OTT BE Mission 9, 7 March 1918, Poor Little Lambs (Carl Brisgamer)

[Carl_Brisgamer]

PROLOGUE

Royal Palace, Brussels
6 März 1918
1600hrs



Oberleutnant Willi Mattheus and Leutnant Werner Bastian stood at attention in the opulent surroundings of the Royal Palace in Brussels. The two Marinefliegerkorps officers had been summoned to Belgium’s first city by Admiral Ludwig von Schröder, the senior naval officer in Flanders commanding both seagoing and land-based forces.

Bastian glanced around the room murmuring to Mattheus, “So this is how the ‘other half’ lives. It makes Chateau Ten Bergh look like a five pfennig bed and breakfast!”

“Privileges of rank Werner,” replied Mattheus allowing himself a quick smile in response to Bastian’s quip.

A moment later the two fliers immediately regained their composure as the large double doors at the end of the room opened. An elderly gentleman, short and stout of stature with pure white hair and a close cropped beard entered the chamber. His resplendent Admiral’s uniform was adorned with all manner of decorations, including the Orden Pour le Merite with Oakleaves dangling at his throat. Escorted by his aide de camp, Admiral von Schröder was smiling as he approached.



Mattheus saluted. “Oberleutnant Mattheus and Leutnant Bastian reporting as ordered Herr Admiral.”

Von Schröder returned the compliment. “I am sorry to have to drag you away from your Staffel at such short notice.”

“The weather was not good for flying today anyway Herr Admiral,” offered Leutnant Bastian nervously.

“Ach so,” nodded the Admiral, “let’s hope it improves in the coming days so you can add more Tommies to your score – five victories I believe Leutnant?”

“Jawohl Herr Admiral!” replied Bastian, somewhat surprised the old man even knew who he was!

“First the formalities,” said von Schröder, signalling to his aide who produced two black boxes from his briefcase. Taking the first the Admiral opened it, removing a black and white enameled cross on a similarly striped ribbon.

“Oberleutnant Mattheus, in recognition of your victories and leadership in the air his Majesty the Kaiser has seen fit to make you a Ritter der Königlicher Hausorden von Hohenzollern,“ announced the Admiral. Mattheus bowed his head as von Schröder hung the medal around his neck.

“And for you Leutnant Bastian, the Eisernes Kreuz Erste Klasse for your successes over the enemy,” commended the Admiral, as his aide pinned the medal to Bastian’s tunic.

“I am pleased to present these to the both of you, for they are well deserved. But I am not done with you yet,” remarked the Admiral, again gesturing to his aide de camp.

“Oberleutnant Mattheus, by order of the Chief of the Naval Staff you have been promoted to Kapitänleutnant,” declared the Admiral as the aide added a star to Mattheus’ epaulettes denoting his new rank.

Werner Bastian could not help but incline his head and grin at the somewhat stunned look on Willi Mattheus’ face.

“What are you smiling about, Oberleutnant Bastian?” asked the Admiral, deliberately stressing the young officer’s new title. Bastian’s mouth opened and closed at least once as the Admiral’s aide mounted a star on each of his own shoulders before he stammered, “D-Danke, Herr Admiral.”

“At ease gentlemen,” ordered Admiral von Schröder. “I wish to express my gratitude and that of the commander of 4.Armee General von Arnim for your recent successes against the enemy. The General was particularly happy that the See Adlers fought off the Tommies seeking to destroy his heavy artillery. And I was impressed by the way you coordinated the defense of Ghent, not letting a single enemy bomber return to their base.”

“I am fortunate to have a Staffel of able pilots Herr Admiral,” Mattheus said, gesturing towards his subordinate Bastian, who seemed to stand a little taller.

“Able pilots with an effective commander,” added von Schröder.

“I am pleased to have your confidence,” replied Mattheus.

“I have not promoted you to satisfy your vanity Kapitänleutnant,” countered the Admiral, “or you Oberleutnant Bastian.”

“What I am about to tell you is highly secret,” said the Admiral in a low voice as he began to walk across the chamber, the two officers keeping step. “Something big is in the wind. The 4.Armee will need all its strength for the coming battle, especially effective air support. I need skilled pilots fighting under successful leaders if we are to sweep the enemy from the skies. I have read your reports Mattheus, particularly how the enemy always seem to have your men at a numerical disadvantage. I have therefore given orders that from now on the See Adler Staffel and the See Front Staffel will fight together as one formation, the Marine Jagdgruppe.”

