June 24th, 1918

Having been transfered to FLik105G just the day before, I was quite keyed up for my first bombing mission, especially since we were to be part of a full scale effort to knock out on of the enemy's airfields. I took off, per my orders, without waiting for my wingman and started for the rendezvous. My wingman took off before I left visual range of the field so I looped back for him and we headed out to meet the other squadrons. After a few minutes of circling, we headed for the target, having met up with one other bomber at the rendezvous. Just before reaching visual range of the target, an enemy scout (16) opened fire on me from extreme range. I couldn't help but feel that if he had held off another minute or two, he would have finished me off in his first pass. I split S'd back towards our lines, but seeing that the enemy scout had headed off towards Heinrich, who was flying lead, I reversed course again and climbed toward the tgt and the enemy scout.

By the time I got high enough ( my sight was calibrated for 1K or higher) I had overshot the release point for the tgt, and seeing the enemy scout working over Heinrich down low, I chose to try to help him in his effort to bomb the field by attacking the scout. I got two pretty good passes in on the scout, but he remained on Heinrich's 6 and finally brought him down right over the tgt. About this time, ground fire caught up with me and I was wounded, and my crate started to show some damage. Thinking that this was the beginning of the end, I started a bomb run with the scout on my tail, when suddenly he peeled off and landed. It was then that I noticed the planes from my old scout squadron had arrived just in time! With the enemy scout pinned to the field, I made several bomb runs on the hangers, although it was getting hard to see through the blood running down into my eyes. Not being sure how many bombs I had left, and having been hit a few more times by ground fire, I left the tgt and returned uneventfully to base.

Anheim, #17 KIA

Departed base late. Joined squadron just across enemy lines. Attacked Sq36 base along with flight group. Landed at reserve base. Retook to air upon orders of CO. Just prior to engaging enemy, frame rates dropped to 3. Pilot killed from behind.

Patrick Wilson #3 KIA

I lagged, I crashed, I died - nothing more to say.

Due to utterly unacceptable performance from my ISP I will not be participating until the situation is corrected (Earthlink sucks!). I am getting a cable modem installed next Friday and hope to participate immediately after. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thanks for bearing with me; I very much look forward to these sessions but I simply cannot participate with my connections being as bad as they are.

Uhlan, #12

Kugelfang (#11) and I jumped into our waiting crates and headed into the clear blue. Followed our track to the target area spotting 3-4 enemy ship about 2-2.5k alt. Saw the silver-white glint and tri-color of at least one Hanriot and the brown yellow of 2-3 Pomilios or Ansaldos. Circles and whatched them as they disappeared into the clouds. Finally our 2-seaters began to appear, but no sign of 41j, who should have arrived before us. 2 of our 2-seaters went by headed for the target and Anhiem joined up. Resigned myself that 41 would be here if they were coming at all, I decided to climb above our mission ceiling to give the 3 of us some chance if it came to fisticuffs.

At we approached the target I saw that silver-white glint again, behind one of our 2-seaters and firing. I dove at him, full throttle, firing as I came in range and he broke off his attack. I didn't see that 2-seater again and didn't know what became of him. The other 2-seater had dropped to aid his comrade and was now evading the targets AA guns. Kugelfang and Anhiem were on the Hanriot, so I turned on the AA emplacements, silencing one that was firing on our bomber. the bomber flew clear and I turned to find the Hanriot had landed and my wingmates were strafing it. The Italian eventually had enough of this and took off while my comrades were turning to pass him again. I being closer, took up the chase and he led us off to the west, and then in a wide arc that nearly brought us all back to the target again. Kugelfang had been laging behind somewhat and this lured the Italian into an attack. I saw him roll into a dive and went after him. As I headed for him he fired on Kugelfang, but he was between Kugelfang and me and I was afraid of my fire hitting Kugelfang so i heald fire till he overshot and banks off.

We all began to dance with this Italian until again he landed and and ran off toward a neatby depot with Anhiem's tracers close behind. I flew up to Anhiem and signaled him to cease firing and we headed back to the target.

