May 13, 1917 05:06 Back from his 6-day leave after becoming an Ace, Otto was pleasantly surprised with great news. He will now be flying the Albatros DIII. Over are the days of being left behind by the rest of the flight in faster machines. If he knew he would be getting a new mount, Otto would have used more of his leave painting it. What he has now will have to do. His new wingman also arrived: Offizierstellvertreter Heinrich-Franz Hertel. What a mouthful! The mission was to patrol enemy front lines at FF2321. Schwarm Zwei of 6 would be led by von Tutschek and Schwarm Eins of 4 would directly assist. Otto's flight encountered a brave flight of 4 British N23's en route to patrol area.
Von Trabant bagged one with difficulty.
He told himself he was still getting used to the new plane. His flight lost 2 members during the scrap. Maybe they just got separated? Schwarm Eins was also nowhere to be found. Von Tutschek decided it was prudent to wave off the mission and directed them to land at a nearby airfield of Phalempin. Otto von Trabant - 1 kill Otto Rosenfeld - 1 kill Paul Billik - 1 kill
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
