AAR (Chuck) Wings of Glory: Dawn of the fighters (Scenario II)
Things had been busy of late. It started on 21 September with an massive artillery barrage. Then the Battle of Loos opened yesterday; reconnaissance is critical for both sides. Our squadron has been in the thick the since the barrage started; mostly spotting for the artillery, but also chasing away or downing enemy reconnaissance flights. We were all flying daily, sometimes two sorties in a single day.
On a crisp clear morning 26 September 1915 we took off towards the front not far from Loos. Below us we saw a B.E.2c heading for home. Apparently it had just completed a reconnaissance mission. Unfortunately, it was being pursued by a pair of Eindeckers.
Smithy banked to the left and I to the right. I was praying we'd get there in time to save the two-seater.
One of the Eindeckers was closing fast on its quarry when I came in behind him. It was a race to be sure with two British airman's lives in the balance. The two-seater and the Eindecker exchanged machine gun fire.
Attachment 124849
Attachment 124850
I was still to far away, but I could see that despite getting quite close the Eindecker had stopped firing! He was either out of ammo or suffered a gun jam.
Attachment 124851
Attachment 124852
Attachment 124853
Finally he broke off, but by then I had closed and peppered his behind.
Attachment 124854
Attachment 124855
Attachment 124856
I pulled an Immelmann to continue the pursuit, but the Hun wasn't going anywhere. Smithy had arrived catching the poor blighter unawares and sent him spinning to the earth below.
Attachment 124857
Attachment 124858
Attachment 124859
There was still one Eindecker left who hadn't given up on bringing down our reconnaissance plane. It was a race between me and Smithy to see who would get to him first. As we flew past one another I gave Smithy a thumbs up on his victory.
Attachment 124860
Attachment 124861
Attachment 124862
About then he decided to give up on the Be2, but by then I had him in my sight and got him in a broadside. As I flew past I noted red splatters on the fuselage and knew I had hit him.
Attachment 124863
Attachment 124864
Attachment 124865
He tired to evade, but I pulled another Immelmann and I had him. I saw a thin line of white-gray smoke and moments later a red spray erupted from the pilot and it was over.
Attachment 124866
Attachment 124867
With the last foe plummeting to earth Smithy and I continued our mission. We didn't encounter anymore enemy aircraft and returned to base when our fuel got low. Smithy was all smiles, as he climbed down out of his Scout, with his latest victory making it his second.
"For a moment there we were tied Charles!"
"For a moment," I chuckled back. "But combined we're still behind Hawker."
"True, true, but that'll change. Mark my words old boy, that will change."
I slapped Smithy on the back, "You scored first so I'm buying."
"Agreed!"
Reply With Quote
Well done chaps.
Bookmarks