OTT BE Mission 24, 24 October 1918, The Cornered Beast Strikes Back (Carl Brisgamer)

PROLOGUE

Evere Airfield, east of Brussels
24 Oktober 1918
0700hrs

Attachment 258501

As the late autumn sun rose slowly into the sky the group of German Army and Naval aviators were gathered around the table set up on the edge of the airfield. Laid with a crisp white cloth, the table was dominated by a large coffee pot surrounded by receptacles of all descriptions, from fine china cups to battered tin mugs. Despite the haphazard appearance of the collected containers, none present could complain about the contents - real coffee, freshly brewed. For the men of the See Adler Gruppe so long resigned to the consumption of the ‘Ersatz’ version made from oats it was an unexpected luxury.

“Where on earth did you find such a treasure?” asked Leutnant zur See Hermann Meyer of Army pilots, Leutnant der Reserve Paul Lang. Since leaving their base at Jabbeke the See Adlers had perforce been sharing the field occupied by Bogohl 3, part of the former Englandgeschwader.

“During the last advance one of our Sergeants was out scrounging and located a French warehouse filled with sacks of the stuff,” replied Lang. “We have been rationing the beans, but with the war going the way it is ….” said Lang, adding wistfully after a pause, “…. we might as well enjoy it while it lasts.”

Meyer looked at the Gotha pilot for a moment, unsure if he meant the coffee or the fighting.

Meanwhile, Korvettenkapitän Willi Mattheus and his second in command Oberleutnant Werner Bastian stood apart from the rest of the men, sipping the flavoursome brew as they discussed details of the morning’s mission.

“I will take up one of the new Fokkers today,” declared Mattheus, indicating in the direction of the nearby line of single seater aircraft. Amidst the Fokker D.VII biplanes that were by now the standard machine there were two new monoplanes, formerly the Fokker E.V but now designated the D.VIII.

“Are you sure Willi?” replied a skeptical Bastian. The type had been withdrawn from service in August 1918 after a couple shed their wings, but now the Fokker engineers assured the Jadgstaffeln the problem had been rectified.

“The men are ….. unsure about them,” responded Matheus, “but when they see one in action their doubts will be assuaged.”

“When was the last time you took up a rotary Willi?” asked Bastian, with a knowing look.

“A couple of months,” admitted Mattheus, “but I did fly the E.V …..”

“With all due respect Herr Kapitän,” Bastian interrupted, “I must submit that since I have recent operational hours up in the Siemens I am better placed to put the D.VIII through her paces.”

Mattheus looked at his friend, his brow furrowed. “I would not ask that of you Werner,” his concern readily apparent.

“I know Willi, that’s why I am volunteering,” said Bastian. “Besides,” he added quickly, “you need to be focussed on leading the Gruppe, not handling an unfamiliar machine.”

Mattheus shook his head. Bastian was completely correct, but it didn’t mean he had to like it.

“Oberleutnant Bastian, you will take up the new monoplane, but I insist you bring the machine and yourself back in one piece, that’s an order.”

“Jawohl Herr Kapitän,” replied Bastian, “I will do my best.”

“It is time to brief the men,” said Mattheus, glancing down at his watch, “and to remind the Tommies they still have a fight on their hands.”

Skies over Flanders
23 Oktober 1918
0730hrs

Attachment 258506

Crossing the front line at 1200 metres below the overcast, the See Adlers spot a flight of Sopwith Camels heading west. KKpt. Mattheus waggles his wings, giving the signal to attack.

Attachment 258505

300 metres below 2Lt. Gordon Sides is already thinking about breakfast as he estimates the time it will take to make the final leg of an uneventful dawn patrol. The most inexperienced pilot in his flight, Sides nevertheless continually checks his six o'clock - just in time to see the proverbial 'Hun in the Sun' descending on him! 2Lt. Sides pushes his stick side to side, sending a frantic message to his comrades 2Lt. Albert Thompson and 2Lt. Cecil Burgess before breaking hard to port. Burgess sees the signal even if he can't see the enemy and breaks to starboard. Thompson continues on apparently oblivious to the looming threat.

Attachment 258504

With their prey scattering Mattheus and Bastian dive after the leader .....

