With the squadron taking more class instruction, it was also imperative to get in more time flying. Everyone was to get more time in the air to hone their skills.
Under Obltn Hartwig Alder’s guidance, Peter Büttner was to try to repeat Hartwig’s tactics.
“This should work at least once more before the Brits catch on”, Alder confided to Peter.
Hartwig trusted Ltn Büttner in this mission as he was one of the better pilots in the flight.
“Later afternoon will do”, thought Hartwig, as the sun will be at Peter’s back, giving him the advantage.
Ltn Büttner was confident but still felt a little uneasy. Losing Felix was hard on everyone in the squadron. As he lifted off the ground on that cold clear afternoon he repeated to himself Hartwig’s words, “Be vigilant, and be aggressive”!
After getting into position as the Obltn described, it didn’t take long for the British patrol to appear to the east.
Wasting no time Ltn Büttner closed in on an attack angle catching the Englishman by surprise. Just before pulling the trigger at 50 yards Peter thought, this is too easy! As the bullets tore into the Morane-Saulnier he was mesmerized watching pieces falling off. So entranced was he that it took a couple of seconds to realize his machine guns were silent. “I knew it was too easy”! The guns had jammed on his first pass.
Keeping his composure, Büttner flew cautiously while getting his guns back in order.
2Lt Frank Barlow was sweating as if in a fever even on this frigid afternoon. William didn’t return from his patrol this morning and now he feared the worse for himself. He didn’t like these quirky French machines and hated it more while watching that graceful German toying with him after the abrupt attack.
“Ha, that Englisher seems to have no nerve”. Peter thought as he circled in for another pass while the Morane flew without a plan . “He’s flying like he’s sitting on eggs”!
"Time to get on his tail and shoot him down", Peter thought.
Barlow had lost sight of the Eindeckker as he was briefly blinded by the sun. Looking around frantically he spotted the German in the nick of time, right behind him! That snapped him out of his fearful trance. He had to act decisively or he too could disappear like William.
Not so easy. That Morane can fly if handled properly, and now it did. A quick Immelmann and both planes were heading right for each other. Ltn Büttner was quite surprised as the Brit showed some flying skill. Both pilots pulled their triggers, one with more composure and conviction. Peter’s aim was better and the Morane was badly torn into again.
Peter wasn’t going to let this Brit off again and immediately Immelmann’d after the pass. On his tail again with no let up.
Frank was now desperate. He thought he could get the best of the Hun with his attack but these French guns didn’t fire true and he paid the price. His plane was now in pretty bad shape, time to head for home with haste!
Peter saw that the Brit was faltering and heading west. The fight was out of him! “Be aggressive” rung in his ears. Another Immelmann and he was on the Morane’s tail again.
Closing in on the wounded Morane Peter squeezed the trigger again, expecting to celebrate his first kill, but after a couple rounds his guns again went silent! No time to clear them as he was almost into British territory. “Be vigilant”, popped into his head. Looking around for any other British planes, he turned for home.
As Ltn Büttner filed his report he felt robbed. Twice at point blank and his guns stopped.
Next time....next time.....
2Lt Frank Barlow felt extremely lucky to be alive. That Hun could have easily killed me.
Why did he let me off?
Ltn Peter Büttner RTB
2Lt Frank Barlow RTB
Like Büttner, I felt robbed with such a short game last time so thought I'd give it another go.
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