The older officer paused, turning to Mattheus who guessed at what was coming next. “Kapitänleutnant, I am appointing you Gruppenkommandeur.”

“It is an honour Herr Admiral,” responded Mattheus, snapping to attention.

“It will be a lot of work,” added the Admiral, “and we have not much time. Even now replacement aircraft are being ferried to the front to bring both Staffeln up to full strength.”

“Entschuldigung Herr Admiral, with the Kapitänleutnant commanding the Gruppe who will we have as Staffelführer of the See Adlers?” asked Bastian.

“I thought that would have been obvious to a bright young man like yourself” returned the Admiral. Bastian looked perplexed for a moment and this time it was Willi Mattheus’ turn to smile.

“It is you Werner,” said the newly minted Kapitänleutnant, “you are the new Staffelführer of the See Adlers!”

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

[Carl_Brisgamer]

1200 metres over Bruges
7 März 1918
0700hrs



“Frühling? Ich glaube das nicht!” complained Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth from the cockpit of his Siemens Schuckert D.III. The first week of spring had been marked off the calendar, but the icy fingers of winter refused to release their grip just yet. Goerth loved flying, but he just wished it was in a warmer clime. “I bet it is lovely and sunny in Palestine this time of year” he mused whilst he eyes scanned the grey Flanders skies. “Or perhaps I could get a transfer to the Adriatic – the beaches, the women…”

The NCO pilot shook his head. Daydreaming up here can make you pay dearly he reminded himself, putting his full attention back on the task at hand. Besides he was not even that high, it was much colder at five thousand metres, and here he was at barely a thousand. Goerth swivelled his head looking left and right, up and down, his silk scarf protecting the skin from the rough fur-lined leather collar of his flying suit. ‘I wonder what the officers are doing right now, must be terrible to be called to an emergency meeting in Brussels’ he thought ‘what with all that good food, champagne and buxom Flemish girls….’

“Gott im Himmel!” shouted Goerth aloud, again dragging his focus back to the patrol, “where the hell are these planes?”

He had been sent up to keep an eye out for a Kette of replacement aircraft that were supposed to be arriving at Koolkerke this morning, but so far there was no sign. His job was to guide the inexperienced ferry pilots in to the field so they did not crack up on landing. Baby-sitting a bunch of ‘tyros’ was not Goerth’s idea of an exciting sortie, but the Staffel needed the new kites.



It was then his eyes were drawn to black specks silhouetted against the sky…..



To the south the three black shapes turned in to three Albatros D.Vas.



Goerth closed on the Albatros formation.....



...when suddenly two Sopwith Camels dropped down out of the cloud layer to the east....



....at the same time that two SE5as came into view from the west! Goerth cursed aloud that with his fixation on the Albatros Kette he had failed to spot the enemy earlier. The Vizeflugmeister's morning just turned from bad to worse.



Both Camels targeted Goerth, who spun his Siemens around to meet their attack. He exchanged bursts with the Belgian machine, the rounds damaging both aircraft. Goerth felt his rudder control freeze up as .303 rounds damaged the control cables. At the same time two of the three Albatrosen also attacked the Camels, causing further damage to the Belgian.



The pair of SE5as open the throttles and make for the Hun formation.



In the cockpit of his badly damaged machine sous Lieutenant Louis Behaeghe was desperate to avoid the devastating Boche fire. The Belgian officer was on his first combat sortie in the Camel, flying as wingman to a veteran British officer Lieutenant Crabb. Unused to the responsive controls pulled his stick violently to the right, sending his machine into the British machine.



Fortunately for both pilots Behaeghe's wheels just touch Crabb's upper wing causing only minor damage.



As Hans Goerth reverses course with an Immelmann he just avoids his own collision with the inexperienced ferry pilot at the controls of an Albatros D.Va. Rattled by the contact with Crabb's Camel, sLt. Behaeghe pulls his stick over to the left in reflex. At the same moment Lieutenant John Crabb sideslips right, inadvertently coming together with his wingman for a second time. The Belgian rams Crabb's machine, his propeller splinters as it chews through the RFC Camel's tail section. Both aircraft fall from the sky spinning down to the outskirts of Bruges.