Attachment 258503

.... followed by Meyer and Hubrich. The terrific agility of the Camel in a left hand turn sees Sides get into a good position for a riposte .....

Attachment 258502

..... but the Huns are ready. Flugmeister Gerhard Hubrich and Second Lieutenant Gordon Sides make a head on pass with both pilots opening fire at point blank range. The German's burst tears through the Camel but sees his guns jam. Sides also hits the mark causing considerable damage to the yellow Fokker. On the other flank Hermann Meyer and Cecil Burgess also trade shots, but this time the result is far more one sided. While Meyer's machine takes a few hits his own burst strikes the Camel's cockpit, lightly wounding the British pilot.

Attachment 258508

As Hubrich smashes on his gun breeches with his hammer to clear the jammed cases, Gordon Sides' long range burst at a red and yellow Fokker misses his target. 2Lt. Thompson reverses course to get into the fight, running straight into Bastian in his Fokker D.VIII. As he closes Thompson gets to see first hand why the new Fokker is called 'the Flying Razor'. Opening fire at long range it is the veteran Bastian's marksmanship that proves the difference, his rounds tearing through the Camel's fuselage and cracking open the scout's reserve tank leaving a trail of fuel vapour streaming behind.

Attachment 258507

The two combatants pass so close each pilot can clearly see the other, even if just for a split second.

Attachment 258514

Burgess scores on Hubrich's yellow Fokker with a long range deflection burst. Correcting his aim 2Lt. Sides damages Meyer's machine with a long burst but jamming his guns in he process. Mattheus comes out of an Immelmann and gets a quick burst in on Sides' Camel, shooting up the Englishman's rudder.

Attachment 258513

Card draw for Entente reinforcements - not this turn.

Attachment 258512

Bastian drops his nose and performs a split S, levelling out just as the Camel banks hard across his nose. Aiming just ahead of his enemy Bastian fires and the British scout flies through the stream of lead.

Attachment 258511

Reversing course Meyer hits the pursuing Camel with a well aimed burst as Gordon Sides tries to clear his stopped guns.

Attachment 258510

For a moment the chattering guns in the Flanders' sky fall silent .....

Attachment 258519

..... as both sides manoeuvre to gain the advantage.

Attachment 258520

As Mattheus fires a long range deflection burst at the lead Camel three more Tommies drop down out of the cloud layer. 2Lt. William Walter and his wingmen American 2Lt. Billy Slatter and Australian 2Lt. Arthur Palliser are flying the new Sopwith Snipe.

Attachment 258517

Despite the arrival of enemy reinforcements the See Adlers continue to focus on their current foes ......

Attachment 258516

.... with Mattheus catching Thompson's Camel with a devastating burst as it comes out of an Immelmann turn.

Attachment 258515

2Lt. Albert Thompson's peppered Camel falls still trailing smoke. Mattheus briefly notes the fate of his twenty-eighth victory .....

Attachment 258523

..... even as Fm. Gerhard Hubrich makes a head on attack on 2Lt. Cecil Burgess' Camel. Burgess is hit again, and this time is seriously wounded.

Attachment 258522

Slipping in and out of consciousness, Burgess does his best to get the Camel down as Hubrich claims the Tommy scout as his first victory.

Attachment 258521

Meanwhile Mattheus reverses course again and snaps off a wild burst at the nearest Snipe.

Attachment 258528

The rookie pilot Arthur Palliser breaks right, putting him across the nose of Mattheus' Fokker for a split second. But that is enough for a master deflection shooter, with the German ace's burst hitting the Snipe's fuel tank. As the flammable liquid spills from the torn metal box it ignites on hot metal sending flames down the side of the aircraft. The Snipe leader 2Lt. Walter is hit hard by Bastian's burst, his own fire going wide.

Attachment 258527

Mattheus sees Walter's Snipe pass in front and fires another burst, hitting the same spot as he had with Palliser's machine. In moments this second Snipe is also aflame but Mattheus' Maxim guns jam in the process. Hermann Meyer engages the third Snipe, causing some damage with his first burst .....

Attachment 258526

..... before whipping his Fokker around to punish the enemy scout with his second at close range.

Attachment 258525

Palliser attempts to keep the flames from the cockpit by banking his aircraft hard to starboard, while Walter decides to overdive in an attempt to extinguish the flames. Whatever they do seems to work as neither aircraft takes further damage.

