Hauptmann Brumowski this is Major Heinrich von Brauchitsch he is from XVI Corps. He is here to get your report on your flight this morning.
Yes, Capt. Richtofen. What would you like to know Major?
Just give me what details you can about your flight and any information you can think of about the enemy.
Yes Sir.
As we approached the target Lt. Leimkeuhler was to the right of the recon plane, flown by Cpl. Achziger, and I was to its left, both of us trailing and a little above it. We spotted four planes coming at us crossing the river near our target.
Lt. Leimkeuhler and I advanced to take on the enemy while Cpl. Achziger turned towards the target. Lt. Leimkeuhler advanced on the lead plane taking a shot at the SPAD XIII (0), but evidently missed and took damage from the enemy's return fire (4, smoke) to his engine compartment. He proceeded on taking a shot at the second plane, a Nieuport 17, (0). Again he either missed or did not hit anything vital. And again he took return fire (2, smoke) with even more smoke pouring from his plane.
Unfortunately I couldn't get a chance you shoot at the Sopwith Camel that went past me, nor could he get a shot off at me, so I fired at the Nieuport 23 (1) that was following hitting his fuselage as I saw pieces of fabric fly off.
Lt. Leimkeuhler turned to the left and got a shot of at the Nieuport 23 (5,pilot) doing considerable damage around the pilot.
I pulled a quick revese to get a shot at the SPAD that was trying to get behind me as Lt. Leimkeuhler got a pointblank shot at the Nieuport 23 (1,4). Coming out of my Immelman I took fired from the SPAD and the Nieuport 17 (2,0,1, RR). The SPAD, the Nieuport, and I crossed paths just barely avoiding a collision. Lt. Leimkeuhler took a shot at the Camel (0, GJ), but seemed to miss and evidently jamming his guns. The SPAD took a shot at the Lt. (0,2, LR).
Evidently the Ni 23 pilot was injured because as we were trying to get some maneuvering room he was flying next to me with his head swaying from side to side. As I was beginning my reverse the Nieuport 23 pilot took a shot at me (3). The Camel fired on Lt. Leimkeuhler (2,RR). With his rudder jammed Lt. Leimkeuhler could only fly straight and the SPAD was there to take advantage of it (4,2, Fire). Lt. Leimkeuhler caught fire before crashing into the river.
Completing my reverse I was too close to the Camel that was coming fast, so I fired on the Nieuport 23 (3). The Nieuport started coming apart as it spiralled down to crash near the road close to the old factory.
Cpl. Achziger having completed his work was heading down stream, so I flew an intercept course to join up with him. As I did I got hit from behind (4, smoke, 2, GJ). As we joined up the Entente planes came buzzing after us but were too far away to do anything.
That is all I can tell you Major.
Combatants:
Entente:
Capt. Rickenbacker SPAD XIII 0 dmg, RtB, 1 KILL
Lt. Callahan Sopwith Camel 1 dmg RtB
Lt. Finnegan Nieuport 17 0 dmg RtB
Lt. Schick Nieuport 23 SD, WIA, enemy territory
Central Powers:
Hauptmann von Brumowski Albatross DIII 12 dmg, 1 KILL RtB
Lt. Leimkeuhler Fokker DVII SD, flm, landed in river
Cpl. Achziger Rumpler CII (pilot) 0 dmg, RtB
Sgt. Rodenbaugh Rumpler CII (photog) RtB photographed 2 bridges, and Lt. Leimkeuhler crash sight.
Note:
Light blue Roland CII crossed board out of range of combat.
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