Carrick; You had a busy little day there mate!

Off. Ernst Jung
FFA 3, Aviatik C.I
September 1, 1916


It would be two days before I came back to Menen, three more before I could fly.

While in the hospital at Ypres I worried for my squadron. Their morale was.. well, fragile. They'd been throgh a lot. Frankly a minor injury (and therefore excuse to get away from the carnage) for everyone might do a world of good.

Command at least agreed that the squadron should not fly until my return and relayed the necessary orders via radio along with the fact that Soelis and I survived. They weren't completely surprised therefore when we drove 'home' on the 30th. He escaped with nothing more than some torn skin on his paw, and he wore a glove to protect it. I would be limping for awhile, but the doctors removed the wood shards and said I should also recover.

First, I learned tha Schulte's claim hadn't gone very far with my signature, so I sent it off again that evening. I found the men in the rec room drinking and more or less coexisting. Zentgrad and Nuellig managed to get the phonograph working - fortunately it hadn't required a rotary engine. That turntable looked new however, and I asked about it.

"Oh, we just found it," Zentgrad said cheerfully.

Uhhuh. Still, the time off had been good to them. It roused them from their depressed torpor long enough to actually do something about our field. It wasn't smooth by any stretch, but at least it was no longer inimical.

Further, our little tent city had doubled in size. The canvas looked new as well.

"Zentgrad?" I asked, my choler rising.

"We found that too!"

I glared. "Where did you find it?"

"Oh, here and there."

I folded my arms.

"We could take it back," he suggested mildly.

"Of course not. At least tell me some Frog Constable's not going to show up demanding compensation or an arrest."

"Some Frog constable is not going to show up demanding compensation or an arrest," he agreed.

I snorted and pushed into my new home. I had to admit it was nicer. And drier. And better at keeping out the sun. Someone was even considerate enough to move all of my belongings here in more or less decent order, including my full uniform. Hm...I'd have to wash that...

While walking around camp that evening I found where our tents came from. A number of wooden boxes, mostly unmarked, lay haphazardly by one of the hangars. My hangar it turned out. I searched them until I found what I was looking for:

'For special delivery to Jagdstaffel 1, Bertincourt.'

Oh boy.

So there are our new tent hangars!

September 2, 1916
Lt. Aarik Bachmeier
Kek Nord (Jasta 1)
Halberstadt DII


Two patrol missions today, morning and afternoon. The morning mission was pleasantly uneventful. The afternoon mission was too until they were returning to Bertincourt and spotted flak smome dead ahead.





There was plenty of daylight left to fly another mission, but it wasn't scheduled. So Aarik spent some time helping Fritz organize spare parts until it was dinner time.

.




It is the Kaiser's Royal and Imperial command that the following individual be recognized for his valour:



You make the Vaterland most proud.

.

Congrats! That's a nice looking EK I.

Lou, you add so much more immersion with these presentations!
Thanks for taking the time, it is appreciated mate!!

Thank You very much, Lou

Congratulations for your EK I, Leutnant Bachmeier!

Ace Snodgrass
2LT, Rfc
70 Sgn

3 Sep 16.

Mission: AF Security
A/C: 11 Sopwiths
No Contact
Remarks: Spotted a flock of 2 Seat e/a in the clouds out at 2 or 4 NM , but both A and B flights did not engage. Since I was flying as #2 a/c I could not break formation.

Mission: Security Flight local Area out towards Vert Galand.
AC: 3 Sopwiths
No Contact

Remarks: 9/10ths Clould cover hard to seen anything.

Mr. Wiggens: Awsome little scrap with the Halb,s. Just like in Dawn Patrol or the film Wings. A/c every where turning and twisting. Luv it.

Well, the last two days have been slow for me, but I have kind of enjoyed the rest as the prior 4 or 5 sorties had been wild:

1 Sept 1916
Sous Lieutenant Achille Coppens
5 Esc "Comete" Squadron, Belgium
Nieuport 11 "Bebe"


06:49 Line Patrol East of Poperinghe

Weather was foul and visibility poor as we took off into the clouds. At our patrol destination we encountered 6 Fokkers co-alt which the 5 members of B Flight attacked. The fight broke into individual matches with 5 Fokkers destroyed and 1 Nieuport lost. The sixth Fokker was mine and I emptied my gun into him but he wouldn't go down despite 23 hits.


14:45 Line Patrol at Amentieres

This afternoon the weather was even worse with very poor visibility. Nothing spotted in the air until as we turned back on our last leg of our patrol a lone Fokker was seen trying to land. All three members of my flight dropped down to ruin his day. I stayed above and watched and actually felt sorry for that little lonely Fokker trying to get home in the horrible weather. The war is over for him.


2 Sept 1916
Sous Lieutenant Achille Coppens
5 Esc "Comete" Squadron, Belgium
Nieuport 11 "Bebe"


06:49 Escort of BE2c Recon Flight Over Enemy Rail System at Roulers

The weather was improved today with no rain but still broken skies with heavy cloud. As we reached Roulers we spotted 6 Fokkers trying to converg on the BE2c's and intercepted them. After a general fight two Fokkers were shot down with no loss of Nieuports, including an easy kill for me...my marksmanship is still very unpredictable with my wing mount Lewis.