Seeing nothing but 2 collapsed hangars and a number of buildings on fire, we turned towards the nearest field. We met with vonSchtupp and Gräser at the field. DieEule, now with 41j came in soon after (he had not seen any of his own squad either!). Helmut came gingerly down and we talked on the field for a time.

The sirens started wailing and we bolted to our fighters while the 2-seaters were rolled under cover. Spiraling up over the field we eventually egaged 3 Spad13's. I caught sight of the numbers 4, 8, and I think 3 marked on their upper wings. We were soon swatting about at buzzing Spads. Anhiem disappeared, and soon after I lost track of DieEule, but Kugelfang was stying close, and I did likewise. We both put many bullets into these battlecrusiers with no telling results, until Kugelfang, with #8 close on his tail and dangerously close to the ground, made a sharp manuever the Spad could not mimmick and it crashed into the ground. The #3 Spad got separated and disappeared and we were now left with #4 who after a few passes and must have been low on bullets by now, exercised the better part of valor.

Kug and I dropped onto the field and I crawled out of my crate and collapsed on the ground with my back against the elevator. Kugelfang with that magic only he has sat beside me with a pair of stiens and we sat quietly and drank out beir.

I am ashamed to report that we did not follow the mission directives due entirely to my command ineptitude. It was only through good luck and the grace of God that my mistake did not cause grave losses to my brave friends. I met two of my flight members at the field. I mistakenly trusted the comm and did not brief my pilots before take off. I appointed Pendragon as flight leader and off we went. Two minutes after take off Wilson had engine trouble and returned to the field. After 10 or 15 minutes it became clear that FW Pendragon had not received the latest orders and there was no way to communicate them to him. I figured that we had already blown our part of the mission so I followed as we patrolled the targets in our home area. Twice we encountered enemy crates and twice we inflicted damage but they were too fast and outran us. We landed and refueled and I informed Pen of our mistake. We flew toward the target area to see if could stir up some trouble and maybe exonerate ourselves. Then I flew into a Bermuda triangle style anomaly and ended up back at the field. (meched) I took off again and began a series of patrols skirting allied airfields and scouting NML.

Just before dusk (game over) I spotted a Spad (#4) on our side of NML heading for his home. I jumped on his 6 and began firing. He quickly got out of range. I turned for home, keeping an eye on the wily allied pilot. Sure enough he turned around and made a pass at me. I evaded and raked him with my guns several times as he manuevered for alt and distance. He extended out of range and I headed East again. Back he came. I was getting the better of each encounter but I wasn't about to follow him into allied territory and possibly encounter a pack of his bloodthirsty friends. After a few rounds of this, I guess he thought better of continuing and he left for good. I continued back to home base and landed without further incident, dreading my encounter with the Hauptman. I would rather have continued facing the guns of that Spad the the wrath that was sure to come for my bungling of my mission

From Pendragon: #2

Forced down behind MY trench, plane lost i guess.

Claim kill on enemy #20

Found two recons in our territory could not even get 5 seconds worth of shooting on them..virtually impossible to kill they just run away.

Enemy territory entered and engaged 2 recons and their scout got fuel leak in battle got #20 and ran..made it past two treanches before enemy #11 and #18 (RECONS!) forced me down due to lack of fuel. Was in brown aera...but I didn't think all of brown aera was no man's land. I was behind our trench.(see attached pic)

From Ahrens: #7

Status KIA

Plane Status Destroyed

Score Claims Damaged/Destroyed Hanger - Shared

Claims Witnesseed: Rucker Killed me

I could have sworn that Helmholt and I were right on time, but the field was empty. Hauptmann Uhlan’s orders were clear and the timing of his battle plan seemed critical, so we lifted off on schedule. Flew north north west toward drome 18. VonSchtupp in Number 8 intercepted us, flying another yellow and green c2. As ordered, we orbited the airfield, waiting for 2110. Since Helmholt and I had lead position in our two plane formation, I gave VS to “go” at exactly 2110.

