6 February, 1918 09:45 Cuirieux, Marne Sector Jasta 19, JG II Offizzierstellvertreter Rudolf Emil Fuchs 26 confirmed kills Awaiting one claim confirmation
“- What were you thinking?!” Tybelsky’s deep voice carried over the engine noise of the landing machines. “- We nearly collided! That was stupid! Never go after the same machine someone else has already engaged! Do you understand?! How many times do I have to repeat that?” “- Sorry Albert, I thought you needed my help. It was a silver Strutter after all.” Fuchs was taking his flight cap off. “- Just be more careful next time. Let’s go get a drink. We both need it.”
The two men were now sitting in the Kasino resting after the mission. “- I saw you go after that SPAD. What happened? I lost sight of you after you began chasing it.” Tybelsky asked his young friend. “- He was attacking Scheller so I went to help. I nearly had him, but he slowed down and I almost crashed into him.” Tybelsky winced. “- I lost momentum and he just climbed away and was going to escape. I followed for a while and was about to turn back. There were more SPADs still looking for trouble over the airfield, but then the Franzose I was chasing slowed down and his engine went kaputt. I was on him in seconds and sent him down to hell. I hoped he's fall into the lake below, but he missed it by this much. Meanwhile, while I watched him go down I spotted another one of those devils harassing Rienau. I dove after them and it took me no time at all to get on his tail. One long burst and he was diving to get away. I then took a long range shot and the snail eater went down.”
“- It looked like it was all over, so I decided to bring my Albatros back home. I was on approach when I saw another SPAD chase after an Albatros in the distance. I went after the bandit and realized there were two of them chasing that poor Albatros. First, I went after the one in the back. He went down fast. I watched him crash and then I swooped down on the remaining sod and took care of him as well.” Rudi dusted off his hands in his usual manner. Albert picked up his glass to raise a toast. The two men enjoyed many more before retiring for the day.
"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."
