Albert, a day off - perfect for getting acquainted with the fellow pilots. Those ‘lance corporal’ bacon sandwiches sound perfect just about now.
Lou, glad to see you’ve not forsaken us and you’ve come with gifts. Many thanks for taking the time out from your busy schedule to bestow the honours.
MFair, congrats on the well deserved bling. Now, be on the lookout for that little vicious imp in the pink tutu.
Blade, that’s an abnormal skill you have there to recognize certain type of people, especially when they’re still wearing their clothes.
12 June, 1918 15:10 Lomme, Flanders Sector Jasta 18 Feldwebel Klaus Gustav Raben Pfalz D.IIIa 5 confirmed kills
After two days of rain the weather improved significantly and by the afternoon the field was in condition good enough to take off and land. The HQ urgently required support for ground troops along the front lines between Loos and Givenchy and both Schwärme would be sent out for this only operation of the day. The flight had gotten only as far as their initial waypoint. A flight of enemy dots accompanied by Flak attracted their attention and one of the enemy machines turned to face them. It looked like he singled out Klaus’ machine. Seeing this, Raben dove under the rest of his Schwarm for protection, but they simply moved away and went chasing after the two-seaters those Camels were escorting. So, now it was a Camel versus a Pfalz while the rest of Schwarm Zwei and the entire Schwarm Eins just moved on. Another Camel joined the first one and then one more. Really!? There are no other targets except this Pfalz? Klaus was not amused. A desperate struggle commenced. A sight of another Pfalz coming to the rescue was welcomed and then Raben also noticed his cousin in the Dreidecker join the fight. But the Camels ignored them and concentrated all their efforts on bringing Klaus down. He was desperate. During one of the evasive manoeuvres he spotted an observation balloon in the distance. That was his way out. He just needed to bring those Tommies closer. His radiator was hit again and a trail of steam followed Raben wherever he went. By the time he reached the balloon there were only two Camels chasing him. Good old August, he must have cleared one off his tail. They were now fighting near the gasbag and the boys downstairs opened up on the Camels. One was scared away and the last one belonged to Klaus. With his engine on the verge of overheating he was able to finally get his guns on the enemy and put a few holes in it. The Sopwith tried a sneaky tactic by flying close to the balloon, hoping the German pilot would snag one of the cables. Klaus was onto him and avoided the obstacle, then poured both barrels into the retreating foe. The Camel flew on for a while and then went into a shallow dive after the last volley from the Spandaus. He soon crashed below and the Pfalz was able to get down near the balloon with the engine boiling. The Camel crashed close by and Klaus was able to get a trophy from the wreck. There would be no denying him this claim.
"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."
