Albert, you could be a fortune teller. You are absolutely right about those two-seaters, as you will see in today’s instalment. Klaus was very excited about his mission, but he had no idea what was in store for him. As for Kevin, another run of the mill day. A quiet mission and one full of Albatroses. It’s just too bad he has nothing to show for it, but that’s how it sometimes goes. One day you get all claims confirmed, the next … you know. Better luck tomorrow!
Raine, I had high hopes for Klaus when the new Fokkers arrived, but as you will see next, it wasn’t meant to be. A rather unsuccessful day for the German pilot. It looks like it was an uneventful day for George as well, but of his own making. Avoiding numerically superior foe is the right thing to do and I doubt the men he leads will think any less of him for doing so. But the most important question to ask is: how were those financiers?
15 June, 1918 11:20 Montingen, Verdun Sector Jasta 18 Feldwebel Klaus Gustav Raben Fokker D.VII 6 confirmed kills
The men were anxious to try their new machines. Klaus had high hopes for his shiny Fokker. Over were the days when all enemy planes would concentrate on his inferior Pfalz. No one would think he’s an easy target anymore. “Gott mit uns!” Their first mission was ground forces support along the Front sector south of Nomeny. An easy job and probably uneventful Justin go by the sector activity. They were approaching the Front when the Schwarmfürher gave signal to attack. They all started to climb to meet the enemy that was now approaching from above. Klaus was confident he’ll get at least one of those large Bréguets, but the truth was, all the enemy planes ganged up on him. Swooping down and climbing up again out of reach. He had three of the beasts on his tail and no one was moving a finger to help him. Shots rang out and Raben noticed the smell of petrol. The trail of escaping fuel confirmed his fears. “- Just great!” Klaus thought to himself. “- What’s next? A bullet to the head?” Obviously he won’t have to deal with a fire. Everything flammable is escaping his plane. Then he heard a terrifying crack and his plane entered a spin. He looked to his starboard to find a missing lower plane. “- This is a fine how do you do, I’m going to die!” He panicked. Out of desperation he pulled on the throttle. “- There was no rush to where I’m going. Why get there at full throttle?” Klaus thought to himself. Incredibly the reduced torque of the engine levelled out his plane. He had control! His Fokker was flying level with a dash of rudder applied. He wasn’t out of the woods yet. In fact, he was heading straight for them at his current heading. He looked for an open field and gently aimed at the spot. The bloody two-seaters were right behind him, trying to catch up. He finally noticed another Fokker come and swat the bombers off his tail. Klaus said a quiet prayer and concentrated on landing his crippled machine. He was nearly down, but it looked like he’s not going to clear a row of trees in front of him. He gently pulled up and barely glided over them. Now, for a perfect three-point landing. He stalled the machine too early and it began to bank to the right. The landing gear hit the ground and collapsed. The Fokker slid on the turf and the top right wing dug into the ground. His plane was now stationary. A two-point landing, but a landing he was glad to walk away from. Klaus was lucky this time.
"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."