Goerth watches as the two Camels fall, making a note to register a claim for the Belgian. Two of the ferry pilots narrowly miss a collision as the SE5a continue their progress.



The SE5as close rapidly on the Huns now, so fast the lead RFC machine piloted by Second Lieutenant William Walter is unable to get a shot at an approaching Albatros.



Goerth banks hard to starboard as the SE5as streak past. One of the ferry pilots pulls his aircraft about in an Immelmann, the inexperienced aviator so engaged with controlling his machine that he cannot engage the enemy despite his excellent position.



Obviously disoriented by the sudden violent action one of the ferry pilots flies his aircraft out of the combat area.



Goerth and one of the Albatros D.Vas fire long range shots at an SE5a, the rookie's burst going wide as Goerth damages the RFC machines rudder.



As the SE5as turn back into the fight all hell breaks loose! 2Lt. Walter and his wingman 2Lt. Harry Swayze bracket one of the Albatros machines with fire, perforating the top wing and fuselage. The ferry pilot returns fire with jamming his guns, but not before his long close range burst damages Walter's engine - a problem given he was ten miles behind the Hun lines. Hans Goerth also tags Walter's SE with a long range burst, tearing up fabric.



Passing behind the first SE5a in a crowded sky, Goerth exchanges fire with 2Lt. Swayze at close range. Even as Goerth's burst tears through the fuselage of the SE5a as it flashes past the nose of the German machine, the British pilot's rounds hit the Siemen's fuel tank which is instantly engulfed in flames.



Goerth suffers every aviator's worst nightmare as the fire begins to consume the doped fabric and timber structure of his aircraft.



Seconds later the NCO pilot's blazing aircraft is struck from behind by one of the ferry pilots. While the Albatros suffers no discernable damage from the contact Goerth's stricken SSW D.III cannot take the impact and falls out of control, a blazing torch dropped to the earth from the heavens. 2Lt. Swayze watches in satisfaction as the Hun kite goes down in flames, his first victory over an enemy.



Nursing his damaged engine, 2Lt. Walter makes for home.



He manages to leave the battle area unmolested ....



.... as Harry Swayze rounds on the two remaining Albatros scouts to cover his wingman's withdrawal.



Looking for his second victory for the day Swayze dogfights the Huns, one of which fires a wide long range burst.....



....but the second Albatros having climbed to 1500 metres fires down at Harry scoring hits on his fuselage (damage should be +1 in the photograph).



Having previously fought against as many of three Huns, Harry was not too perturbed by the odds and uses his superior speed to break away.



Climbing up to 1500 metres himself, Harry reverses course and comes back to shoot up one of the Albatros scouts (firing from higher, damage was also +1).



Harry pursues his quarry, perhaps a little too closely....



....for he present himself as a target to the second Albatros. The green German pilot gets lucky, his long range deflection burst shooting away the controls of Harry's SE5a - the hunter had become the prey. The RFC machine falls south of Bruges, an unexpected first victory for the ferry pilot.



With the skies clear of hostile the ferry pilots make their way to Koolkerke airfield to complete their mission.



Closing on the field the first Albatros notes his approach is wrong....



...and aborts the landing.



The second victorious pilot commits to his landing.....



....and despite over-running the airfield and becoming tangled in vegetation ....



.....manages to bring his aircraft down without further damage.



The remaining Albatros reverses course....



....and appears to be well placed for a good approach.



But as the novice pilot descends he misjudges his speed, reducing his throttle too much. The Albatros crashes short of the field, crumpling into pieces.




A LAMB HAS LOST HIS WAY.....



Meanwhile some fifteen kilometres south of Koolkerke the third Albatros D.Va which had broken away from the fight was approaching another airfield.



Consulting his map he calculated it may have been Inglemunster, but he dropped down to take a closer look.



Catching sight of black crosses on the wings of a number of single seat aircraft he decided to land the Albatros here......



.....taking a good look around first to make sure the Tommies had not more surprises in store.



Lining up for his approach the ferry pilot corrected his course before commencing his descent.



