This AAR is based on a mission flown as part of FlatSpinMan'campaign “Luftwaffe Pilot: Legion Kondor”
I recently arrived in Spain, together with my fellow pilots. Officially we are no longer member of the Luftwaffe, but that's just appearances. The German press calls us the Kondor Legion and we are here to support Franco against the republicans.
I scheduled a short flight around the base to familiarize us with the area, when the sound of engines arrive over the horizon.
There were some new Me-109's expected this morning, so I guess the ferry pilots finaly arrived. Until an explosion rocks the hangars in the distance.
Explosions rock the ground left and right of my aircraft. I feel the of the blasts in my neck.
The republicans must have learned of our presence and are launching a quick dashing raid.
I shove the throttle forward and speed down the runway. These SOB will pay for this.
The republicans only have small old biplanes, which are no match for our modern elegant Me-109. It does not take long before I am hot on the tail of a republican pilot.
These wooden planes have no armor protection and a quick burst is enough to hit the pilot. The aircraft spirals downwards and disappears in plume of smoke and fire as it hits the ground.
I call out for my wingmen, but get no response. I press on my attacks against the remaining fighters.
I pepper another bi-plane with bullets and shells. For minutes I spray the fighter but it keeps on flying regardless of what I throw at it.
These planes made out of wood and fabric are invincible. If I only could hit the pilot or the engine.
Finally the engine of the fighter dies out. I probably hit some fuel line. I don't linger around it and focus my attention on another fighter trying to shoot me down.
This fighter is a bit more modern, with a single wing but still with fixed landing gear. It does not take me long to circle around it. Unfortunately I have no more cannon shells left, so I'll have to finish it off with bullets.
After a few quick bursts the fighter starts trailing smoke. I assume he will go down soon, so I turn back towards my base.
Suddenly I spot a flash in the corner of my eye, black smoke heads towards me. With a quick roll I avoid a mid-air collision. The SOB wanted to ram me!
Using the speed gained by diving on me, the fighter climbs vertically. I guess he will be preparing to bail out. But he won't escape me!. I pull the trigger, sending more lead into his direction.
As the fighter comes over the top of his climb, he runs straight in the path of my bullets. This time he won't be so lucky as fire starts spreading around the cockpit.
I am more cautious and I trail the fighter as it pulls a fiery tail behind it. To my horror the pilot still sits slumped in his cockpit, while flames rise from within and around the cockpit. I hope that my bullets killed him before the flames got to him.
Satisfied that there are no more enemy fighters left, I head back for base.
Above my base, I see why no one of my wingmen reacted to my calls. My aircraft had been the first in line to take off. As such the republican bombers must have used me as an aiming point, hitting all fighters behind me. The Kondor legion has just arrived and already we have 2 pilots to mourn for.
The End
