G.I. Combat #164 (1973), story page 1 by Evans

"The Aegean Eagle!" by George Evans. Cover date September 1973.

George Evans, World War I aviation...'Nuff said!

Evans held a lifelong fascination with airplanes and the pioneers of early aviation. They were a consistent theme in his art and stories. He was an aircraft mechanic in World War II and sometimes flew in the planes he had worked on. (Wikipedia)

Story synopsis: Rudolf von Eschwege's quest for fame brings death and destruction in the air over Macedonia.

Historical note: Von Eschwege was indeed a German ace on the Macedonian front during World War I. His exploits dominate the "War Flying in Macedonia" memoirs of Captain Haupt Heydemarck, commander of a small unit of three reconnaissance aircraft and a scout plane supporting Bulgarian and Turkish forces. (balkanhistory.org)

The unit's main task was aerial reconnaissance, photographing British positions for the Bulgarian artillery. They also took part in bombing raids on British airfields. The scout pilot was Lt. Von Eschwege who achieved sixteen kills before dying in a crash after attacking a balloon that exploded and damaged his Albatross. (balkanhistory.org)