As he dropped down to tree top height he realised he was going too fast, but it was too late to abort the landing. As the wheels of the Albatros touched down the pilot cut the 160hp Mercedes engine....



but the speedy machine careened off the field ........



..... coming to rest in a hedgerow. Fortunately for the occupant of the cockpit the low vegetation around the edge of the field slowed his progress enough to limit the damage to the aircraft. His own injuries amounted to nothing more than hurt pride, but that was soon replaced by a feeling of relief that this less than routine ferry mission had come to a somewhat successful conclusion.

In fact he was still sitting in the cockpit waiting for his legs to start working when a Luftstreitkräfte officer bounded up to the Albatros, stepping up onto the wing.

"Are you all right? Are you shot?" enquired the Leutnant, thinking that only a serious wound could have resulted in such a poor landing.

"N-Nein Herr Leutnant," replied the pilot as he started to lift himself out of his seat, "the Albatros is just a bit faster than the aircraft I usually deliver."

Leutnant Hagen von Oderburg scowled as he helped the shaken Gefreiter from down from the cockpit. 'What is the Fatherland coming to' he thought to himself, 'to put such inexperienced pilots behind the controls!'

"We were not expecting any aircraft deliveries, where were you heading?" questioned von Oderburg.

"To the Marineflieger field at Koolkerke Herr Leutnant," the NCO replied, "but there were Tommies about. I broke off and ended up here, Inglemunster I believe?"

"Wynghene actually," corrected von Oderburg, "but you were not far off. I suppose you will be taking this kite back to Koolkerke, once our mechanics get it up and running?"

The Gefreiter turned even paler before he seemed to brighten. "Perhaps your Staffel could use a slightly used Albatros Herr Leutnant?" he asked, pulling a sheaf of paperwork from his map pocket. "Anyway, by now the Navy would have received two more just like it."

Like a rider examining a horse the officer ran his hand along the fuselage, then ducked under the wing to check the damage to the undercarriage before opening the engine cover.

"She seems alright, nothing too badly bent despite your best efforts Gefreiter."

"Sorry Herr Leutnant," the ferry pilot offered sheepishly.

"Well, at least we can make the best of a bad situation," said Leutnant von Oderburg, wiping his hands.

"Now, where's that paperwork?"



MISSION RESULTS

Koolkerke Airfield - 2 aircraft landed
Albatros D.Va (red and blue fuselage stripes) landed (no damage) = 20 points
Albatros D.Va (two black fuselage stripes) crashed on landing (16 damage) = 4 points

Alternate Airfield - 1 aircraft landed
Albatros D.Va (single black fuselage stripe) landed (1 damage - 1 ruler distance) = 18 points

Total = 43 points

EAGLES VICTORY

[Carl_Brisgamer]

CASUALTY REPORT (AKA THE BUTCHER'S BILL)

SEE ADLER STAFFEL AND ARMEE FLUG PARK 4



Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth, See Adler Staffel (Jagdflieger – black SSW D.III with Harkenkreuz)
SD FLM FT / 1 kill (Aviation Militaire Belge Sopwith Camel, third victory)
C&W rolled 8 – 2 FLM = 6 Injured - Skip 1D3 (1) Scenarios

Immediately after being struck from behind by the Albatros, Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth’s Siemens entered a spin, his engine running flat out. Plunging down to what appeared to be certain death, for a moment Goerth considered leaping from the burning aircraft. But then, down to a height of perhaps 600 metres his engine stopped and the flames went out! His rudder useless, Goerth tried every trick he knew to try and regain some little control. As the ground rushed up to meet him the broad wings of the Siemens gained some lift and the kite flattened out. Goerth could do nothing but hold on as his stubby fighter ploughed into a copse of trees. The wings were torn away but by some miracle the sturdy fuselage ended up intact, nose first in the soft earth.

Goerth undid his straps and gingerly lifted himself out of the cockpit. Examining his Siemens he could see a fist sized hole in his fuel tank, which was completely empty! Fortunately the young NCO not expecting a long flight had only taken off with a half tank of fuel, and the combination of his thirsty engine and the gaping hole torn by the Tommy bullets had seen the tank emptied in a thrice saving him from a fiery end. Sore and just a little singed, Hans Goerth made his way out of the woods. Flagging down a passing truck, he thanked his lucky stars for his narrow escape from the flames.

