Flugmeister Jacob Kühn, EK2
Marine-Feld-Jagdstaffel 1
Jabbeke airfield

10 confirmed kills

21st April 1918

Morning sortie

Jacob pulled the dust ridden curtains back on his window and smiled. His gaze was greeted with bright blue skies and a warming sun. "At last some decent weather" he muttered to himself as he went to get dressed.

Jacob and the rest of Kette Zwei sat in the briefing room as Leutenant Heinrich took the briefing. "As you can see, you will have the joy of my company on this morning's sortie" the Leutenant started.

"Oberleutenant Saschenberg has already left with Kette Eins on a patrol around Nieuwpoort" he continued.

"We will fly down towards Passchendaele and watch for incoming raids, which with the improved weather should be a little easier to spot".

"Stick together and signal any sightings right away" he concluded.

Jacob took off with the others and formed up as he kept his gaze upwards. Visibility was very good although there were some large clouds still looming around.

They climbed quickly with the absence of strong winds and reached 12000 feet before heading off south.

However they'd not gotten far when several dots appeared ahead and above. Against the backdrop of blue skies the aircraft were as clear as day and Jacob watched as they came overhead. They had a huge height advantage once again and there was little MFJ1 could do but wait for the inevitable attack.

Jacob charged his guns and looked around to ensure this wasn't one big feint but there was nothing. He returned his gaze upwards and watched as the aircraft rolled and dived towards them.

Jacob recognised them as Camels as they tore down at them. Jacob left it until the last moment to jink to the right and avoided most of the attacks. He came around and checked his six which was clear.

He now selected a target and saw one Camel in a long left turn and went after him. He cut across the turning Camel and fired a burst as much to get the Camel to do something stupid as to actually hit it.

The Camel rolled and dived and Jacob went with him. Another burst scored hits on the Camel who now sped for the ground at maximum speed. Jacob pushed his Albatros to the limits to stay with the enemy aircraft.

The Camel now swept to the right but Jacob had height and cut across the turn and fired into the Camel scoring many hits.

He came up behind the enemy and put a devastating burst into him. The Camel started spewing smoke and lost power and height. He hit the ground hard and burst into flames.

Jacob levelled off and scanned around. No-one else was within sight although there were plumes of smoke near Aertrycke airfield. Jacob made his way towards home and on landing he was pleased to hear other aircraft nearby and saw several Albatrosse nearing the airfield.

Once the reports were in the Leutenant confirmed that four enemy aircraft had been destroyed and although one Albatros was lost, the pilot, Gunter Erling was ok.

The Leutenant explained that whilst he didn't doubt Jacob's victory they would have to wait for confirmation from a ground unit.


Afternoon sortie

Oberleutenant Saschenberg had returned safe and sound from Kette Eins' morning sortie and took the briefing for the afternoon jaunt.

He explained the whole Jasta would be heading towards Ypres. The weather was still good and they took off without incident.

On forming up and climbing to 14000 feet they made their way south west towards Ypres.

The mission went without a hitch although no enemy aircraft were found.

The Jasta returned home and landed.

Later that evening, the pilots were enjoying a drink together in the kasino when Oberleutenant Saschenberg was called to the telephone. He was on the phone for some time. Jacob could only overhear the odd word but definitely heard the name Richthofen. On returning to the group he looked grey.

"You will forgive me meine herren, but I must return to my office" Saschenberg announced

The pilots looked at each other as he left, something was definitely up.