Ares Games
Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Now it can be told!

  1. #1

    Default Now it can be told!

    The true story of the daring raid on the Evre airship shed

    It was a warm, sunny afternoon at Evre aerodrome outside of Brussels, and Jasta 60 ace Manfred von Strudel sat back in his deckchair, feet comfortably resting on the back of his batman. He was enjoying a cup of tea and idly watching the giant Zeppelin L99 being pulled from its shed for the night’s raid when, quietly at first but growing ever louder, the distinctive strains of ‘The Ride of the Valkyries could be heard. A mile to the West and at 3,000 feet, Von Strudel could just make out a flight of DH4 bombers accompanied by a couple of Camels and what looked like an RE8. Little did he know it at the time, but Von Strudel was witnessing the first recorded use of psychological warfare.

    2nd Lieutenant Blackadder sat in the RE8 and fought the temptation to whip out his Webley and plug his observer, Airman Baldrick, who was sitting behind him with a large phonograph gripped tightly between his knees, ‘The Valkyries’ blaring loud enough to drown out the sound of the engine. This was Baldrick’s latest cunning plan – to play stirring martial music as the attack went in to cause fear and consternation in the enemy. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find a copy of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and had instead chosen a somewhat Germanic alternative.

    It had all seemed so simple back at the briefing – nip over the lines, drop some bombs on the Zeppelin and be back in time for a late tea. Surprise was the key, and even the requirement that Blackadder took the RE round again after his bombing run to get photographs didn’t seem to much of a problem. That was before Baldrick alerted every hun between the front line and Berlin to their presence.

    To the right Blackadder could see a patrol of two Albatros scouts bearing down on the British formation, members of the famous Jasta 81, “The Black Penguins”. No matter, he was confident they would be intercepted by their Camel escort, flown by Captain Kyte and his wingman Darcy Spiffington-Smythe. He turned and saw with horror that said escort was a long way back turning lazy circles in the sky. Kyte had dropped his pipe into the cockpit and was bent over trying to retrieve it, not noticing that he was drifting off course, Spiffy his faithful wingman following him. The words ‘dead meat’ and ‘me’ flashed through Blackadder’s mind as he looked towards the approaching Albatros.

    But Oberleutnant Klaus Shave and his wingman Leutnant Hans Nees shot past the bombers, intent on taking on the Camels. Shave had seen the antics of the Sopwiths and assumed they were novice pilots, and an easier kill than the DH4s which had a nasty tendency to shoot back at you. Sadly for him, the Camel drivers were highly experienced, and soon Shave and Nees knew they had a real fight on their hands.

    Not believing their luck, the bombers reduced altitude and settled on their bomb run. By now they were coming over the edge of the field and Archie had opened up on them. Almost immediately there was a blinding flash and one of the DH4s disappeared in a ball of flame and smoke. Lieutenant Hugh Jarce and his observer Airman Wayne Coat had fought their last fight. Hugh was the most popular pilot in the squadron, and the other pilots were saddened by the thought that there would now be an empty chair in the mess that only a Hugh Jarce could fill.

    Archie was still popping away at the bombers and now two more Albatros has joined the fray, flown by Leutnants Max Hite and Hertz von Rental. Blackadder’s RE8 roared over the airship shed and he let go of his bombs, only to see them soar over the shed and land amongst the aircraft on the other side, where Von Strudel and Oberleutnant Willie Seyus were desperately trying to start their Fokker Triplanes. Von Strudel roared off just as the bombs fell, but his fellow pilot and his plane were shredded.

    Fortunately the remaining DH4 had better luck and all managed to hit the Zeppelin shed, although Von Rental had latched on to one and shot the observer Sergeant Warren Peece right between the eyes. Peece’s demise was swift, but not before he implored his pilot with his last dying breath to write to his mater and pater, telling them that their only son had died bravely.

    However, the DH4s had not totally destroyed the airship or the shed and had decided to go round again for a bit of gunnery practice. The Albatros scouts and the Fokker, having repositioned themselves to intercept the bombers as they left the scene, were sold a dummy and went in a completely different direction to the bombers, leaving them a clear run. After several drums of .303 were fired, a glow could be seen in the shed, followed by a spectacular explosion that took out the shed, the Zeppelin and all the aircraft parked nearby. The DH4s beat a hasty retreat, ineffectually pursued by the Germans. Blackadder took advantage of the confusion to complete a photographic run, and as a last act of defiance flung Baldrick’s phonograph into the burning pyre. Unfortunately Baldrick was still holding it at the time.... Mission accomplished, back to the mess to tea and crumpet.
    Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!

  2. #2

    Default

    Thanks for sharing that was a nice read.

  3. #3

    Default

    The sound of hoof beats 'cross the glade
    Good folk, lock up your son and daughter
    Beware the deadly flashing blade
    Unless you want to end up shorter
    Black Adder, Black Adder, he rides a pitch black steed
    Black Adder, Black Adder, he's very bad indeed
    Black: his gloves of finest mole
    Black: his codpiece made of metal
    His horse is blacker than a hole
    His pot is blacker than his kettle
    Black Adder, Black Adder, with many an cunning plan
    Black Adder, Black Adder, you horrid little man.

  4. #4

    Default

    Well written, enjoyed that.

  5. #5

    Default

    I could feel the heat of the explosion all the way over here in Baltimore, Ohio!

    Well told Sir! Well told indeed!
    Ken Head - "The Cowman"
    “You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.” Robin Williams

  6. #6

    Smile

    Nice story!!! I really enjoyed it!!!

  7. #7

    Default

    Excellent piece of prose Gunners - shame about the phonograph !

    "He is wise who watches"

  8. #8

    Default

    A heart-warming and heroic tale

  9. #9

    Default

    Verry punny Gunners. An epic tale of derring do and British pluck in the face of adversity and an implacable enemy. But enough of my part in the saga, it was a fine piece of prose, interspersed with just the right amount of humour to make it an epic in the annals of the squadron.( Is that one n or two) never could spell that word.
    Anyway gongs all round chaps
    Now Blackadder, maybe you would like to step into my office and explain about my bloody phonograph
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  10. #10

    Default

    Hope it amused - it was a lighter version of what happened when we played our airship raid scenario:

    http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2879
    Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!

  11. #11

    Default

    EPIC.....PURE EPIC-NESS
    if thats a word

  12. #12

    Default

    Great story, Steve! Had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading. Laughed out loud at the demise of the phonograph (and Baldrick!!).
    Love a good story with some humor in it!
    Well done.

  13. #13

    Default

    A cracking tale my friend, to be re-lived time and again round the old campfire...

    Poor Baldrick

    Lucky.

  14. #14

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lucky Bryan View Post
    A cracking tale my friend, to be re-lived time and again round the old campfire...

    Poor Baldrick

    Lucky.
    Never mind Baldrick, what about the mess's phonograph?
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  15. #15

    Default from ronald

    nice like it alot! good read!!

  16. #16

    Default

    What a riveting tale! Not to sound old or anything... It really was an amazing story, thanks so much for sharing.

    Hunter



Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •