Olham 164 Posted April 4, 2009 (edited) Jasta 15, Bonneuil Ferme, 26. April 1918 Oberleutnant Wolfram "Wolf" Mahlo Standing in front of my mirror this morning, I looked into a stranger's hollow eyes. Couldn't sleep well after yesterdays escort mission. Almost got killed by a mad SPAD pilot; he wouldn't let me out. If Richard hadn't jumped in at the last moment... Just made it over the lines. What are we painting our Albatros for so beautifully - the next day, there are holes in it. Lifting my razor blade to my chin, I notice my hand is trembling. Calm down, man! I do my best, but cut myself. Pressing the Alaun stick on the spot, I feel, something bad may happen today. I taunt myself. Sometimes helps, to get into the boots. We take off into low, slate grey clouds. April should be my time; it's my birth month. Thoughts of home. Anna in her white gown - on a meadow with daisies - can almost hear her laughing... Over the front line, south of Villeselve field, we encounter 4 SPAD XIII. This time, we're not outnumbered. And this time, I'll pay you back, boys! I order split and attack, and climb a bit more before the clash. The helter skelter begins! All nervousness is gone. I'm the mad Wolf now, hunting for the kill! Hook up behind a SPAD and give him such a good burst, he pulls up vertical and explodes! Ja! Ja! Ja!!! This is our day! Quick check now. I must be at some 3.000 Meter. I'm the highest flyer - everyone has "travelled downstairs". I can see a SPAD attacking Gussendorf's plane, and must hold myself back, not to break up my wings by my dive. Werner turns fine, the SPAD can't get behind him, but keeps trying. And you don't even notice me, you fool! He get's a full shower of hot lead, and breaks away! In the same moment, I'm hit. I really feel the tackles in the airframe, and a hot, sharp cut on my left cheek. So much for the fool! I pull round so hard, that my Albatros stalls for a moment. While tumbling through the air like a leaf in the wind, the SPAD zooms past me, but collecting hits. I see many white puffs, and pieces coming off. Just when I caught up my crate, Richard von Marchlewitz zooms past me, still after the SPAD. He is literally shooting it to pieces; the pilot must have been dead, before it hit the ground! Now there's only one SPAD left, chasing our new man, Erich Steiner. I jump on it, but can't save him anymore. Flying through the smoke of his crash, I almost ram the SPAD from behind, firing 300 rounds into his plane. He tries to pull away, but must have lost most of his manoeuverability. In a wide right turn, he get it all. Continuing the turn, descending, he get's a last burst. He slams right into the soil. I fire a green flare and circle, and after a while, three Albatros are coming towards me. What a touching moment! On returning, I look around me. Even in this weather, the landscape looks wonderful now. I wipe my cheek, and my hand is sticky red. So what! Looking over my shoulder, I see Mannheim and Gussendorf to my right, and von Marchlewitz to my left. He waves to me with his boyish grin, and I wave back. What a fine wingman he is. Always there, when I need him most! I'll open my best Cognac with him, when we're back at Bonneuil Ferme. Edited April 4, 2009 by Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ras 0 Posted April 4, 2009 A wonderful report, Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
