Olham 164 Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) Well, now I can show his log here as well - my best pilot got captured. But I wouldn't have done it any other way. We escorted 5 DFW C.V over the front line NW of Lens. Flight 1 was too far ahead, when I spotted 4 SPAD VII from RFC-23 approaching our recon flight. I turned and gathered my men; then we engaged. The SPADs had shot down 2 DFW right at their first go, and we could only try to save the other two. But when we all had just entered the tango, 8 (in words: EIGHT!) more SPAD appeared - now it was our 6 to their 9. I shot the right lower wing off one craft, and when I turned, I saw Douglas Urchart 'Mac' McGregor creeping up on me! We danced up and down, and he tried to confuse me with some really good manoeuvers. But when he finally came out of them, he seemed more dizzy than I was, and I shot him down. But then I got hit by his wingman, and, although I quickly evaded the tracers, he had hit my tank or engine so, that it stopped short after. A look at the map - too far behind the line, or too low for a long glide. I tried it, but I came down on the wrong side. POW for the rest of the war. The only chance to survive all this for longer, lies in flying very defensive, and only pick the safe chances for a kill. But I can't let a recon flight alone, that we where sent to escort. Impossible. I would live, but I wouldn't be happy with it. Leutnant Werner Mahlo was the previous one I lost. But I'll try again, Crumpets!! (Didn't know, the Tommies had the SPAD VII). Edited October 11, 2009 by Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hasse Wind 46 Posted October 9, 2009 Bad luck, Olham. The secret of staying alive long is to be EXTREMELY careful every time you take off from your home field. But that is so much more easier said than done! You are an aggressive pilot not afraid of dangerous situations, so it would definitely help not to use labels and TAC - then you are less likely to spot all the enemies and be drawn into impossible situations, but even that doesn't help always - I know that from personal experience! I try hard to act like a hunter, but I guess I can't help myself as I always eventually end up taking stupid risks and flying too aggressively. I've noticed this is very deadly in 1918 German campaigns, when there are so many enemies everywhere. And I just can't leave my AI comrades alone when I see they are being attacked by numerically superior Entente flights somewhere over the front - I have to intervene, and often this gets me killed when the wisest thing to do would be to stay away if the odds are very unfavourable. I suppose you (and many others) have similar experiences. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itifonhom 6 Posted October 9, 2009 Really bad luck kamerad! I try to stay at our side of the field, I hate it when the crumpets get me. Too bad that the Rittmeister must drink tea at five until the end of the war. So never talk about your pilots! itifonhom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bullethead 12 Posted October 10, 2009 I don't mind talking about mine; they're all going to die soon anyway . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duce Lewis 3 Posted October 10, 2009 A salute to the Rittmeister He'll no doubt harass his captors so much they'll wish they could give him back PS/Edit: I just realise, that the medals didn't show up, when I did the screenshot. The Rittmeister also has 2 Iron Crosses. All my medals seem to dissappear once a pilot is killed or captured too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted October 10, 2009 Olham, you may be more supersticious than before but I think you will keep using the same statedgy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldric 42 Posted October 10, 2009 Sorry to see your good pilot captured and forced inside of a prison cage. At least he's alive and will eventually return home. I think I better go start another couple of pilots now rather than wait the inevitable (knowing my luck hehe). Absent friends, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted October 10, 2009 I say, Bad luck. Hope that u have another warming up for his turn at bat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted October 10, 2009 Don't worry too much Olham. All captured airmen are usually treated to a good Piss up in the Mess....before being carted off!...lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted October 10, 2009 Haha, Widow, I'm sure the British will treat an officer as a gentleman - and I wouldn't have to miss my beloved tea.. What they don't know - I've seen "The Great Escape"... Mmmuahahahahahahaaaaaa!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted October 10, 2009 Haha, Widow, I'm sure the British will treat an officer as a gentleman - and I wouldn't have to miss my beloved tea.. What they don't know - I've seen "The Great Escape"... Mmmuahahahahahahaaaaaa!!!! Ah yes...But I think you will find that us Tommies actually know what we are doing?...Unlike the Stereotypical brain dead Sentries in the said Movie!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted October 10, 2009 . Bad luck Olham. Be sure to let us know which camp they drop you in and we'll see to it that you get a little something extra in your Red Cross packages. Cheers! Lou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duce Lewis 3 Posted October 10, 2009 Haha, Widow, I'm sure the British will treat an officer as a gentleman - and I wouldn't have to miss my beloved tea.. What they don't know - I've seen "The Great Escape"... Mmmuahahahahahahaaaaaa!!!! You better hope they don't ship you off to the US I saw a documentary where about 5 German prisoners escaped in WWII Course they were in the desert southwest ...nowhere to go!!! They recaptured some and the last one eventually turned himself back in Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted October 11, 2009 Hmm - desert in the SW would be New Mexico - not so good! But other POWs have been in Idaho or Minnesota, or maybe Ohio (can't remember), and some liked it so much they stayed there. That reminds me of a "CALVIN & HOBBES" strip (Does anyone know the boy with the tiger?) You see their heads from behind, they are lying in a meadow, and Calvin asks Hobbes: "Hobbes, when we die - where do you think we go?" The tiger replies: "Pittsburgh." Calvin: "You mean, when we where good, or when we where bad?