Prologue
Armee FlugPark 5
Montmédy, Occupied France
20 Januar 1918
Huddled in his flying jacket to keep out the January cold Oberleutnant Willi Mattheus looked on as the Halberstadt CL.II rolled to a stop. After a few moments the two occupants climbed down from the two-seater. The first was the pilot Leutnant Lothar Nagel of the See Adler Staffel. The second was the ‘observer’, who was actually See Adler Jadgflieger Vizefeldwebel Hans Goerth. The two pilots fell into step as they approached Mattheus, Leutnant Nagel offering the salute.
“Hello Willi, it is good to see you.”
Mattheus smiled, first returning the compliment then shaking hands as he replied “And you Lothar.” It had been over a month since Mattheus had been away from his command and he was glad to be back in the company of his men. “How was your flight?”
“Long and uneventful Willi,” replied Nagel. Giving Hans Goerth a stern look he commented, “My new observer did not appear very comfortable.”
Mattheus turned to the NCO pilot saying “Hello Hans, so how was it riding in the backseat?”
“It was fine Herr Oberleutnant,” Goerth replied unconvincingly, quickly adding “Herr Leutnant Nagel is an excellent pilot.”
“But you would rather have your own hands on the stick, nicht wahr?” questioned Mattheus.
“Well, yes, of course Herr Oberleutnant” Goerth agreed, glancing sheepishly at the Halberstadt pilot.
Mattheus and Nagel shared a laugh at Goerth’s discomfort. “Leutnant Nagel and I both started out as observers so we know what it is like to place our lives in someone else’s hands. But I have something for you that will make the trip worthwhile.”
Mattheus led his two pilots across the frosty grass of the Flugpark, past brand new aircraft ready for delivery to their Staffeln and damaged kites waiting to be repaired. As they walked Nagel enquired "How did the fighter trials go Willi?”
“Very productive Lothar,” replied Oberleutnant Mattheus. “It was a great opportunity to fly the latest machines in some very auspicious company. To be honest compared to some of the pilots there I felt like a bit of a ‘tyro’!”
“But there were some benefits” continued Mattheus, “and here are two of them” he said gesturing in the direction of two single seat fighters. “These are the latest additions to the See Adler Staffel’s order of battle.”
Nagel and Goerth regarded the two aircraft, which looked nothing like they had ever flown before. They were stubby little biplanes with rotary engines that looked too big for the barrel-like fuselage. Both were painted black with white cowls. One was adorned with a skull and crossbones on the fuselage and the other with the Harkenkreuz, an ancient Aryan symbol for luck.
“May I present the Siemens Schuckert Werke D.III” began Mattheus. “They are powered by the Siemens Halske Sh.III eleven cylinder rotary engine. The crankcase and cylinders rotate opposite directions at 900rpm, giving it the effective power of 1,800rpm. It is fast and can out climb and out turn anything in the sky.”
Hans Goerth examined the cowl and engine cylinders before running his hand down the four-bladed propeller - he was already smitten.
“A rotary engine Willi?” questioned Leutnant Nagel. “If it’s anything like those verdammte English Camels it can be as dangerous to its own pilot as the enemy.”
“I flew her during the trials Lothar and had no trouble. I will admit you have to keep on your toes – she can spin readily. But the counter-rotation of the crankshaft and cylinders seems to limit any gyroscopic reactions. She will turn just as tightly either way, and will climb at twice the rate of the Albatros D.Va.”
“How many will we get Herr Oberleutnant?” asked an enthusiastic Hans Goerth, who by this time was up on the lower wing examining the cockpit.
“Just the two Hans – for now,” replied Mattheus. “These are pre-production models, of which only twenty were completed. I managed to convince Siemens and the Navy Office that the See Adler Staffel would be able to give these birds a decent field test. I am glad you like them Hans” Mattheus continued, “because you will be flying one of them back to Koolkerke in the morning.”
“Vielen dank Herr Oberleutnant!” exclaimed the young NCO pilot, looking as if he was going to jump in and take off immediately!
“You can take her up this afternoon Hans,” promised Mattheus, “AFTER I give you some instruction on take-off, landing and general handling.”
“Excuse me Herr Oberleutnant” interrupted an Army Sergeant carrying a large camera, “the Flug Park Kommandant has ordered I photograph the new fighters.”
“Natürlich Sergeant,” acknowledged Mattheus. “In fact, Vizefeldwebel Goerth here will pose for you,” he added with a mischievous grin.
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