“Well that will teach me,” he said to himself, “next time I had better be more careful about wishing to be somewhere warm!”



Unteroffizier Paul Ast, Armee Flug Park 4 (Flugzeugführer – Albatros D.Va with two black fuselage bands)
C&W rolled 5 – 2 WIA = 3 - Injured - Skip 1D6 (5) Scenarios

Unteroffizier Paul Ast was badly wounded when he was dragged unconscious from the wreck of the Albatros. Only his close proximity to Koolkerke and its medical facilities saved his life. Suffering from a skull fracture, numerous other broken bones and internal bleeding, Ast was hospitalised for almost three months before he was passed as fit to resume flying duties in June 1918.



Gefreiter Walter Leistner, Armee Flug Park 4 (Flugzeugführer – Albatros D.Va with single black fuselage band)
RTB (1 damage) / 0 kills

Gefreiter Walter Leistner broke off the combat with the Tommy planes, not willing to risk a valuable aircraft. He flew east and eventually came to another airfield where he put the Albatros down. Leistner came in too fast and ran off the field, slightly damaging the aircraft. The Army Jasta was happy to take possession of the errant Albatros, and by nightfall the following day Gefreiter Leistner was back at Armee Flug Park 4 with a delivery receipt signed by a ‘Leutnant von Oderburg’ of the Kaiser's Eagles, which was all that mattered to the duty Feldwebel.



Flieger Hans Knoll, Armee Flug Park 4 (Flugzeugführer – Albatros D.Va with red and blue fuselage bands)
RTB (0 damage) / 1 kill (RAF SE5a, 1st victory, qualified for the Flugzeugführerabzeichen)

Eighteen year old Flieger Hans Knoll was helped from the Albatros he had managed to deliver to Koolkerke unscathed despite the dogfight, a collision with a friendly aircraft and over-running the airfield. He was certain the Marineflieger would string him up for causing the death of one of their own, and nobody was more pleased and relieved when Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth arrived back at the field more or less intact. Word soon reached Koolkerke from Army observers about the SE5a shot down by the Albatros with the ‘blue and red fuselage bands’. Knoll received hearty congratulations from the navy pilots, and one of them, the NCO Hans Goerth whom Knoll had rammed in the heat of battle, showed there were no hard feelings by pinning his own combat pilot badge to Knoll’s tunic.

THE BULLDOGS



Lieutenant John Crabb, 3 Sqn RFC (scout pilot – Sopwith Camel)
EXP ET / 0 kills (crashed after collision with S-Lt. Louis Behaeghe, claimed by Vzfm Hans Goerth)
C&W rolled 4 – 3 EXP = 1 – Dead!

For RFC veteran pilot Lieutenant John Crabb there was no lucky escape on this day. His crippled Sopwith crashed into the ground southeast of Bruges and Lt. Crabb was killed instantly.

sous Lieutenant Louis Behaeghe, 1ere Escadrille Belge (scout pilot – Sopwith Camel)
SD ET / 0 kills (claimed by Vzfm. Hans Goerth)
C&W rolled 3 -1 SD = 2 – Dead!

Sous Lieutenant Louis Behaeghe tried to control the unfamilar Sopwith as it fell from 4000 feet, but was unable to arrest his headlong descent. The Belgian officer was killed in the crash of his Camel, his neck broken.



Second Lieutenant William Walter, 56 Sqn RFC (scout pilot – RAF SE5a)
RTB (8 damage) / 0 kills

Second Lieutenant William Walter nursed his damaged SE5a back across the lines, making an emergency landing at St.Omer. After calling 56 Squadron to let them know he was safe and to report Harry Swayze’s victory, Walter spent the next two hours keeping a weather eye out for his wingman. But young Harry was nowhere to be seen. It was not until the following day when the Boche dropped a message over the forward RNAS airfield at Teteghem it was confirmed Harry Swayze had been taken prisoner, and that the two Camel pilots had been killed in action.