Attachment 258524

Bastian notices the last Camel making a break for home but is distracted by the burning Snipe.

Attachment 258563

Mattheus finds himself in a perfect position to engage the diving Snipe, but his jammed guns are still useless.

Attachment 258562

Leutnant Hermann Meyer scores more hits on Slatter's machine, which begins trailing smoke.

Attachment 258561

Too high to engage the fleeing Camel, Bastian switches targets to the flaming Snipe.

Attachment 258560

2Lt. William Walter finishes his overdive, pulling out at just 2,000 feet. The flames subside somewhat but refuse to go out completely.

Attachment 258559

Meyer adjusts his aim and puts another burst into Slatter's Sopwith Snipe, shooting up the rudder and raking the fuselage.

Attachment 258564

The damage is too much for the American's machine which spirals down into No Man's Land, a trail of smoke marking the progress of Meyer's third victory.

Attachment 258571

The news is better for 2Lt. William Walter, whose wild manoeuvres are finally rewarded as the fire that threatened to consume his aircraft is extinguished.

Attachment 258570

No such luck for rookie pilot 2Lt. Palliser as the flames spread burning through fabric and timber. Palliser can feel the the skin on his face blister and see his clothing start to smoke as the flames get closer to the cockpit.

Attachment 258569

Holding his badly shot about Camel together through equal measures of gentle handling and force of will, Second Lieutenant Gordon Sides manages to escape destruction thanks to the timely arrival of the Snipe flight.

Attachment 258568

Despite his relief at not burning to death 2Lt. Walter is now in the unenviable position of being at low altitude with three yellow Fokkers crowding the sky above.

Attachment 258567

Walter considers making a run for home but decides to try and even the odds a little first.

Attachment 258576

Even as Werner Bastian is stalking his Snipe, 2Lt. Palliser is still desperately trying to keep the fire at bay .....

Attachment 258575

..... which finally burns out doing more damage to his aircraft.

Attachment 258574

Still over No Man's Land Walter uses his Snipe's outstanding agility to avoid a pass by Mattheus .....

Attachment 258573

..... but Bastian gets off a long range burst at Palliser's Snipe.

Attachment 258572

The Australian pilot pulls back on the stick and brings his nose around to face the Fokker monoplane. Palliser's inexperience tells however as he is unable to get his guns on the Hun, while Bastian lines up the Snipe delivering another accurate fusillade.

Attachment 258581

As Walter continues to evade the Huns looking for his opportunity to strike back, Palliser flashes past Bastian at an approach speed of more than 200 miles per hour.

Attachment 258580

Bastian immediately drops in behind the Snipe with a split-S, firing a long range deflection burst. Palliser flies into the stream of machine gun bullets, one of which grazes the Australian pilot.

Attachment 258579

Too badly damaged to maintain lift, Palliser's Snipe falters and falls away to crash behind the British lines. Oberleutnant Werner Bastian has scored his fifteenth victory, making him a triple ace.

Attachment 258578

This leaves 2Lt. Walter as the last British pilot in action, still hunted by three Huns.

Attachment 258577

Walter turns on his pursuers, putting a long range burst into the rear fuselage and rudder of the Fokker flown by Wili Mattheus. Hubrich however closes the range and peppers Walter's machine.

Attachment 258586

Mattheus throttles back and pushes the stick had to port. Hanging on the propeller like only the D.VII can do, Mattheus points the nose in the direction of the Snipe as it closes putting a well aimed burst into the enemy machine.

Attachment 258585

Walter banks to starboard and looks back at the three yellow Fokkers. They are now out of position and Walter is clear to make a run for home.

Attachment 258583

Turning back however he sees the Fokker monoplane flying straight at him. Werner Bastian and William Walter both open fire. Bastian's burst again sets the Snipe alight, but the return fire smashes into the Fokker's cockpit. A bullet hits Bastian in the side with the force of a sledgehammer blow, wounding the German ace.

Attachment 258582

For Second Lieutenant Walter however there will be no chance to follow up on the attack. His burning Snipe cannot continue and crashes to earth on his own side of the lines. Bastian pushes a hand to his side to stem the flow of blood and continues his course to the east.


VICTORY CONDITIONS

CENTRAL POWERS - No losses.

