Raine, somehow I have a feeling it’s the other way around. It’s not Collins fishing for Alex, but Alex fishing for the two VC recipients. Could she be a German spy?
Lou, yes your story was nice too. Eggy and Chesty. It does sound like a comedy act. Unfortunately for Chesty he can never get to the show with those constant engine failures.
Wulfe, looking forward to what you’ve got brewing over there.
Carrick, finally some easy missions. Hopefully this will not dull your senses. Stay alert!
Squadron Commander Tobias C Mulberry was standing by the edge of the road near to where his sick Strutter has landed. He had a warm feeling below the belt and spreading quickly onto the back of his thighs. It smelled bad. It all began when his engine started to make strange noises near Eloyes on their way to bomb enemy trenches NE of Baccarat along with the ‘A’ flight. He gave the signal to “Eggy” to continue and split from the formation looking for the closest aerodrome. Toby aimed for Épinal, just NW of his position. He was concerned with the fog forming near the ground. The Strutter was starting to sound worse, but still manageable. He was getting closer to the ground but couldn’t locate the aerodrome. He pressed on and followed the road below, hoping it will lead him to the ‘drome. Something made him look to the rear. There was another Strutter just behind. Why was Eggleston following him? He gave him specific instructions to continue with the mission! And then it hit him, what if that is not his wingman? What if that is not a Strutter? But what else could it be? It all happened in a split second. Toby still looking back, banked abruptly and the air he had just occupied was filled with bullets zipping by. He was shocked and scared, but his muscles were working on instinct. The Strutter continued to turn in a tight circle and Toby finally saw for the first time the back of his attacker. It was a biplane, but not an Aviatik. It was fast and very maneuverable. The rear gunner was perched on top of the machine, almost straddling it, like a horse. Mulberry only heard of these machines. They called them Rolands, like the French Knight. Very odd choice. But where did it come from? Are there more? Will his engine fail any minute? The questions were flying through Mulberry’s mind as he squeezed the trigger of his Vickers. The enemy machine was getting hit, soon smoke started to come from the engine and before Toby knew it, the Hun was falling. It hit the ground but did not disintegrate into a million pieces. The fuselage was made so strong that it remained in one piece. Mulberry was shocked and scared even more when he saw that. They are nearly indestructible! This is not good! He quickly came for a landing right then and there. The engine began to run very rough. He had no time to locate the aerodrome. It was safer that way. As he unstrapped himself and picked himself up from the cockpit he felt his seat was warm and something slid down his pant legs. The stink mixed with the exhaust fumes, oil and hot metal. The stench told him more than his current state of hygiene, it told him what each Eindecker pilot must feel when they see a Strutter on their tail.
"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys, The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain, From out of my arse take the camshaft, And assemble the engine again."