Second Lieutenant Harry Swayze, 56 Sqn RFC (scout pilot – RAF SE5a)
EXP ET / 1 kill (Albatros D.Va, 1st victory)
C&W rolled 10 – 3 EXP = 7 - Injured - Skip 1D2 (2) Scenarios
E&E rolled 4 – 1 BEL – 1 WIC = 2 - Captured! The war ended for this pilot...
Having been shot down twice before Second Lieutenant Harry Swayze considered himself a dab hand at this lark. He managed to bring his SE in fairly straight and level, but suffered some injuries to his shoulders when the kite flipped over as it came down in a fallow field. There was no quick escape for Harry this time around as the Huns were on him straight off the bat. Harry was taken to Bruges for medical treatment before being escorted to a local airfield where he was entertained by a bunch of Boche navy pilots. He was somewhat taken aback that night when he was introduced to the Hun he had shot down in flames, the young man standing there safe and well in the mess with a drink in hand. He was even more aghast after asking to meet the ‘great German Ace’ who had managed to bring him down, only to find his victor was a lowly ranked teenager barely out of flying school! Harry tried to escape three times that night, but each time he was foiled by the wily Huns who seemed to be expecting all manner of shenanigans, which they accepted with surprising good humour. In the end Harry decided to make the best of it and just get drunk.

The following morning nursing badly bruised shoulders, a cracked collar bone and a worse hangover Second Lieutenant Harry Swayze took up the Huns’ offer to attend the burial of the two Camel pilots killed in the previous day’s aerial skirmish. Say what you like about the Huns but they sent these boys off in style, and Harry found himself thankful he was only saying a few words at the funeral instead of being a subject of the occasion.

2Lt. Swayze was taken to Brussels where he was interrogated at length before being sent to a prisoner of war camp in Germany. Apparently he must have told the Huns at the party one too many escape stories because he found himself in a high security section of the camp. It appeared for Harry that the war was truly over…..

[BB401]

Excellent intro. I look forward to the saga to follow.Verdammt rep gun jammed again!

[Stumptonian]

Glad I could add to your ongoing saga, Carl.
Love the way you fit it into the story.

[zenlizard]

Your background narratives are always well done & entertaining, Carl.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

AAR is complete, just have to do the Butcher's Bill. I am off to work this afternoon so decisions regarding the fates of Hans Goerth, Harry Swayze and others that hang in the balance will have to wait!

[Setarius]

Another great AAR Carl. Reminiscent of the old Keystone Kops movies. People trying to get out of the way and invariably running into each other. Very entertaining.

[Stumptonian]

Carl - I would say that the rookie who left the field should get to attempt to land on an alternate landing strip.
It's basically the same as leaving due to damage - getting disoriented and making his way back to the area.

Give it a go!

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Carl - I would say that the rookie who left the field should get to attempt to land on an alternate landing strip.
It's basically the same as leaving due to damage - getting disoriented and making his way back to the area.

Give it a go!

Ok Pete will do.

[flash]

Well done Carl, that was a demolition derby of a fight, those pilots seemed to be their own worst enemies at times !


Onkel will be along once the Tally is done.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Well done Carl, that was a demolition derby of a fight, those pilots seemed to be their own worst enemies at times !


Onkel will be along once the Tally is done.

It was a strange one, probably occurred because the Entente came on late (3rd roll) and the rookies happened to start near the edge.

I will try to land the third rookie as instructed by Peter tonight then finish the casrep.

[gully_raker]

Loved the visit to the Admiral with the Medals & Promotions Carl. Great story telling.
What an absolute Furball that was!
Booms, Collisions, Fires, Engine Damage & Aircraft in every direction.

I will look forward to the final landing attempt & the survival rolls.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Another great tale to end my evenings entertainment Carl.

It's about time the Eagles started to get their act together.
Your Sea Eagles seem to be holding the fort at the moment.
Just glad I'm in Italy.
Rob.

[Stumptonian]

Carl your second lamb does get some points even though he crashed.
20 points minus all damage = 4

4 more than any of mine ...

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Carl your second lamb does get some points even though he crashed.
20 points minus all damage = 4

4 more than any of mine ...

That's good! I was going on minus damage until the aircraft had no points left = zero.

