RAF_Louvert 101 Posted July 20, 2011 . A sad day at the virtual 54 Squadron. Afternoon patrol found Major Jeffrey Alberts leading his flight through a blue spring sky across the mud east of their latest aerodrome assignment at Flez. Shortly after crossing over to the Hun side five Albatros D.IIIs, sporting wide black and white bands on their fuselages, dove on the four Pups of 'A' Flight. Kooksy flew and fought with great skill and grit as he drove his first attacker down, then turned to brush another from the tail of one of the new lads. Just as he placed a burst into the cockpit of the Alb in front of him, he was hit by two streams of lead from another Boche that had slipped onto his tail. Kooksy instinctively twisted hard to starboard as he brought the nose of his kite up and over the top of his following assailant. But a split second later flames burst out from the Pup's cowl, causing the Major to dive for the earth as he switched off the fuel and magnetos. But it was not to be. Kooksy burned all the way to the muddy ground below, crashing next to an Allied balloon position. His body was recovered from the wreck and was buried in a little cemetery near Flez in the presence of the entire 54 Squadron contingent. So, stand to your glasses steady, This world is a world of lies, Here's a drink to the dead already. Hurrah for the next man to die. ...I'm gutted... Lou . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herr Prop-Wasche 7 Posted July 20, 2011 My condolences for your pilot, Lou. It has been a tough day in the virtual skies for both sides. I drink to his shade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast 153 Posted July 20, 2011 Ouch Lou... I will stop writing those doom and gloom Free style musings... seems like bad luck... to the departed... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shiloh 12 Posted July 20, 2011 I raise my glass to the late Major Jeffrey "Kooksy" Alberts who fought with tenacity, honour and skill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theultimat 5 Posted July 20, 2011 That must be a terrible loss for you, RAF_Louvert. Nearly got to a whopping 200 flying hours! Sir, I raise my glass to you and Major Alberts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hasse Wind 46 Posted July 20, 2011 What a terrible loss. I know how it feels, as I'm sure many of us here do. I hope the bad mojo won't spread to my British pilot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dej 17 Posted July 20, 2011 I'm very sorry for your loss, Lou. Our longest-survivng virtual selves in this sim brcome like frinds of long-standing and their demise is not lightly felt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
77Scout 3 Posted July 20, 2011 Nearly making 200 hours is damn inpressive. Myself, I am happy on the very rare occasion I make 20. Dej: Love the BOC poem in your 'sig'. "Fifteen feet and he flies inverted" - priceless! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+elephant 36 Posted July 20, 2011 R.I.P. Major Jeffrey 'Kooksy' Alberts.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TaillyHo 2 Posted July 20, 2011 My condolences, Lou. Kooksy's was an inspirational campaign and he joins a small band of elite airmen flying the eternal high-level patrol. I'm sure very few of us have had pilots with anywhere near 200 hours service. To Kooksy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted July 21, 2011 (edited) That must be feeling very dull, to lose such a good man, pilot and comrade after more than fifteen months in this Storm of Steel. My condolences, Lou! From what I knew about Major Jeffrey Alberts, he was a man of education, of culture; a man who read many a book in his far too short life. So you may accept from a German pilot this poem by Josef von Eichendorf: Und meine Seele spannte weit ihre Flügel aus, flog durch die stillen Lande, als flöge sie nach Haus You have really given all you could give - now rest in peace, Major Alberts! And my soul unfolded wide it's wings flew through the silent lands as if flying home Edited July 21, 2011 by Olham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted July 21, 2011 . Thank you all. It was a nasty shock and I shall dearly miss old Kooksy. C'est la vie. I hear the BE2 of 4 Squadron calling from January 1915, "Prove your worth lad, come fly a B/R bus and show your true mettle!" . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted July 21, 2011 R.I.P. Nearly 200 hrs Wow. I almost had 40 hrs at one time then the Ax fell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted July 21, 2011 Here's to his memory Here's to the next man Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TaillyHo 2 Posted July 21, 2011 Thank you all. It was a nasty shock and I shall dearly miss old Kooksy. C'est la vie. I hear the BE2 of 4 Squadron calling from January 1915, "Prove your worth lad, come fly a B/R bus and show your true mettle!" So will you try Bletchley's mod for that era, Lou? Life at #4 will be very quiet until June 1915 when the Einies come out to play. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted July 21, 2011 . Oh yes TaillyHo, I will most certainly be using Bletchley's early war mods. And I could use a bit of quiet for a while, actually looking forward to the Quirk and a bit of trench mapping, gun ranging, and recce work. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted July 21, 2011 A sad evening in the mess...but let's get on with it chaps!...there's a War on! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites