Koolkerke, Oktober 28, 1917
The Staffelführer examined the aerial photograph carefully. ‘Unglaublich’ he thought to himself, amazed at the capacity of German science and industry, even in these trying times. The image was taken from high altitude by one of the Luftstreitkräfte’s excellent Rumpler C.IV reconnaissance aircraft using a tried and tested Görz camera fitted with an exceptional Zeiss lens. The detailed image showed a large number of RFC aircraft lined up in long rows at Baizieux airfield, some 25 kilometres behind the Front. It provided undeniable proof that the Tommies were building up forces in the Arras Sector. Something big was in the wind.
Baizieux Airfield 1917
“What is your opinion Herr Oberleutnant?” asked the Station Kommandant, “A nice fat target, nicht wahr?”
“Jawohl Herr Kapitänleutnant” agreed the Staffelführer “but this airfield is a hundred kilometres south of our sector.”
“Not anymore. The Navy High Command has issued orders your Staffel is to be redeployed to an airfield near Cambrai. The Army has requested assistance in dealing with the increase in enemy air activity in that sector. The enemy operations near Passchendaele appear to be winding down, which may be an indication they are shifting forces south. This posting is a singular honour Herr Oberleutnant. You will be sharing billets with Jasta 5 at Boistrancourt. I believe they have a magnificent Chateau they call home.” The Kapitänleutnant leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially “Before too long you may even be joined by Jasta 11, perhaps even the Rittmeister himself! So make sure your men show these Army Kanonen what the Navy can really do in the air.”
“Of course Herr Kapitänleutnant,” responded the Staffelführer, “we shall do our duty for the Fatherland”. Inside he groaned at the Station Kommandant’s anachronistic Army-Navy rivalry. After three years of war the Staffelführer no longer cared about such petty things. As long as German pilots were successful in the air he could not care less if they wore the uniform of the Luftstreitkräfte of the Marinefliegerei.
“Excellent. You leave in the morning. Your pilots will fly their aircraft Boistrancourt and your stores, equipment and ground crews will entrain tomorrow at noon. Good luck Herr Oberleutnant.”
**********
Boistrancourt, Oktober 29, 1917
Leutnant zur See Willi Mattheus sat near the fireplace in “SchloB Boistrancourt” enjoying the warmth of the glowing hearth and the burn of schnapps on the way down.
“I could get used to this Paul” he said to his brother officer and wingman Leutnant Paul Achilles. “Beats those drafty huts at Koolkerke.”
Leutnant Paul Achilles nodded as he finished his second schnapps. “Or freezing to death in a lice ridden dugout” he added, a slight shiver going through him as he remembered the mud, the cold and the damp of Flanders. Achilles had been a Marine-Infanterie officer before transferring to flying duties and his experiences in the trenches had left their mark. “This is the life. A warm fire, good liquor, fine comrades, clean sheets - and if it all goes to hell tomorrow a quick death.” He raised his third glass “Prost Willi – to a death quick and clean!”
Willi Mattheus echoed his friend’s toast “Quick and clean it is then” skolling his drink.
“What are we drinking to?” slurred Leutnant Werner Bastian as he slid down onto the couch beside Matteus. The 26 year old Berliner had recently joined the Staffel and tomorrow would be his first sortie, flying with Mattheus and Achilles. Bastian had grown tired of sitting on a ship rusting at anchor in Wilhemshaven and volunteered for the Marineflieger. Although only three years the junior of Mattheus he seemed so very young.
“To victory of course” said Mattheus in his most reassuring manner. Refilling his glass a third time from the bottle on the table he stood and raised his voice, “And to the generosity of our Jasta 5 comrades!” his toast receiving loud endorsement from the Army pilots present.
Sitting down Mattheus turned to his comrades. “Last one for tonight gentlemen, we have an early start in the morning. Must catch the Tommies before breakfast!”
“I checked with the armourers this evening, they have rigged up each of our kites with a couple of 10 kilo ‘sausages’ we can drop on their mess” remarked Paul Achilles with a grim smile.
“I must say it was very decent of Jasta 5 to offer the use of an Albatros tomorrow” said Leutnant Bastian, “I did not fancy trying to keep up with the two you in that tired old Pfalz.”
“Yes” said Mattheus, “a nice turn of speed will be helpful to get us in and out before things get too hot. We need to hit them hard and fast but no heroics, we will be over on the neighbour’s side of the lines and the Fatherland may need us for future operations – even you Werner.”
“The Tommies won’t know what hit them,” exclaimed Bastian excitedly. “Who knows, maybe the powers that be will throw a couple of those our way” he added, indicating the recently awarded Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse adorning Leutnant Mattheus tunic.
“However it goes there will likely be crosses in it” agreed Leutnant Paul Achilles with wry grin, “although whether they be iron or wooden I can’t say!”
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