OTT DYM Mission 3 - Knowledge is Power - 19th Jan 1916 - by Skafloc
Combat Report 19th January 1916
Fotografische Aufklärung: Ltn S. Kafloc.
1,500m photographic reconnaissance of our front line trenches for high command.
As we approached our front line trenches we observed several enemy aircraft but continued on task. At the mid-point of our reconnaissance we were engaged by a French Nieuport 12, 2 seater. We were able to drive this plane off in flames towards the French rear area and finish our primary task.
We climbed to 2,000m to engage a French Caudron GIV that was directing artillery onto one of our gun battery positions. We were engaged by a French Morane scout that had just shot down an Eindecker. I managed to shoot this aircraft down in flames. We then engaged and managed to force the French Caudron to disengage from its mission and leave our combat area.
Due to damage sustained we could not follow but returned to base.
aus dem persönlichen Tagebuch von Leutnant S. Kafloc:
We were called into the CO’s office this morning for a quick briefing. HQ wanted a photo recon flight over a particular part of our trenches. This was to be our primary mission.
Theodore and myself prepared the aircraft, our Rumpler, ‘Fat Gertrude’, was showing her age. Perhaps we would get one of the new Albatros 2-seaters that some of the front line units were receiving. It was another cold morning as we took off. I had just completed 3 days training in taking pictures and 1 day taking them from an aircraft. My first results were poor, over exposure, out of focus. But my last flight was good enough for me to pass, not with any distinction.
It was a calm, clear cold day as we flew towards the front lines.
French Escadrille Pont Neuf HQ.
Ok Albert take off and aggressively patrol the front line from here to here.
Marcel, Charles you will fly the Nieuport 12 and provide escort cover for Auguste and Leroy in the Caudron GIV. They will be directing our artillery today against a German battery that has just moved up to the front line. The Germans are building up to something and we need to stop them. Good hunting. Bon voyage.
aus dem persönlichen Tagebuch von Leutnant S. Kafloc:
We spotted the Morane scout early but it turned away so we ignored that threat and stayed on task. To our front a pair of French 2-seaters were crossing the lines. We remained on task.
As Theodore banked to turn into our run, I prepared the camera, having made sure the parabellum was loaded and check fired.
I was taking pictures but Theodore turned and pointed towards the French silver 2-seater to our left then to the Morane to our right. Both had turned towards us. I kept taking pictures.
I learned later that newly arrived Lt Jacob Freihoff had been ordered to attack the 2 French aircraft and was already heading towards us.
The Caudron GIV seemed to be circling a specific spot. From my training as an observer I recognised this as an artillery direction mission. I got back to taking photos.
Sure enough I could hear shells whistling over our aircraft and then observed the fall of shot. I hope they had missed. I could see an Eindecker closing in fast. I thought to myself, go get them friend.
Theodore was doing an excellent job. Keeping the Rumpler steady as I took frame after frame.
Suddenly my concentration was broken as bullets wanged and clanged into our upper wing. Glancing left I could see the Nieuport was closing in fast.
I managed to get off a burst just after the Nieuport ripped more holes in our fuselage and a plume of smoke started from our engine. Damn. Looking up to see my handy work I saw flames licking around the engine cowling of the Nieuport.
Freihoff had engaged the Cuadron.
I wondered why the Nieuport had stopped firing as I poured more bullets into it. Then clunk……I forgot to change the drum!
The Nieuport turned away and headed back over the lines. We turned to follow. But the French aircraft eluded us and crossed over into safety.
Freihoff was having little luck against the Caudron.
Then we watched as the Morane scout, which had arrived in the nick of time, along with the Caudron, just blew chunks of wing and fuselage from around Jacob Freihoff.
As we closed I saw Jacob jerk back as bullets from the Caudron slammed home.
Jacobs Eindecker crashed near to the gun battery he was trying to protect. So far the French artillery had missed.
We closed with the Morane.
I heard a bang as the Morane passed under us. Theodore had climbed at the last moment. I could see the Morane was losing power, it’s engine spluttering. I hoped that the Frenchman had sustained more damage than we had.
Not so it appeared. This Frenchman was a devil. He had spun round and was firing into us before I could react.
But I was taking careful aim. His bullets did not put me off. I watched as my bullets slammed into his engine cowling causing flames to shoot out.
He missed and I missed as the flames continued to devour his tiny aircraft. And it slammed into the ground. My first kill.
We closed on the Caudron. Too close, as Theodore threw the Rumpler to one side just missing the huge French 2-seater.
The Frenchman managed to get a quick shot off before I could retaliate.
Blam, blam, blam. My carefully aimed shots slammed into the Caudron.
Theodore turned and I got off another long range shot as we were in the blind spot of the Caudron.
But I was wrong. The French observer had moved to the front gun and caught us as we turned. Smoke started belching out from our Gertrude for a second time.
Theodore passed the Caudron, again danger close. But we missed each other.
I got off a passing shot.
But Theodore pointed forward, we were going home. Poor Gertrude had taken a hammering. We needed to get home. I watched as the Caudron limped away back over the front line. At least we had stopped the French artillery.
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Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte
for his victory & mission count 
but a game well worth Rep.
c'est le guerre. 
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