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Carrick - A lovely bit of scenery that.

Fullofit - I hope Rudi and his kette took full alcoholic advantage of the poor weather. And Freddy the embodiment of grace? That one made me laugh.

Raine - A brilliant screenshot, and two more confirmed for Mac - well done! And thank you for all your efforts with the write-ups, and as serving in the role of DID DM.

MFair - Jeremiah an ace already? Outstanding job, the man's a natural!

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24 February 1918
65 Squadron R.F.C.
Poperinge, Belgium

Yesterday had been a washout for flying due to the strong winds and snow that had moved into the area the previous evening. This was fine with all concerned at 65 Squadron as it provided another day to get things a bit more organized after the recent move. Captain Abbott's new quarters was a small room at the back of one of the Nissen huts, the flight leaders being provided more private accommodations. Freddy would have been fine out in the main area of the hut with the rest of the lads, but he wasn't going to argue about it either as his little nest was quite cozy, tucked away as it was behind its own partition.

Today began as if it too would be a dud, but the intermittent snow and strong winds both died away shortly after sunrise, leaving only the low-hanging clouds. There was to be an offensive patrol shortly after morning tea for 'A' and 'B' Flights, the two having been combined again due to plane shortages. However, plans changed during said tea when the sirens went off and reports came in of Hun B/R buses spotted several miles east of camp. The scramble was on!


Captain Abbott giving the signal and rolling away even before his mount had fully warmed up. There was no time to waste if they were going to have any chance of catching up with the invaders some 12,000' above them.



As Freddy circled the aerodrome, grabbing altitude and giving his flight mates a moment to join him, the first of the Boche bombs landed wide of its intended target. Abbott hoped such poor aim would continue.



It seemed to take forever to close in on the circling specks high above, and long before the Camels could reach them the Hun planes had broken off and were heading back towards the east.



Undaunted, the King's airmen pressed on, climbing ever higher as they gave chase.



One of the enemy two-seaters was lagging behind the rest and Abbott pursued it, despite the friendly AA that was bracketing his kite rather than the Hun bus some distance ahead. He was convinced the British gunners in this AO were all thick-headed clods.



Abbott had done his best to stay under the tail of the enemy plane, but the Boche G/O was not to be fooled. He'd spotted the Camel stalking them and signaled his pilot who banked the Rumpler to starboard to open up a field of fire. Freddy followed their turn and the two aircraft began trading shots.



Suddenly the new lad, 2nd Lt. Lee, came carving in from port and would have collided with the Captain had he not been so quick on the controls. "Ricky you bloody idiot!" Abbott cursed as young Lee, suddenly realizing what he'd done, broke off his attack.



Abbott pressed ahead, his own mount now spitting a mist of petrol from the first engagement with the Hun. He fired a twin volley from the Vickers, and then another, and watched as the lower portside wing of the Rumpler sheared away.



The Boche tumbled towards earth and the Captain followed it down as he was losing fuel and was going to have to land sooner than he'd anticipated.



The Rumpler slammed into a snow-dotted meadow some three miles east of Poperinge and Freddy noted the location for his report and claim.



Abbott was pleasantly surprised when he managed to coax his Camel all the way back to camp before it ran dry, saving himself a walk and the AMs a trip. He was further surprised to see that none of the Hun bombs had done any damage apart from several new craters in the surrounding fields. After safely landing and shutting down, Freddy made his way back to the mess for a fresh cuppa' while he waited for the rest of the lads to return. He would be having a talk with one lad in particular - young Mister Lee. Another talking to was also needed with the AA gun units stationed east of Poperinge, before they actually shot down one of their own.


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