ENTENTE - Five aircraft shot down, one forced to withdraw.

CENTRAL POWERS VICTORY

CASUALTY REPORT (AKA THE BUTCHER'S BILL)

CENTRAL POWERS

Attachment 258587

Korvettenkapitän Willi Mattheus, Gruppenkommandeur, See Adler Gruppe (Jagdflieger, yellow & black Fokker D.VII)
RTB (2 damage) / 1 kill (Sopwith Camel shot down over enemy territory, twenty-eighth confirmed victory).

Oberleutnant Werner Bastian, See Adler Jagdstaffel (Jagdflieger, Fokker D.VIII yellow 5)
RTB (3 damage) / 2 kills (two Sopwith Snipes shot down over enemy territory, fifteenth and sixteenth confirmed victories - qualified for Ritterkreuz des Militär-St. Heinrichs-Orden - Knights Cross of the Military Order of St. Henry, wounded in action for the first time - qualified for Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz - Wound Badge in Black).
C&W rolled 7 - 1 WIA + 3 RTB = 9 All's well when you land well !

Leutnant Hermann Meyer, See Adler Jagdstaffel (Jagdflieger, red nosed Fokker D.VII)
RTB (5 damage) / 1 kill (Sopwith Snipe shot down over No Man's Land, third confirmed victory)

Flugmeister Gerhard Hubrich, See Adler Jagdstaffel (Jagdflieger, yellow Fokker D.VII)
RTB (10 damage) / 1 kill (Sopwith Camel shot down over No Man's Land, first confirmed victory - qualified for Abzeichen für Marine Flugzeugführer auf Landflugzeugen - Badge for Naval Pilots of land based aircraft)


ENTENTE FORCES

Attachment 258592

Second Lieutenant Albert Thompson, No.209 Squadron RAF (scout pilot, Sopwith Camel with heart insignia)
SD FT / 0 kills
C&W rolled 4 - 1 SD = 3 Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios rolled 1 = skip 1 mission.

2Lt. Albert Thompson managed to coax his shot up Camel down in an open field behind the British lines. Thompson sustained a head injury in the crash landing which bled freely but once treated was not identified as serious. Suffering a concussion, 2Lt. Thompson was grounded for two weeks, cleared to return to flying duties just days before the war's end.

Attachment 258591

Second Lieutenant Cecil Burgess, No.209 Squadron RAF (scout pilot, Sopwith Camel with red & white stripes)
SD 2WIA NML / 0 kills
C&W rolled 8 - 2 WIA - 1 SD - 1 NML = 4 Injured - Skip 1D6 Scenarios rolled 2 skip 2 missions.
E&E rolled 5 - 2 WIA - 1 WIC +1 NML = 3 3-4 - Captured and escaped! - Skip 1D3 Scenarios rolled 5 = skip 3 missions.

2Lt. Burgess was hit twice in the air and suffered further injuries in the crash of his Camel in No Man's Land. Unable to extricate himself from his machine, he was captured by the Germans. Half dragged, half carried back to the German trenches, Burgess expected no mercy from the dreaded Hun. But he was surprised when addressed in perfect english by a German Oberleutnant of infantry who had studied at Oxford before the war. The officer explained his command did not have sufficient medical supplies to adequately treat Burgess' wounds, so he would be returned to his own forces. "After all old chap," offered the German, "it would be a shame to be bowled out now having come this far in the final innings." Burgess was stretchered back to a ruined farm house and left with a canteen and raised a white flag on a protruding rafter. "Warten Sie mal," instructed the Boche NCO, "Sie werden bald kommen." Later that day Cecil Burgess was found by a British patrol and returned to Allied lines where his wounds were treated. By the end of October Second Lieutenant Cecil Burgess was back home in an English hospital. He was still recovering from his wounds when the Armistice ended the fighting.

Attachment 258593

Second Lieutenant Gordon Sides, No.209 Squadron RAF (scout pilot, Sopwith Camel with blue & white circles)
RTB (12 damage) / 0 kills

Again proving his Squadron's saying 'Luck Sides with Gordon', 2Lt. Gordon Sides was the only man to return his machine to base following the bloody battle with the Huns in the yellow Fokkers. But even the usually confident young officer was rattled by his near miss. It was only a matter of time he thought before his well of luck ran out. When would this bloody war end?

