𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓 ✈︎ r.rosenthal

𝐈𝐕. 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥

Large clouds of black smoke suddenly bloomed amongst the clouds, loud bangs quickly following as Willow's grip on the control wheel tightened.

"Flak incoming, hold on." The co-pilot announced through the radio as the billows of smoke drew nearer to their squadron at every passing second.

The plane began to aggressively shake upon contact with the small explosions as the two pilots strained to maintain the fort's position, awaiting the leading planes bomb release. The skies rapidly began to clear up, however, as the flak reduced to zero.

"Flak stopped. You know what that means, get ready." Dorothy declared as the atmosphere quickly grew tense, every person on the plane watching closely for a single sign of what was to come.

"Top turret to crew, 12:00 high. Fighters!" The man screamed through the radio before the sound of rapid gunfire quickly followed, the sight of enemy planes swiftly passing them causing the girl to grow nervous, realising what they may be heading to.

"Jesus, they're fast." Another voice crackled on the radio as the girl turned forwards, unable to see where they were heading due to her position on the right seat.

"He's going after Veal's crew." Radioed the gunner.

"Shit." The girl mumbled, sighing defeatedly as she awaited the news of the squadrons fate. "Wilkens to tail, what do you see back there?"

"Tail to Wilkens, the 349th are in the clouds, ma'am, I don't see anything." The man replied as the girl remained in position with her eyes straight ahead, trying to ignore the looming presence of death on the 100th's shoulder.

"Fighter coming right back at us!" Another voice exclaimed before the sound of rapid gunfire instantly continued.

A sudden silence fell on the plane, however, as Dorothy quickly grew nervous at the unusual lack of sound.

"Tail, report."

"Tail to Wilkens, the fighters are gone. I only see two left from the 349th, three forts are gone." The man finally announced as time almost froze, the brunette unable to believe that the squadron had taken such a huge loss. 30 men gone in under 2 minutes, as if their lives could be turned off at the flip of a switch.

"Ball turret to pilot, I've been shot." Radioed the soldier, his pain obvious through his strained voice.

"Pilot to crew, somebody help him get out of the turret." The co-pilot replied as the silence continued to grow, everyone on the fort unable to comprehend how the lives of 30 men could be gone in an instant.

The squadron continued their journey to the english channel, not allowing the weight of the situation to hinder their orders as the eventual drop of there bombs in the water caused the girl to question the true significance of the mission. They lost 30 lives, all for a mission that resulted in the Germans walking free, and this meant that the Allies were not a single step closer to winning the war, in fact they were back a step for such a large loss, leaving a massive hole in their squadron.

✈︎✈︎✈︎

Chaos quickly erupted as Willow's plane landed on the runway, a large inflow of ground crew surrounded the fort as many of the fort's occupants began to flee out, practically being carried away by medics as Dorothy watched one of her crew members be stretchered off, an obvious gaping wound being the source of issue, his screams filling the previous silence.

The brunette quickly followed pursuit of her remaining crew, her bag dropping loudly onto the ground, quickly observing how they were being ushered into a large truck by another Major, which she quickly caught the attention of.