Lt. S.Kafloc

Captain Mahoney had gathered his fledglings at the side of the hangar and was explaining the use of the cooper bomb. Each aircraft would carry 4 20lb cooper bombs, 2 under each wing. He explained the release mechanism and hammered home not to play with it or touch it during take-off or flight other than over the target. The mechanism was temperamental and any slight knock or movement could release the bombs prematurely. The 2 rookie pilots, Brian Sylvester and Henry Watkins, both nodded their heads and Mahoney seemed satisfied.
A short while later C Flight was airborne and climbing steadily to cross the lines above 10,000 ft. Their target a small cluster of what intelligence had made out as a front line ammo dump just behind the trenches. The target was not big enough for an artillery strike so it had been decided a low level bombing run would suffice. As the target was in 266’s area the task fell to them and in particular C Flight.
The basic plan was to fly across the German front line at around 14,000ft. Fly for 10 minutes into German territory then turn and descend to a low altitude and attack the target from the rear. Mahoney would lead the attack followed by Sylvester then Watkins. Mahoney would, hopefully, release his bombs on target the others to attempt the same. The flight over the enemy lines was uneventful. Mahoney did spot a lone Albatross but it was much lower and to the right. C Flight continued. 10 minutes later Mahoney waggled his wings and began a turning descent all 3 camels were no in line astern formation for the bombing run.
Leutnant Carston Rueckert and Feldwebel Wilhelm Stor were flying just behind their front lines. They were trying out their new aircraft, the Albatross DVa. Faster and more robust than their old DIII’s but this was Stor’s first flight in the new plane and Rueckert was giving him an orientation flight before going operational.
Mahoney had seen the threat from the 2 Albatross scouts but reckoned they were low enough to complete the mission. Having planned the mission so meticulously ,he was not about to abort because of 2 enemy aircraft. Flying low he knew on the other side of the wooded slope was the target.
Rueckert knew his aircraft well. He’d flown it many times his sudden dive however caught his wingman by surprise. In fact he didn’t know where Rueckert had gone. Rueckert was boring down on the three Sopwith Camel’s. Stor confused banked right and lost sight of the forthcoming battle.
Mahoney had glided slightly right and Sylvester copied the move but Watkins was a trifle slower to react to the subtle maneuver.
Rueckert had picked his target but the third camel pilot nearly flew right into him so his intended target, Mahoney, escaped and his tracers rounds glanced off the upper wing surface of Sylvesters camel. All three pilots now knew the enemy was after them but they pressed on following Mahoney.
Sylvester dropped his Cooper bombs when he saw Mahoney release his. Little did he realise how close he was to Mahoney until the last moment when he banked tight right, which probably saved his life. Mahoney pulled back on his joystick to gain some altitude which probably caused the ground machine gunner to miss his aim.. Rueckner caught out by this sudden move found himself in front of Sylvester, oblivious to the ground fire directed at him, kindly gave him a quick burst at short range but realised when his guns ceased firing that he had a jam. Watkins now concentrated on the target and dropped his bombs hopefully on target.
Rueckner threw his Albatross in a left turn, Sylvester trying to unjam his guns missed the turn and flew on. Mahoney’s camel was rocked by a close bursting archie round whilst Watkins was bracketed by two trench machine guns. Struggle as he might his controls felt stiff when he tried to maneuver left.
Sylvester was soon on the receiving end from another archie position but the shot was well wide of his aircraft.
A series of explosions followed by an almighty tumultuous bang indicated that their bombs, some at least, had hit something.
Rueckner banked towards Watkins as he struggled to follow Mahoney and gain height. Watkins knew his stricken camel was doomed. A furious clang and smoke pouring from his engine meant he was going down. Forced into a glide he tried to put as much distance between himself and his attacker.
Rueckert knew the Tommy was finished and turned away secure in the knowledge he had gained a kill. Perhaps the Tommy would be his guest in the mess at Douai tonight. Now where was his wingman?
Sylvester’s camel was buffeted by the blast of an archie shell exploding near his camel.
Watkins picked his spot well and cruised into a landing just behind the British front line. Mahoney looked back to see both his wingmen safe if not sound.
Watkins slowed the bouncing camel to a stop. Some British infantry were making their way over lead by an erstwhile officer. Probably wanting to make sure he was English and not a Hun he thought to himself.