Mission 17. Gas, gas, gas. The Bulldogs.
Two's company.
"This is another tough one I'm afraid chaps." The CO was briefing just his active two seater unit this morning.
Listening attentively were Lt. William Sykes, his Observer Noah Claypole, and 2nd Lt. Nigel Bouncer-Smythe with his Observer Jack(Artie) Dawkins.
"Looks as if the Huns are going for another big push, only this time they are going to use gas to open up the Front. several convoys have been seen making their way up through the rear trenches. They are hiding the gas transports among other lorry's carrying Troops, POWs. Ambulance trucks etc. Your mission is to destroy the Gas cylinders, and other armaments, munitions, and so forth, without hurting the none combatants as far as possible. To that end you must spot for your targets first, before attempting to bomb them if at all feasible."
"No pressure there then." mumbled Claypole as the two crews left the Briefing room.
Half an hour later the ground crews were making their last checks on the two DH4's assigned to the mission.
Artie Dawkins checked his Drift Sight, and ten minutes both machines were airborne and heading for the lines.
Once over the lines they altered course and headed for the coordinates where the last convoy had been spotted.
A sudden flurry of Anti Aircraft fire met them and the Archie drew the attention of both Pilots to a group of vehicles parked up below them.
It also drew their attention to a lone aircraft of unknown type heading their way. As it got closer they could make out the Balkan Kreuz on its wings.
Then another burst of Archie disturbed them, and they dived towards the targets.
Nigel was the first to spot a truck, which was being hurriedly loaded with prisoners of war as he overflew it.
Lt. Sykes was more fortunate. because even though the dusk was starting to close in, he could glimpse canisters painted in yellow under the canvas of his first observed truck as the last German dived into it through the rear flap.
As the next Archie shell burst behind him he spotted a group of Nurses heading towards the third truck as it's driver started up the engine with a cloud of exhaust smoke.
"One to avoid there then." he muttered.
At that very moment The enemy aircraft flashed between the two DHs.
Nigel's observer Noah Claypole whipped his gun around and delivered a long range shot into the Albatros V as it passed, for such was the mystery machine.
Unfortunately only one bullet lodged in the oil feed pipe causing smoke to start being emitted as hot oil splashed onto the engine rocker cover.
Then he was gone turning away at speed whilst the two DH pilots signaled furiously at each other trying to communicate what they had discovered.
Finally, exasperated William flew alongside Nigel, whilst his observer Artie held up a map cover with the message scrawled across it. GAS FOUND- BOMB WITH ME.
Together both aircraft started there ponderous turning circle back towards the now moving target.
Before they could get even half way round the Albatros darted in once more and subjected Sykes to a good hosing.
Nigel returned the compliment but his single Vickers did little damage to the Albatros.
Nor did the tail Lewis guns do much better service, as it once more flashed between the two machines.
However the two aircraft were clear of the Albatros, and now aligned for a diving attack upon the gas truck.
Vectoring in from slightly different angles they both let go half of their bombs at almost the same instant.
The result was impressive. One direct hit and one partial, obliterated the truck and its contents in a fireball.
Both aircraft were rocked by the blast.
Moreover to add insult to injury the AA gunners had another unsuccessful crack at the two aircraft.
Smoking with resentment, the Albatros piloted by Oblt. Christian Wolf of the newly arrived Kaiser's Eagles Waspen Flight, now dived back into the conflict out of the cloud base.
As the oil finally burnt off his Rocker cover he stalked the two DHs who were now leisurely turning in search of other prey.
As the aircraft met it was the German who fared worse this time, His own shots going wide as he took a wound across his neck, which made him flinch away and spoilt his aim.
Wolf hardly got time to register that he had been hit.
As he turned, Dawkins, from the rear of the DH which was still below him, got off a snap shot, and to his joy watched as the Albatros keeled over mortally wounded and blazed into the ground a few hundred feet below.
This gave no respite for our intrepid Duo, however, as immediately a much more fearsome foe arrived on the scene. Non other than the intrepid Eagle's Ace Lt Michael Shaeider.
Sweeping in on Nigel he delivered a point blank fusillade from his twin Spandaus, and only a sudden gun jam saved the DH from following Wolf down.
Meanwhile, Bill was fruitlessly seeking any remaining trucks, all of which had beaten a hasty retreat.
Although Shaeider was on Nigel's tail he had only just fixed his jammed Spandaus, and as he fired they immediately jammed again, so although doing serious damage, he could not deliver the Coup de grace to Nigel.
Noah was too busy lining up his bomb on the only truck still in sight to have time to return fire.
The concentration paid off, however, as the truck was hit amidships, and the cracking and whining discharge of exploding ammunition told the crew exactly what they had hit.
Overflying the burning remains, a strange comedy now started teo be enacted.
As he turned away from the wreckage, the Albatros V overtook him in the blind spot of both his guns.
As both air craft manoeuvred they almost collided.
In trying to get a bead on Nigel, Shaeider stalled, but Nigel jinked at the same moment, and rather than sitting behind Nigel's tail the Albatros almost collided with it yet again.
Meanwhile, returning from his fruitless pursuit of the Convoy, Bill was again running into Archie fire.
Nigel now turned Right carrying Shaeider along with him, still too close to exchange fire.
Another jink followed, mirrored exactly by the Albatros. It did, however, bring Shaeider within range of the returning Sykes, who promptly missed.
As the two DHs turned away for the lines, Claypole had one last pop at Shaeider, also missing and running out of Ammo at the same time.
With that all contenders drew apart.
the two DHs making for home and the German Ace pulling an Immelmann and heading in the opposite direction back towards his home aerodrome.
Rob.
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Well flown Sir!
or two for your 2 seater crews after that impressive display & an Albatross to boot. 
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