We climbed to 1000m as instructed and continued west. Required on course adjustment over no man’s land to stay on the flight path, and one more to begin our run towards the target drome. Somewhere along the pathway I thought I spotted Graser, but he did not remain in visual range.

We had begun our target run in at 1000m when I heard to sound of allied guns., Helmholt began firing, but could not keep him back. I heard the snap of punctured cloth as he found his mark.

I was not willing to abandon the mission to destroy the allied target, but a steady run in at 1000m was out of the question. I dived away from my foe, over the line of hangers. I believe I destroyed one, or damaged it severely. VonSchtupp may have finished it off. I got in three passes and dropped all ordinance before my nemesis shot out my engine and dealt Helmholt and I our mortal blow.

From Graser: #14

Score Claim: Damaged large hgr. north side #6.See attached photo.

Flew mission as briefed. Scored hit on large hgr. first run over tgt. Scouts suppressed aaa very well. A big thank you to the scouts,not bothered by EA coming, going, or over tgt.

Gräser

From Kugelfang #11

Score Claims: Partial claim on EA #16 shared with Uhlan and Ahrens
1 claim of EA SPAD over our lines 2245 hours.

An exciting day all way round. The Hauptmann and I were bustled into our planes as soon as they were ready. Unfortunately our mechanics were efficient and had everything running smoothly. I've gotten used to getting ready in a leisurely fashion while everybody else curses their balky engines. But not today. Up and away we went without a moment's delay. We followed our assigned course without incident. Not far over the lines we were joined by our new pilot Ahrens. We had been ordered to clear the area in preparation for our bombers who were striking an enemy aerodrome. It looked to me that one of the bombers had made it to the base before us and was tangling with a lone enemy scout (#16). The three of us swept in and the enemy plane landed. After putting a few bullets into it while it sat on the ground we got to business and took out the MGs guarding the base. I personally flamed two of them but the third was quite persistent and put a number of bullets into my crate. By the time we left the base was in shambles. At least one of the buildings had collapsed and another was aflame. I assume our bomber had been busy while we occupied the MGs.

I noticed that the enemy plane was no longer on the tarmac and guessed that it had been wheeled into a hanger. Keeping a wary eye on my flight leader I followed him as he headed deeper into enemy territory. Far ahead of him I spotted an enemy plane. It turned out to be #16 fleeing for his life. So he hadn't jumped into a trench after all! Several times he launched rockets in an attempt to summon his comrades but they failed to appear. We flew in a large circle ending back at the enemy base. The chase had been futile since the enemy plane was faster but the pilot was not quite smart enough to use that to his advantage. He had turned and followed us and as we neared the base he dove on me. His shots went wide and he did not get a second chance. The three of us filled his crate with lead. He quickly landed in a nearby field and cowed beneath his plane. We circled a bit; I put a few rounds into his machine to lighten my load a little and we headed home escorting either another of our bombers or the same one that had been in the area.

As we neared the lines I felt a bit of relief as our fuel and ammo was running low. But Hauptmann Uhlan turned and led us back into enemy territory. He had spotted another plane. Once we got closer we could tell that it was #16 yet again! His hands went up in the universal sign of surrender and I could see him mouthing "Don't shoot! Don't shoot! For God's sake, don't shoot!" He dove for the ground. I was worried that we would be pounced by enemy planes while at a disadvantage but it turned out OK.

We got to our base without further incident. There we found quite a few of our planes. We took a leisurely break (which did my growling stomach good) while the officers decided how we would spend the rest of the day. We were joking and hijinking around when the air raid sirens started to blare. The bombers headed for the slit trenches while we scout pilots leapt into the air. Before long we could spot 4 SPADs heading our way. We climbed to engage them. The battle remained more compact than most. It never seemed to take long to spot an enemy plane either in front or behind. And it was a long battle. I don't know how many planes I put bullets in. I'm sure I got one victory though I don't know the identity of the pilot. As I was looking down, hoping that my victim would survive (I stopped to give a S!), another SPAD snuck up behind me and peppered me with lead. Little by little the planes dispersed. At the end the only planes I could find were Hauptmann Uhlan (#12) and an enemy SPAD (#4). We played tag for a long time. He would zoom in and attack one of us while the other got in position to chase him off. These SPADs are tough targets. They are fast and climb like rockets if flown correctly. This one was. Most of them get impatient and try to out-turn our wonderful Albatrosen but this was one patient pilot. Eventually he tired of the game. We must have all been low on ammo. I was not sorry to see him heading home safe and sound.

