French Campaign not for the faint of heart! 2 more pilots meet their fate in the brutal fight for the skies!

Charles Marinovitch returned to the squadron after missing an arduous four sorties due to a severe injury he sustained during a previous mission. The injury had left him sidelined, grappling with both physical pain and the emotional toll of being away from the action. However, his spirit remained unbroken, and he was filled with an overwhelming eagerness to rejoin his comrades in the sky. The adrenaline of aerial combat was calling him back, and he was determined to prove himself once again.

His first mission back was a Bomber Escort over the treacherous expanse known as No Man's Land. This area, fraught with danger and uncertainty, was a battleground where the line between friend and foe was often blurred. As the squadron took to the skies, Charles felt a mix of excitement and anxiety coursing through him. He was acutely aware of the risks involved, especially after his recent experiences, but the thrill of flying and the camaraderie of his fellow pilots spurred him on.

It wasn't long before the tension escalated, and our pilot found himself engaged with an Albatross DIII, a formidable enemy aircraft known for its agility and firepower. The dogfight that ensued was intense and exhilarating, with Charles executing a series of heroic maneuvers that showcased his skill and determination. He weaved through the skies, deftly avoiding enemy fire while positioning himself for an advantageous shot. The culmination of his efforts came when he unleashed a volley of bullets, watching in triumph as the Albatross burst into flames and spiraled downwards, marking his first victory since returning to the squadron. It was a moment of pure exhilaration, a testament to his resilience and fighting spirit.

However, the joy of that victory was short-lived. As Charles and his squadron made their way home, safely within the bounds of friendly territory, fate had other plans in store for him. He suddenly encountered another Albatross DIII, and this time the circumstances were far less favorable. Caught off guard, he found himself in a precarious situation as the enemy aircraft opened fire. The first salvo struck his plane with a jarring impact, sending vibrations through the cockpit and causing serious damage. In that critical moment, Charles realized he was at a significant disadvantage, grappling with both the physical damage to his aircraft and the psychological weight of the encounter.

In a moment of desperation, he made a poor tactical decision, attempting to regain control and evade the pursuing enemy. Unfortunately, this maneuver proved to be ill-fated. The Albatross, relentless in its pursuit, continued to rain fire upon him. Charles's heart raced as he fought to maintain control, but the damage was too severe. He was shot down, crashing into the ground while still within the supposed safety of friendly territory. The harsh reality of aerial warfare was starkly evident in this result. Charles Marinovitch finished up with 1 Victory (Scout: Albatross DIII) with 3 successful missions for his career.

Next in line is the newly trained pilot, Lyam Dumas, a Sous Lieutenant who had never experienced live combat before joining the squadron. He embarked on his aviation career with only a single experience point amassed from the rigorous training school, which was a mere fraction of what many of his peers had accrued. His inexperience weighed heavily on him as he prepared to face the uncertainties of war.

**July 21, 1918:** The day of Lyam's first mission arrived, and the atmosphere in the briefing room was charged with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The mission was a Line Patrol, a task that would take him perilously close to No Man's Land, the infamous stretch of territory that separated the opposing forces. Upon takeoff, an unexpected event occurred, almost as if fate had intervened; Lyam felt a sudden surge of intuition, a sixth sense that heightened his awareness for this sortie.

Fortunately, he did not need to rely on this newfound instinct during his mission, and for that, he was immensely grateful. The skies were clear, and his first mission unfolded without a single encounter with enemy aircraft. This absence of conflict was a welcome relief for both him and the squadron, who often preferred easy missions for newly trained pilots to help build their confidence. With no incidents to mar the day, Lyam returned to base triumphant; his first mission was deemed a success, and he felt a flicker of pride ignite within him.

**August 1918:** As the month progressed, Lyam Dumas, now a Sous Lieutenant with one successful mission under his belt, continued to carry his good luck charm—a small trinket given to him by his mother, which he believed brought him protection.

**August 6, 1918 - Balloon Busting mission:** This mission, however, did not start off as smoothly as the last. He quickly found himself embroiled in a confrontation with an Albatross D.VA. In the chaos of battle, Lyam's guns were knocked out early in the engagement, leaving him vulnerable and defenseless. Realizing he could do nothing but disengage, he made the difficult decision to retreat and head home. Although he landed safely, the experience left him shaken and acutely aware of his vulnerability in the skies. This mission would not be recorded as a success, and it served as a harsh reminder of the dangers that lay ahead.

