OTT CYM Mission 12 – And The Beat Goes On – 27th September 1916 - teaticket
Gliding in for a landing can be fun when it is planned, but a little hair raising when it happens ‘to’ you. With the aerodrome field just in sight The Fokker D.II’s engine gave up the ghost. A rough coughing sputter and then the prop froze. Young Alfred Müller handled it like a seasoned veteran. He didn’t panic at all. Confident behind the stick, Alfred brought the Fokker in for a perfect landing to the surprise of the ground crew chief, Boris Gorloff.
The ground crew quickly pushed the Fokker into the hangar as Boris helped Alfred out of his flying suit.
“You took us by surprise Alfred, coming in so silently. Just like when you return from town early in the morning zometimes, ja?” Boris winked.
Alfred momentarily felt like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar.
Boris continued, “Zo, vas she murdered by those French bastards or did she kommit suicide?”
“Sadly it was a telling blunt blow from the French. She hung in there, sputtering on and off just enough so I could gain some height slowly on the way home. Just as I was passing the Abby to the south west, what, four miles from here, she took her last breath”.
“Her cadaver looks pretty good overall. Only a few holes so an easy job for the boys to work on her body”.
“She’s not as healthy as she looks. I had a devil of a time with gun jams today”, Alfred admitted.
“That’s not a malady of our girl. It’s the garbage ammunition they send us. If we were flying in The Baron’s circle this would not be happening”. Boris’ mood changed in the drop of a guillotine.
Alfred went to pat Boris on the shoulder but stopped inches short and shook his hand instead. Word among the Eagle’s pilots was it was bad luck to touch Boris’ humped shoulder. “I’m sure you will resuscitate her heart. I can hear you call out when she purrs like a kitten again, ’It lives’ !”
Boris gave Alfred a side eye. “Go, you have your debriefing with Onkle. I have work to do. Go”.
Alfred knew he was on the edge with Boris so quickly left for Onkle’s office.
Before the door was closed Onkle started to grill Alfred. “Were is Mulzer and Rosenfeldt? Your only job was to escort them. You return, so where are they”?
Alfred stuttered, “Well Sir it went like..”
Onkle cut him off, “Where are they? You do remember Rudolf Mulzer and Dieter Rosenfleldt do you? Did they range in the guns to take out the target? Those enemy batteries were wrecking havoc on our boys up front in the trenches”.
Alfred tried again, “Well Sir it..”
“Come on come on, spit it out”. Onkle sat back and lit up his pipe.
“Ahem, well Sir, it went like this. I positioned myself above and a little behind Rudi and Deetz. As we crossed the lines I spotted lone Frenchman to the West North West.
With the sun mostly behind us I wasn’t sure if he saw me as he went straight for Rudi. I maneuvered so I could get him from the side and then come up behind him. Unfortunately my gun jammed and all I could do was watch the Frenchman shoot Rudi and Deetz.
Rudi did a great job to get out of his gun arc and set up Deetz for a shot.
As I passed behind Rudi I then saw a second Frenchman coming in. Deetz then set the first Nieuport on fire. I yelled “Great shot Deetz!” but I’m sure he didn’t hear me. We did give each other a quick thumbs up though.
I think these were the newer Nieuports, they looked a bit larger than the N11s”.
Onkle furrowed his brow and cleared his throat.
Alfred got the message and got back on to the action.
“I cleared my jam just as I got past Rudi and just in time as that 2nd Frenchie came swooping in. I twisted in on him making him miss me. I saw some bits fly off his aileron but my gun again went silent.
Rudi was flying like a scout and got in a shot at the 1st Frenchie. I could see Deetz working the radio.
Wouldn’t you know it, these French pilots are crazy! He flew right at Rudi, but Rudi was quick and avoided him. Deetz had to hold on so not to fall out and let the radio go.
I then jockeyed for position until I could get between Rudi and the two Frenchies.
Sadly I let myself get distracted and I kept my eyes on the burning Nieuport too long. The fire went out and before I knew it I was at a disadvantage. Both Nieuports were behind me but luckily at a distance.
Those new Nieuports are fast. They caught up to me much faster than I wanted. Than darn Frenchie put a few holes into my wings.
Then they abandoned me for Rudi and Deetz. I Immelmanned and shot into the closest to me. I did my best to distract him but again I had a round foul in my machine gun.
Deetz ignored them though and worked at the radio. I didn’t see any ground impacts but I really didn’t know where to look.
Rudi was in a tough spot now and I couldn’t shoot. Screaming at the Frenchmen didn’t seem to help as they closed in.
Rudi kept his hair on and maneuvered out of their arcs better than I could with my scout.
Rudi headed back for another run to call on the first target while I tailed the two Frenchies. They might have been a little worried. Maybe they didn’t know I couldn’t shoot?
They were so close together I just fired knowing I had to hit something. Next thing I knew the 1st Frenchie was spinning to the ground.
