June 27th, 1918
From Uhlan #12
Took off and headed for rendezvous field with Kugelfang #11, and vonCubb #16. Waited until 0925 GT for 2-seaters then patrolled the front until we spotted low aircraft that turned out to be Pendragon, vonSchtupp, and #6.
Sirens went off and we scrambled the fighters. Climbed over field looking for AA but only spotted a lone friendly. #6 RTB and Kugelfang, vonCubb, Pendragon, and I turned across the front and began a search pattern for enemy aircraft. Spotted a single aircraft over our side, but no sign of AA fire so it was assumed to be friendly. Landed at a nearby field and got something to eat before returning to our drome for the night.
No enemy contact. No losses or damage.
Feldwebel Anheim, Flik24, #17, Server time 2100 EST to 2250 EST, Alive woohoo).
It was an odd sensation, walking out onto that field that once served as home for my father. I noticed Herr Helmut (15) sitting patiently in his plane. I climbed into the machine and prepared her for flight. Theo, my Observer, leaned forward to tell me the camera was ready. My stomach knotted up when I saw the flag rise from the tower, signalling the start of our sortie. Our planes came to life and we rolled down the runway. It was early and we were well behind the lines, so there was little need to worry about the cursed allies springing on us. Instead, I took the chance to gaze upon the scenery. I found it so astoundingly ironic that just 20 minutes flying to the west would reveal a landscape of death, torn by war.
The sightseeing made the time go by quickly and before I knew it, we have arrived at the rendevous base (xx) where Flik61 was to meet us. Helmut took lead and I followed as we gently set our planes upon the ground. Crews rushed out to top off our fuel tanks and we took one last chance to recheck our equipment. 10 minutes had passed and there was no sign of our escorts! Herr Helmut and I talked amongst ourselves about whether or not it was wise to go it alone. While running into the enemy would mean certain death, the Empire was taking a beating in this area, and the thought of failure was even more despairing than personal defeat. Quickly, we worked out a new plan.
Taking to the air once more, I held lead, flying at 1k alt with Herr Helmut 500 meters above me. We stayed in the hopefully save confines of friendly airspace until we sighted base 22. We turned west then, and I felt my heart start to speed up. As we crossed the trenches, I happened a view down upon the dark potted soil, trying to comprehend the feelings of those brave soldiers who faced their foes not for a few brief hours as we did, but every moment of every day. The time for ideal thoughts had passed as we entered Italian airspace. So far the sky was clear, but given my relative inexperience, I knew it would be easy to miss that one plane...the one that could easily dispatch me before I would even know he was there. Sirens wailed faintly below, and the sky became animated with the sudden bursting of small clouds. Their Flak gunners had spotted us. The bridge came into view ahead and I signaled Theo to be ready. Though the ground gunners were getting their range, I had to hold the plane steady, lest the photoslates be ruined. One slow pass over the bridge and Theo gave me a thumbs up. I banked north, glancing over my shoulder to see Herr Helmut's plane cross over the bridge as well. A waggle of his wings told me he had good shots as well and we turned back towards our side of the lines. Nosing down ever so slightly we poured on the speed, wanting to get to get away from here as fast as we could without losing too much alt. By this point my head was hurting was snapping around in all directions. We crossed back to our side and again base XX came into sight. Herr Helmut landed gracefully, but I had to perform a go around, as my airspeed was too high and I nearly lost control on touchdown. I took some deep breaths to calm myself, and on the second try put her down nice and safe.
We unloaded our cannisters (see attachments) and sat back while our planes were refueled. We have dared the Allied air, vulnerable without escorts, and had returned to talk about it. Once the planes had been refueled, we lifted off again, planning to return to base XX to find news of our escorts. The flight there was uneventful. After a short stop, I thought we should make for base XX, rumored to be the alternate base. Gazing at the map, I noticed that a direct path would take us close to NML, so I led us east a bit. We landed at XX and still no sign of any other aircraft, friend or foe. Herr Helmut and I joked that perhaps we should go out again, into Allied air, just to see if any allies would find us. Of course, Theo pointed out that such action would be hard without a gunner, since he had no intention of leaving this base. Instead, Herr Helmut, his Observer, Theo and myself sat next to our planes, playing with the deck of cards Theo had in his pocket. It was a good mission, boring, but successful. I wonder though..what happened to our escorts?