Carrick, how were those doughnuts? Did they go well with the wine?


25 May, 1916 06:00 morning mission
Senard, Verdun Sector
Escadrille N37
Capitaine Gaston A. Voscadeaux
27 confirmed kills
Awaiting 2 claim confirmations

‘B’ flight was en route to enemy troop camp north of Valmy to perform CAS duties in cooperation with the ground forces below. Gaston led Japy, Boillot and de Gueser over the NML when out of the corner of his eye he noticed some movement. The sun was thwarting his attempts to get a good look. It looked like an Aviatik was falling out of the sky. No, it was attacking! But it was no Aviatik. It was that new type of fighter striking out of the sun. The Wheelfish! It was an agile two-seater biplane. The pilot was very skilled, maybe even the very same one that took out Thuillier? Gaston had a difficult time trying to get a bead on the Boche. It didn't help any that his wingmen were getting in his way. One flew so close in front of Voscadeaux’s plane that Gaston had to back off and give the hothead extra space. He watched from distance his wingmen chasing the two-seater all over the sky and the German expertly avoiding the brunt of their attacks. Eventually the Hun’s battle-damaged machine lost control low over the front and crashed in NML on the German side.
They’ve reformed and continued with their patrol. Once over the target, their patrol stretched between two points above the troop camp, but they were not welcome there. In addition to angry Flak bursts from below, they were asked to leave by a trio of Fokkers. The Germans were not very convincing and their attempt to chase the Nieuports away failed. The fur ball that followed made it clear to them. It was during this battle that Gaston found out Violette wasn't performing well. When chasing the new type, Voscadeaux must have damaged some of the controls and the plane was sluggish in a roll. It didn't matter. A damaged Nieuport was still more than a match for the Eindeckers. They continued to chase each other in circles. One Fokker ran away right at the start of the engagement, the other two fought valiantly. Gaston kept on the one trying to get away by climbing ever so higher. A few well placed rounds brought him back to an even level and on the defensive. His wingmen were chasing the last Fokker. During his difficult battle with Gaston the German pilot drifted closer to the troop camp, trying to lure Voscadeaux into a trap, but Gaston wouldn't have any of that. Finally the French Ace ran out of ammo and watched as Adjutant Boillot swooped in and set the poor Boche on fire. His machine kept on flying straight. The pilot must have still been alive and attempting a landing. Gaston watched as the flying pyre was getting closer and closer to the ground and to his astonishment, very close to another smoldering hole. It had to be the second Fokker. They appeared to be wingmen even in death. The flaming Fokker finally touched down and stood on its nose. Gaston couldn't see what became of the Boche. He was already flying home, being hurried by the Flak.



25 May, 1916 14:15 afternoon mission
Senard, Verdun Sector
Escadrille N37
Capitaine Gaston A. Voscadeaux
27 confirmed kills
Awaiting 2 claim confirmations

On their patrol of friendly front lines north of St. Mihiel salient, the ‘B’ flight encountered two Aviatiks overflying the Hesse Forest. Thankfully they were really Aviatiks, not the hellish Rolands. Gaston led the charge and attacked the wing leader with a few rounds, then spun out of the way to let his boys do the rest. He watched as Barnay finished the leader off while Japy went for the trailing machine, getting wounded in the process without firing a single shot. He then patiently waited for the last remaining plane to be taken out, but both of his wingmen emptied their ammunition trays without bringing him down. It was up to Voscadeaux to end this. He crept under the immensely shot up Boche, wondering how the thing is still staying afloat and brought it down with a few well placed volleys. He stayed behind to watch the Hun crash into the outskirts of the forest and was the last one to land back at Senard.



"Take the cylinder out of my kidneys,
The connecting rod out of my brain, my brain,
From out of my arse take the camshaft,
And assemble the engine again."