homepage Forums Air Combat & Civil Aviation Wings: Over Flanders Fields DiD Centenary Challenge

Raine, that was my intention. I'm glad it worked.

Also, I'm with Robert on that one. "Young servant girl" I think Franz up for some monkey business. Great story nonetheless.


Robert, I'm also using the cloud mod and I fear my framerate has slightly suffered because of the greater number of clouds, but I don't care. It's just too pretty.

25 May, 1917 Halluin
Jasta 18

The rain never came. Strähle, just as everyone else on the airfield was nursing a pounding headache. He was unsure if the headache was caused by the hangover, or the lack of sleep, or both.. Nevertheless they were all slated to escort a formation of DFW's on a reconnaissance flight near Lens. Schwarzkopf would lead the Schwarm. The engines droned much louder than usual and the controls seemed a lot heavier. Even the air tasted different. The brisk slipstream helped keep him awake and the rumble of the Mercedes engine helped mask the dull headache. Thankfully the two-seaters didn't take too long and they were on their way back and crossing the front lines. They've left the observation machines circling the aerodrome and proceeded to Halluin. 10 minutes later, to Strähle's great relief, their home base came into view. As they were circling to get down to the ground and slot into the landing pattern, another flight of observation machines crossed their path followed by a single Nieuport. Aldi gave chase and easily planted his plane behind the enemy.



As soon as he did that, his usually reliable Mercedes engine coughed and lost all power. He had to abandon the pursuit and glide to the airfield. The job of protecting the two-seaters fell into Strähle's hands. Already fully awake from a good dose of adrenaline he positioned himself behind the Nieuport, just like Schwarzkopf did minutes ago. He begun to hammer at the intruder, but missed. They started to circle each other, moving further and further away from the aerodrome. The Nieuport was more maneuverable and easily foiled Strähle's attempts to follow. They were now flying at each other head on. Strähle's Albatros opened up with both guns and hit the little scout straight in the engine. The prop stopped and the Nieuport was a sitting duck. It landed in the German held territory while Strähle brought his plane's nose about and proceeded to land at the base. He was parched and the first thing after getting out of his crate was to direct himself to the Kasino and find out if there was any booze left from last night. He was almost there when Aldi stopped him, while coming out of Grieffenhagen's office.
"There's a telephone call for you. Come!"
"A telephone call? For me? No one ever calls me. Do you know what's it about?"
"No idea."
Strähle went into the office and picked up the receiver. His mouth was dry and in dire need of a drink. He croaked: "Hallo?"
The voice on the other side recognized him instantly and began excitedly: "Congratulations my dear friend! Such a glorious victory! You must come here at once and inspect your trophy. I can't believe you would keep your word. Frankly I didn't take it serious...."
"Who?" Paul interrupted getting groggy and at that instant, as the wheels inside his head started to turn, it dawned on him it was the Major from last night. The Nieuport he had just shot down landed exactly at the Flak battery location he landed at two days ago. The Major was impressed and invited Paul to come and take some pictures with his trophy. Strähle didn't have to be told twice. He was there within half an hour and was told the plane will be soon transported to be evaluated by Idflieg. When the officials arrived to take possession of an intact N23, they realized that the plane's rudder had mysteriously disappeared. It was later found adorning Kasino wall at Halluin.