15:07 Line Patrol at Messines

As we approached Messines we found a flight of five Aviatiks and attacked them. I got one smoking but then had to dodge two overzealous wingmen coming in from above and behind me. So I focused my efforts on another Aviatik and on this one I could see I had killed his engine with the prop stopped. I pulled up to let him glide in but one of my squadmates thought he needed more killing and fired on him until he exploded and stole my kill. I was none too pleased! One Nieuport was lost in the fight.

Congrats on the EK1 medal, MudWasp

and to all of the German pilots. I would imagine it hasn't been easy surviving this period of the war!

+1

Very much so indeed! Lou, your medals are wonderful and a very fun surprise!

Off. Ernst Jung
FA 3, Roland C.II
September 2, 1916


"Why, no sir," I told the phone. "I have no idea what could have happened to their supplies." I frowned at the burst of static that followed. Our connection with Command could best be described as tenuous. Miles of cable, frayed and oft trampled by soldier, horse or automobile before running parallel to the fledgling civilian network that predated the war, separated us from the switchboard which in turn connected us to headquarters. Sir? No, our supplies are fine. Yes, yes sir, we know what to do with looters. Stick their heads on pikes. Yes, sir. No, sir, that wasn't very funny. Thank you, sir." I slammed the receiver down. The phone's bell chimed in protest, a sound which faded into nothingness.

Hauptmann Soelis stood in front of my desk at more or less attention. "What are you going to do?" he asked.

"Nothing." He smirked. "Do you think I should?"

"You're the staffelfuhrer," he shrugged. "I wouldn't bother. It's not like we'll be alive in a month."

"I wish you would stop saying that," I snapped. "We haven't lost anyone in a week. I think we're doing pretty well."

"Oh? How's the leg?"

I flashed him a dirty look. "Why are you here?"

"I'm actually here on behalf of Hauptmann Koestlin; Schulte's observer. He was wondering if Command's decided on their claim."

"They have," I remarked. "Koestlin could have seen me himself though."

"He thought it better if it came from me," Soelis said. "He has a point."

I shrugged. "Well, you'll get to hear it first hand then." I stood and called into the rec room. "Schulte? Can I see you?"

He paced in. Seeing Soelis with me, he folded his arms and jutted his chin in a challenge. "What?"

I grit my teeth. "What, sir."

He showed his teeth in turn. It might have been a smile. Or a snarl. He came to attention and saluted. "How may I serve, sir?"

"Congratulations, Unteroffizier." I offered him my hand. "Your claim is confirmed. Your third I believe?"

His face flushed with what may have been pleasure. After a moment's hesitation he took my hand. "Sir."

"That brings me to my next question." He stiffened, his face growing still. "Three kills in an Aviatik isn't easy, Schulte. Should you like a transfer to a scout unit? I can ask around. There are new staffels opening as we speak."

His brow furrowed. "Why do me a favor like that....sir?"

I shrugged. "You're apparently a good fighter. The Fatherland needs those. Plus, according to Soelis here we'll be dead in a month. Someone should be able to tell our tale."

This ruffled the captain's feathers. "I'll see to our plane," he said stiffly and walked out.

Schulte watched him go, then turned back. "I'd considered it...sir. Yes, sir. I would like that."

"Alright."

*******

I was just finishing up a little paperwork before the morning patrol: Orders were given, we were just waiting until mid day, when Flieger Nuellig popped in with a look of excitement. "Have you seen it?"

"Seen what?"

"Your new plane, sir!"

I frowned and glanced out my window at the field. There was certainly commotion over someone's plane. "Did they replace it? I didn't think it was that badly damaged."

"Oh, your Aviatik is in the pool, sir! Command flew in something special for you!"

Schulte's words came back to me: 'Why do me a favor like that?' Dread filled the back of my mind. "Let's see it."



"This....is it?" I asked in a small voice.

The crowd, disappointed by my utter lack of enthusiasm, dissipated. Soelis stood, hands on his hips, looking at the observer seat.

"Well," he suggested. "The Roland's supposed to be better. Faster. Stronger."

"Supposed to be," I agreed.

He turned. "Do you know something I don't?"

"Only that I flew it while training." I walked up and traced the craft's bulging fuselage with two fingers. "She is faster. But stalls easily, and can't turn as well."

"That forward machine gun helps though," he said. "You're almost a heavy scout."

"Do you really think we're fighting anything in this?" I retorted. The dread was building to a crescendo. I leaned against the aircraft for support.

"Are you okay?"

"Let's get this over with."

****

The one thing I liked about a Roland versus an Aviatik was that I could see where I was going. I tried to console myself with that as Zentgrad and I flew up to 4,000 feet. We constituted Eins flight, while Nuellig and Schaber went up in Zwei. Our mission: Reconnaisance with the support of three Eindeckers.

