British mission 01 A - Binky's bunch bag a balloon

Summary

Narrative

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Captain Binky Hetherington, 84 Squadron

"This could be hairy chaps, so stick together!" Binky had said as the mission briefing broke up, but, by Jingo! as they approached the Hun lines it looked as though they'd caught Fritz on the hop. Only a couple of archie batteries and a pair of crates stooging around.

Binky and Biffo in their SE5s headed straight toward the 'tross ahead of them, a quick glance to the right showed that Ted Cunterblast in the Bristol Fighter was screaming straight at the balloon they'd come to pop, whilst "Nancy" Gripham-Titely was heading for the Hun two-seater.

"Cheeky sod!" muttered Binky under his breath as Fritz let off a burst at extreme range and a splinter of wood grazed Hetherington's flying helmet. He sideslipped smoothly left as the Hun came on, straight into Biffo's guns!

By the time Binky had looped back to pursue the Hun the fight was almost over, a satisfying crump and whoosh of flame indicated that Ted's incendiaries had done the trick, whilst the two Boche planes were disappearing as fast as they could.

Binky could almost taste the champers that would be cracked open back at The Field, this balloon busting was a bit of a lark......

Toby

Sgt. Edward Cunterblast, 84 Squadron

Mrs. Ada Cunterblast

12 Omdurman Road

Wapping

Dear Ma,

The Cap led us over the lines to find a Bosche balloon from which they'd been observing our lads in the trenches. I was given the job of shooting up the balloon whilst the rest of the sqn. drove off any Hun who might be flying about. We crossed the enemy trenchline and only saw a couple of their kites so I dove straight at the target and waited til I was right on it before I let rip. Crikey! Those incendiary bullets sent the balloon over half of Belgium in a ball of flame before you could say "Jack Robinson"! The kite shook about a bit as I avoided the inferno, I can tell you. I was going to help Mr. Gripham-Titely take on one of the Boche planes but it scarpered before I could climb high enough, so had the other one. So we was all home safe and well you'll be glad to hear.

Your Loving Son,

Ted

P.S. Yes, I'm using the liniment you sent and I'm staying away from loose women.

Toby

Leutnant Gunter Runhoff, Jasta 69

Gunter Runhoff glanced back at the tail of his Albatross; if he was lucky it would stay on long enough for him to return to Peu d'odeur airodrome.

He looked past the tattered canvas and wood at the flaming balloon in the distance. The British aircraft were closing in on Ivan and Heinz. He hoped they too would be able to escape and make it home. It would be nice to have some company when he faced the wrath of Klinkerhoffen back at Peu d'odeur.

Ian

Feldwebel Ivan Schitter & Leutnant Heinz Zoop, Jasta 69

Ivan was enjoying the view looking out over the homeland, these patrols whilst necessary were not very exciting and Ivan was disappointed that he not been picked for the mission to actually cross the British lines and take some surveillance photos!

"British on the horizon... four of them!" shouted Heinz, he had to repeat this twice before Ivan actually responded, waking up from whatever day dream he was having. "Where?, I cannot see them" shouted Ivan looking around wildly side to side whilst turning the plane to try and get closer to the balloon. "There's one on our six! one is going after the balloon low and the others are going after Gunter!" replied Heinz.

Ivan struggled with the Hannover CLIII controls to try and get the plane turned towards the balloon whilst steadily muttering curses about everyone and everything especially the plane. "I see them" shouted Ivan... "Damn we will never make it in time! faster you crate faster...".

"Gunter got a shot in!" Heinz shouted enthusiastically, Ivan joined in the cheering but both of them stopped abruptly when they saw that the return fire from the British had caused some major damage to Gunter’s tail, “Damn!” they chorused in unison.

They made steady progress towards the balloon but could only watch on helplessly as one of the British planes closed in and destroyed the balloon with a burst of fire before they could get there. After a couple of seconds of watching the balloon go down Ivan turned to look at Heinz who was also staring at the balloon and caught his eye, “Home?” asked Heinz very quietly Ivan merely nodded.

Ivan was about to turn back to the controls when something over Heinz’s shoulder caught his eye, “!*%* On our six! Fire FIRE!” screamed Ivan as he turned back to the controls and started to steer the plane back to base, Heinz turned back so quickly that he hit the gun, after flailing around and muttering curses Heinz realigned the weapon took aim and fired. Ivan nearly jumped out of his seat, he had always been a bit jumpy when the sound of firing was behind him, he preferred for it to be in front with preferably him doing the shooting.

“I’ve got you now, I’VE got you now… DAMN!” shouted Heinz, Ivan turned to see what the problem was but no one was there “HEINZ!... HEINZ!?” Heinz’s head popped up over the observer’s compartment “Guns jammed!” shouted Heniz before quickly popping back down again. “OH !%!” shouted Ivan.

Ivan used his entire repertoire of insults and curses to urge the Hannover CLIII to go faster whilst imminently expecting to be shot at by the British plane. This did not happen however and Ivan looked around to find that the British plane had broken off pursuit. “Heinz it’s safe! He’s broken off the pursuit” Heinz popped his head up over the side, took a look, silently prayed thanks then said to Ivan “There’s going to be hell to pay back at base… I hope Gunter got out safely”