(I rolled to see who to shoot at. Of course the boom went on the plane with 1 hit point left, not the one with only 2 point of damage. I guess that makes sense though on who should have gone down.)
I was expecting my gun not to work but it seemed fine. Unfortunately the 2nd Frenchie I had to let go as a 3rd approached.
I’m sure Deetz was calling in the arty as he had time since I had chased away the Nieuports.
(Not so luck with the arty calls! O for 3 so far.)
This 3rd Frenchman came on straight at me. I figured I’d get in a quick shot and Immelmann behind him. Damn the ammunition. Another cursed jam, but I couldn’t let the Frenchie know it so followed through my planned maneuver while working out the foul round.
(I missed the photo where both planes jammed their guns shooting face to face)
The Frenchman turned off while I leveled off. He wanted me to think he was running for it but I detected he was about to Immelmann and planned for it. When he did I had just cleared my guns and was ready to shoot, not that it did me much good.
Next time I go up I’ll bring my pistol. At least then I’ll be able to keep shooting. Damned Frenchman, he riddled my engine but good.
While I was tangling with the 3rd Frenchie Rudi had to deal with the 2nd. As soon as I could throw off mine I went back to help Rudi.
This Frenchie must have know Rudi was a crack shot and pulled off…but not far enough!
Was he that brave or know he could not escape Rudi? He reversed right into Rudi to face the gun fire.
I got past the 3rd Frenchie. He seemed a little preoccupied with his Lewis. Good for him.
My engine was sputtering more roughly so I knew I had to leave. I did so but with an eye on the 2nd Frenchie.
He might have been too brave as he didn’t show any fear when I sent a stream of bullets into him. Poor guy burst into flames as he fell like a stone.
Deetz was having as much success with his radio as I with my machine gun.
I could not stay to protect Rudi and Deetz any longer. I couldn’t help it but I had to leave them on their own. Rudi is an excellent pilot so I have to trust he and Deetz are ok”.
The next morning Rudolf Mulzer was brought to the aerodrome in a staff car. He was not looking his best as he slowly got out of the car. The pain on his face was obvious.
Several Eagles slowly helped Rudi to the mess. His wound was well dressed but blood was still seeping through a little.
Rudi had a difficult time speaking. “Dee…”. Ten seconds of silence passed and everyone in the mess expected the worst. Deetz isn’t coming back, they got him”.
A deep breath, and then after Rudi looked into each of the Eagle’s eyes he spoke. “A barrage landed right on target. Deetz hit that one on the head”.
(Finally with a 2nd try on target 2 with the +4 a battery was destroyed!)
Another deep breath, “Just after Alfred left, the last Nieuport came in. There was nothing else to do but turn to face him.
“We traded shots. I’m sure I hit him, but he also hit us. Our Rumpler had had enough and just gave up".
"I got us down but it was a rough landing. Deetz broke his legs when he was thrown out of the plane. I didn’t want to but had to leave him. He insisted. He didn’t want me stuck in a prison with him, wanted me to keep on fighting. I made him as comfortable as I could before making it into some nearby woods. I saw a party of Poliu carry him off so he should be in good hands by now.
Where’s that Müller? I’m not sure what he was up to but he was flying circles around them. Looked like he was toying with them. He could have shot them down a lot quicker it seemed from my view. He did get a pair of them so did a good job. Too bad he had to head off. I don’t blame him though. I’m assuming engine trouble as I could see blue smoke coming from his engine".
Müller was out on the morning patrol. When he returned he was thrilled to see Rudi. Tough to take the news of Deetz but at least he’s alive. Who knows, maybe we’ll see him again in a prisoner exchange or an escape?
Butcher’s Bill
Bouledogues de la Republique
LaPointe EXP FT 0 Kills
C 4 -3(exp) = 1 KIA
Boiseaumarie FLM FT 0 Kills
C 4 -2(flm) = 2 KIA
Baux RTB 1 Kill
Kaiser’s Eagles
Ltn. Alfred Müller FRTB-E 2 Kills
FRTB 1 & 6
Ltn Rudolf Mulzer SD ET 0 Kills
C 8 -1(sd) = 7 injured, 1 = miss 1 Mission
E 9 -1(wic) -1(bel) = 7 Made it through the landing, Miss 1 Mission
Ltn Dieter Rosenfeldt SD ET 0 Kills
C 8 -1(sd) = 7 injured, 3 = miss 1 Mission
E 3 -1(wic) -1(bel) = 1, Captured!!!
Mission Victory Points
Entente
Downed tandem 15
Scout FRTB 5
Total 20
Eagles
Downed scouts 2 x 5 = 10
Target destroyed 10
Total 20
Draw!
Reply With Quote
That was a great story driven 
but in the meantime have some well deserved Rep!
for his 5th & 6th victories for the Kaiser. 
Well played though, throughout. RIP LaPointe and Boiseaumarie 
A fine end to the campaign and a fitting draw to boot.
But you better get a new armourer first 
Originally Posted by Teaticket
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