I will post the third rookies landing tonight, along with the Butcher's Bill with my usual notes detailing the fate of each pilot, some humourous with others less so.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I can hardly wait for that one Carl!
Hoping to fly mine at the weekend.
Rob.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Butcher's Bill posted and a little extra added to the AAR about the third little Lamb that lost his way

[Stumptonian]

job all round, Carl.
Your story is looking more and more like a Serial, with each new installment eagerly awaited by your captured audience.
I would like to borrow your card drawing skill.
You will see a marked difference in results to similar siuations when I post mine ...
REP incoming. Very well-deserved rep.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Exquisitely contrived epilogue Carl.
I was not disappointed.
Great story to be continued.
Thanks.
Rob.

[flash]

Horrific rolls for the Bulldogs in that Tally, hope you never have to roll for me !

Onkel says:


Well done Hans - warm enough now ?!
Lost two - gained two and a couple of pilots injured, hard to see the victory in that but we could have lost four I suppose. Still, we have victories to celebrate and we have a new young pilot to keep an eye on for future recruitment.

A/Lt Walkerdine has been made substantive & will take command of the Bulldogs; 2Lts Slatter & Burgess will join them & a new Belgian is also making his way to join the fight.

[mikeemagnus]

Well done Carl - that was a great yarn. Those darn collisions do take their toll, don't they . Great intro with all the gongs and promotions flying about (oops, punn intended ) Like the idea of the ongoing saga too. Nice one! Rep on the way if I'm allowed. Thanks once more for some great entertainment. Mike

[BB401]

[Ken at Sunrise]

Loved reading this.

[flash]

I have merged these threads so Bobs follow up stays with Carl's thread and doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

[Stumptonian]

I think we have a first! An AAR being complemented by someone other than the original author.
Nicely done, Bob.

[zenlizard]

Midnight requisitioning?

[Setarius]

Quick thinking there Bob. Really liked the addition to the story.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Koolkerke, Flandern
8 März 1918
1130hrs

Kapitänleutnant Willi Mattheus walked into the Koolkerke Station duty hut, removing his dress cap. He had just led his Staffel, well actually his Gruppe now, in a funeral parade to farewell two fallen foes, one British and one Belgian. It had very nearly been a funeral for two of their own as well, with a ferry pilot fighting for his life in hospital and Vizeflugmeister Hans Goerth just managing to escape certain death in a blazing Siemens. With Goerth having been wounded in action four times now Mattheus had threatened to ground him if it happened again! He had only been half-joking, for Mattheus had come to like the irrepressible young NCO, for whom the scoreboard now credited three confirmed victories.



Despite his ordeal Goerth remained steadfast in his desire to fly and fight, his spirit undiminished. Mattheus admired Goerth’s youthful exuberance and moreover had come to like this young pilot. But such feelings were a luxury in his line of work. Over the trenches luck could run out for any of them at any time, and those left behind could not afford to feel the loss too keenly, lest they start to ponder their own mortality. Such thoughts dulled the keen edge of the fighting spirit. He needed men like Goerth who were ready and willing to lay their life on the line, but he could not help thinking that once the war was over the Fatherland would still need such men to rebuild in the peace that followed.

Mattheus entered his office, now vacated by its former occupant, the previous Kapitänleutnant having been ‘kicked upstairs’ to Berlin. Having only returned to Koolkerke late yesterday from Brussels and been occupied with entertaining a downed enemy officer last night and burying two more this morning, he now had three days of correspondence piled up on his desk.

“I would rather fight the Tommies any day,” he declared aloud, settling into his chair.

Just as he was about to start fighting the ‘paper war’ there was a knock and there in the doorway stood Oberleutnant Werner Bastian, newly promoted commander of the See Adler Staffel. Werner could not yet quite comprehend his new lofty position, and Willi was sure he had caught his brother officer taking furtive glances at the gold pips on his shoulder, just to make sure they were still there.

“Ah the new See Adler Staffelführer,” announced Mattheus with mock grandeur, “and might I say far more handsome than his predecessor!” Bastian was about to protest when Mattheus cut him off “So Werner did you get that British officer off alright?”

Entering the office and pulling up a chair Bastian replied, “Yes Willi, he is safely under guard and heading off to Brussels for interrogation. He’s an irascible Kerl, imagine trying to escape from under or noses dressed as a waiter!! But still, on the whole a quite likeable fellow.”

“I have inspected the Staffel” he continued, “We have six airworthy machines – two Halberstadts, your Siemens, and three Albatros D.Vas, including the replacement that was delivered intact yesterday. The other one had been cannabilised for parts. And we still have those two old Pfalz D.IIIas as spares.”