Attachment 258588

Second Lieutenant William Walter, No.4 Squadron AFC (scout pilot, Sopwith Snipe with striped fuselage)
SD FLM FT / 0 kills
C&W rolled 10 - 2 FLM = 8 Injured - Skip 1D2 Scenario rolled 6 = skip 2 missions.

2Lt. William Walter was very lucky he was at low altitude when shot down and managed to get his blazing Snipe on the ground quickly before he burned to death or was forced to jump. He suffered burns to his hands and face that required medical care in England. Unknown to him at the time William Walter had flown his last war sortie as he was still undergoing treatment for his wounds when the Great War finally came to an end.

Attachment 258590

Second Lieutenant Billy Slatter, No.4 Squadron AFC (scout pilot, Sopwith Snipe '8')
SD NML / 0 kills
C&W rolled 3 - 1 SD - 1 NML = 1 Dead!

2Lt. Billy Slatter, an American volunteer who had joined the RFC in 1917 before transferring to the USAS the following year, was killed in the crash of the Sopwith Snipe he had been sent to trial with 4 Squadron AFC. His body was found by advancing British troops the following day. He was buried two days later near Bruges with an honour guard of RAF and USAS pilots.

Attachment 258589

Second Lieutenant Arthur Palliser, No.4 Squadron AFC (scout pilot, Sopwith Snipe ‘2’)
SD WIA FT / 0 kills
C&W rolled 7 - 1 WIA - 1 SD = 5 Injured - Skip 1D3 Scenarios rolled 2 = skip 1 mission.

2Lt. Arthur Palliser was grazed by a German bullet and sustained minor injuries in the crash of his Snipe. After treatment at a regimental aid post and a field hospital, the Australian pilot was granted convalescent leave to recover from his wounds. 2Lt. Palliser spent a week sampling the delights of Paris before returning to his squadron where he was classified fit for operations in the final days of the war.

Finally getting the chance to report Mission 24. Internet is bad tonight so it will take a while :hmm:

Looking good so far Carl :)

Blimey the cornered beast struck back alright - those chaps didn't have a chance ! So glad the doubled ace skill is going ;)

Onkel says:
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/at...4&d=1466672848

Wunderbar ! You properly showed the Tommy that time out, we will party long into the night tonight :pint:
Victories for all, a double victory, the Knights Cross :medal: & a wound badge for Werner, long awaited pilots badge for Gerhard... I hope there's enough stock in the mess !

PM me Bastian's new ace skill Carl.

That certainly made a mess of a lot of my Bulldogs Karl.
The reparation bill is going to be steeper than an over-dive.:hmm:
Kyte.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carl_Brisgamer

Finally getting the chance to report Mission 24. Internet is bad tonight so it will take a while :hmm:

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Connectivity was so bad last night I had to abort. Back on now and finishing up the AAR.

AAR and Butcher's Bill complete, ready for Onkel's tender ministrations.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte

That certainly made a mess of a lot of my Bulldogs Karl.
The reparation bill is going to be steeper than an over-dive.:hmm:
Kyte.

---

The Bulldogs were hammered Rob. Again the Marksmanship and Deadly Aim ace skills played a pivotal role, and the card draw was fairly mean.

Great AAR with a nice intro story! :sAprvd:

Onkel has reviewed the report !

:eek: Ye Gods that was worse for the Bulldogs than Black September!
Great result for you Adlers Carl.:surrender:

Another resounding victory for your planes, they are unstoppable at the moment, well done.

I say old chap that was a bit hard on our entente pilots. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baxter

I say old chap that was a bit hard on our entente pilots. :)

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A combination of the marksmanship skills of Mattheus & Bastian, the ace charts for the See Adlers and the generally excellent flight characteristics of the D.VII on top of favourable card draws ripped through the Bulldogs this time out.

This will be my last AAR before campaign cutoff, work demands have increased with the bushfires up here in QLD so I have no time to fly the last two missions. I will still play them out when I am able to finish the story, but any results will be 'unofficial'.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carl_Brisgamer

This will be my last AAR before campaign cutoff, work demands have increased with the bushfires up here in QLD so I have no time to fly the last two missions. I will still play them out when I am able to finish the story, but any results will be 'unofficial'.

