6 March 1918
Recreation tent 2000 hours
Lt. Richard Forbes:
At ease Gentlemen. I just came to have a drink and join the celebration.
2Lt. Rodger Hamlett:
Sir, what celebration?
Lt. Forbes:
The one that will start shortly.
Gentlemen, due to our recent success against the Huns...we have 3 new planes being ferried in tomorrow. Two SPAD XIII and a Sopwith Camel.
Men cheering
Lt. Forbes:
2Lt. Callahan as our leading Ace, you will get the first pick of the new arrivals. 2Lt. Kilpatrick will be next and on down the line.
I will make the SPAD XIII I normally fly available for test flights tomorrow morning starting at 0800 hours. You will have 1 hour to fly around the area to see if you want one of the new planes.
Also, while up there you will be ecpected tobe on the lookout for the new planes and help guide them the last miles home.
2Lt. Kilpatrick step forward.
2Lt. Kilpatrick:
Sir?
Lt. Forbes:
No need to Sir me Lieutenant Kilpatrick. It seems someone in Command felt that since you are now considered an Ace, you should be promoted. Your new rank came in with the dispatch rider 30 minutes ago.
Your new bars Lieutenant, Congratulations.
Now Gentlemen we celebrate.
7 March 1918 0800 hours
Lt. Forbes tent
Lt. Forbes:
Gentlemen I don't expect the new kites to be in the area for another hour or so. We will fly in 1 hour shifts. We will cut cards to see who gets what shift, high card goes first.
Pilot--Card--Shift--D20 competition roll highest wins
2Lt. Callahan--9 Spades--1045-1145//1645-1745--5
Lt. Kilpatrick--5 Diamonds--1245-1345//1845-1945--13
2Lt. Hamlett--King of Clubs--0845-0945//1445-1545--4
2Lt. Winklebleck--Jack of Spades--0945-1045//1545-1645--3
Lt. Forbes--8 Hearts--1145-1245//1745-1845--10
2Lt. Smythe-Browning--2 Clubs--1345-1445--15
Lt. Forbes:
Gentlemen, while we are waiting I propose a little competition, each plane will be fitted with a sack od dirt, as a bomb. You will drop your "bomb" on a target at the edge of the field. The closest to center will receive...a three day pass. Good Luck.
2Lt. Hamlett you need to be in position by 0845.
1430 hours
Alternate Airfield
2Lt. Stanley Livingston:
This was supposed to be an easy flight. No worries, just deliver the plane safely to the Mutts and catch a ride back here and wait for your next assignment.
Well, that's what they said!
I should have known we would be FUBARRED. We were supposed to leave by 0630 but, we had to wait for the fog to lift before take off. Then a pop up storm in the channel along our route. Then, we couldn't find 2Lt. McGillicuddy. Seems he tripped in a sewage ditch and had to clean up.
Finally, we were airborne crossing the channel. I was in the SPAD XIII #1, 2Lt. Patrick O'Houlihan was in the red SPAD XIII, and 2Lt. Liam McGillicuddy was in the Sopwith Camel.
It was a beautiful day over the channel, you could see the ships headed for the coast. Suddenly Liam takes a hard right almost running into Patrick.
2Lt. O'Houlihan's quick think with a Stall then a hard left behind Liam's Camel saved him.
Attachment 219058
Attachment 219059
In the distance I could see a single dark speck. I assumed it was one of our guys getting ready to land. So, I headed for it, hoping the others would follow.
Attachment 219060
I'm not sure what Liam was trying to do as he againturned his plane and headed for Patrick.
Attachment 219061
This time Patrick cut across the front of Liam avoiding a collision.
Attachment 219062
And wouldn't you know, about that time 4 Hun Abatri dropped out of the clouds to my right. Me against 4 Hun while Liam tries to play tag with Patrick.
Attachment 219063
Two of the Kette headed toward me guns blazing (4SMK) (0,2NL). I could hear the fabric tearing as the bullets ripped through the new SPAD. So, I figured I would return fire on the Albatross with the black tail (0,EXP).
There was a blinding flash so I jerked the stick to the right and when I could see again there was smoke and debris falling to the Earth.
Kill 1 for 2Lt. Livingston
Attachment 219064
I had my first Kill but, my controls weren't responding properly and I was heading for a cloud bank.
That's all I know for now.
Lt. Reginald Jeffrey Smythe:
It seems that bugger you shot down survived. We found pjeces of his plane in a bog not too far from here. No body has turned up, so, we assume he is in hiding.
To fill in the gaps for you.
2Lt. O'Houlihan took a round across the back of his right calf (3P) from the second Albatross DVA piloted by Ltn. Sven Raffensberger. 2Lt McGillicuddy suddenly turned away from the fight.
Attachment 219065
Ltn. Raffensberger continued to pound on 2Lt. O'Houlihan (3P, 3ENG) wounding him a second time, in the shoulder, causing him to spiral out of control to the ground below.
Kill 1 for Ltn. Raffensberger
Note: forgot +1 for continuous fire, doesn't matter, 2 Pilot wounds plane goes down.
Attachment 219066
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