"Remember," I had told Zentgrad. "If we see the Eindeckers run, we do as well." He smirked.

After a final course correction we zeroed in on the Eindeckers. I tried to copy my trick of continuing to climb so we wound up flying over our own escort .... except at 5,500 feet I angled too high and spun out.

Badly.

"What the hell are you doing?" Soelis bellowed. "I'm already going to be sick not seeing where we're going!"

"Hold on!" It was no good. Wind whistled through the wings. Every time we started to recover our nose would jerk up, throwing us into a fresh spin.

"Urrr..." Gravity threw me against my controls, Soelis against the barrier separating us. The latter cracked. I killed the engine and managed to keep the nose down long enough for us to come out of the spin. We'd fallen to perhaps 2,000 feet.

The first thing I saw was Zentgrad diving on me. He cast me an incredulous look as he passed by.

We were hurt. I couldn't see where, but something was interfering with our lift. The Roland wanted to go down - and landing was optional. I wrestled back up to 2,500 feet in time to see our Fokkers closing rapidly from straight ahead.

They kept going.

They were running.

"Hold on!" I shouted. Ahead I could see Zwei flight. They'd somehow passed us, and they too were turning. "We have company!"

He swivelled in his seat. "Where?"

"Not sticking around to find out." I was half way through my turn when I saw the flak bursts.

Soelis pulled his spyglass. "Four of them. They're chasing Zwei."

Even if I wanted to help, they were at least 4,000 feet overhead and my Roland did NOT want to go up. I dove instead heading for the nearest aerodrome. Zentgrad passed me. The Eindeckers were long gone. We kept falling.

"Get your nose up!" Soelis called.

"I'm trying!" I'd purposefully passed the airfield to port, intending to swing around and coast in. 300 feet... 200 feet... every time I lifted the nose she shuddered, threatening to stall. Ahead I could see a line of trees, cleared them by mere feet.

"I can't bring it around. We're landing!"

Soelis responded by opening up with his gun.

"What is it?" I called.

"I'll tell you later. Get us down."

We landed in a field of thick grass less than a mile from the aerodrome, Soelis firing on someone every step of the way. Once the crate rolled to a stop I spun around to find an Airco DH.2 breaking off pursuit. Once he passed I unstrapped and prepared to go outside to find out what happened to my wings.

"He's coming back," Soelis warned. I looked up as the Airco buzzed us. Their pilot waved. Soelis waved back. I resisted the urge to give him the one fingered salute.

"Now, now, be civil," Soelis scolded.
*******

A car with two mechanics came to pick us up. Fifteen minutes work with a spare piece of canvas got us airborne long enough to land at the airfield. When I arrived I found myself surrounded by grave faces.

"What is it?" I demanded. Zentgrad wouldn't look at me. Nuellig looked shocked. "Where's Schaber?" No response. I grabbed Nuellig and shook him lightly. "He was with you. What happened?"

"They shot him," Nuellig said. He pointed at the wrecked, smoldering Aviatik at the other end of the field. One wing broken upwards where it hit the earth, landing gear destroyed, propeller a mass of twisted metal. A very, very hard landing. "He managed to get down, but they took him by ambulance. His observer also. They....they don't know."

Calm. Calm. You cannot show fear, not now. He was alive when he landed. That makes his odds better than even. He landed among friends - help was there within a minute. Much better than even odds. I inhaled deep and frowned at Soelis. "Let's find their commander. We need to get everyone home."

Nice write-up, Cat - but I would prefer the Roland over the Aviatik any time.
The craft doesn't stall easily, when you do the right things (as you need to do in many planes).
Stalls appear, when you loose your 'energy'= forward speed, which causes a fast enough airflow
over the airfoils. All underpowered aircraft should be led into a dive to gain speed before a
turn (especially tight turns) - then she will behave fine.
Your flyer may still have to find that out - it comes with the everyday practise.

CatKnight, that's an exciting read! I see that you're up to a thing or two when it comes to immersion.

That was entertaining Cat
Rumor has it around here that your unit may be getting another type of aircraft soon. One that floats like dandelion fluff on a warm spring breeze.

CatKnight, Have you thought about making a blog with pictures and videos? It would be a nice parking spot for your stories instead of them getting lost in this thread.

September 3, 1916
Lt. Aarik Bachmeier
Kek Nord (Jasta 1)
Halberstadt DII


Morning found Aarik and 4 other pilots tasked with patrol over a nearby airfield. He had just lifted off and was headed away from Bertincourt when he noticed no one was following him. As he was changing direction he heard machine guns going off. Strutters were raiding his flight!



The wheels of another Halb made contact with his Helga during the low altitude chaos. This "shook him up" and caused temporary hearing loss. He quickly RTB after the Strutters were downed and parked Helga in front of Fritz's workshop hanger. Fritz offered him a little something to calm his nerves and they set about repairing Helga. She will be in the shop for two days.