---

Sorry to hear that, Carl. Will enjoy reading the continuing saga when you can get the time again.
Damn fires are playing havoc in the western US this year as well, as I am sure you have heard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carl_Brisgamer

...This will be my last AAR before campaign cutoff, work demands have increased with the bushfires up here in QLD so I have no time to fly the last two missions. I will still play them out when I am able to finish the story, but any results will be 'unofficial'.

---

Needs must Carl, great effort in trying to catch up. We'll look forward to the closing chapters when they come. Stay safe fella.

A clean sweep. Total wipe out for the Entente :( Remarkable flying - Congrats to your Eagles Carl. Hope the bush fires get sorted safely - take care and watch your six.
Mike

A good warning to the Bulldogs that the Eagles have not given up and have a lot of fight left.

Keep safe Carl.

Evere Airfield, east of Brussels
24 Oktober 1918
0815hrs

Attachment 259921

By the time Korvettenkapitän Mattheus had climbed down from his Fokker D.VII, Leutnant Hermann Mayer and Flugmeister Gerhard Hubrich were already walking across the grass field excitedly discussing the finer details of the morning’s aerial combats. Mattheus smiled grimly as he removed his helmet. Five enemy machines shot down for no loss was a great result for the Staffel, although given the strategic situation it counted for little.

‘Still,’ he thought, ‘let the men enjoy their victories, who knows how many more chances they will get to celebrate?’

The last aircraft in was Oberleutnant Werner Bastian’s new Fokker D.VIII monoplane, the signature ‘blip’ of the rotary engine clearly heard as he reduced his speed. Bastian bounced the machine a couple of times, before rolling to a stop a little too near one of the large canvas hangars.

“That’s no way to treat a brand-new aircraft!” called Mattheus as he walked over to the Fokker. Werner Bastian slipped his harness straps and climbed out of the cockpit. As he lowered himself however Bastian lost his grip and dropped to the ground, sagging down on one knee clutching at his side.

“Werner!” shouted Mattheus, rushing to his friend’s aid as Bastian struggled to stand.

“That last Tommy got a piece of me Willi,” reported the wounded pilot as he pulled a bloody glove away from a jagged hole torn in the side of his flying coat.

“Get a stretcher!” Mattheus shouted to the nearest mechanic as he lowered Bastian to the grass.

“I was beginning to think I would get through to the end without a scratch,” said Bastian, wincing at the pain each time he took a breath. “Stupid to count your chickens before they hatch, eh Willi?”

“You were lucky Werner,” replied Mattheus as he put pressure on the wound. “It doesn’t look too bad, a through and through." He took his friend's hand, seeing the pain on Bastian's face. "On the bright side, you'll get a decent scar and another bit of tin to decorate your uniform," Mattheus added with a grin.

“To be honest you could have kept your medal,” gasped Bastian, forced to draw another painful breath through gritted teeth. “I’d rather that damned Englishman had just aimed a few centimetres the other way.” The ground crew then brought up the stretcher and carried the wounded officer to the Lazarett. Within the hour Oberleutnant Bastian had been examined, and his wounds cleaned, stitched and dressed. He had been lucky, for the British bullet that passed through his side had not struck bone or vital organs. Given a measure of brandy for the pain, Bastian was confined to quarters to recuperate.

********************

Chateau Malou, Brussels
24 Oktober 1918
1900hrs

Attachment 259922

After resting most of the day and thanks to the liberal use of his pain-relieving Cognac, Werner Bastian was in reasonably good spirits when he made an appearance at the officer’s mess that evening. The See Adlers were celebrating their victories, with Flugmeister Gerhard Hubrich now proudly wearing the gold Abzeichen für Marine Flugzeugführer auf Landflugzeugen (Badge for Naval Pilots of land-based aircraft) on his tunic in recognition of his first victory. The men had toasted their Gruppenkommandeur Korvettenkapitän Willi Mattheus on the occasion of his twenty-eighth victory, and congratulated Leutnant Hermann Meyer on his third confirmed kill.

The men all cheered as Oberleutnant Bastian walked into the mess, and within moments a chair was brought forward and a drink placed into his hand. Although he could have done with the good natured backslapping that reminded him time and again he had just been shot in the side, he was happy to skol the first schapps and offer up his glass for a refill.

