Point of View: Barker (Camel) - It was barely noon when we took flight. My wingman Elwood and I were escorting Atkey and his gunner Leckie to a German factory. Intel found that there was a German aerodrome near there so they needed a good escort. My heart sank when I saw who I was up against. Bursting from the clouds was the white image of a Fokker D.VII, flanked by a Fokker Dr.I and an Albatros D.III. The D.VII was flown by none other than Hermann Goering, the most feared ace in this region with 11 kills. I recognized the Albatros as Werner Voss, another feared ace, and I later learned the Dr.I was flown by a new pilot, Fritz Kempf. Our whole flight climbs slightly to avoid a collision with the enemy. Our flights merge, and as Atkey breaks left, away from the fray, Elwood and I press on. I go head-on with Goering, and my plane sputters. He had hit my engine. Kempf swings away to the right, positioning himself for an attack on us Camels’ broadside, while Voss heads for Atkey. Elwood turns into Kempf, and to my horror, Goering pulls in behind my wingman! But as luck may have it, he falls short! Elwood flies over Kempf, never managing to get a shot, and Immlemanns. Goering, anticipating what would happen if he continues on, breaks left. Meanwhile, I pull in behind Voss, pumping lead into his Albatros. He stalls, hoping I’ll overshoot, but I stay back, and set his plane ablaze, while Atkey heads for his target. I break away from the flaming Albatros knowing full well he will Immelmann into me, and follow Atkey. He sets up his plane for a bombing run, and drops his load. The bombs hit their mark dead-on, obliterating the factory. To my surprise, the pursuing German Fokkers crash into each other. Kempf must have accidentally turned into Goering. Kempf’s plane, critically damaged, quickly climbes into the clouds, out of the fight. Elwood sets himself up for an overdive onto Goerings’ tail. To my dismay, I spot Voss’ flaming Albatros heading strait for him! I must act! I try to swing in behind him, but I end up streaking behind his craft. Surprisingly, he wasn’t going towards Elwood. Instead, he heads in the direction of the German aerodrome. I look over, and spot the other German fighter heading in the same direction. They were retreating! I don’t bother pursuing. Sometimes enough is enough. My flight and I head home, looking forward to that cold beer waiting for me at the bar.
And yes, an 11 year old wrote this .
P.S. Pictures have been posted
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