Albert, Pyotr figured he can do more damage to those two-seaters than the canvas on those hangars. You can’t stitch back a burning wreck. There’s definitely much Jacob and Marguerite could discuss together. I’d rather like Kühn try to dissuade the nurse from volunteering to a frontline posting. Madness I tell ya, madness! All those bombers think they’re scouts. What is this world coming to? Good call on staying away from the melee where all it takes is one pilot too keen to down the enemy and instead taking out his Kamerad. So, more Camels, eh? Nothing new for Jacob. Wait for one to fly into your gunsights and squeeze the trigger. Done and done. Congrats on all these confirmed claims. Someone at HQ must like our hero. And yes, that letter is begging to be written finally. Time to do something about it.
Raine, if Pyotr ever finds out who was that cad in the SPAD, he will make that lad extremely sad. So, George finally found out why he’s in the Navy but not on a boat and it only cost him his breakfast. Looks like there’ll be plenty of time for MacAlister to relax while feeling guilty. Perhaps a visit from Bronwyn will take the edge off?
Kebab, that was too easy. Were all the guards sleeping? Those Tommies will never win the war this way. Glad Schutzmeier found his way back home.
Carrick, those cads in their SPADs, stealing Henri’s glory.
MFair, we can all see why Kemp isn’t keen on getting back to the war too quickly. For all we know, he could await the armistice in that hospital. Congrats on the confirmed SE.
NR, yes, I’ve noticed Dean “volunteers” for these dangerous balloon missions. He will be a legend in no time. I would agree with you it could be a “feature”, except those three pilots remain even if the mission generator assigns a different mission. Oh well, got to live with it I guess. As for Pyotr he takes good with the bad. Like these missions to attack same aerodrome over and over. Still, better than the useless scramble missions. Speaking of which, there was one Dean won’t forget too soon. Perhaps even keep away from those Hunnish Hannovers. It really could have gone either way, especially with Cunningham’s wing already with significant damage. In the end he proved that he is not just a balloon buster, but a wing buster as well. Well done on getting some action and getting it confirmed as well. Now, what’s this about no hungover after a party you can’t remember? Perhaps you just don’t remember the hungover? And sometimes it is nice to show the enemy what a squadron looks like at full strength. This parade over their airspace probably made a few pants filthier.
17 May, 1918 06:45 morning mission Hétomesnil, Marne Sector Esc SPA 67, GC 12 Sergent Pyotr Fyodor Smirnov MM SPAD VII 5 confirmed kills
The Hannover shot down near Champien aerodrome has been confirmed. Pyotr was an ace now. The HQ had some score to settle with the occupants of Champien aerodrome and ordered another attack. Smirnov was told to attack the hangars this time instead of chasing after taking off airplanes. He followed the rest of the flight in and performed a few strafing runs on the hangars, but none of them were showing any signs of damage. Not even one bullet hole. With this pointless exercise complete they returned to base.
17 May, 1918 11:30 noon mission Hétomesnil, Marne Sector Esc SPA 67, GC 12 Sergent Pyotr Fyodor Smirnov MM SPAD VII 5 confirmed kills
The damage done to the airfield in the morning was deemed insufficient. HQ decided to send SPA 67 boys to rectify the situation. Was it a wise decision to attack the enemy airfield twice in a row? The enemy would definitely never expect it. After arriving over their target they’ve begun their attack. It didn’t take long to attract the attention of nearby enemy patrol. Blast it! Why did it have to be Triplanes!? By some miracle Smirnov found himself behind one of the devils and began to fire at it. He probably would have gotten him too were it not for the Boche’s wingman who arrived to help. Pyotr could not, would not fight two of them. Instead he decided that was all the good he could do here and decided to get back to his own side.
Once on the French side of the mud he noticed one of the Dreideckers had followed him across, with another SPAD just behind. Smirnov liked those odds and turned his plane around to face the foe. Together with his squadron mate they began to hunt the Hun. Hunt was too strong of a word for what they were able to mount against the enemy machine. Finally Pyotr had the Boche in his sights and commenced his barrage. The “onslaught” did not last long as Smirnov’s Vickers ran dry. With his tail between his legs Pyotr skulked away leaving the other SPAD to deal with the enemy. After landing in foul mood he was told his machine was too badly damaged to participate in the afternoon raid. In his frustration Pyotr kicked a nearby bucket with used motor oil, spilling most of it on his trousers.
"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."