Willi Mattheus then raised a hand to quiet the boisterous crowd.

“Meine Herren, today the See Adlers showed the Tommies this war is not over yet!”

His words brought forth another round of cheers from the assembled officers and NCO’s.

“In response to our combat report the Corps Commander has seen fit to confer on Oberleutnant Werner Bastian the Ritterkreuz des Militär-St. Heinrichs-Orden in recognition of his two confirmed claims bring his total to sixteen victories.”

Again the room erupted in cheers, and Bastian pushed himself up to his feet to bow to the mess in a show of feigned humility. Mattheus again raised a hand and the mess fell silent.

“This medal has been awarded to honour Oberleutnant Bastian’s achievement, but it also reflects on the entire See Adler Gruppe. Without the steadfast efforts of all our pilots, observers and ground crew no success would be possible.”

Mattheus paused, surveying his assembled command. He cleared his throat before continuing.

“I know that none of us still believe we can achieve the victory so long promised. That fact is hard to take,” he said, looking down for just a moment, “given the sacrifices we have all made these past years, the wounds we bear and the comrades we have lost.”

In response to their Gruppenkommandeur’s words, glasses were raised in silent salute to their lost brothers who had fallen, each fighting to the bitter end.

“But still we fight, not for victory but to defend our families back home, our future, and our Fatherland from our enemies. Each day we hold back the tide and make them pay dearly for every yard is a day closer to an honourable peace. That is what you deserve meinen Herren, for each of you have done your duty and fought with skill, courage and honour. Until that day we need to steel ourselves to weather whatever comes with the same strength you have shown since the beginning of this war."

Mattheus paused, scanning the room and looking into the eyes of these men …. his men. He saw no doubt, no fear, just a deep determination to do what must be done.

“To the Kaiser!” continued Mattheus, making the loyal toast.

“To the Kaiserliche Marine!” added Bastian as he again struggled to his feet.

“To the See Adlers!” toasted Leutnant Lothar Nagel, after which all glasses were emptied and resounding cheers again rang from each man present.

Not for the first time Willi Mattheus was filled with pride at having been granted the privilege to lead these men into battle. And that no matter what the outcome of the war, no matter what trials the future held in store for them, this band of brothers would always share unbreakable bonds forged in fire and fury over the trenches.

Again, a fitting end to your saga.
Even though we are moving on to another edition of Over the Trenches, it's good to see the finishing touches to the prior escapade.
I hope you get a chance to fly the remaining missions and give Der See Adler their proper finish.
Can't give you rep for this, though it's well-deserved, because I 'repped' your TAVAS photos earlier today.
:sAprvd:

I just saw your post in the other thread . Sorry you didn't get a chance to give your boys a proper finish, but am looking forward to your sewing up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stumptonian

Sorry you didn't get a chance to give your boys a proper finish, but am looking forward to your sewing up.

---

Only two missions, I was glad to have caught up as far as I did.

Besides, I will soon have the exploits of a new Staffel of Daring Young Men to recount.

Nice ending Carl and,as Pete says, very fitting. Glad Werner Bastian made it ok. Congrats to all for their various gongs :sAprvd:

I'm a little disappointed that we are not to see the results of the final Missions from your pen. I would like to have read those as your AARs are really excellent. It also means that we shall all be left in limbo, wondering what happened to the See Adlers. I'll drink to their survival anyway. I also assume all the bush fires were successfully dowsed and that you personally got through the experience unharmed - so a toast to your health as well. Happy New Year - I look forward to taking on your boys in the next Campaign ;) :drinks::drinks::drinks::drinks::drinks::pint::pint::pint::pint::pint::pint:

A very moving epilogue as the last weeks of the war close in around the Sea Eagles. For those of us for whom they have become part of the story that has developed during the last few years it is good to see that they are still going strong even if we are on the other side of the lines. You have drawn real characters with whom we can empathize.
Well done for that Carl.
Rob.

Another excellent ending to one of your stories. Sorry you couldn't finish the war.
We will be awaiting your reports in the New Year.

An enjoyable finish to mission 24, it's a shame you didn't get the time to finish the fight but there's always the new DYM campaign to look forward to.
Well done with this one.