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bullethead 12 Posted October 11, 2009 Hmm - desert in the SW would be New Mexico - not so good! Deserts are the best places to live. No humidity, a field of fire so vast you need arty to cover it all, and damn few people to mess it all up. And all of it covered with spectacular rock formations in brilliant colors you never see elsewhere. Even the sky is in HD big screen. If you've never lived out there, you have no appreciation for what the sky really looks like, day or night, rain or shine. Plus, there's the so-called American prong-horn "antelope" (actually a thing unto itself), jack rabbits, coyotes, Indian pueblos inhabited and ruined, the capital city of the Navajo Nation, Spanish missions, Roswell, the grave of Billy the Kid, and all kinds of other good stuff. They don't call it the "Land of Enchantment" for nothing. I'd rather live in the adjacent parts of Texas, but New Mexico's a close second. But other POWs have been in Idaho or Minnesota, or maybe Ohio (can't remember),and some liked it so much they stayed there. I suppose these places seemed more like home to Germans, even down to the language of some of the locals. But there's too much snow up there for me That reminds me of a "CALVIN & HOBBES" strip (Does anyone know the boy with the tiger?)You see their heads from behind, they are lying in a meadow, and Calvin asks Hobbes: "Hobbes, when we die - where do you think we go?" The tiger replies: "Pittsburgh." Calvin: "You mean, when we where good, or when we where bad?" C&H was the best comic made since Li'l Abner. I have most of the whole series in books. When I fly OFF, I always think of Calvin running through the house with a toy flying saucer yelling "SPACEMAN SPIFF IS GOING DOWN!!!!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duce Lewis 3 Posted October 11, 2009 But other POWs have been in Idaho or Minnesota, or maybe Ohio (can't remember), and some liked it so much they stayed there. That's sound about right The Geneva Convention forbade use of POW's to further the war effort Many German POW's were used as farm labor, picking potatos in Idaho, etc. Deserts are the best places to live. No humidity, a field of fire so vast you need arty to cover it all, and damn few people to mess it all up. And all of it covered with spectacular rock formations in brilliant colors you never see elsewhere. Even the sky is in HD big screen. If you've never lived out there, you have no appreciation for what the sky really looks like, day or night, rain or shine. Plus, there's the so-called American prong-horn "antelope" (actually a thing unto itself), jack rabbits, coyotes, Indian pueblos inhabited and ruined, the capital city of the Navajo Nation, Spanish missions, Roswell, the grave of Billy the Kid, and all kinds of other good stuff. They don't call it the "Land of Enchantment" for nothing. I'd rather live in the adjacent parts of Texas, but New Mexico's a close second. Many do like the desert life I have dry skin & after 2 weeks I'm an alligator so it's not my cup o' tea I agree, the desert sky is something to behold No moisture means no haze so they're the bluest skies I've ever seen If you drive out, away from the population and light polution, there's many more stars to see Best part was our company was very generous as far as meal charges We ate steak night after night & Texas has some great steak houses! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted October 11, 2009 Ha, that was funny! I went through my pilots' logs, and saw the Order of the House of Hohenzollern attached to my Rittmeister, who had landed behind the lines and got captured. when I did the first screenshot, no medals would show at all. Now it didn't only show the 2 Iron Crosses I knew he had, but also the "Hohenzollern". If he got it rewarded in absence, after his last flight? Anyway - I exchanged the screens above - it's my first "Hohenzollern". Looks beautiful! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldric 42 Posted October 11, 2009 Lovely work, Olham -- nice medal indeed, and very pleased it was awarded to him at least like that, rather than posthumously Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest British_eh Posted October 11, 2009 Pech Herr Olham! If you get posted to an English POW camp, you will relish in bangers and mash, fish and chips, tea and crumpets, and all the finery of the consumate cusine that the British can offer My best pilot had 14 hours, flying out of Markebeeke, February 1918, and died in his Dr.1 as the result of wicked and unrecoverable spin :( Now, I can't get a pilot past 2 hours. Fight8ing the Bristol fighter, it always seems to be two on one, and they seem to always hit the engine :( ; saw this on another post. Cheers, British_eh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted October 12, 2009 Don't know what 'bangers' are, but Fish 'n Chips and tea & crumpets should be fine. Again I read about unrecoverable stall of a Dr.1 here - must do some testing soon. That shouldn't happen. The Brisfits almost always hit your engine right at the start of an attack. You can only attack them by sending your wingmen first (they seem to be immune to that), and then join in. You can get the Bristol then, without being hit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimAttrill 24 Posted October 12, 2009 A 'banger' is a British pork sausage, normally fried or grilled but never boiled. They are smaller than German bratwurst or bockwurst, normally about the length of your index finger but thicker. A normal breakfast dish, served with eggs and bacon. They are also served with mashed potato and gravy, and sometimes encased in a pudding-type substance (aka Yorkshire pudding) whereupon the whole dish is called 'toad in the hole', I have no idea why. I like all three versions. If you go to England and stay in a cheap hotel or Bed and Breakfast, they will often try to save money by serving you an inferior version made of beef, in which case you should move out to a better place. ps. I have no idea why they are called 'bangers' either. Maybe because they tend to split while being cooked, but they certainly make no noise while doing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bullethead 12 Posted October 12, 2009 ps. I have no idea why they are called 'bangers' either. Maybe because they tend to split while being cooked, but they certainly make no noise while doing it. I figure it's because they make your digestive system emit bangs. I know that another traditional Brit dish, "bubble and squeak", causes my guts to make exactly those noises Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted October 12, 2009 In the 70s, I stayed in a Bed & Breakfast, and got such a "banger" with baked beaks, scrambled eggs, grilled tomato and toast. I can't remember if it was pork (right) or beef (wrong), but what I can remember, is that I didn't need to eat anything after that the whole day, and I couldn't have, even if I had wanted to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
