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Hasse, Julius more than deserves the gong.

Fullofit, congrats on Toby hitting the 20 mark. Beautiful sunrise shot, and super vids of course. But when oh when is Chesty going to sneak away with one of those Nieups. No one is about to bust the chops of the top-scoring RNAS pilot for taking a plane out for a joyride, or at least not very much.

Carrick, it's amazing what money and connections can do for a fellow.

Raine, outstanding episode, another Zep! And the intrigue continues to grow. Captain Swanson still has no idea what is about to land on him, not only in terms of the VC but also as concerns the drama surrounding him being the RFC's star turn.

Wulfe, great episode as always, most enjoyable.


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24 September 1916
Fienvillers, France


It was a godawful afternoon sortie for A Flight. The skies were filled with ugly gray clouds and the winds were picking up. As Captain Swanson led his team across towards Delville Wood he was wishing he could just scrub the whole thing and turn back. His head was aching today for no particular reason, sometimes it just came on stronger, and this was one of those times. As the trio of Strutters crossed the lines and turned south to begin their patrol Swanson caught sight of something. They were being followed. Swany swung his bus around to the west and stared into the late afternoon sun that was winking through the heavy clouds. There it was, coming directly out of the glare, a trio of Halbs bearing down on them at full speed. The dogfight developed immediately as the six planes twisted and turned, each looking for the advantage. Swanson and his G/O, Lieutenant Chatwick, made quick work of one of the Boche biplanes, sending it down out of control over No Man's Land. As the Captain brought the Sopwith around to go after a second Halb that was harassing the new crew, Lieutenants Graham and Pearson, he was horrified as the Hun flashed down upon the Strutter, its portside wings slicing across the G/Os office. A split second later the upper and lower planes of the Halb broke away in pieces and fluttered aimless against the clouds as the remainder of the enemy ship flamed like a dart towards the earth below. The Strutter had lost its top wing in the collision and was also burning as it too fell away. Swany watched the smoke trails of the wrecked kites, his jaw clenched, his hatred rising. Two more men lost to this madness. But there was little time to dwell on it as a pair of Rolands suddenly joined the fight. The Captain tore into the nearest one as it approached and let loose a vengeful volley directly into the engine and forward cockpit, the two planes closing at incredible speed. As the Roland screamed past Chatwick blasted the Bosche with his Lewis gun, raking its entire side. Both of the King's airman watched with satisfaction as the pale blue plane flipped over and fell, never to recover. The Roland's partner immediately turned tail and ran east as the other team of A Flight drove off the remaining Halb. The two crews returned to camp and filled out their AARs and claim forms. Yet another day of losses for 70 Squadron, how long could this go on.

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A sky filled with ugly gray clouds and rising winds.
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Beware the Hun in the sun.
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A horrible sight.
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One of the Kaiser's fearsome Rolands about to meet its end.
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