I got ready for my mission just as normal. Only when I reported to my flight line I was told there was no airplane for me. I was shocked. I went to the XO's office and demanded to know why I was not flying. I was quickly asked why I was even here at this base. I was to have reported to Airdrome #XX for combat duty. I never got my orders... I didn't know. Worst yet, I was going to kill the courier that didn't deliver them to me. I got a ride with another pilot who rushed me to my new drome.

I arrived an 45 minutes after my flight left. Found the ground crew, and got my new airplane. A brand spanking new Alb D III.

21:45 took off from my airdrome in search of my flight. Air Raid sirens were going off and I flew around the area for a short time but could find no enemy.

21:57 Headed for Base #18 to look for other aircraft.

22:10 Landed at #18. Got out of plane (mostly to show it off) and chatted with some of the fighter and bombers pilots at the base.

22:30 Decided to gather all the fighter pilots together and go look for some allied aircraft.

22:40 Climbed to 1500m and all was well. Suddenly out of no place it was raining allied planes. They just dropped from the sky down onto us. My first reaction was to run, but I couldn't leave my friends. I stuck it out, dodging bullets here and there. Weaving and bobbing stepping on the rudder pedals this way and that way. It seems all my fighter training was lost as I weaved across the sky. I had some good opportunities and took them. I think I shot down plane #20, but I don't know. I hit several others, even sending one packing with a smoke trail that could conceal an entire infrantry division. The dogfight lasted forever. I even though I may run out of ammo.

22:50 Shots rang out, and I closed my eyes waiting for the impact. I suddenly I felt a burning sensation across my face. I thought I was hit, then I could [feel] my hands burning, I thought the plane was on fire, every pilot's worst nightmare, a flaming plane, I opened my eyes but I couldn't see anything, everything was black... black I thought, oil... I am leaking oil. I wiped my goggles and could see again. I wasn't on fire or hit, I was covered with 160 degree hot black oil. I looked over my shoulder and saw the enemy, I rolled and dove putting my plane into a spin. At tree level I recovered and headed toward my base. The enemy didn't follow probably thinking I was a finished. I couldn't see any instruments and had to wipe the oil off my compass so I could get a bearing to my base. I eased back on the throttle to take some pressure of the engine. I had to make it home.

22:55 I flew over the top of the hill and could see my base. My oil pressure was very low, and the engine sputtered every two seconds. I pulled the throttle back even more to relieve pressure and gently put it on the runway. Perfect landing. I cut the engine and rolled to a stop in front of the hangers. Getting out of the plane I could see that nearly half of it was covered in oil. But she made it. My mechanic came out took one look and said, 1 hour ago that was a brand new plane. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. As he walked away shaking his head he said "Come on, have a drink with me, after all you survived" I think I am going to like this new command.

Die Eule, June 1918

From Helmut #15

Aircraft pulled from hanger at 2045. Joined commanding officer waiting in our aircraft.

At 2100 CO's plane hauled off the field abruptly. Considered waiting for him to return but decided to take off for rendezvous airdrome hoping he would solve his problem and join me there.

Landed at rendezvous airdrome at 2112 and waited for orders.

Experience a very anxious wait during which time I considered a solo flight to mission objevtive. Rejected solo mission idea as chances of any success would be zero flying alone and failure would surely get me sent to the Ottoman front.

At 2209 notice a unidentified friendly aircraft flying north.

Decided to try and find him, I took off immeadiately. On route flew over a nearby airdrome and notice several aircraft on the ground. Decided to land hoping someone there could tell me what was going on.

Indentified my self on VS chat and has everyone was here, waited for orders.

Siriens started sounding and fighters took off. As soon as AA fire started I bolted for the Slit Trenches.