It all seemed like a fairly straightforward mission to the Bulldogs as they flew over the lines, get in, get to the sights on the photos that the photo recon boys took, and bomb the living daylights out of the Huns on the ground with only the Archie to worry about. No balloons this mission to worry about.
Lead by Pete van der Maren in the DH2 nominally flown by the Major, and accompanying Oliver Tyne and air gunner Ben Nevis in their Gunbus, the other Gunbus flown by Burrington Combe had Ian Solent as bombardier, and top cover in there case was flown by Jim Wellard, just returned from a spell in hospital, but now fully recovered according to himself.
The boys eventually identified the first of their targets whilst still out of range of the Archie defending the area.
What the did not see was a lone green aircraft climbing to meet them from their right.
Unaware of this menace Oliver Tyne picked his first target.
Bombs away chief shouted Nevis over the roar of their Monosoupape engine.
To their left Ian Solent had also just delivered his little bundle of love.
That seemed to wake up the German AA but they were still just out of range.
However the green Eindecker was not out of range and opened up with a burst from his Parabellum.
The line of holes appearing in his right wing woke up Oliver to the fact that he was under fire,
And ground fire did the same for Burrington as Archie burst just in front of his nose.
Meanwhile Pete came swiftly to the rescue of Oliver and with his first roundscreased the pilot of the green machine.
Stunned the Fokker pilot veered away.
At that moment the Bombs impacted spot on target and the Archie got active again.
Fortuitously Pete had just Immelled in pursuit of the Green Fokker and the Archie went wide.
Pete now got up close and cosy to the Fokker and treated him to a few more rounds from his MG.
Meanwhile ,Ian had also splashed his first target and both Gunbusses had released a second load on their second line targets.
As Pete continued to harry the Green Eindecker, a hit went in on Ian's second target.
The fokker Immeled and despite his earlier wound the pilot got in his first rounds on Pete's DH2.
By the time that the Gunbusses had turned and were on the way to the next targets, both Pete and James had been drawn well away from their charges in pursuit of the green machine.
(Thanks a bunch AI)
Then the flack hit Burrington's machine and flames engulfed his Fuselage.
Consequently his bombs which had gone down as the flack rocked his aircraft only got a hit on the very edge of the target area.
Nor was Oliver having much more luck as his bomb missed a field gun park.
After swanning off around the countryside James who was obviously still suffering from the effects of his earlier wound, at last got a shot in on the Green machine which with its wounded pilot was still attempting to get home despite the air being full of British machines.
Oliver missed by a country mile, still suffering from double vision due to his earlier concussion.
Starting a dive for home Burrington was battling the fire which threatened himself and Ian.
Over on the other side of the zone Pete dodged another attempt by the Archie.
Oliver was now having a go at an Army truck park, with a near miss.
James's double vision had cleared and he now got in some serious target practice on the Green machine which was miraculously still in the air and making for home. He managed to set it on fire. This must surely indicate it's imminent demise! He was running out of time and petrol to dish the Hun.
Heading for home as fast as he could Burrington's machine attracted even more Flack which burst well overhead as the Gunbus began its overdive.
The fire burnt more slowly on the Eindecker.
The overdive had worked and Burrington's fire went out much to the relief of the two singed pilots.
Leading a charmed life the Fokker still made for the Drome.
Whilst the British running low on fuel also gave up the game and headed for home, leaving behind a scene of some devastation.
Kyte.
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