AlbertTross

Obflugm Edward Reimann Marine Feld Jasta I Nieuwmunster 5 confirmed victories (5 unconfirmed) 10th March to 20th March 1917 Edward was introduced to the rest of MFJI by Oberleutnant Saschenberg, following an introductory chat in Saschenberg's office. Although it was all very friendly, Edward had asked about the Halberstadts out on the field. Saschenberg had explained that the jasta had received several Albatros DIII aircraft at the end of February, only for them to be withdrawn the next week due to 'structural issues'. The only aircraft available in numbers as replacement were the Halberstadt DIII's. A pleasant evening in the kasino on the 10th was followed by Edward's first sortie on the 11th. Saschenberg himself led a flight out to the Ypres salient. They were all but there when tracers flew passed Edward's propeller. He turned instinctively and saw several enemy Triplanes zooming in. Despite his relative inexperience in the Halberstadt (he had roughly two hours in the old DII type) he gradually mastered one of the enemy aircraft and blasted him mercilessly. Another burst had the englischer spiralling down into the ground. Edward then saw another Triplane attacking Saschenberg. He worked furiously to get a shot in and eventually managed a few hits which drew Saschenberg's attacker away. Edward saw and seized his chance, he turned across the Triplane and fired long and hard into the foe. More hits and the enemy aircraft smashed into the ground. Saschenberg confirmed both Triplanes for Edward and privately thanked him for saving his bacon. The 12th was a washout and Edward spent time getting to know his fellow pilots. The 13th was a quiet affair as Edward led a trio on a jaunt over to the Nieuwpoort lines. No encounters and nothing to report was the order of the day. The same could be said on the 14th as the same trio defended a Drachen balloon on the Passchendaele ridge. The 15th was following a similar trait until Edward saw flak bursts ahead, out towards the lines. He went to investigate and was rewarded with a formation of enemy Caudrons coming across the front. He signalled to attack and went after the lead aircraft. He came up behind ad the Caudron desperately tried to give the gunner a shot. Edward had other ideas however and fired a long accurate burst into the right engine which spluttered and steamed at first but then burst into flames. The enemy pilot fought hard to retain control of the now unbalanced and burning Caudron but ended up spiralling into the ground near the German lines. The other Caudrons had tried to scarper but Edward went after one of them. His pursuit took him over the lines and he hammered into the Caudron as he drew near. More hits had him in flames and plummeting down into the ground. Edward found himself alone and made his own way back to Nieuwmunster where he landed safely some little while later. One of Edward's victories was confirmed, the other, not a huge surprise to Edward, was rejected ad it had been unseen and fell on the enemy side of the lines. The 16th involved a defensive flight of the railyards of Roulers which was without incident. The 17th had the jasta up in force over Ypres and their patience was rewarded when a flight of ponderous BE2's appeared unescorted. Edward went after one and made short work of the poor englischers. Several good bursts had the engine and fuselage in flames and the aircraft plunging into the depths. He then went after another two seater and again, despite the desperate attempts to evade, the outcome was the same. A burning BE plunging down into the ground near the Ypres salient. Saschenberg confirmed both of Edward's BE's bringing his total to 9 confirmed victories. The 18th was meant to be a sortie down towards Passchendaele again but after several minutes, Edward's windscreen was suddenly covered in oily grease as his engine spluttered and stopped. Thankfully he was able to land safely in an adjacent field. He was left to flounder his way out of the muddy quagmire and back to the airfield, leaving the Halberstadt to the mechanics. On the 19th, Edward was again leading a flight towards the front lines north of Ypres when a flurry of bullets ripped into his wing. He turned to face his foe and saw a trio of Nieuports nearby. His sturdy Halberstadt was still airworthy and eventually got the better of one of the Nieuports although every so often he could hear the rat-a-tat-tat of enemy Lewis guns. He had been dragged lower and lower by the turning Nieuport but got some hits in. Another flurry and the enemy lurched over and spiralled into the ground. Despite it being on the German side of the lines, the claim was rejected however. Edward's score remained 9. The 20th was washed out once more.

