I did not encounter any AA fire from the base. Nor did I see any aircraft in the area. This would match with my last mission. I flew nearly this exact route and did not see anything. You can see #8 in the background near my tail. Not a real good shot.

21:44, After not seeing anything at all near xxxxxxx I decided to be even braver and fly near base xxxxxxxx. To my amazement I saw nothing at xxxxxxxx, no AA, no planes, nothing. xxxxxxx is little clearer than xxxxxxx as I was closer to the base. You can see the runway here, and I could smell the poop coming from the gunners seat. I don't think Helmet liked getting this close when we don't have an escort to protect us.

21:45, I was a little too brave and bold for my own good. I suddenly heard the sound of gunfire. Looking behind me I saw two allied planes closing on my six. I nearly crapped my flying suit. I couldn't take on two allied planes, and I had too much intelligence data to try. I could not fail my mission. I hit the full throttle and went into a dive running for the tree' s. I noticed I was on my side, and I saw a bridge nearby. Holding at tree top level I headed for the bridge, and told Helmet to lock and load and get ready to keep those allied scum off my six.

I crossed the bridge and turned a heading for the nearest base where I would be safe. Then I heard something, yes my plan worked. I heard the AA fire from the bridge as the ground troops targeted the allied fighters. I hoped they would shoot them down. But they didn't.

The next five minutes was the longest five minutes of my life. I could see the base as it approached, and I knew I was going to make the runway. Just as I got ready to touch down I heard the air raid sirens at the base go off. I touched down and killed the engines. Those sirens where music to my ears, the Allied fighters had pulled away and did not pursue. I was safe, with no damage not even a single hole, and a cockpit full of intelligence documents.

Not only would HQ be proud, but my mechanic will love me forever. Two missions in a row I have come home without so much as a scratch. I kissed the ground as I ran for the cover of the hangers with my photographs. I waited and never saw the Allies approach. I was safe, to fight another day.

Die Eule. 1918

Flight report for Feldwebel Heinrich Ahrens, observer Wilhelm.

There is little pain, and if I don't look down at my legs, I almost pretend it didn't happen. But it did. I am dying and I know it. My service to the emperor has been short, and my dedication to the Imperial Command will not be noted in history.

I did not arrive at the field in time. At 2100, I was still cleaning up the mess tent, and assignment arranged my Hauptmann Uhlan as a just reminder that signals are orders to be followed. by 2105, the field was clear. Wilhelm guessed the flight had departed so we checked our c2 and our camera and took off into a clear blue sky. Without escort, we could only count on altitude to protect us. I pointed the c2's nose towards the heaven's and gathered into ####### meters on our way point, the ######## bridge. From there, we drove due west, distancing ourselves from both allied dromes ******* and #######. Nonetheless, we did hear sirens as we passed through the gap between the airfields.

At the large forest at ####### we bore northwest, intercepted the railroad tracks, and followed then westward directly to our target. But the time we came to the railroad we had reached ####### meters. Wilhelm wanted good pictures, and since we had seen no EA we bravely began a slow descent to ######.

If it is possible, the Flak was even heavier than it was two days ago. We made our escape to the southeast, running for the open country, climbing all the way. As we crossed over the forest, at ###### meters, we were once again plagued with mechs. We burned all altitude getting back to the nearest base, #####. We flushed the fuel lines again, and took off, retracing our steps towards the forest edge. At this point we made chance encounter with one of our scouts. I signaled for identification or orders and got no response, though he was in visual range. Our sense of relieve was short lived as he soon abandoned us to fly alone.

Recon of the allied lines was routine and uninformative. We turned back towards base ####. Well inside our on lines we met our doom. An allied Neuport crept up on us and began slow, short and deliberate firing. Wilhelm's return fire may have kept him at bay, or perhaps he was damaged. I did not engage in a dogfight, but rushed towards the nearest bridge, diving all the way, and praying the gunners were awake and aware. They were, and the sound our AA MG's was music.

But the Neuport kept stalking us. Knowing that we could not spend all day circling the bridge, I dived for our base. The Neuport pounced, and followed us in firing. He finally hit our engine, and the oil pressure began to drop. I was so hopeful we would prevail. But we did not. I shut down the engine before time and tried to land dead stick. I was bleeding; perhaps for that reason I misjudged the field. We fell, I hoped to save the plane, but the nose caught we rolled over. The next thing i knew Wilhelm was pulling me from the wreck. I told him to save the plates, and can only hope that ___