“At this rate we will probably need them before too long,” commented Mattheus. “I will send a request for more aircraft, even with the replacement Albatros we are not up to full strength. We were supposed to receive three, I wonder what happened to the third machine?”

Almost as if on cue Bootsmann Heinz Knapp appeared at the office door, ramrod straight. “PERMISSION TO SPEAK HERR KAPITÄNLEUTNANT!” he boomed, for the petty officer did not seem to possess any voice other than that used on the parade ground.

“Yes Knapp, what is it?” responded Mattheus. Knapp’s manner of communication did not bother him as much these days. Either he was getting used to the din or prolonged exposure had rendered him partially deaf, he was not sure which.

“GEFREITER WALTER LEISTNER TO SEE YOU SIR,” Knapp reported, taking a pace back and to the right to allow his Kommandant a look at the Army junior NCO standing there carrying a case of what appeared to be champagne!

‘This should be interesting.’ mused Mattheus to himself as he regarded the scene. “Thank you Knapp, you may go. Come in Gefreiter Leistner.”

The lance corporal entered the office, placed the case of liquor down on the desk and saluted Mattheus.

“At ease Gefreiter,” said Mattheus, “to what do we owe this unexpected visit?”

“Sir, I was instructed to deliver this case of champagne, french champagne” he added as if remembering some instruction, “and this letter, with compliments of Hauptmann Becker of Jasta 91.” Looking decidedly nervous, Leistner produced an envelope from his jacket.

As Mattheus opened the letter and read the contents, Bastian took it upon himself to investigate the contents of the crate “French champagne indeed Herr Kapitänleutnant,” he confirmed drawing out a bottle to examine the label, “and a very good vintage.”

Finishing the letter Mattheus let out a sigh and shook his head.

“Thank you for delivering your message as instructed Leistner, you have fulfilled your orders to the letter. I take it you were one of the three pilots who flew out of Armee Flug Park 4 yesterday?”

“Jawohl Herr Kapitänleutnant,” confirmed the Gefreiter.

“Then we have kept you from your duties long enough. Another of your pilots is waiting here for transport back to St. Denis Westrem this afternoon, Flieger Hans Knoll. You are dismissed, see Bootsmann Knapp on the way out and he will arrange a meal before you depart.”

“Danke Herr Kapitänleutnant,” said Leistner, his face brightening considerably at the news as he saluted and left the office.

“Well Werner at least we know what happened to our third Albatros,” said Mattheus as he handed over the letter to Bastian.

The junior officer scanned the note quickly before throwing it down on the table “Bloody thieving army swine!” he spat. “We will go down there and reclaim our machine!”

“No Werner, we won’t do that. I won’t engage in a private war with an Army Jasta over a single replacement Albatros, we have more pressing matters right now” said Mattheus aluding to their conversation with the Admiral. He got up to examine the champagne himself. “Besides,” he continued, “if the shoe was on the other foot are you telling me you would not have done the same?”

Bastian looked to the floor, and when he raised his head his grimace was replaced with a grin. “Well, when you put it that way…..”

Placing the champagne back in the crate Mattheus issued instructions to Bastian. “Take four bottles out of the crate for the mess and give the rest to my mechanic Heglemeyer. I just read a report that a Camel was shot down near Dixmude late yesterday afternoon, if Heglemeyer is quick he may be able to trade a couple of bottles in exchange for the draining the castor oil from the Sopwith's Clerguet.”

Bastian scowled again “But Willi, french champagne!”

Mattheus smiled, “I know Werner, but I have to keep my Siemens going somehow. A small sacrifice for the war effort, nicht wahr?”

[gully_raker]

Great finish to the story Carl & tying in very nicely with Bob's story.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Great finish to the story Carl & tying in very nicely with Bob's story.

Thanks Barry. Bob and I discussed doing a crossover episode at some point (all fluff, no crunch) and the errant ferry pilot offered a suitable device to make it happen.

Having said that neither of us knows what the other is going to write, so we are improvising as we go!

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Very impressive. one would never guess that any improvisation was taking place.
Rob.

[Teaticket]

Well that was some ride. Your rookies did much better than mine. I'll have to remember to claim a victory next time my opponents collide and crash!