As Voss followed his intended prey down, firing his twin machine guns as he went, he became suddenly aware of planes behind him. Maybe a sixth sense or experience or even pilots instinct, caused him to spin in his seat, just in time to see the flight of S.E. 5 fighters diving upon him from above. Voss and his triplane broke off their attack on Chidlaw-Roberts aircraft. He immediately turned and dropped into a perfectly executed half-spin and suddenly Voss found himself surrounded by enemy aircraft. He noticed, through situational awareness, that a flight of Camels were several thousand feet below, so flying in that direction was impossible and a flight of SPADs and Camels were circling high above, ruling out that direction as well.56 Squadron started out organized and in pairs as they dove upon their prey. McCudden had formulated his trap, upon which he thought there was no escape for the German pilot. McCudden in (B4863), coded G and 2/Lt. Rhys Davids in (B525), coded I were in the first pair and would attack Voss at roughly the same time. McCudden went right, Rhys Davids went left, 2/Lt. Muspratt in (A8944) coded H and Capt. Hoidge in (B506), coded J both at the top and bottom of an open mouthed box with his remaining two SE5s (Lt. Cronyn in (A4563), coded L and Capt. Maybery in (B1), coded K ) guarding any possible escape from the trawl. From McCuddens perspective, his plan should keep the German from diving to escape the trap, as he would be surrounded by the Sopwith ?ÇÿCamels below. If he decided to climb above his trap, he would certainly be pounced upon, by the flight of SPADs and Camels from above.Voss on the other hand, had decided upon some evasive maneuvers of his own concoction. Instead, he decided to fight it out. When the leading S.E.5 pilots depressed their respective triggers together and as the first resounding rattle from their .303 gunfire let loose, Voss did the incredible. He looked over his shoulder, saw them coming and turned ?Çÿin a most disconcertingly quick manner, not a climbing or Immelmann turn Capt. McCudden wrote but a sort of flat half spin. Lt. Cronyn wrote ?ÇÿVoss whipped around in an extra ordinary way, using no bank at all but just throwing his tail behind him. Voss expertly utilized ?Çÿthe pitching & the acrobatic qualities of his rotary-engine triplane to his full advantage, against the faster but heavier and slower-turning S.E.5s. He accomplished this by kicking in full rudder, adding opposite aileron and adding a little elevator, so as to keep his aircraft level. All of this was completed in the blink of an eye.When Voss recovered from his unorthodox maneuver, he found himself surrounded by the six members of B flight and two of the S.E.5s that he had initially attacked him from 60 Squadron. The odds were eight British aircraft against one German Fokker triplane. The growing number of Allied aircraft in the area, tended to seal Vosss avenues of escape.As Voss turned his aircraft to face the approaching danger, he applied a bit more throttle power to his engine, and headed straight at his attackers. Voss was following the ?ÇÿDictas of Boelcke after he had executed his flat, half-spin, which took the Allied flyers completely by surprise. What was even more surprising was that none of the bullets from either S.E.5 found their mark. He flew straight back towards his ambushers firing his twin Spandau machine guns as he came.

Jasta Colors Volume 1 is the first volume in a landmark series on this popular and hotly debated subject by the world's leading authority. This volume gives extensive information on research and sources on this topic supported by 223 photos, 61 documents, 4 color paintings, and 55 color profiles, many with plan views and many not seen before, in its 274 pages.

This book is written by the Red Baron, the famous German flying ace of the Great War who was credited with 80 combat victories in flying battles. It is an autobiography, talking about his early life and love of horses and dogs, and his family. A fascinating insight into a famous figure.

A biography of one of Germany’s pioneers in aerial combat: “a great read” (Internet Modeler). Max Immelmann was born in Dresden, the son of a container factory owner. When World War I started, Immelmann was recalled to active service, transferred to the Luftstreitkäfte, and sent for pilot training in November 1914. He was on his way to becoming a legendary flying ace. Initially stationed in northern France as a reconnaissance aviator, he was shot down by a French pilot but managed to land safely behind German lines. He was decorated with the Iron Cross, Second Class for preserving his aircraft. Later in 1915, he became one of the first German fighter pilots, quickly building an impressive score of victories as he became known as The Eagle of Lille, Der Adler von Lille. Known for the aerial combat maneuver that bears his name; for the use of a machine gun synchronized to fire forward through the propeller arc; and for his association with the Fokker Eindecker, Germany’s first fighter aircraft, Immelmann was the first pilot to be awarded the Pour le Mérite, Germany’s highest military honor—which became colloquially known as the “Blue Max” in the German Air Service. Along with Oswald Boelcke and other pilots, Immelmann was one of the main instigators of the Fokker Scourge, which inflicted heavy losses upon British and French aircrews during 1915. He was credited with fifteen victories—the final one coming on March 30, 1916. This Casemate edition of Max Immelmann’s biography does not change a word from the original 1930 edition, but for the first time, reworks the original type and page layout to provide a beautiful and highly readable new treatment to this classic of aviation literature.

This book traces the combat History of German fighter units. Major aircraft types are all covered, and their missions detailed. Aircraft markings and aircrew uniforms are shown in full colour illustrations.