We hold these truths to be self evident.
That all men tell the truth. As they see it.
There are 3 Truths to every story.
1) the Truth as I see it
2) the Truth as you see it
3) the Truth as it really happened.
I now present you the Truth as seen by Manfred von Richtofen in his encounter with a pair of unknown pilots flying a pair of Nieuports.
I was up flying one afternoon, by myself, near the front, when the hairs on the back of my neck started to stand up. I'm not one to be superstitious but I've learned that if something doesn't fell right look around and see if you can find the problem.
I noticed two black dots coming from behind getting larger. As I was flying parallel to the front and they were slightly to my right, it was a good guess they weren't friendly. So, I acted like I hadn't seen them to make them over confident.
When I judged the distance to be about right for a long shot I threw my plane into a quick reversal. Catching them by surprise I flew right between them.
Surprised they split left and right. A quick glance told me I was up against a Nieuport23 and a Nieuport17.
Which one was the more experienced, the silver one or the camo one?
I didn't recognize either one and from the look of surprise on their faces they hadn't expected my move.
As I had split them I turned right(longx2) into the silver one on my right and fired a quick burst into his left side(1). As he kept going left I kicked back left to get behind him.
The Nieuport23 kept circling right(longx3) to try to get behind me, but he was too far away.
Attachment 197508Attachment 197509
The Nieuport 17 did a reverse (str, imm, str) as I came left(x2) taking a shot at close range while he was trying his reverse(0,4smoke). And then going straight as the camp In 23 came left and then straight(x2) taking a shot at me(0).
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Attachment 197511
I came around left(x2) and then straightened out taking a couple of shots at the Nieuport 17(2,GJ*)(2,NR) as he tried to evade with a left straight right combo.
Attachment 197512
Attachment 197513
I kicked my plane hard right firing at close range on the Nieuport 17(3Eng,3P) as it folded it's Wings and plummeted to the ground below. The Nieuport 23 was trying to sneak in behind me (right, left sideslipx2) so I kept going right blazing away at it(3P) before straightening out on his tail shooting again(1NL,0).
Attachment 197514Attachment 197515
Attachment 197516
I came left then straightened out(x2) and was on his tail firing (0,2GJ) the Nieuport 23 went straight(x2) then started to dive to the Earth.
Attachment 197517
Since my guns were jammed and I was behind enemy lines I kicked my planes over hard right(x2) and headed straight home.
I could still see the Nieuport slowly diving to safety below.
There will be another day.
Attachment 197518
* ace ability dedicated ground crew ignore gun jam red.
Butcher's Bill
Central Powers
Manfred von Richtofen-RTB 0 Dmg 1 Kill 8 shots taken
(Sir Engelbert Mervyn Cockshoot)
Entente?
Sir Engelbert Mervyn Cockshoot--Nieuport 17--SD ET WIA 15 Dmg Smoke Engine 0 shot taken
Sir Phinneas Malcom Shaftslapper--Nieuport 23--RTB WIA 6 Dmg 1 shot taken
Attachment 197519Attachment 197520
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