(Because of all the Database Error trouble I have broken down my AAR into 4 parts. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
Two men struggled to extricate themselves from the surf. They had been in the cold water for 35 minutes but never gave up hope that they would reach the sand bar. Having the large piece of wood from the remains of the boat to keep them afloat had saved their lives. Looking over the sand bar they quickly came to the conclusion their time was limited, the tide was rising.
One of the men, a scientist, had invented a new type of explosive and the other man, an engineer, had designed a new submersible mine using the new explosive. A test was being performed several miles off of the Belgian coast when the mishap occurred. The davit hoisting the mine over the side slipped, the mine swung into the side of the boat at waterline and detonated. The scientist was in the bridgehouse with the captain and was unharmed. The engineer was overseeing the deployment when the tragic accident occurred and was thrown across the deck into the low bulkhead at the stern. His injury was not serious but the rest of the crew working the deployment were outright killed by the explosion.
An SOS was immediately sent via radio. The captain also noted a sandbar a mile or more away and turned the bow towards it before he ran below to assess the boat’s condition. As the boat slowly heeled to the starboard with water enveloping the stern the captain could be heard cursing Neptune from below deck. The scientist and engineer moved towards the bow as the water followed them up the deck. Finally, they had no choice but to jump into the water as the boat was definitely sinking. Before they jumped over the side, they spotted a large piece of floating wood that had been blown off of the boat from the explosion. They clung on to the debris as the boat slipped below the surface. Minutes went by and the captain did not surface. Waiting as long as they could they came to the realization the captain was not going to come up. They then paddled to the sandbar as fast as they could as the water was quite cold.
The radio message had been received, received by both the French and German listeners. Efforts to rescue or apprehend the inventors of the new technology were in motion.
Several miles off the coast Henri turns east leading the flight to where they would hopefully rescue the survivors of the accident. Behind Henri’s N11 flew Claude Lefevre flying a two seater N12. He was not usually in a tandem on missions but had flown the escadrille’s hack enough to make him a go to guy when needed. Behind Claude was Armand Lambert in another two seater. Guy Porcher brought up the tail with hopefully more help on the way.
In the distance two figures were seen on a sandbar. They ran towards the oncoming planes from the west waving excitedly, hoping they were French. Claude and Armand peel off to approach the sandbar from a better angle.
From the east there were more low flying aircraft in the sky.
Konrad Dahl led his boys on their similar mission. Dahl flew a CDL eindecker, Alfred Müller a white Pfalz while Reinhold Schäfer piloted an observerless Rumpler.
Schäfer turns off to align with the sandbar followed by Alex Baldmaus in another Rumpler.
Henri engages the lead Hun. His gun immediately jams and the Hun’s bullets hit the N11’s engine case and spark off a small fire. So far it does little other than discomfort Henri.
Turning off to fight the flames Henri is assaulted by Müller, damaging the N11’s control surfaces.
Claud readied himself for a landing with Armand covering him slightly above and behind.
Schäfer sees the French approaching the sandbar. He knows they will get there first as he is being slowed by a headwind.
Claude touches down just like it was the airfield back at the aerodrome.
Just as he touches down Schäfer sprays him with bullets. The scientist and engineer dive to the sand out of the line of fire.
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