Wolfbiter
09-21-2010, 14:16
France, 1917
Dear Mother and Father,
First, let me reassure you that I am whole and well after my unfortunate encounter yesterday. Though my Albatros "Lotti" is in sorry condition after my forced landing and will be out of action for a while, I am not seriously injured--a few cuts and bruises is all. My dignity is hurt worse than my body!
Yesterday, our airfield was caught completely by surprise by the appearance of an Allied two-seater bomber. As luck would have it, I was the only pilot whose plane was fueled and ready to go, and I took off to attempt driving off the foe.
Alas! Things did not go well for me. Despite the boastful claims of many of my fellow pilots, I did not find a two-seater to be what the English call a "sitting duck." I made a quick pass across the left flank of the bomber and raked it with my guns, but the cursed thing kept flying as if I had not even fired!
What's more, apparently the observer had installed some kind of custom weapon at his position, as I was subject to far heavier fire than is typical from the single Hotchkiss and Lewis guns these larger aircraft usually carry. I took some hard hits, but apparently the observer's cursed weapon wasn't too reliable either, as several times the hail of fire around my plane ceased and I saw the enemy crewman frantically pounding on his weapon!
As I came around for another pass, the bomber veered right and dropped a load of ordinance. His aim was thrown off somewhat from my attacks, and the bombs struck off-target, demolishing the field kitchen but harming no one seriously. Our fellows are quite irked with this annoying pilot for ruining their lunch.
I set up for a third pass, hoping for a lucky shot to bring down this interloper, but alas, it was not to be. Another volley struck my engine, which started to sputter and die. I was forced to make a very rough landing and could only shake my fist as the enemy flew off, his mission at least partially completed.
Though my comrades laughed off the incident, these new Allied aircraft may become a serious concern for us. They are sturdy, well-armed, and in numbers may pose a very grave threat. I must remember not to attack such an airplane single-handedly in the future; they are best dealt with by coordinated groups of fighters. I am going to urge the flying of more frequent patrols close to home in the near future, and the adjutant has ordered ground-based machine-gun emplacements to be set up in the event our unpleasant visitor returns!
I certainly hope to be able to report news of better success in my next flight!
Your son,
Wolfram Von Thun-Hohenstein, Leutnant, Jasta 11
(Notes: Me in a solo Albatros vs. my wife in our new Breguet 14. That is one nasty flying tank. Although only one bombload was dropped, partially damaging the target, the rear "A" gun on the Breguet eventually shot up my poor Albatros despite repeated "0" card draws and gun jams.)
Dear Mother and Father,
First, let me reassure you that I am whole and well after my unfortunate encounter yesterday. Though my Albatros "Lotti" is in sorry condition after my forced landing and will be out of action for a while, I am not seriously injured--a few cuts and bruises is all. My dignity is hurt worse than my body!
Yesterday, our airfield was caught completely by surprise by the appearance of an Allied two-seater bomber. As luck would have it, I was the only pilot whose plane was fueled and ready to go, and I took off to attempt driving off the foe.
Alas! Things did not go well for me. Despite the boastful claims of many of my fellow pilots, I did not find a two-seater to be what the English call a "sitting duck." I made a quick pass across the left flank of the bomber and raked it with my guns, but the cursed thing kept flying as if I had not even fired!
What's more, apparently the observer had installed some kind of custom weapon at his position, as I was subject to far heavier fire than is typical from the single Hotchkiss and Lewis guns these larger aircraft usually carry. I took some hard hits, but apparently the observer's cursed weapon wasn't too reliable either, as several times the hail of fire around my plane ceased and I saw the enemy crewman frantically pounding on his weapon!
As I came around for another pass, the bomber veered right and dropped a load of ordinance. His aim was thrown off somewhat from my attacks, and the bombs struck off-target, demolishing the field kitchen but harming no one seriously. Our fellows are quite irked with this annoying pilot for ruining their lunch.
I set up for a third pass, hoping for a lucky shot to bring down this interloper, but alas, it was not to be. Another volley struck my engine, which started to sputter and die. I was forced to make a very rough landing and could only shake my fist as the enemy flew off, his mission at least partially completed.
Though my comrades laughed off the incident, these new Allied aircraft may become a serious concern for us. They are sturdy, well-armed, and in numbers may pose a very grave threat. I must remember not to attack such an airplane single-handedly in the future; they are best dealt with by coordinated groups of fighters. I am going to urge the flying of more frequent patrols close to home in the near future, and the adjutant has ordered ground-based machine-gun emplacements to be set up in the event our unpleasant visitor returns!
I certainly hope to be able to report news of better success in my next flight!
Your son,
Wolfram Von Thun-Hohenstein, Leutnant, Jasta 11
(Notes: Me in a solo Albatros vs. my wife in our new Breguet 14. That is one nasty flying tank. Although only one bombload was dropped, partially damaging the target, the rear "A" gun on the Breguet eventually shot up my poor Albatros despite repeated "0" card draws and gun jams.)