Inge and Edward sat in a fairly dark recess of the Cafe Zaubernuß. The Zaubernuß had been there for many years although it had been some time since Edward has frequented it. As to why the cafe was so named was obvious on first entering. The piquant citrus smell of witch-hazel was obvious from the moment one set foot in the door. A small bundle of the flowers was to be found on each table and was a way of keeping the overpowering stench of cigarette, cigar and pipe smoke at bay. Edward had suggested a drink to Inge as a way of spending some time together and reminiscing. "So what are you upto these days Inge? Are you still with your dad?" asked Edward. "No Edward, I've been a full-time nurse for nearly two years now. I have three days leave and came home to see him" replied Inge. "How is you're father by the way? Well I hope." Edward continued. "He is well. He's looking rather old now but otherwise he's healthy." stated Inge. "I'm assuming you are in the navy looking at your uniform Edward" said Inge. "I'm a naval pilot Inge. I'm home on leave myself and then I'm transferring to a new unit." explained Edward. "Ahh you are a pilot! How wonderful...and dangerous. You look very smart anyway." said Inge. "You look beautiful Inge" said Edward, almost unintentionally, certainly unplanned, but utterly from the heart too. Inge flushed red but smiled nonetheless, "I'm far from beautiful at the moment Edward. It's been a very hard few months and I'm exhausted". explained Inge. "Where are you based?" asked Edward. "At the military hospital in Brussels" replied Inge. The pair continued to talk, Edward ordered another round and the afternoon turned into the evening. "Can I see you tomorrow Inge?" asked Edward. "I'd like that very much Edward" replied Inge. With that the pair went home and Edward slept like a log in his own bed. The next day Edward's mother woke him with a hot coffee. "Danke Mutter" said Edward as he came to. She also handed him a telegram. It was stamped by a navy stamp. Edward teared it open and read...... To Obflugm Edward Reimann stop Transfer has now been authorised stop Report to Oberleutnant Gotthard Sachsenberg at Marine Feld Jasta I at Nieuwmunster stop No later than 1700 hours on 10th March 1917 stop. Edward felt relief, it was now official and he had the green light to start a new chapter of his life. For now though, he had a date to keep. Edward met Inge as planned and spent the day walking along the many rivers and streams that straddled the area around Otterndorf. The weather was fresh but dry and the pair reminisced. "Did you not have a boyfriend Inge? I remember all the boys chased after you when we were younger" asked Edward, only half in jest. "Nothing serious Edward and I'm not one for dalliance." replied Inge. "I apologise Inge I wasn't suggesting for one instant that you were that type." spurted Edward wishing for all the world he'd kept his big mouth shut. Inge laughed "Stop worrying so Edward, I know what you meant.". The pair continued and went for a meal at the Cafe Zaubernuß. At the end of a glorious day, Edward walked Inge home. As they reached Inge's door, she turned and faced Edward. The pair came together and embraced warmly. "Can I see you tomorrow Inge?" asked Edward. "I'm accompanying my father into Hamburg tomorrow morning Edward." replied⁴ Inge. Edward looked rather crestfallen...Inge laughed again, that disarming and warming laugh, "I shall be back in the afternoon so can meet you tomorrow evening Edward". said Inge. "Wonderful! I can't think of much else at the moment Inge....to be honest" stated Edward. Inge smiled warmly again....."me neither" she almost whispered as she kissed him again and went inside. The following day, Edward sorted his travel arrangements out for the trip back to Flanders on the 10th. If all went to plan he'd be there by 4pm. In the evening he and Inge spent more time together. A meal at the Gasthaus zur Schleuse. She was leaving in the morning to return to Brussels. "Promise you will write Edward!" stated Inge as they parted that night. Embracing warmly again, Edward replied "of course I will Inge and given the chance I'll come and see you in Brussels". Inge smiled and after a final embrace, they then parted. Edward went into Hamburg himself on the 9th, and attended to some business on behalf of his mother. Including a meeting with the bank as his mother needed additional funds to attend to several jobs around the family home. He had a lavish meal that evening with his mother and left early on the morning of the 10th. The trip back to Flanders, though long and tiring, went quickly enough and Edward had plenty of time to think about the new adventures ahead, both as a pilot and with Inge. He finally reached the home field of MFJI at about 4.20pm. The daylight was beginning to darken as he climbed out of the lorry and grabbed his baggage. He took a deep breath and looked out across the airfield.....and then frowned as he looked upon the long line of aircraft on the edge of the field....."Halberstadts?!?" He said to himself. Finally he went into the office.

Obflugm Edward Reimann MFFA II Nieuwmunster 5 confirmed victories (4 unconfirmed) 5th March to 10th March 1917 Edward climbed out of the cab which had brought him from the train station to the family home on Stephanstrasse in the centre of Otterndorf. The journey had been a long one travelling through the night and involving several train changes from Ostend, through Brussels to Dortmund and then on to Otterndorf. He'd said quick farewells to the other pilots and had left hastily. Leutnant Wald hadn't even said goodbye, he'd simply stayed in his office. 'Good riddance!' Edward had thought as he left with his bags. He managed some fleeting moments of sleep on the trains although they remained busy despite it being the middle of the night. There were servicemen everywhere, nurses too, although Edward was too tired to pay them much attention. He knocked at the door to his mother's house, after a moment the door opened. His mother, now 50, still had the radiance of her youth. She smiled broadly as she saw her son on the step. "Eddie! She hugged her son warmly and despite Edward cringing at sound of 'Eddie', responded in kind. "Why didn't you write and say you were coming?" his mother reproached him. "It's a long story mother, I'll tell you in due course" responded Edward. "Right now I'm shattered and in need of a bath!" Edward continued. Edward went straight to his old room and threw his bags on the floor and himself on the bed. His mother had kept his room spotless despite it being nearly two years since his last visit. After a rest he went into the kitchen where his mother was busy preparing dinner. "If I'd known you were coming Edward I'd have got more in. For now I do hope a Käsespätzle will suffice!" said his mother. "It will be fine mother" responded Edward. "Where is Eva?" Edward asked. Eva was his older sister, 3 years his elder. "She is in Bochum meine leibe" replied his mother. "Bochum? Why would she be there?" Edward queried. "She is at the teaching hospital there. She's been training as a nurse for the last three months now" replied Edward's mother. The Käsespätzle was wonderful and Edward enjoyed sitting at the family table once more. After dinner he went for a walk through Otterndorf. Not much had changed other than there being a preponderance of navy personnel about. He spotted the Rathaus and his old school. On the Marktstrasse, he stopped at many of the shop windows. Feldmann the Tailor was still there, as was the dairy. Next door, the bakery was busy and smelt wonderful. As he looked in the bakery window at the beautiful kuchen, a soft feminine voice spoke from behind him. "Edward? Is that you?" Edward turned around and saw the owner of the voice. Inge Muller had known Edward since childhood and had lived opposite for many years. Her mother had died a few years ago and Inge lived at home with her father who was a local businessman. Inge was beautiful, beautiful to Edward anyway and seeing her now brought back many memories. "Inge! How wonderful to see you!" Edward exclaimed. To be continued.....

Raine - This Huntington, its hard to tell what's true and what's gobbledegook with him. I'm sure we'll find out more in the coming episodes. A quiet sortie for Douglas and then off on leave. Looking forward to reading his adventures whilst on his jollies.