homepage Forums Air Combat & Civil Aviation Wings: Over Flanders Fields Deep Immersion DiD campaign -- Player Instructions (UPDATED 28 Nov 2018)

2nd Ltn. Ainslie Harris
Bruay Airfield
June 7, 1917

“Beautiful day to fly” thought Harris. The push was on at Messines and 40 was to patrol the lines at Menen. As B Flight approached the lines near their patrol area the ground below looked like a living hell. As Harris took in the scene below, Keen signaled the attack and dove. Harris quickly followed and saw the 7 red tailed Huns below. They scattered like a covey of quail And Harris set his sights on one. He got in a good burst and the Albatros shuddered, side slipped and dove. Knowing he was over his own lines he followed, staying on his tail. As he started firing again , bullets smashed into his machine as another passed overhead. In an instant he new he was in trouble. The Nieuport was not responding to his input. Finally, holding the stick all the way to port he was able to keep it straight. Looking around he saw no one was on him. “Check your bearings hoss! Get down quick.” Thoughts were going through his mind like lightning. “Heading west. Our trenches ahead!” Working throttle and stick he struggled to keep the Nieuport level. As he passed over his own trenches his machine was met with a round of machine gun and rifle fire. “You sonsabitches, I’m on your side!” “That road there” he thought as he spied the straight road in front of him that was mostly clear. The Nieuport hit the ground hard and came to a skidding stop. Harris sat in the cockpit stunned. “That’s as close as you ever came to your maker!” He said out loud. Then a huge explosion 50 yards away which sent dirt falling on the Nieuport let Harris know he was not out of the woods yet. He unbuckled and jumped clear faster than he ever had. He saw a group of soldiers motioning him over and he ran and climbed down into the trench. A rough looking tommie asked, “you alright Sir?” Harris looked around stunned. “I reckon so!” The soldier pulled out a flask and handed it to Harris. “Er’ you go Sir, this will set you right!” Harris looked up at the grizzled figure and took the flask. “Don’t mind if I do friend”. Harris took a good gulp from the flask and handed it back, his hand shaking badly.