It's 2nd April 1917 in my resumed German campaign in
Wings over Flanders Fields - Between Heaven and Hell II. I'm flying as Oberleutnant Richard Lowe in Mandred von Richthofen's Jagdstaffel 11, based at Douai in Flanders.
Today, I'm, leading Schwarm Zwei (which is oddly rendered as B Flight in the pop-up mission description that's initially superimposed on the map briefing). The boss has decided to join me, no doubt to keep an eye on my performance.
Before starting, I thought I'd remind myself of the current situation using the 'Intel' option (hate that anachronistic, modern Americanism in a WW1 sim!).
Next, I take a look at some of the neighbours.
Then I thought I'd take a look at who I'm serving with, in the Duty Room.
From here, I can look at the log books - or pilot dossiers, as WoFF calls them - of my comrades, not least that of my illustrious boss.
Right, time to get to work. Our assigned mission is a patrol over the trenches, a few kilometres to our west. The variation in the make-up of my flight is because I used the 'Back' button when I should have opted to 'Go to field' and fly, on the previous attempt.
Our flight of Albatros D.III V-strutters is soon lined up on the grass at Douai, with the aces amongst us in their historically-marked aircraft. An impressive spectacle! I've already used the Loadout screen to change our formation from the default V to echelon right and reduced out fuel load to 75%.
Off I go, at the head of the pack.
It's a fine day for a patrol and an opportunity to admire recent WoFF updates like the animated crew figures and engine tappets. Here, behind the Lines, sheep may safely graze, as you can see.
Sheep maybe, but not Albatrosses. Suddenly, smoke trails from tracer rounds envelop my kite. Hits begin to stitch a row of holes in my lower left wing, as I pull up in alarm!
We've been jumped by a bunch of Englishmen in silver Nieuports! Getting to the front is forgotten - now, it's a matter of survival!
...to be continued!