**August 13: Bomber Escort mission:** The following mission began on a much more positive note. Lyam and his squadron successfully navigated enemy territory without encountering any resistance. As they made their way back, the skies remained eerily quiet, allowing Lyam to breathe a sigh of relief. The mission concluded successfully, earning him his second successful mission, a much-needed boost to his morale.

**September 1918:** As September rolled in, Lyam found himself with 1 experience point, 0 Prestige, and a fatigue rating of 3, yet still no victories to his name.

**September 6: Offensive Patrol to enemy territory:** On this day, as he took to the skies, the squadron encountered a group of 2-seater LVG Roland CII aircraft. Demonstrating his growing skill, Lyam engaged in a tactical maneuver that forced the enemy pilot to disengage with only minimal damage inflicted. The rest of the mission was marked by an unsettling silence, and Lyam returned to base without any further incidents. Another successful mission was logged, adding to his growing confidence.

**September 10: Offensive Patrol to enemy territory:** This mission proved to be a turning point for Lyam. As they entered No Man's Land, they spotted a squadron of Rumpler CIVs. On their first pass, they successfully shot down one of the two-seaters, which erupted into flames and fell into the muck of No Man's Land, marking Lyam's first victory. The mission continued smoothly, and all pilots returned home safely, with Lyam earning another experience point for his achievements, now tallying up to four successful missions.

**September 15: Offensive Patrol to enemy territory:** This day would be etched in Lyam's memory as one of the most intense experiences of his burgeoning career. As he entered No Man's Land, he found himself unexpectedly engaged in a dogfight with an Albatross DIII. The enemy aircraft emerged from the sun, catching Lyam off guard as bullets tore through his machine. In the chaos, he sustained a light wound when a bullet grazed his right arm, but the real battle lay in the struggle to maintain control of his aircraft. Damage was mounting, and Lyam realized he was at a disadvantage. Time and again, he attempted to disengage, desperately aware of the precariousness of his situation. Just as it seemed all hope was lost, luck favored him; he drew a defensive card that ended the encounter, allowing him a moment to breathe and regroup.

However, the trials were not over yet. On his way back to the aerodrome, he encountered another German Albatross D.VA. After a fierce exchange of fire, Lyam sustained another wound, this time to his head. Miraculously, his defensive maneuvers led to the conclusion of the engagement, but the landing proved to be a harrowing experience, exacerbated by inclement weather. He managed to land, but was quickly rushed to the medical tent, where he learned he would miss the next two sorties due to a scalp injury.

**October 1918:** With the onset of October, Lyam Dumas found himself with 2 experience points, 0 Prestige, and one successful mission under his belt, but the scars of his last encounter lingered.

**October 2, 1918: Recon Escort to enemy lines:** This mission unfolded with a sense of cautious optimism as Lyam made his way to No Man's Land. During the flight, he encountered a Fokker DR1. Initially, they held the advantage, managing to inflict some damage on the enemy aircraft before the engagement ended with a defensive play. The remainder of the mission was uneventful, and Lyam landed safely, adding another successful mission to his record.

**October 6: Line Patrol to No Man's Land:** As Lyam approached his objective, he crossed paths with an Albatross DIII. The battle commenced head-to-head, and in a swift turn of events, Lyam's skillful piloting led to a decisive engagement resulting in a DE outcome for the enemy. Drawing upon his good luck charm, he was able to escape a precarious situation. The German scout, in a moment of poor judgment, made a critical error that allowed Lyam to tail it. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, his reflexes kicked in, and with precise shooting, he watched in triumph as the Albatross's port strut crumbled, sending the enemy aircraft spiraling down to the earth below. Lyam had achieved his second victory, and in a moment of pure elation, he raised his fist in the air, filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment. However, this moment of triumph would be fleeting.

As the aerodrome came into sight, disaster struck. An Albatross D.VA caught Lyam in a vulnerable position. He attempted a side loop to evade, but the maneuver proved to be ill-timed. The enemy aircraft capitalized on his miscalculation, resulting in a DE outcome for Lyam. Tragically, he never made it back to celebrate his hard-won second victory; he perished with the airfield looming in the distance, a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of aerial combat and the fleeting nature of life in the skies.

As an aside, this campaign was quite challenging for me. It felt like my pilots could never gain momentum. This is a fantastic game, but the French campaign was tough. Hopefully, I'll have better luck next time, as the saying goes.