Oberflugmeister Jacob Kühn, EK1 Marine-Feld-Jagdstaffel 1 Jabbeke airfield
22 confirmed kills
5th May 1918
Oberleutenant Saschenberg took the briefing and confirmed the whole Jasta would be heading south towards Ypres.
The weather was still awful, persistent rain, thick clouds and high winds.
They formed up after taking off and began climbing. They'd reached about 4000 feet when Jacob saw flak bursts over towards Aertrycke airfield. He kept his eyes on them and could just make out two groups. He looked around to make sure there was nothing else around ready to jump them.
The whole Jasta had seen the enemy formations now and moved towards Aertrycke.
Jacob could now see what they were up against, a formation of Strutters was attacking the airfield and they had escorts which appeared to be Camels judging by the shape.
Just then the escorts dived down onto Marine-Feld-Jagdstaffel 1. All hell broke loose, Jacob avoided a diving attack from two Camels but then a third put bullets in his wing. He rolled and dived but two of the Camels went with him. He tried something....he zoom climbed up and over to his left and one of the Camels flew across his nose. Jacob fired instinctively and scored hits.
The Camel rolled right and ran for home. Jacob looked for the other Camel and saw he was trying to latch on to his tail. So his trick had worked to a point but now he had more work to do. He pulled the tightest turn he could and the pair swirled around and around losing height.
The Camel seemed to be gaining on Jacob but suddenly, when they were only a few hundred feet up, the Camel broke and climbed. He was pulling away from Jacob but he fired up into the Camel. Another burst and the Camel rolled around. Jacob had him now, he poured both barrels into him and the Camel spluttered and smoked.
A final burst and the enemy aircraft burst into flames. Jacob watched as he nosed down and smashed into the ground.
Jacob looked around but saw nothing and thought it best to head back home.
As he landed back at Jabbeke he saw other Albatrosse landing and on their approaches.
On reporting his victory he was called into Saschenberg's office.
"Good work out there today Jacob" started Saschenberg
"We have claimed four enemy aircraft, and without serious loss of our own" he continued
"We will have to wait for confirmation of your claim meine freund, we were all otherwise engaged" Saschenberg said with a wry grin.
"I understand Herr Oberleutenant" confirmed Jacob
"I have more news for you Oberflugmeister, very good news. I received confirmation today from the Kaiser's office in Berlin. They have seen fit to award you the Hohenzollern House Order" explained Saschenberg.
Jacob was taken aback "I'm honoured herr Oberleutenant" was as much as he could muster.
"It is well deserved Oberflugmeister, you are the top scoring Kanone in the Marine-Feld-Jagdstaffeln" said Saschenberg
"I have not received details as yet but I believe Fregattenkapitän Adalbert, Prince of Prussia will be presenting the award on behalf of his father the Kaiser. Once I know more I will of course let you know" explained Saschenberg.
"You are bringing great honour on our Jasta Jacob, accompany me to the kasino if you would so I can announce it to the Jasta" finished Saschenberg
"Of course Oberleutenant" said Jacob as they upped and left.
"A great deal of an aeroplane could be holed without affecting its ability to fly. Wings and fuselage could be—and often were—pierced in 50 places, missing the occupants by inches (blissfully unaware of how close it had come until they returned to base). Then the sailmaker would carefully cover each hole with a square inch of Irish linen frayed at the edges and with a brushful of dope make our aircraft 'serviceable' again within an hour."
