Mission 2: Change of Tactics
Flew the mission last night, but my iphone died 5 mins in. So no pictures... just some old fashioned story telling, in the form of a letter...
Oblt. Ln. Schneider (AI) and Lt. Thomas Neuer (Dave - I had an opening in my roster - this is my new pilot. PC)
2nd Lt. Betts (AI), 2nd Lt. Grinell-Milne in the FB5s, and Gossip and Malley in the BE2.
18 Februar 1916
Liebe Maria,
I hope my letter finds you in good spirits. Its hard to believe that I have already been away for 6 months. But it won't be much longer. The army will be in paris before summer, and I shall be home shortly.
I have finally been assigned to a front line unit. I am thankful for the expert training I have received, but I have been longing to test myself in combat. My unit is the Kaiser's Adler - a fitting name for our expert unit! My commander Oblt. Schneider is a brilliant tactician and pilot - unstoppable in the air.
Yesterday I put my skills to the test. Oblt. Schneider and I were on patrol over our lines when we spotted an enemy flight slowly making their way back to their lines. I was eager to pounce on them, but waited for Schneider to give the signal. Soon we descended on them quickly. Our aircraft were much faster. Two of the enemy were escort fighters - similar to ours, only slower. We certainly have the better aircraft. Still our tactics call on us to always be on guard. As we closed on the reconnaissance plane, our main target, one of their escorts began firing at us. Don't worry my Maria, of course I am cautious! Though it was a bit terrifying to see the bullets rip through my wings. Still we closed on our target.
We came up the left side of our target, a BE2 they call them. I fired a blast from my guns, but I had a bad angle and missed the first shot. I turned left and noticed that Oblt. Schneider flew past the plane and then performed an Immelmann loop putting him back in position to fire. An expert move! I fired again on the BE2, but then my guns jammed. I worked quickly to unjam my weapon as the two escort fighters began to turn back on us. The BE2 was moving closer to enemy lines. My blood was pumping so fast I could feel my heart racing. Soon I had the guns working again and began to fire everything I had into the plane. I realize how important it was to be close to the enemy - though its dangerous it ensures deadly results. I closed and finally began to see my bullets tear through the sides of the plane. Two more quick bursts and that was it.
I have scored my first victory! It was exhilarating! I watched as the plane spiraled out of control to the ground. I must admit for a moment my nerves twitched as I thought of the poor pilots going down. But there is no place to be concerned for this. The escorts made one more pass at us, and again attempted to take me down. Lets just say the repair men are not going to happy with me! Oblt. Schneider and I flew home victoriously.
When we arrived home I realized that Oblt. Schneider's plane had been shot as well, and one of the bullets wounded him. He walks with a limp now, but is proof that the Allies can't stop us!
I will write you soon of our exploits!
Dein Thomas
Ah the young Lt! So eager and carefree!
The mission played pretty straight forward, flew in behind the BE2 while the Gunbusses flew past, fired once, the circled around. The BE2 was lucky drawing 0 after 0. I thought for a second he would make it over Allied lines. But soon the close range shots began to find their mark. The Gunbusses made one more pass, but it was getting late and I decided to fly the fokkers home.
Oblt.Schneider/ RTB/ WIA/ 0 Kills
Lt. Neuer/ RTB/ 1 Kill
2nd Lt. Betts/ RTB/ 0 Kills
2nd Lt. Milne/ RTB/ 0 Kills
Gossip and Malley/ SD ET/ 0 Kills - SD Rolled 7, bruised for 1 mission; ET rolled an 8, in hiding for 1 mission
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Nice bit of story telling Ryan.
Originally Posted by rkwright
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